Martin made Director
East Midlands Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers HSKS Greenhalgh have promoted Martin Tomes to Director.
Since joining HSKS Greenhalgh as Taxation Services Manager almost ten years ago, Martin has worked on both tax compliance and advisory projects, as well as with HSKS Greenhalgh Corporate Finance, providing tax advice on a wide variety of transactions.
After graduating from the University of Reading in 1985, Martin gained experience working at a number of accountancy practices across the country including PWC and Safferey Champness and became a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser in 1995.
Martin joins HSKS Greenhalgh’s existing team of six Directors, who are based across the firm’s offices in Nottingham, Derby, Burton and Uttoxeter.
In his new role, he will be specifically responsible for tax consultancy services and will also head up the firm’s specialist property development and investment sector group.
Martin said: “I am extremely pleased and proud to be made a Director of HSKS Greenhalgh and am looking forward to contributing to the growth and development of the business and continuing to deliver high quality tax advisory services to our clients and contacts.”
HSKS Greenhalgh Taxation Services Director Michael Henshaw said: “This appointment is deserved and recognises the services Martin is providing, drawing upon his specialist tax knowledge and commercial experience. With now three tax directors and a growing taxation services team, this demonstrates the firm’s increasing commitment to providing commercial tax solutions for our clients ."
Martin has previously been an active committee member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation East Midlands Branch, spending three years as Branch Chairman.
Carrie is new Business Development Coordinator
Civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has appointed Carrie Booth as business development coordinator.
Carrie, who joined BSP as an Administration Assistant in August 2004, before becoming Accounts Assistant, and then Office Manager in January 2010, started her new role at the beginning of February.
She will support the business development across all four offices of BSP Consulting – in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Sheffield.
“Carrie’s commitment to business development has shone through and we are delighted to now have her as a full-time member of the business development team, at a time when BSP is growing,” said Business Development Director Jef Todd.
Carrie, a keen runner who also enjoys travelling, is a member of Women in Construction, Nottingham Means Business and attends a number of networking events on behalf of BSP, including the First Thursday Club in Nottingham. She also attends Construction Leaders Club, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and Marketing Derby events.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to building on business development opportunities for BSP and supporting the company’s expansion plans across the Midlands and the UK.”
BSP Consulting, which is based in Oxford Street, Nottingham, and also has offices at Pride Park, Derby, De Montfort Street, Leicester, and Solly Street, Sheffield, provides civil, structural, traffic, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering services across the construction industry.
An award-winning business, the firm operates across all the major sectors including health, education, residential, leisure, retail, rail and industrial.
Qdos Consulting recruits BDM
Will Musson has been recruited by Qdos Consulting , as Business Development Manager.
He will work in the Chamber patron's expanding business development team.
Will has previously worked at Kaplan Financial and the Babington Group - both companies are training providers.
In his previous roles, Will was responsible for promoting both professional and vocational qualifications to organisations, ranging from large accountancy practices, local authorities and international charities to small retail stores.
Will said: “I am looking forward to a new challenge with Qdos Consulting and being part of a company with a passion for business support and growth as well a commitment to excellence.”
Toni Robinson, Director of Qdos Consulting, said: “Will brings with him great experience and tremendous knowledge in employee engagement as well as in learning and development, he will be a great asset to the team.”
3aaa appoint new CEO and Director of Strategy, Policy and Funding
Aspire Achieve Advance (3aaa), has announced two important senior appointments to the business.
Sat Bains has joined as the new CEO and Stewart Segal will join at the beginning of April in the newly created role of Director of Strategy, Policy and Funding.
Both will also join the Board of 3aaa alongside Chairman Derek Mapp, Chair of Quality & Standards Sub Group – Sir Howard Newby and founder owners Peter Marples and Di McEvoy-Robinson.
Sat Bains in his role as CEO will drive the strategic direction of the business at an important point, as changes to the apprenticeship environment take effect across the sector and with the guidance of the wider Board. Sat joins from the commercial sector where he has built a reputation of success through his innovative style and unrelenting energy.
Sat said: “I am excited and energised to have joined 3aaa at a period when apprenticeships are playing such a strategic part of the Government’s skills agenda.
"My background in the private sector will ensure that I can bring new thinking and ideas to what is already an outstanding and exciting business."
Stewart joins from his role as CEO of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) where he drove the organisation forward and lobbied Government effectively on apprenticeship reforms.
