Here is our regular line up of appointments, promotions and people news from across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands.
think3:
Derby marketing agency think3 continues to grow after recruiting three new team members.
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Wayne Cross joins the start-up, bringing more than seven years of marketing experience, along with new senior SEO executive Stephen Lehayan, who has more than 10 years experience in the sector.
Rounding off the trio of appointments is Will Davies who joins as a digital designer.
Founder Grant Thompson said: “Following our relocation to a larger studio in the heart of Derby and our recent award wins, we’re delighted for Wayne, Stephen and Will to be joining the team.
“Their appointment to the business further cements our position locally and across the region, in being able to support existing and new clients with their digital strategies.
“We’ve always been an agency that aims to go the extra mile with our clients and investing in these roles, specifically, will increase position, reputation and take our business, and team, to the next level.
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“We’ve only just celebrated our second anniversary as a business and clearly our rapid growth, and ways of working, are proving to be the right approach as our work with high profile clients continues to build.
“This time last year, we were told that we would be crazy to invest in a new studio.
“We were either ahead of the game or committing to something that we’d never see any benefit from.
“As we look forward to the remainder of this year, we were ahead of the game.”
Wayne Davies said: “After meeting the three partners, it was a no-brainer that think3 was the right place for me.
“The growth they’ve experienced over a short period of time demonstrates the impact they’ve made regionally. Being part of something special is a huge plus point for me.”
Russell Scanlan:
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Joanne Marriott, the commercial manager at Nottingham independent insurance broker Russell Scanlan, has been appointed as president of Nottingham Insurance Institute – the first person from the company to take on the role.
The long-established firm, which is based in Wellington Circus, in Nottingham City Centre, has a historic partnership with the organisation.
Now, after 19 years as a member of the Institute, during which time she enjoyed the roles of dinner secretary, treasurer and deputy president, Joanne is taking on the role of president for the next 12 months.
She joins other industry professionals who voluntarily give up their time to offer a range of key benefits to members in the local area.
Joanne joined Russell Scanlan in October 2020, and works alongside the management team to oversee the commercial and SME service departments of the business.
She said: “I am very honoured to have been chosen for the role, having been part of the Institute for almost 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some inspirational past presidents, so there are certainly some big shoes for me to fill.
“Nonetheless, I’m excited for the challenge ahead and I know I have the support of the council every step of the way.”
Following in the footsteps of her great, great grandmother Alice Hawkins, a leading East Midlands suffragette, Joanne intends to celebrate women in the industry during her presidency by working alongside inspirational women in the local area.
British Business Bank:
The British Business Bank has appointed a new director to its 海角视频 Network team in the Midlands, in a move that will strengthen its on-the-ground presence.
Dr Sophie Dale-Black’s role will cover the East Midlands and West Midlands.
She was previously regional director for the Midlands at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and will lead the British Business Bank’s 海角视频 network team as a director for the Midlands and North of England.
In her new role, she will focus on helping enhance the region’s small business finance ecosystem, to support smaller businesses access the finance they need to recover, grow and prosper.
The 海角视频 Network team’s remit is to also gain a deeper understanding of regional small business finance markets, to help shape the Bank’s support to smaller businesses and inform government policy.
A PhD-qualified scientist by training, Dale-Black joined ICAEW from Innovate 海角视频, the 海角视频 Government’s innovation agency, where she supported the growth of innovative businesses.
She is also a Trustee at the University of Leicester where she is a member of the university court and member of the nominations committee.
Dr Dale-Black said: “I have worked closely with the British Business Bank for a number of years and recognise the critical role it is playing in transforming finance markets for smaller businesses across the 海角视频 and specifically in the Midlands.
“I’m excited to build on this and support the 海角视频 Network team to deliver a lasting positive impact on smaller businesses in the Midlands. Access to finance has never been more important for smaller businesses, with many now looking to accelerate their recovery from the pandemic and unlock new growth.”
AtomicMedia:
A Midlands web and app developer has appointed a new head of people and culture to spearhead a recruitment drive as it expands its business.
David Wilson has been appointed to the newly-created role at Nottingham-based AtomicMedia, which works with several global brands and has seen a spike in demand for digital products as businesses plan their post-lockdown returns to work.
David, 46, who has a background in recruitment, said the new role was a natural progression, reflecting the company’s commitment to creating the type of culture to attract and retain a talented workforce.
He said: “It’s a really exciting role and links into everything I’m passionate about.
