Despite the pandemic firms and organisations across Wales are continuing to recruit and promote staff.
Here we feature the latest appointments across a range of sector.
The Business Growth Fund
The Business Growth Fund (BGF) has appointed Georgie Stratton in a direct origination role to support its Cardiff-based team.
Ms Stratton joins the BGF from professional advisory PwC, where she worked in a business development role for two years having joined from a similar position at law firm Burges Salmon.
Her direct origination role will see her focusing on the sourcing of new investments and bolt-on acquisitions for portfolio companies across Cardiff, Bristol and Reading.
The BGF provides equity investments ranging from £2m to 310,
Ms Stratton’s appointment will strengthen the offering of the South Wales team, led by Ned Dorbin and Edwin Davies who have been driving BGF’s activities in the region since the opening of the Cardiff office in April 2018.
BGF’s investments in Wales include: £6m in digital agency and Sitecore specialist Kagool; £3m in DevOpsGroup, the training and consultancy business; and £10m in BVG Group, the multichannel retailer specialising in clothing, footwear, homeware and garden products.
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Ms Stratton said: “Due to Covid-19, 海角视频 businesses are seeking funding and support more than ever before. I’m passionate about helping businesses to thrive and I’m looking forward to working with entrepreneurs to identify opportunities for growth and discuss how BGF can help them realise their ambitions.”
Mr Davies said : “We’re thrilled to have Georgie on board to drive deal activity in Wales.
“She joins us at an exciting time, with BGF completing on average one investment a week this year, reflecting the fact that we remain as active as ever through what has been a highly challenging time for ambitious companies.
“Increasing numbers of entrepreneurs are looking at their funding options – from refinancing CBILS loans through to raising of growth capital to enable expansion into new areas that have arisen as a result of Covid-19 – and we’re growing the team to reflect this.”
Bot-Hive
The former managing director of Sharp 海角视频 and general manager of marketing at Sony 海角视频 is joining a Cardiff-headquartered robotics firm.
Bot-Hive, an online platform for robotics and automation technology, has appointed Paul Hide as strategic adviser on the company’s commercial strategy.
The firm, which was created in 2019, connects companies, organisations and individuals with leading automation products and general robotics industry information.
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Bot-Hive has based itself in Wales with the support of the Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales, with further offices in Bristol and Amsterdam.
The appointment itself has come through the network that the Development Bank of Wales has provided for the Bot-Hive team, since investing equity into the company earlier this year.
Bot-Hive co-founder and CEO Jacques Bonfrer said: “Paul brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will greatly add to what we are achieving at Bot-Hive.
“In all of Paul’s past and current roles, automation has been a key entity within the teams and organisations he has been responsible for. We are all very much looking forward to working closely with him.”
Mr Hide is the first of three new appointments to be announced in the coming months as Bot-Hive looks to strengthen its position in the market as a new channel partner for robotics manufacturers, integrators and organisations who are looking to onboard robotics into their workflows.
Major customers include Japanese group Fanuc, and international technology group, Schunk.
Mr Hide has more than 30 years of tech sector experience, and is currently CEO of the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), having previously served as chief operating officer of Tech 海角视频, the 海角视频’s leading technology trade association.
Mr Hide said: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the Bot-Hive team.
“Industrial Automation is the fourth revolution of manufacturing and supply chain optimisation with AI and Robotics playing a critical role in enabling new solutions.
“The possibilities are immense and Bot-Hive is well positioned to be a leading player in facilitating this new world.”
Col Batten of the Development Bank of Wales said: “Paul brings huge industry experience and a great network to Bot-Hive.
“His appointment is testament to our shared belief that this exciting tech start-up really is driving the global robotics sector from the heart of Wales.
“We’re delighted to have made the introduction.”
Greenaway Scott
Corporate and commercial law firm Greenaway Scott (part of the GS Verde Group) has appointed Rhian Osborne as managing director.
Ms Osborne, a co-founder of the Cardiff headquartered firm, has been a director of the commercial law department since its inception, as well as leading the medical and STEM focused teams within the group — roles that she will continue to oversee.