He has worked with AELP in a number of roles since its formation in 1998. He was one of the original Directors and then worked with AELP as the funding and contracting expert for 10 years before becoming CEO in 2013.
He said: “I am delighted to be joining 3aaa, which has established a very strong delivery model that was recognised with an outstanding rating by Ofsted.
"There are many opportunities to develop the Apprenticeship programme even further and I look forward to working with the team."
Phil fills gap at FHP
Phil Daniels has joined FHP Property Consultants as a Director working from their Nottingham office.
His recent experience includes running his own property consultancy providing transactional and development advice to a range of private and public sector clients.
He also spent two-and-a-half years at senior level in local government, including a position as Head of Property Development at Nottingham City Council and as Head of Asset Management at Newark and Sherwood District Council.
He has extensive knowledge and experience of dealing with publicly owned property assets in Nottingham and the wider East Midlands area.
While at Newark and Sherwood District Council he was involved in numerous projects including the sale of their 90,000sq ft Headquarters (Kelham Hall); land assembly for the forthcoming Sports Hub; and the commencement of development of a new £12m leisure centre on Bowbridge Road.
At Nottingham City Council he was involved in large scale regeneration projects including the refurbishment of the historic Sneinton Market, sale of assets for redevelopment into student accommodation, marketing of surplus sites including the 3.5 acre Beechdale Baths site and the future redevelopment of the three acre Guildhall site in Central Nottingham.
His experience extends to European Regeneration Development Fund regeneration projects and the purchase of property investments to provide revenue income for public bodies whose Government grants have been substantially cut.
He is well placed to advise public bodies on how to maximise income and return from their property assets. Likewise his knowledge of the workings of local government will be invaluable to private sector property owners dealing with the public sector.
New senior director promotions as firm grows
Intellectual property firm and Chamber member Swindell & Pearson has appointed a number of new senior directors.
Patent attorneys Christine Anglesea, Scott Harrison and Martin Terry, as well as trademark attorney Kieron Taylor, have all been promoted to senior IP directors at the business as a result of their hard work and dedication over the years.
Christine and Scott both joined the firm as trainees back in 2003 and are a part of the hi-tech team helping clients ranging from SMEs to universities and blue-chip multinationals.
In addition, Scott will also now be responsible for much of the firm’s Black Country and wider West Midlands’ client relationships taking over from Michael Skinner who recently retired from the firm after almost 30 years.
Martin joined from a leading London firm in 2010 and has helped a wide range of clients protect and obtain intellectual property rights in the fields of computer implemented inventions, software and electronics and telecommunications among others. He was recently recommended in the 2015 edition of the Legal 500; an accolade he picked up for the second year running.
Kieron joined Swindell & Pearson in 2007 and helps his clients obtain trademark protection for their brands, designs and logos and is responsible for building up Swindell & Pearson’s litigation offering. Kieron was also recommended in the 2015 edition of the Legal 500.
Swindell & Pearson’s Business Development Manager Mahir Raoof said: “We’re delighted that Christine, Scott, Martin and Kieron have all decided to make a long term commitment to the firm. Not only do these promotions show how we invest in our staff but they also show the growth we are experiencing as an increasing number of new clients instruct us alongside existing clients who continue to value our high-quality services.”
Right people help S&S Plastics to expand
A Kirkby plastics company has seen demand for its specialist services increase so much it has had to put on extra shifts and recruit new people.
S&S Plastics, of Julias Way, has built a reputation for plastic injection moulding and offers a number of services, including tool design and manufacture.
It is also one of just a handful of companies in the UK that has a foiling department, where 3D surface laminating is used to put decorative effects on to plastic used in the building industry, such as in the construction of windows and conservatories.
Demand for this service has increased and over the past 12 to 18 months, the foiling team has grown from 14 to 18 permanent staff and an additional 17 agency staff.
And since 2014, the order book has increased 150%, and is continuing to rise.
Louise Gregory, Business Development Manager at the firm, said: “We are well known throughout the industry for quality and for delivering when our customers need us to do so.
“In order to keep up with demand, we have grown the team of people who work in that department and we have been able to continue providing a great service.”
Louise added: “We have worked with Senior Salmon, a local recruitment agency that knows our business and its needs and they have been able to provide the right people to enable us to sustain this growth.”
The award-winning Senior Salmon agency, based at the Mansfield iCentre, in Hamilton Way, provides targeted recruitment services across the commercial, industrial and engineering sectors, placing thousands of candidates into temporary and permanent roles.
