David on the Frontline of Job Creation
Frontline Recruitment is gearing up for growth by promoting David Essam to General Manager of the company's Industrial Division.
The promotion comes at a time of substantial growth for Frontline, which saw a 23% uplift in new client sign-ups in the first three months of 2016, with like-for-like sales growth of 21% over the same period.
David joined Frontline in 2007 as a business development executive and has worked his way up through the ranks - first as an assistant manager, business manager and regional operations manager before taking on the role of General Manager for Frontline's rapidly-expanding Industrial Division.
In his new role, David will oversee the smooth running of the Industrial Division in Frontline's Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Mansfield offices as well as all current onsite contracts.
David said: "It's a real honour to take on this new role for Frontline. The company is growing quickly, which makes it an exciting time to make the step up.
"My goal is the same as Frontline's - to offer something different and unique and to give our clients the best possible honest service.
"I look forward to working with clients and candidates old and new as we enter the next phase of the Frontline growth strategy."
Tony Wilmot, Director of Frontline Recruitment, added: "David's promotion is very well-earned. He has a proven track record of supplying staff to various contracts from one worker up to 1,000 workers per day and has consistently demonstrated a high level of service to ensure we achieve and exceed client expectations.
"I'm sure that, with David's help, Frontline will reach its growth potential as we enter this new phase for the company and I'd urge anyone with urgent staffing needs to get in touch with him."
Frontline Recruitment has offices in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Mansfield, Hull and Weymouth.
New tax partner at PKF Cooper Parry
Midlands-based PKF Cooper Parry has boosted its tax team with the appointment of international specialist tax partner Matthew Hodgson.
Matthew joins the firm after spending the majority of his 16-year career with two of the 'big four' accountancy practices, where he established a strong specialism in the tax aspects of large corporate mergers and acquisitions and international taxation.
Over the past decade he has advised on a number of the UK’s largest and best known corporate acquisitions and mergers.
Matthew is the latest in a series of specialist advisers to join PKF Cooper Parry, which merged with established Birmingham accountants Clement Keys in January 2016 to create a £30m turnover group with a 350-strong workforce spanning the East and West Midlands.
In his new role, Matthew will be working to expand the firm’s international tax offering and help it realise its ambitionto become the number one independent accountancy firm to privately owned businesses across the East and West Midlands.
Matthew said: "I really wanted to be part of this ambitious and high-quality team and I am thoroughly looking forward to playing my part in establishing PKF Cooper Parry as the largest tax team outside the 'big four'.
“The Midlands has a global reputation for thriving, internationally-focused businesses and I see a real opportunity for these companies to access our depth of international experience both regionally and through our PKF International network.”
Simon Baines, tax partner at PKF Cooper Parry, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matthew to our tax team in the West Midlands. He brings a professional and straight-forward approach to delivering tax advice and combines strong technical skills and commercial acumen to align a businesses' tax strategy with its current and future commercial objectives.
“Matthew has a high level of expertise in the high growth, digital technology and automotive industries and a drive to expand the team internationally, which is a very exciting prospect.
“Over the past 12 months we have appointed three new tax partners, which has enabled us to continue our focus on specific business needs such as owner-managed, entrepreneurial and international businesses.”
Flint Bishop has new Corporate Partner
Award-winning law firm, Flint Bishop Solicitors, has appointed Rachel Bennett as a new Partner.
Rachel is a specialist corporate solicitor who has been based in the Leicester office of national law firm, Gateley, for four years.
She advises on a full range of corporate matters, including acquisitions and disposals, shareholder and joint venture arrangements and private equity.
Rachel has a strong reputation throughout the region and is recognised by chambers and partners for her “strength in the M&A and private equity sphere”.
She works alongside Partner and Head of Corporate, Martyn Brierley, who was recently promoted to lead the Corporate team earlier this year.
Rachel’s appointment further strengthens the Corporate department’s reputation for advising clients on high value and complex corporate transactions.
This was reflected by the department’s involvement as legal advisors on three deals which were nominated for awards at the latest East Midlands Insiders Dealmaker Awards, including advisers on the East Midlands SME Deal of the year, being the sale of the national jewellery retailer, Chapelle Jewellery to Hilco Capital, the owners of the HMV entertainment group.