She said: “I am delighted to be promoted to managing director of Greenaway Scott. I have been with the business since its inception in 2013 and am immensely proud of what we have achieved to date.
"The role will allow me to focus on the development and future success of Greenaway Scott, the law firm and the GS Verde Group as a whole. I am excited to begin implementing plans and look forward to continuing to grow the firm as part of the wider GS Verde Group.
Nigel Greenaway, chief executive of the GS Verde Group, said: “I am delighted that Rhian has taken on the managing director role at Greenaway Scott, and very much look forward to the implementation of the ambitious plans that I know are very much in hand, and are at the forefront of our thinking with this appointment.”
Greenaway Scott and the GS Verde Group continue to go from strength to strength, with the full range of complimentary business advisory services provided from their offices in Cardiff, Bristol and Pembroke Dock.
S4C
Welsh language channel S4C has appointed Ioan Pollard digital news editor.
Mr Pollard has spent most of his career working for BBC Cymru as a journalist developing digital services and social media within the BBC. He was also a part of the team which launched BBC Cymru Fyw.
Originally from Dyffryn Nantlle, he studied Law at University of Wales Bangor, before moving on to work in journalism.
Mr Pollard said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this exciting new service,” said Ioan.
“I hope to set a clear direction for the service to ensure that we publish quality stories and reach wide audiences. There is a real need for a new digital news service which combines video and written content to bring the latest stories to the audience as they break.”
Geraint Evans, S4C’s news and current affairs commissioner said: “As a public service broadcaster, S4C has an important role when presenting news to our audience and we are very pleased to appoint Ioan to this key position.
"As the viewing patterns of our audiences change, we need to ensure that we bring the latest news to our viewers at their fingertips. Ioan has the vision to lead a team of journalists in order to develop a unique voice for this service, and I’m very much looking forward to working together.”
Mr Pollard wil take up his new role on November 16th, ahead of the launch of the new service early next year.
Welsh ICE
THE Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (ICE) has appointed Llinos Neale as its new community manager as the business continues to grow its team.
Ms Neale, who worked as an operations manager at Cardiff charity, Pedal Power, before joining ICE in 2017 as a receptionist, will now manage the 700-strong community across its campus and online platform.
Patrick Valentino also joins the team as digital marketing assistant.
Ms Neale said: “Through my previous role at ICE I’ve been lucky enough to share the journey of many business founders. I was often the first person new members met and have shared in their experiences as they grow, some from a one-person desk through to fully-furnished offices with a team of staff.
This has given me a great insight into the challenges and successes business owners face and I’m excited to start working with the community in a more strategic way.
“We have a vision at Welsh ICE to be the first point of thought for those who want to start a business, or who are thinking about becoming self-employed. As issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the growing recession disrupt economies, we are going to see more people have to think about seeking alternative employment.
Formerly a digital marketing executive and business consultant, Mr Valentino achieved his MBA in Media Management from Cardiff University, skills and experience that are perfect for his new role helping grow the online ICE community.
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Chief executive of Welsh ICE Jamie McGowan said: “When Llinos joined us as a receptionist three years ago, she was probably overqualified for the role, but her passion to be part of what we were doing on campus was apparent for all to see. It wasn’t long before she was improving our processes and procedures and setting best practice.
Llinos’ energy and enthusiasm are infectious and she will be tough to replace as the first point of contact at ICE. Now, as she moves into a more senior role, Llinos will take over day-to-day management of the 30,000 sq ft ICE Campus as well as grow our external partnerships and develop our business support programmes.”
ICE recently launched ice.community, a new platform that will allow its members to maintain business support and the collaborative ethos of ICE, despite restrictions, something that will be integral to Mr Valentino’s role.
Mr McGowan said: “Patrick not only brings with him great technical skill in digital marketing, but also an important understanding about how to support a community of business owners.”
Welsh ICE is one of five regional enterprise hubs across Wales, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The hubs will see over £4m invested to provide supportive spaces and mentoring for new and growing businesses, with the ICE Campus supporting the South East Wales Valleys region.