Mark Beastall, who focuses on the industrial sector for Senior Salmon, said: “The S&S Plastics story is one of success. It’s been fantastic to see the company in action, and it’s easy to see why the country’s big manufacturers come to them for the foiling work.
“There are people out there who need and want jobs and so we have successfully been able to help S&S with the initial stages of recruitment, even testing people’s ability to cut foil to a high standard.
“While we have been trusted to help get the right staff at the right time, S&S has been able to focus fully on developing their offering. And it certainly seems to be a success.”
Senior appointments at law firm ‘good for growth’
Law firm Roythornes has completed a phase of senior level appointments as part of its ambitious growth programme.
Four new Partners bring the total at Roythornes to 26, making it one of the largest firms in the region.
Peter Cusick joins the nationally recognised agriculture and food law specialist firm in the litigation team.
Peter was previously Head of Agriculture and Food at a firm in the south of England and brings with him extensive experience of the agri-food sector, where he acted for some of the major suppliers of fresh produce in the UK.
He has been consistently rated as one of the leading agricultural solicitors for many years.
Shruti Trivedi joins the commercial property team, where she will focus on providing technical planning advice to current and new clients.
Shruti joins from a large national practice and has had considerable experience of a wide range of projects including very complex inquiry and High Court work as well as strategic residential, commercial and energy schemes.
Sarah Banner is a new member of Roythornes Private Client team which advises clients on tax and wealth planning issues, together with wills, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work.
She also advises a number of trusts on the organisation and protection of their trust assets.
Partner Peter Seary joined the Corporate and Commercial team. Peter has extensive experience in corporate transactions, especially in the food and manufacturing sectors, often with cross border aspects.
Speaking about the appointments, Managing Director Vember Mortlock said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new Partners to the firm. They are all incredibly experienced and will be a great asset to the firm and the clients we work for.
"The fact that we are attracting senior level talent from across the UK is a clear demonstration of our profile in the market and we’re looking forward to further expansion as the practice develops.”
Roythornes employs over 170 people. Last year saw the firm grow its revenue by 14%.
Journalism graduate made Marketing Manager
A journalism graduate from Sheffield Hallam University has been appointed Marketing Manager by Chamber patron Purpose Media.
Jonny Stringer, who lives in Chesterfield with his girlfriend, graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) degree in journalism in 2013 and previously worked in full and part time marketing roles at various companies based in South Yorkshire.
He also volunteered as a reporter with a Sheffield-based newspaper while studying. This gave him hands-on experience in a range of marketing skills from copywriting and graphic design to email marketing and analytics.
His role at Purpose Media will involve him shaping the firm’s future marking strategy and overseeing its tactical implementation.
He will work alongside Bev Cook, of Simple Marketing Consultancy, who has been helping Purpose Media as an outsourced marketing consultant since September 2011.
Bev has over 25 years’ experience, having previously worked for BDO & Grant Thornton in Sheffield and other leading professional services firms.
Jonny said: “One of my main motivations is the chance to learn something new.”
A self-confessed geek, Jonny enjoys watching films, playing video games and generally sitting staring at screens.
Purpose Media is based in South Normanton. It was founded in 2009 as an ecommerce website and online marketing specialist and achieved 66% growth in turnover in 2014.
Jonny is the fifth new member of staff appointed to meet demands of recent growth. Karol Hauszyld and Jack Thomson joined as Client Support Apprentices.
The technical team has been boosted by the appointment of Connor Burton who joined as a PHP Developer and Nick Alexander who is a Senior Developer.
Qdos Group announces new Board
Steve Greenwell CEO of the Qdos Group, has stepped back and appointed Ashley Horton as his successor.
Further changes to the Board see Brendan Dawson handing over control of Qdos Broker & Underwriting Services to Jeremy Butler who becomes MD.
Jeremy will also take responsibility for Qdos Legal and Qdos Contractor.
Seb Maley has been promoted to MD of Qdos Accounting and Mark Walker replaces Ashley Horton as Finance Director.
Brendan Dawson will continue as MD of Qdos Vantage and Qdos Global. He will focus on driving these two new businesses but he will also maintain a watching brief as a consultant for Qdos Broker & Underwriting Services.
“All of the new board have been with the firm for over ten years and they have all the experience and enthusiasm required to take the business forward to the next level”, said Steve who, in his role of Executive Chairman, will be concentrating on a number of high level special projects.