Managing Partner for Commercial Services, Qamer Ghafoor: “We are delighted to welcome Rachel Bennett to the firm. She has a fantastic reputation for delivering excellent legal advice to the clients she services. I am sure Rachel will settle into the department and wider business in no time and on behalf of the partnership, we wish her all the very best.”
100 jobs in just four years
Niche bank Cambridge & Counties, based in Leicester, has created its 100th job in just four years.
New arrivals at its New Walk HQ have taken the payroll to over 100 for the first time since the bank opened in 2012.
Chief Executive Officer Mike Kirsopp said: “The posts we are creating are full-time and part-time. Flexible working hours are available. And we are recruiting people not just from financial services backgrounds, but from sectors such as legal, property, utilities and more.
“Rachel Curtis-Bowen is one of very few women on the executive boards of UK banks and has just been appointed as our Chief Customer Officer.”
He added: “There will be more jobs created as our lending continues to grow beyond the £450m to date. We forecast headcount exceeding 120 by the end of 2016."
Shopping success for Jackie of Key Principles
Jackie Key, Managing Director at Key Principles, Nottingham, has passed the Google Partner Shopping Advertising Advanced exam.
She said: “As we continue to grow the agency, it’s important that we ensure we build on our expertise. Passing the Google suite of exams is a key element in ensuring this happens.”
Jackie added: “I’ve been working with a number of clients on Shopping campaign set up and optimisation and with this knowledge and with the studying completed, the exam was the logical cementing of the knowledge and confirmation that what we are providing clients is not only of a good standard, but also follows Google’s good practice guidelines.”
The Shopping Advertising training modules covered:
An overview of the Shopping tool within Adwords
Development and implementation of a quality product feed
Set-up of the Google Merchant Centre
Creation of the Shopping campaigns in Adwords as well as the optimisation of those campaigns.
Appointments and promotions at Nelsons Solicitors
Nelsons Solicitors has promoted four employees to partners at its Nottingham office, following the firm being granted an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) status.
The ABS allows non-lawyers to take more influential roles and shares in the business.
The four new partners are all part of Nelsons’ senior management team.
Director of HR Lindsey Harrison, Director of Finance David Patterson, Director of Marketing Anna Smith and Director of IT Matthew Riches have collectively worked for Nelsons for more than 50 years.
Managing Partner at Nelsons, Chris Miller, said: “Our ABS means that we are no longer bound by previous requirements that only qualified lawyers can own our firm.
“Over recent years we have recognised that there are people in the firm with business backgrounds who are extremely important to our growth plans and our business objectives and who should be rewarded with improved career opportunities.
“Our four new partners all have integral roles within the business and having been granted an ABS, we have been able to further acknowledge their strengths by making them partners.”
Four senior promotions have been announced at Nelsons in the firm’s wills and probate, investment management and family teams at Nottingham.
Family law specialist Kelvin Henderson has been promoted to partner at the firm alongside independent financial adviser Andy Hammond, who also steps up to the role of partner.
Phil Terry, who is part of the investment management team and specialises in trust, personal and private client investment, has been promoted to Associate.
Craig Staten-Spencer has been promoted to Associate in the firm’s wills, trusts and probate team.
There have also been senior promotions at Nelsons' Derby office, where three team members are now Associates and one has been made Partner.
Residential conveyancing manager Chris Huntingford takes on the role of Partner.
Rachel Bushell, Trevor Scott and Mary Gharmount have been promoted to Associate.
University says goodbye to a legend
A legendary figure in the UK culinary arts world has retired from the University of Derby’s Hospitality teaching staff.
Rob Stordy taught at the University’s Buxton Campus since it opened in 2005.
He won his first award as Best Craft Student in his first year at college – and has not stopped winning them since.
Among the national competitions he has won are University Chef of the Year, British Turkey Chef of the Year and the Heinz Best of British Challenge.
Rob is also a Salon Culinaire Gold and Silver Medal winner, a Fellow of the World Master Chefs Society, a member of the Craft Guild of Chefs with master craftsman status and a Licentiate of City and Guilds London Institute.
And he has guided his students on to their own successes in national competitions, including the finals of the Nestlé Toque d'Or Competition.