“We want to bring in the right people, have a workplace and culture which they will enjoy and thrive in and be encouraged to see a long-term future here.”
AtomicMedia has experienced significant growth after securing a number of new contracts since the first lockdown, working with JCB, Vodafone, Rolls-Royce and Scania.
Marketing Derby:
The managing director of Marketing Derby has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.
John Forkin, who has led the inward investment agency since its inception in 2006, has received an MBE for services to international trade and investment.
Bob Betts, managing director of Smith of Derby and chairman of Marketing Derby, said: “Every city needs a champion and an ambassador.
“Marketing Derby has been so lucky over the years to have John lead in these pivotal roles throughout some of the most challenging years the world has literally experienced.
“Our city development, job creation, and literally putting Derby ‘on-the map’ globally, has been so successful and now, rightly, John has been recognised for his incredible and diverse contribution.”
John said: “I’m as surprised as I am delighted and genuinely accept this is a reflection of years of hard work, together with many great people, in what we call Team Derby.
“Between us, we have helped to change the lives of thousands of people by bringing new employment and creating new opportunities that make Derby and Derbyshire a better place to live, work and visit.”
Allestree Pet Supplies:
Animal lovers and local business owners Rob and Helen Tomlinson are taking the lead of Allestree Pet Supplies, taking over from Ken Whieldon, who retires this year.
Allestree Pets has been serving customers at Derby’s Park Farm Shopping centre for the last 26 years, while Rob and Helen ran Supapet, based in Derby’s Market Hall since 2001, which they decided to close last month.
Rob said: “Following the pandemic and the changes to the Market Hall, we felt it was the right time to move on.
“Like many local businesses, we’ve had to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic.
“We’ve seen a growing number of customers from both Derby and Nottingham choosing to have their pet supplies delivered by us.”
海角视频 Flooring Direct:
An online flooring retailer has a new chief commercial officer.
海角视频 Flooring Direct appointed Elia Green as head of marketing campaigns in April 2019 and, since then, she’s achieved three promotions which have now taken her to a place on the board of the Hinckley business.
In the past couple of years the company, which was established by chief executive Jason Ashby in 2005, has grown dramatically through investment in technology and people – increasing headcount to more than 200, with plans to reach 380 by the end of 2022.
Elia, who spent 13 years at Homebase before joining 海角视频 Flooring Direct, said the company was committed to developing people who show potential and want to grow with the business.
She said: “I am absolutely delighted to become chief commercial officer after what has been a rollercoaster two years with the company.
“Our business growth has been dramatic and, also, in that time we – like everyone else – have had to contend with a completely different world over the past 12 months.
“It’s such an exciting business to be part of because of the pace of growth and the continuous drive to invest and improve every area of what we do.
“I’m really looking forward to helping the business achieve its very ambitious plans over the next few years and I also want to be able to help others to grow with the business too.
“Jason and the board have been great for my own development and their support has helped me rise up to be CCO. Having such an incredible team makes me feel like I can tackle anything and that has played such a massive part in me moving into this role.
“It’s important to us that those who are already in the business and those who are joining us as part of our growth see that the opportunity is there for them too.”
PwC:
Professional services firm PwC has further enhanced its business restructuring services offering in the Midlands to help clients navigate the financial climate currently impacting 海角视频 firms with the appointment of Helen Wheeler-Jones.
The appointment underlines the team's commitment to investment in teams across the 海角视频, bolstering an already extensive regional offering of more than 300 specialists.
In particular, Helen will be focused on helping mid market businesses, which are typically 海角视频 companies ranging from owner-managed, through to private equity backed companies, but often making major contributions to regional economies with critical business issues.
Collectively, the appointments are a key part of PwC’s continuing drive to support businesses by providing expertise through its national network of 47 restructuring partners and 500 practice staff.
Activity is grounded in working as part of multidisciplinary teams, drawing upon sector and subject matter expertise from the wider PwC firm in assisting clients.
Rob Moran, partner and business restructuring leader for PwC in the Midlands, said: “It's great to welcome Helen.
“We continue to invest in our team and also our digital offering for clients, which will become increasingly important in the coming years.
"The current environment will inevitably result in our firm’s multidisciplinary capabilities being utilised for the benefit of clients to a greater extent.
“As the economy continues on the path to full recovery, M&A activity is set to increase as businesses adapt to the change in demand being accelerated by the economic impact of Covid-19."