New partner to make Fifteen grow
Web, design and brand agency Fifteen has appointed Kate Crowther as Client Services Director.
Previously Business Development Director at Fat Media, a digital marketing company in Lancashire, Kate, has a proven track record in client services.
Her expertise includes managing bespoke development and ecommerce projects.
Having worked with a range of clients spanning large blue chips to boutique businesses in travel and tourism, food and drink, manufacturing, publishing, retail, education and professional services Kate has a wealth of experience across sectors and understands the opportunities and challenges facing businesses digitally.
Ollie Piddubriwnyj, Managing Director at Fifteen said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kate to Fifteen. The new partnership will expand Fifteen’s already extensive skill set and her experience within another rapidly growing agency means we can continue to build on the company’s growth and success with confidence.”
Kate said, “I’m really excited about the prospect of working with the brilliant team at Fifteen. It will be great to bring my digital expertise to the table, and I’m really looking forward to delivering exceptional solutions to our clients.”
UKTI appoints regional rail adviser
Catherine Appleby has joined the team at UK Trade & Investment as an international trade adviser specialising in the rail sector.
Her remit will be to match manufacturers and suppliers of all sizes with crucial trading opportunities overseas.
Catherine, 39, has previously worked in both international investment and rail and transport technology at East Midlands Development Agency and was also rail lead in the investment services team at PA Consulting.
Most recently, she spent two years as a business expansion specialist at Invest in Nottingham, supporting both inward investors and existing businesses - with a particular focus on advanced engineering.
Her new role will primarily focus on providing rail businesses and suppliers with the practical advice and support they need to take advantage of exciting trading opportunities in Europe, South East Asia and North America.
Catherine said: “UKTI already has a great relationship with many of the leading rail companies here, which I’m looking forward to developing.”
She added: “The East Midlands is the most important region in the UK when it comes to rail, particularly Derby. But we know there are many suppliers across the region which might not actually think of themselves as ‘rail companies’ who play an absolutely vital role in the industry. We are really keen to talk with them.”
Born in Somerset, Catherine studied European and International Business Admin at the University of Glamorgan. Her degree included a year studying European Business in the Netherlands.
Arrivals and promotions at Hinckley & Rugby
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has been busy promoting its rising stars and recruiting new arrivals as the mutual grows.
The savings team has seen two additions – Tom Godsmark is new to the Society and Sian Solly has been promoted.
For the branches, Nathaniel Jones has been recruited as a full-time Relief Customer Assistant and Georgia Betteridge has been promoted to Customer Assistant.
Another recent recruit is at head office, Receptionist Jo Tidey rejoining Hinckley & Rugby.
Two more promotions have seen Ismail Ali become Operational Finance Supervisor and Jessica Grewcock join the training team as Assistant Training and Service Quality Manager.
Hinckley & Rugby Chief Executive Chris White said: “We welcome all our new arrivals and congratulate our promoted colleagues.
“Developing and growing our teams mean we will be able to continue enhancing our levels of traditional, personal service to customers.”
Business bank boosts team
Cambridge & Counties, the business bank, has a new leader for its East Midlands real estate team.
Steve Adams joins from Norwich & Peterborough Building Society where he was Commercial Lending Manager.
He has more than 30 years of experience at Allied Irish Bank where he worked across the East Midlands.
Steve and his team are the prime contacts for the networks of brokers who introduce clients to the bank.
He is assisted by Adam Jolley, recently promoted to Business Development Manager after three successful years at Cambridge & Counties.
Steve, who has lived in Leicester with his family for 20 years, said: “It is an exciting time to join the bank as it continues its growth and I am looking forward to playing my part in its continued success.”
In Leicester, Steve succeeds Neil Reddington, now Director of Business Development for the West Midlands at its first Birmingham office.
Ryley Wealth appoints five
Ryley Wealth Management, Nottingham, has announced five appointments.
Daniel White has joined as a Financial Consultant. He has 14 years’ experience and specialises in corporate and personal clients.
Will Diggins has joined as a Financial Consultant. He has worked in Financial Services since 2009, specialising in personal and corporate investments, protection and tax planning.
Kate Matthews has taken up a new role as Marketing Manager. She has worked in financial services for 30 years and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
Jemma Lingard joins as Executive Assistant to the CEO after moving to the area from London.
And Sarah Cunningham has moved back to Nottingham from Wales to give admin support to advisers.
