The latest movers and shakers in the East Midlands:
Invictus Group:
A sales manager who has spent 25 years supplying telecoms systems to the world’s biggest companies has been recruited by Derbyshire’s Invictus Group to spearhead its post-lockdown expansion plans.
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Neil Baumber was appointed by the company’s managing director Jonny McPhee and has been given the task of building a sales team and growing its customer base across the East Midlands.\u0009
Invictus supplies internet-based telephone systems and IT support services to companies ranging from start-ups to large organisations with dozens of sites across the country.
Following the end of a challenging 2020, it is currently dealing with an influx of orders from companies looking to repurpose their telephone and IT systems in order to offer their employees safe, secure and reliable remote working.
It works in partnership with leading 海角视频 communications service providers the Fidelity Group, whose reputation and service levels, along with Invictus’s own ambitions, helped to convince Neil to make the switch from his previous employer in London to Invictus’ office in Derby Road, Melbourne.
He said: “The pandemic and remote working has changed so much in the IT and telecoms industry because people realised what an important utility the telephone is and how much their business relies on it.
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“In turn, this places the emphasis on suppliers who can guarantee a personal service all the way through to the all-important ‘last mile’ and offer a reliable support package too.
“Invictus gets that, which is why I was so keen to join them and help Jonny reach out to more customers without losing the attentive and personalised service you get from a local provider.”
Wavensmere Homes:
Midlands property developers Wavensmere Homes has made Brad Critcher director of development.
The new role for the company follows its work on of the Nightingale Quarter in Derby and is indicative of the company’s enthusiasm to secure further development opportunities across the greater Midlands area.
Brad brings more than 30 years development experience gained across various sectors including retail, leisure, strategic land/residential and mixed use.
He has held senior development positions at Sainsburys and Castlemore, and more recently at shopping centre REIT intu.
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Wavensmere Homes managing director James Dickens said: “Brad will give a new string to the Wavensmere bow.
“His knowledge and skill set will give us a competitive edge in repurposing city centre retail assets.
“Brad’s extensive property and business development background will allow Wavensmere Homes to tap into new areas of the sector.
“We look forward to bringing Brad onboard at such an exciting time for the company following the success of Nightingale Quarter.
“We continue to concentrate primarily in and around the Midlands looking for new build opportunities. Eyes are firmly set on the future and the growth of the company.”
Wavensmere’s Nightingale Quarter development will create nearly 800 homes and is set to become one of the largest city centre regeneration projects in the 海角视频.
Purpose Media:
A second apprentice has joined web development, creative and digital marketing agency Purpose Media, with a further two new apprenticeship places still on offer.
Ruby Birks, lives in Chesterfield and is a former pupil of Tibshelf Community School.
She has 11 GCSE’s and has previously been doing volunteer work for Derby City Council and Visit Derby where she was involved in key events such as The Toyota Twinning stand at Chatsworth Country Fair and the launch of the Derby Walk of Fame.
Since it was founded in 2008, Purpose Media has been providing career opportunities in website development, creative design, digital marketing and business administration by offering apprenticeships for talented young people, with many progressing into senior roles within the business.
The apprenticeship that Ruby will be studying is a ‘Level 3 Digital Support Technician’ and was arranged through Derby-based apprenticeship providers EMA Training Limited.
She said: ‘When I was researching jobs websites I noticed that a lot of employers seemed to value experience over qualifications.
“Based on this, and how the pandemic has affected employment, especially for people my age, I decided that completing an apprenticeship would be the best way to gain this experience, earn some money and avoid getting into debt with a student loan.
“When looking for apprenticeships I came across Purpose Media and was drawn to the relaxed and friendly culture.
“I was also impressed by their client list and during the interview process I also thought the company training programme was very supportive.”
In her spare time Ruby enjoys ice-skating, rock-climbing, playing the piano and is currently learning simplified Mandarin. As a former patient, she has also raised money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
海角视频 Flooring Direct:
Josh Ashby has become 海角视频 Flooring Direct’s chief digital officer, having previously held the role of chief commercial officer.