“To us, he’ll always be the legend that is Rob Stordy,” said Tony Clodd, Deputy Head, Department of Hotel, Resort and Spa Management and Head of Culinary and Hospitality Management.
“Rob represents all the very best in professionalism in our sector. He has dedication, passion, uncompromising standards and a gift for supporting other people in developing their skills.”
Rob, who taught on the BA (Hons) Professional Culinary Arts degree course, was this year made a judge at the industry’s most prestigious competition, Hotelympia.
He trained in Manchester before getting his first job at The Savoy, in London, as a commis chef, before working at the Madame Prunier, which Tony described as one of the world’s great restaurants, and taking posts with great names such as Grand Metropolitan and Gleneagles before starting work in education at a college of further education.
Rob told colleagues that when he started at the Buxton Campus - a year before its official opening by Prince Charles – the new equipment in the training kitchens hadn’t even been unwrapped.
“I really have had 11 happy years here, and worked with some great people,” he said.
Risk practice continues to grow
JLT Specialty’s Midlands risk practice continues to grow with the addition of two new members to the Nottingham team.
Michele Jackson has joined the Nottingham office as Account Executive and Karen Hickling as Account Handler.
Both have extensive insurance industry expertise and Michele is Chartered Insurance Institute qualified.
This takes the total number of new starters in the Midlands team to four in the past month with Paul Jennings and Noel Kelly having joined in April.
Paul joins JLT Specialty from ACE, where he was Midlands and South Regional Manager.
Sally Swann, Head of JLT’s Birmingham risk practice, said: “These appointments are key to our growth strategy for the wider Midlands regional risk practice.
“We continue to attract some of the very best from across the industry.”
Qdos continues its growth strategy
Chamber patron Qdos Consulting is continuing its growth strategy with the promotion of David Barratt to Head of Operations for HR, HS and Training Services.
David has been with QCL since June 2013.
Toni Robinson, Director at Qdos Consulting, said: “David has proved himself to be a valuable member of QCL and will now be taking the QED team forward with renewed enthusiasm.”
In addition, Kelvin Locke has joined the QCL team as Head of Sales.
Kelvin has over 12 years’ experience in recruitment and psychometric assessment.
He said: “I am delighted to be joining Qdos as Head of Sales. I will continue to drive new customers to Qdos through networking and the development of strategic partnerships.”
Pratik Unadkat has joined as HR, HS and Training Coordinator.
Previously, Pratik worked at Utility Bidder as HR Assistant, at QCL he will provide support to the operational delivery and sales team, as well as carrying out client service duties in addition.
Toni added: “These developments are all part of a clear strategy to develop the business going forward, the team is now poised to take Qdos Consulting to a new level and I have no doubt they will all do a great job.”
Planning for growth
A planning consultancy which moved its East Midlands office to Nottingham only a year ago has added two new staff to cope with an increased workload.
DLP Planning moved from Castle Donington to offices in East Circus Street in May last year with three people employed. The team is now five-strong.
Regional director Jim Lomas said the additional staff were needed to serve its growing client base.
“We are delighted to be working from here and expanding the business,” he said.
Caroline Richardson has joined as a Senior Planner.
“Caroline comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge of planning, and is a specialist in transportation planning,” said Jim.
The other new member is Office Administrator Kazia Zakrzewska, who manages the day-to-day administration and assists with networking and marketing.
They join Doug Moulton, who is now Associate Director, and Associate Planner Sarah Allsop, who both joined Jim after the regional office was set up in Castle Donington in 2013.
DLP Planning, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, also has offices in Leeds, Sheffield, Bedford, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Milton Keynes and Rugby.
New Chief Executive Officer
North Midland Construction has appointed John Homer as its new Chief Executive Officer.
John has had a successful career in the construction industry spanning 30 years, including top positions in listed companies.
Most recently, he was a managing director at Morgan Sindall Construction.
He is a chartered surveyor with extensive experience of solution delivery for a range of high-profile public and private sector clients.
John’s appointment follows the recent announcement that the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Robert Moyle, would be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive. He will remain Executive Chairman.
“I am extremely pleased that John has joined the group,” said Robert.
“He has a wealth of experience in the construction industry and will embrace our culture.
“He will play an important role in the future growth and development of the group.”