Senior appointments at Sygnature
Sygnature Discovery kicked off 2016 with two key senior appointments and the addition of six experienced scientists.
Dr Stephen Young has been appointed Vice-President, Business Development, joining from Chinese CRO start-up Hitgen, where he was VP of Business Development and responsible for establishing several early research collaborations.
Prior to working at Hitgen, Stephen has held business development positions at Pharmacia, Novabiochem and Protherics.
Stephen is a highly experienced Medicinal Chemist and has worked in a broad range of therapeutic areas within small and large discovery organisations including MSD, Proteus, Tularik, Amgen and, most recently, Vertex, where he led the Discovery Chemistry department in the UK.
Stephen has a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Nottingham. He undertook post-doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh in the area of peptide synthesis methodology.
Dr Stuart Thomson also joined Sygnature Discovery in January, as Associate Director of Bioscience.
He has over 12 years’ experience in drug discovery and translational research, primarily in the oncology field.
Stuart joined Sygnature after two years with Coferon, a New York based biotech company focused on developing novel dimeric inhibitors of protein:protein interactions.
Prior to that, Stuart worked at OSI Pharmaceuticals in New York for ten years, where he was involved in translational research studies focused on the EGFR inhibitor Tarceva, encompassing the identification of predictive biomarkers and mechanisms of drug resistance.
In addition, he supported drug discovery programs that were initiated as a result of his work.
Stuart has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD from the University of Leicester.
His post-doctoral studies focused on signal transduction pathways and chromatin biology at Kings College and the University of Oxford.
The teams are joined by a further six experienced scientists in response to the continued growth of the business.
Dr Simon Hirst, Founder and CEO of Sygnature, said: “We are delighted to welcome both Stephen and Stuart. Stephen will be focusing on business development in Europe and West Coast USA. Stuart joins our ever-expanding bioscience department, which we set up in 2011, and will work closely with Dr John Unitt.”
He added: “We continually invest in a highly experienced team of scientists to ensure we meet the needs of our clients.”
Sygnature Discovery is poised to move into the new £30m BioCity building, which is due to open in 2017.
Actons expands with new private client lawyer
Actons, an independent law firm in Nottingham, has continued its growth strategy with the appointment of a new solicitor, joining Directors Mandy Kelly and Christina Yardley in its private client and wealth management team.
Wills, Trusts and Probate Lawyer Bindiya Patel has experience in estate planning, wills and powers of attorney - advising individuals on ways to protect and manage their personal wealth.
She said “The main thing that attracted me to Actons was the opportunity to continue to learn and develop while playing a part in the continued growth of the team.”
Mandy Kelly, Director and Head of Private Client at Actons said: "I'm delighted Bindiya has decided to join our team at such an exciting time for us, bringing our team headcount to nine, one of the strongest in the city.
“Our commitment and continuing investment in our expanding private client and wealth management offering is especially timely as its proving to be a huge growth area for us.“
2015 was a good year for the Actons team, the company has reported.
In October it increased it’s ranking to Tier 2 in the East Midlands in The Legal 500, the independent legal guide to UK law firms, while recently promoted Director Christina Yardley was included in the Nottingham Post Rising Stars and Future Leaders supplement.
Gearing up for growth
Nottingham-based PR agency Cartwright Communications has appointed a new Account Manager as part of its ambitious plan for growth.
Emma Houghton has more than four years’ experience in PR and social media strategy for both B2B and B2C clients.
In her new role, she will be responsible for the delivery of effective PR campaigns across a number of sectors including construction, professional services and charity.
She said: “It’s great to be joining an agency with such a good reputation and to become part of a large and experienced PR team. I can’t wait to get fully stuck into the role and work with some great clients on exciting projects.”
Liz Cartwright, managing director at Cartwright Communications, said: “We’re so pleased to have Emma join our team and applying her experience and new ideas to existing and prospective client work. We made five new hires last year and recently awarded three internal promotions, so it’s an exciting time for the agency.”
Emma’s appointment takes the Cartwright Communications team to 14 and the agency is still growing.
Liz added: “2015 was a fantastic year for us and 2016 is looking even better. We’ve been working incredibly hard to raise our profile and have recently moved premises to accommodate our expanding team and growing client portfolio.”
Cartwright Communications, of College Street, Nottingham, was founded in 2006 by journalist Liz Cartwright.
Graduates bolster Innes England team
Innes England has welcomed two new faces to its Nottingham office – the latest in a string of new appointments at the East Midlands firm.
