A number of major companies in the West of England have made appointments in recent weeks.
Businesses including defence giant Babcock, law firm Clarke Willmott and property agency Knight Frank have all made announcements.
Here we take a look at the latest movements of businesspeople in the region.
Knight Frank
The commercial property company has appointed a new partner to head its lease advisory team in Bristol.
James Redman has joined from Alder King, where he worked within the professional services team undertaking landlord and tenant, and valuation work.
He said: “Joining Knight Frank represents a great opportunity to join a very well-respected business which is truly a global brand.”
James was recently appointed to the RICS President’s Panel of Independent Experts for Rent Review and Lease Renewal dispute resolution.
Steve Oades, head of Knight Frank in Bristol, added: “We are delighted to have attracted James to join our team. He brings great expertise and a desire to build our lease advisory business in the region.”
Exeter Science Park
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The park has appointed a new chair to its board of directors.
Nick Ames is replacing Sir William Wakeham who retires after more than 10 years at the helm.
Nick is chief executive of the SG Group, which has its headquarters in East Devon and includes Supacat, SC Innovation, Proteum and Blackhill Engineering Services.
He said: “My main focus will be on sustaining the central vision and mission of the park, so brilliantly conceived and delivered by Sir William and the team.
“He leaves a big pair of shoes to fill, and I look forward to carrying on his outstanding work. Continuing the growth trajectory is key, for the Science Park as a business, for its tenants and for the wider region.”
Sir William was chair of the Exeter Science Park Board from 2009, taking the park from concept to delivery.
Clarke Willmott
The Bristol office of law firm Clarke Willmott has expanded its private capital team with the appointment of two new solicitors.
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Jacqui Lazare joins the firm as a senior associate while Georgia Collier has been appointed as a solicitor.
Jacqui has joined from Bath-based Royds Withy King and specialises in estate planning and will drafting, and all aspects of the creation and administration of trusts and associated tax issues. She also advises on charitable issues.
Georgia has joined the firm from 1825, the private client legal services arm of Standard Life, and will deal primarily with estate planning, wills and trusts.
She qualified as a solicitor in April 2018 and is currently studying to become a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Quartet Community Foundation
Sue Mountstevens, Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, has taken over as chair of the board of trustees.
Sue, who has taken over the role from Helen Wilde, said: “This is a very difficult time for our small local charitable organisations.
"The need for their activities has never been greater but their ability to fund their work is being deeply damaged by the coronavirus crisis.
"Quartet Community Foundation has a vital role to play in raising new funding and getting it quickly to them so I am proud to have taken over as chair of Quartet’s board at this critical time.”
Sue Turner, chief executive of Quartet Community Foundation, said: “Sue Mountstevens has superb knowledge of the issues facing our communities so we are delighted that she has become our new chair.
Quartet gives more than £3.5million each year to causes across Bristol and the West of England.
Babcock
Babcock has appointed a non-executive director to its board.
Carl-Peter Forster will join the board with effect from June 1, 2020, and will become a senior independent director after the AGM (currently expected to be in July), when Sir David Omand will step down from the role.
Carl-Peter has held senior leadership positions in some of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, including BMW, General Motors and Tata Motors (including Jaguar Land Rover).
His is currently chairman of Chemring Group PLC and a senior independent director at IMI plc. He was previously a non-executive director of Rexam PLC and Rolls-Royce plc.
Meanwhile Babcock’s John Davies, chief executive of land sector, is stepping down as an executive director (effective 30 April).
He will continue to lead the land sector as chief executive and will remain a “key member” of the Group Executive Committee, according to Babcock.
Mobius Works
Mobius Works, the Bristol-based integrated services contractor, has hired a new commercial director. Mark Shortland has previously worked at Regus and office fit-out business McFeggan Brown.
His role will involve overseeing day-to-day operations and sales, liaising with new customers and negotiating with suppliers.
“Mobius is a progressive and agile business with a great ethos and work ethic,” Mark said. "Having the opportunity to be a part of such a dynamic business and influencing the path to success excites me.”
Lee Bignell, managing director and founder, added: “The value Mark will bring to Mobius Works is clear.
“He has the ability and experience to accelerate our growth and drive the business forward, whilst understanding our culture and emphasis on our brilliant team.”
Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants
The firm has appointed a tax specialist with more than three decades’ experience. Ian Pring joins as a partner, based in the firm’s Plymouth office.
Ian has joined following a 30-year career at PKF Francis Clark, where he helped lead the firm’s property and wealth teams from its Plymouth branch. He also spent six years working for the Inland Revenue (now HMRC).
Thomas Westcott managing partner Shona Godefroy said: “Ian is extremely well-regarded and well-connected in Plymouth and joins Thomas Westcott at a very exciting time, as we continue to grow and develop our offering to clients.”
Ian said: “After 30 years in my previous role, I was ready for a new challenge and was attracted by Thomas Westcott’s approach of offering a very personal, face-to-face service.”
OggaDoon
The Bristol digital marketing and PR agency, has appointed an associate director. Claire Snook previously worked in companies including Zone, McCann and Fat Media.