John said: “I am delighted to be joining a company that has people at its heart and exceptional customer service embedded in its culture.”
Kultaran is new President
A Derby accountant is the new President of the Nottingham, Derby and Lincoln Society of Chartered Accountants for 2016/17.
HSKS Greenhalgh Managing Director, and former President of the Derby Society of Chartered Accountants, Kultaran Singh, takes over the role from Simon Gray of Pembridge Gray.
George Acquah of Rolls-Royce will take on the role of Deputy President and Kultaran’s fellow HSKS Greenhalgh Director Anshu Mehan will be Vice-President.
During his Presidency, Kultaran will represent the views of local members at national level, set the society’s strategy for the next 12 months and attend a variety of events across England and Wales on behalf of the society.
Kultaran said: “During his 12 months as President Simon Gray has reinvigorated the society, particularly where engaging with younger members of the profession is concerned, and I am all too aware of the responsibility I have to successfully build on this momentum.
“On a personal level I am honoured to be the District’s representative and am looking forward to attending a variety of events across the country to raise the profile of the region’s accountancy professionals”.
Simon said: “I’ve really enjoyed my year as President and have worked closely with Kultaran and George.
“I’ll continue to represent the society on the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and wales Business Committee and wish Kultaran every success in his new role, I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”
Helen is Tuntum’s new Business Development Director
Housing association Tuntum has appointed Helen Greig as Director of Business Development.
The new senior executive role was created following the decision of Steve White, Director of Operations and Care, to retire after 13 years at Tuntum.
Helen has over 17 years in the charity and housing sectors. She was previously Acting CEO at Action Housing and Support, Yorkshire.
Her professional background includes working as a probation officer and youth worker.
Helen is currently studying for an MBA at Nottingham University and already has degrees in Community Justice and Theology.
Richard Renwick, CEO at Tuntum, said: “We are delighted and fortunate to have Helen join our executive team. She will bring to Tuntum her years of experience of working in some very challenging areas, particularly in improving the life chances of very vulnerable young people.”
Helen said: “I am delighted to have this exciting opportunity with Tuntum. The sector is experiencing a lot of change right now, and with change there are always opportunities.”
Chief Executive for college
The Chief Executive for the new Nottingham College will be businessman and former local authority chief executive John van de Laarschot.
The decision to offer the position to Mr van de Laarschot has been announced to staff and students of both Central College and NCN by the Designate Board who are currently working to complete the merger of the two further education institutions by 1st August 2016.
A chief executive with a national profile, John has successfully led large-scale organisations in the private and public sectors including Coca-Cola, Mars, PepsiCo, Gerber Scientific, Wessanen, Torridge Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
During a combined 35-year public-private, UK and international career, John has worked with partners and colleagues to remodel, redesign, integrate and transform a diverse range of organisations into efficient customer-centric operations.
Chair of the Designate Board and Appointment Panel, Carole Thorogood, said: “After a rigorous interview and selection process which involved feedback from students, staff, external partners and members of both college boards, we have found just the right person in John to lead the new organisation.
“He brings extensive private and public sector experience in leadership and managing change - qualities we required in candidates for this important role.
“Once the necessary contractual arrangements are in place, John will assist us with transition planning towards the launch of Nottingham College later this year.”
Business Club’s new President
James Simmonds, a partner at the Nottingham office of chartered accountants UHY Hacker Young, has been appointed the new President of the Nottingham City Business Club.
He has taken over from Nic Elliott, a Director at Nottingham law firm Actons, who has been President for the past year.
In his role at UHY Hacker Young, James advises owner-managed businesses in all aspects of their financial affairs including audit, corporate finance and strategy.
James is the treasurer of Papplewick Pumping Station, a working Victorian water works near the city.
He said: “I am really pleased to have been elected as the new club president. I have been involved in the club for several years and am delighted to be taking the helm.
“The club has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and I am looking forward to building on this success.”
Mark Deakin, Director of Turner & Townsend’s East Midlands office has been elected Vice-President.
BID appoints new ambassadors
The Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) has recruited three new people to its team of street ambassadors.
The three new recruits are Jason Ashton, John Coward and Ross Wilkinson.
The ambassadors operate in the city centre, providing support to BID members and the public.