Holly Atkinson has taken up the role of Graduate Surveyor in the firm’s professional services team, while Ross Whiting has joined the business space agency team as a Graduate Surveyor.
Ross has a range of property experience, having worked alongside residential developers, helping with the acquisition and disposal of numerous properties across Nottinghamshire.
In his new role, Ross will be working on acquisitions and disposals of properties across Nottinghamshire, on behalf of both public and private sector clients.
Tim Garratt, Managing Director at Innes England, said: “Having Holly and Ross join us is a real boost and will allow us to strengthen our business space agency and professional services teams.
“Their joining us comes at a time of growth for the business, following the appointment of a number of new staff across the practice and our different regional offices.”
Knights bolsters offering to clients
One of the East Midlands most highly-regarded lawyers adds more than 20 years’ experience to Knights Professional Services having joined the firm’s Derby office as a Partner in the regulatory team.
Zaf Bashir joins Knights from a Derby-based firm where he spent 23 years, the last 13 as one of the equity partners.
During this time he increased revenue for his department five-fold and played a major role in the growth of the business before deciding to leave in March 2015.
“The legal market has changed significantly throughout my career and after developing a strong client base and reputation in the East Midlands I was keen to join a quality firm like Knights,” said Zaf.
“I wanted to find the right place to continue growing my profession and Knights is the perfect fit. As one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking firms in the UK, I’m really thrilled to be joining the team.”
He is one of seven pPrtners to join the firm’s Derby office in recent months, a pivotal time for Knights as it completes the major acquisition of regional firm Darbys Solicitors which will see Knights become a top-100 law firm with 400 people and a £40m turnover.
David Beech, CEO at Knights, said: “Zaf’s knowledge and expertise in business will help us to bolster our offering to clients. The changing legal landscape is causing what’s been cited as a ‘war on talent’ and this appointment is just another example of the calibre of professional we are attracting at Knights.”
The firm has also appointed franchise specialist Gurmeet Jakhu, who has over 15 years’ experience of dispute resolution, construction and interpretation of franchise agreements.
He has lectured at numerous international and national conferences and is a published author on the topic.
Gurmeet said: “The litigation service is already extremely strong and with my background and experience I will be able to further expand Knights’ highly regarded franchising offering.”
David said that Gurmeet’s appointment is another example of the talent that Knights is attracting in its ambitious strategy for growth.
He said: “We’re delighted to have Gurmeet join our growing team, he is bringing a very niche area of expertise to the firm which will really enhance our litigation offering and fits well with our strategic plans.”
And Samantha Cotter has joined the firm as an Associate in employment law and will be providing tribunal and contracts advice to firms.
She will be responsible for expanding Knights’ employment service into the East Midlands and is excited to be joining the growing firm in her home city.
“I am looking forward to making use of my existing networks across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Birmingham to further help grow Knights’ employment services,” she said.
David said: “Samantha’s experience, regional networks and passion for employment law means she is a perfect fit for our Derbyshire office and will be responsible for developing our employment services within the area.”
Ken rises to challenge
Former baker’s apprentice Ken Davenport has taken on the newly created role of Food and Beverage General Manager at Trent Lock Golf and Country Club.
Ken, of Church Gresley, has a long career in the food and drink and hospitality industries.
He started his working life at 14 as a baker’s apprentice, working his way up through various roles to Kitchen Manager by his early 20s before swapping chef ‘s whites for more formal attire to train as front of house staff, working his way up to General Manager for Whitbread’s Brewery by the age of 30.
Ken said: “I love the challenge the hospitality industry brings, its variety and creativity of events, guest-led events and the individuality and personal touch of each occasion.”
New Director at Bedrock Tax
Nottingham-based tax consultancy, Bedrock, has announced the appointment of Lisa Topliss as a Director, joining Phill Dann on the Board.
Lisa helped establish Bedrock Tax in 2015 having previously worked for EDF Tax, PKF, Deloitte and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
She's been a VAT specialist for more than 20 years.
Lisa said: “I’m delighted to be a Director of Bedrock, this is an exciting time for the company as the demand for specialist tax advice continues to grow.”
Bedrock MD Phill Dann said: “Lisa’s appointment as a Director is recognition of her contribution to establishing Bedrock and the company’s rapid growth which is a direct result of her leadership of the team.”