She said: “OggaDoon has a great reputation and it’s an honour to work with so many world-leading clients.
“I’m ready for this next chapter in my career and will be bringing my wealth of experience with me. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with clients.”
Caroline Macddonald, OggaDoon’s chief executive and founder, added: “We’ve always worked with the best and brightest, and Claire’s appointment is a strategic choice to continue our acceleration globally.”
Devonshire Homes
The West Country house builder has appointed two new Joint acting managing directors.
Jane Pearce and Cris Neale, who have both held senior positions at the Tiverton-based house builder, have now taken the reins at the firm.
Jane joined Devonshire Homes in 2009 as head of sales and marketing, becoming a director in 2015.
After previously being senior surveyor at Devonshire Homes from 2004 to 2010, Cris re-joined the company in 2013 as development manager and was made a director in 2015.
Jane and Cris will lead on identifying land opportunities and be responsible for overseeing operations from land purchase through to customer service.
Cris said: “Jane and I have been appointed joint acting managing directors at a time when the business is focused on growth with a strong desire to become one of the larger players in the region.”
Cornish Mutual
The South West rural insurer has announced a new chair for its board of directors.
Jeremy Oatey has been appointed to the position as Ian Pawley retires after 10 years in the post.
The appointment was agreed at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) - an event which is usually attended by members but which this year was conducted through a conference call as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Jeremy Oatey, who has served as a non-executive director since 2014, is the owner of South East Cornwall-based contract farming company Agricola Growers.
He said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of chair at Cornish Mutual. The company has a long history, solid values and is a very well respected organisation across the South West.”
Cornish Mutual was founded in 1903 and insures farms and rural businesses across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
Portcullis Legals
Suzi Cumberland has joined the company as chief operating officer.
Before joining the team, Suzie worked working for Citizens Advice Plymouth and as head of operations at Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
She also spent 10 years’ in the Royal Air Force serving as a logistics caterer.
“I am very excited to be taking up the role of COO for Portcullis Legals," said Suzi. "I’m inspired by the firms approach to innovation and their clear passion for employee wellbeing.
"I look forward to working with the whole team, where we will seek to further grow the organisation, expand our partnerships through collaboration and continue to deliver an outstanding service to all Portcullis clients.“
Rovco
Rovco, a Bristol-based company that provides technology services to the offshore energy industry, has appointed a number of new people to its executive team.
The business, which has nearly 50 employees, has hired four new members to its Bristol office.
Reena Rowan has been appointed chief financial officer; Martin Young has been promoted internally to chief technology officer (CTO); Iain Wallace is now chief scientific officer having previously worked as CTO; and Ian Bryan has joined as consultant chief operating officer.
Chief executive Brian Allen said: “We now have a strong executive team with the experience and capabilities to fulfil our vision.”
Meanwhile, Simon Miller has joined the team as general manager of Rovco Scotland and will be based in Edinburgh.
Quantuma
The business advisory firm has promoted marketing expert Marie Wadeson and restructuring specialist Simon Campbell to the position of partner.
Marie joined the firm as head of marketing in 2016. She has more than 15 years’ experience in senior positions, including eight years at global accounting and audit firm Mazars where she was responsible for national marketing activities and stakeholder management.
Simon has taken up the role of partner in Quantuma’s Southampton office, where he will work alongside existing partners, Andrew Watling and David Meany to bolster the firm’s presence in the south.
He has spent four years at Quantuma as a director, specialising in restructuring, insolvency and corporate recovery.
Marie said: “I am looking forward to continuing to develop our challenger brand as we grow at a rapid rate."
Simon added: "I am looking forward to working with Andrew Watling and David Meany to further develop the firm’s presence on the south coast and beyond.”
Stephenson Law
Bristol law firm Stephenson Law has hired a new director and head of dispute resolution.
James Pheasant specialises in complex commercial disputes and has experience dealing with disputes with suppliers, customers, shareholders and business partners.
He also has experience in sports regulatory work, representing athletes and horse trainers in anti-doping cases.
“It’s great news to have James join us,” said Alice Stephenson, founder and chief executive of Stephenson Law. “He has a great reputation and track record.”
James added: “I’m a great believer in serving clients in the best way possible and what Alice and the team have achieved in a pretty short timeframe at Stephenson Law is impressive.”
Michelmores
The law firm has appointment Daniel Eames as partner. He will lead the company's family team and will also work closely with the private wealth team.
Daniel regularly advises on divorce proceedings, including asset protection for high-net-worth clients, the resolution of financial disputes within married and cohabiting partnerships, and cases involving businesses and trusts.
He said: "Joining Michelmores and the Firm's highly regarded family team is an exciting step for my practice. I look forward to being at the heart of Michelmores' strong private wealth offering, supporting clients here in the 海角视频, but also clients with an international footprint."
Daniel chairs the International Committee of Resolution (the national organisation of family lawyers), and is a member of Lord Justice Moylan's International Family Law Committee.
He was the only solicitor to give evidence to the Justice Select Committee on the how the 海角视频's departure from the EU will effect family law and is now advising the Government on this subject.
Michelmores' South West team is based across three offices in Bristol, Exeter and London.