In addition they report any issues that need to be addressed around the city centre including health and safety matters, graffiti and failed street lights, as well as liaising with other organisations when required for the effective resolution of any issues identified.
The team also includes Mosh Choudhury, who has been a Nottingham BID street ambassador since 2011 and is the team’s supervisor, Heather Denton, who has been a street ambassador for over three years and Josh Field, who has worked for the BID for over a year.
“We are delighted that Jason, John and Ross have joined the team,” said Neil Fincham, a director of the Nottingham BID.
“The street ambassadors do a great job in the city centre helping our members as well as members of the public.”
Kate joins Purpose Media as BDM
Kate Sanders has joined digital marketing agency Purpose Media as Business Development Manager.
Kate, from Eckington, South Yorkshire, will manage relationships with new and existing partners which want to refer work to Purpose Media and initiate contact with manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers that want to be more successful online, update their identity or improve their website.
Kate said: “Purpose Media is a rapidly growing business with lots of new services to offer. This is a really exciting opportunity to put my sales and client relationship skills into practice in a new environment.”
Kate plays for Dronfield Town Ladies Football Club and is an Aston Villa supporter.
She is currently planning her wedding for August next year.
Team appointed to help businesses
A new business service has appointed eight growth experts, with more than 200 years’ combined experience, to help the growth of businesses in North East Derbyshire.
The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, which has core funding of £4.82m, has appointed the eight business growth specialists.
The Growth Hub is designed to be a single point of contact for businesses across nine local authority areas to access specialist support in key areas, including Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire.
Head of the Growth Hub, David Grimes, said: “It’s great to have these eight excellent businesspeople ready and in place to help businesses to develop and expand.
“The eight specialists all have different sectoral experience and can go in and help businesses from the word go.”
Huckstep retires
Geoff Huckstep, Chief Executive of the National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena, in Nottingham, is to retire after almost 15 years at the helm of the East Midlands leisure and entertainment venue.
Geoff took over as Chief Executive in October 2001 following a successful career at London Irish and London Wasps – two of the country’s top rugby teams.
Martin Ingham, the current Deputy CEO and Finance Director, will replace Geoff on an interim basis.
Mich Stevenson, Chairman of the ice centre and arena said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Geoff over the past 15 years. He leaves behind a significantly more effective and successful organisation – a legacy he can be rightly proud of.”
Diversity appoints MD
Nottingham-based creative agency Diversity has appointed Simon Elliott as Managing Director.
Diversity currently employs 70 staff at two sites in the city.
Simon has worked at Diversity for 13 years.
He has managed a wide range of clients across industries as diverse as travel, construction, healthcare, public sector and automotive.
Di Slaney, Diversity’s founder and previous Managing Director, has moved into a strategic consultancy role to support the business.
Specialist supports solicitor
Education specialist solicitor John Walker is supporting the education team at Flint Bishop Solicitors.
John specialises in converting schools into academies and the formation of trusts.
Senior Partner Andrew Cochrane said: “I am very pleased that John has decided to support Flint Bishop with our Education offering.
“John is well known to the region. His reputation and desire for success is excellent and I wish him every success in his new post.”
Gary appointed tax partner
International accountancy firm Mazars has appointed seasoned tax specialist Gary Collins as Tax Partner.
Gary will be responsible for the tax offering across the East Midlands at Mazars.
He will work from the firm’s offices in both Leicester and Nottingham.
Two digital specialists join Cartwrights
Nottingham-based PR agency Cartwright Communications has bolstered its social media and online offering with the appointment of two new digital specialists.
Andrew Regan and Rumneek Gill will be working alongside the firm’s Digital Media Directors, boosting the firm’s online expertise and offering more services to clients.
College has new Deputy Principal
West Nottinghamshire College has a new deputy principal for teaching and learning.
Chris Thomas has joined from Blackpool and The Fylde College, where he rose to the position of Director of Further Education during his five years there.
He played a key role in steering the Lancashire college to being judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at its last inspection.
He said: “I’m really proud to have joined West Nottinghamshire College, which has a fantastic reputation throughout the further education sector and is regarded as being one of the best colleges in the country.”
Originally from Liverpool, Chris, 51, lives in Cromford, Derbyshire, with his wife Ann.