Appointment will maintain momentum
Chris Wall has joined health & safety and compliance company Develop Training as Sales and Marketing Director.
He has a remit to build the Derby firm’s business in the water, energy, construction and facilities management sectors.
He has 15 years’ experience and previously managed the development of apprenticeships and other vocational training in the UK and overseas.
Chris said: “I intend to develop a ‘best in class’ marketing function and sales team that will continuously bring insights into the business so that we tailor our offer to meet market needs.”
Develop Training Chief Executive Chris Wood said: “Chris’ appointment will help us to maintain momentum in 2016 and beyond.”
New face at Cornerhouse
The Cornerhouse has appointed a Retail Liaison and Marketing Manager.
Charlie Truman is joining the centre management team to maintain and build on relationships with the tenants, helping them and The Cornerhouse to increase business.
She will also be responsible for increasing footfall to the venue.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into something new and exciting and working with such a variety of businesses in The Cornerhouse.”
The Cornerhouse is owned by Land Securities and is home to numerous bars and restaurants.
On board appointment
On Event Production Co has continued its strategic expansion with the appointment of a new director and the creation of a new role at board level for another.
Senior Production Manager Adam Dewhurst has been promoted to the post of Production Director, taking over the position left vacant by Chris Vernon-Smith, who assumes the newly created post of Technical Director.
Adam will be responsible for managing a variety of creative live events, along with client liaison and budget management.
Chris will now be responsible for improving the efficiency of On’s warehouse and internal processes.
Homecoming for Harriet
Derby-born Harriet Taylor has been appointed Digital Marketing Manager at digital marketing agency iBox, based on the city’s Friar Gate.
Aged 17, Harriet moved to London to expand her knowledge and experience through internships while studying for A-levels.
She went on to gain a degree in Business Management.
After many years in the capital, Harriet moved back to Derby.
She said: “I feel that the opportunities for me to grow as an individual and make my mark in the industry are greater in Derby.”
Sean Price, Managing Director of iBox, said: “Harriet has joined the iBox team as marketing manager and really has brought with her a wealth of experience, talent and finesse.”
Wealth of experience
Nottingham-based insurance broking and risk management adviser JLT Specialty has appointed Steve Fox as Regional Sales Manager.
Steve has over 20 years’ experience in corporate insurance sales, having worked with a number of the major insurance firms in the Midlands during his career.
He will lead the Midlands sales team across the Birmingham and Nottingham offices, to develop best practice as well as focusing on new business generation.
Sally Swann, Head of the Midlands Region, said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to the team. He brings a wealth of experience to JLT and will have an important role to play in supporting our strategic plan for growth.”
Trent Uni grad joins Pellacraft
The ability to work for a company that places people ahead of profits convinced Nottingham Trent University graduate Leigh Murcott to join Mansfield-based gifts and promotional goods supplier Pellacraft.
Leigh, who is married with a son called Lucas, has a 2:1 degree in graphic design and, prior to joining Pellacraft, worked in the marketing department of a local sports goods retailer developing product packaging, garment graphics, store POS, shop window displays and brand campaigns for the company and other leading sportswear brands.
Leigh said: “I have a real thirst to learn new things and I am excited to learn about the ins-and-outs of the promotional merchandise business. Working at Pellacraft allows me to focus purely on graphic design, which is my real passion.”
Tourism Executive appointed
Harborough District Council and Leicester Shire Promotions have formed an innovative new partnership to grow the tourism economy in the district.
As part of this partnership, Graham Peers has been recruited as the new, dedicated Tourism Executive for the district.
Graham joins from Zurich Insurance and brings 20 years’ experience of business development, customer service and account management skills to his new role.
He will be responsible for working collaboratively with local tourism businesses, encouraging the take-up of tourism services and opportunities, and supporting these businesses to help to improve their performance and the experience that they offer to visitors.
The new post is funded by Harborough District Council.
Three promoted
Chartered accountant Newby Castleman has promoted three of its aspiring accountants to Senior Auditors.
Lucy Partridge, 29, Michael Frost, 26, and Caroline Walpole, 26, all based at the firm’s Regent Road, Leicester, office, have been promoted within the audit department.
Stephen Castleman, Partner, said: “Lucy, Michael and Caroline have all worked extremely hard over the past year and these appointments are well deserved.
“We aim to reward excellence and encourage progression within the firm, so it’s great to see people like Michael and Caroline, who have been here for a number of years, work their way up to senior positions. I wish them all the best in their new roles.”