The move reflects the company’s increasing investment in digital technology as it continues to expand at a rapid pace.
In the past few months, 海角视频 Flooring Direct, which has its headquarters in Hinckley, Leicestershire, has opened a further 54,000 sq ft office and warehouse in Coventry, grown to nearly 200 employs and received funding of £8 million from BGF.
The firm, which supplies quality own-brand wood, laminate, and vinyl flooring direct to consumers and trade, has also strengthened its senior management team with a series of appointments and promotions, which enabled Josh, who is now in his 14th year with the business, to move into the new role.
He will now oversee the company’s annual investment into digital enhancement, which will rise to £2.5 million this year, as it strives further continued expansion.
He said: “I am excited to move into this new role and it has only been made possible by the fact that we have brought in so much incredible experience and talent to the senior management team.
“We have a solid foundation in this area as we are a digitally native e-commerce business but consumer demands are moving faster than ever before and this is stimulating opportunities for us to capitalise. By moving into this new, dedicated role we can ensure we maximise all the opportunities in front of us.
“We will work with partners to help develop new digital tools but I am also looking to bring in more people in skilled roles to support the growth of this side of the business.
“Digital technology moves so quickly that, if you stand still, you end falling further and further behind.
“This move and our ongoing investment shows our determination to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to digital and, ultimately, that helps us to grow our customer base and give them the outstanding service that we pride ourselves on.”
Custodian REIT:
Custodian REIT, the Leicester-based property investment company, has announced the appointment of two non-executive directors with effect from April 1.
Elizabeth McMeikan has been appointed as the senior independent director and Chris Ireland has been appointed as an independent director.
Both have been appointed to the company’s audit and risk, remuneration, management engagement and nominations committees with Chris Ireland chairing the management engagement committee with effect from July 1.
Elizabeth McMeikan was a stores board director with Tesco before embarking on a non-executive career in 2005.
She is a director at The Unite Group plc, the 海角视频’s largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation and a non-executive director at the Dalata Hotel Group plc, in the Republic of Ireland.
She is also a non-executive director at cleaning and hygiene products manufacturer McBride plc, and Fresca Group, a fruit and vegetable import/export company.
Chris Ireland joined international property consultancy King Sturge in 1979 as a graduate and has worked his whole career across the 海角视频 investment property market.
He ran the investment teams at King Sturge before becoming Joint Managing Partner and subsequently Joint Senior Partner prior to its merger with JLL in 2011.
He was appointed as chief executive of JLL 海角视频 in 2016 and becomes its chairman this month.
He will continue to play an active role in the capital markets business and is committed to leading the property sector on sustainability and supporting the debate around the climate emergency.
Custodian REIT chairman David Hunter said: “I am delighted to welcome Elizabeth and Chris to the board as non-executive directors.
“Both bring a range of different but complimentary experiences which strengthen the Board’s property and governance experience and add to its diversity. We look forward to working with both of them.”
Finch Consulting:
Leicestershire-based, environmental, health and safety and engineering risk management consultancy Finch Consulting has promoted three of its staff.
The company, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has promoted Tristan Pulford, Howard Wheeler and Clare Fowell as part of its growth plans for the next five years.
Mr Pulford, a chartered mechanical engineer and process safety engineer has been promoted to principal consultant and is Finch’s head of consulting.
Mr Wheeler, has also been promoted to principal consultant. He has more than 35 years of electrical engineering experience, and will continue his role as the go to person for all matters relating to new 海角视频CA legislation.
Ms Fowell, a chartered environmentalist sits, at the centre of Finch’s ambition to grow its environmental and sustainability capabilities. She has been promoted to senior consultant.
Also joining Finch as a newly appointed member of the support team is Maddie Davies.
Finch Consulting managing director Dom Barraclough said “Tristan, Howard and Clare have consistently excelled in their specialist areas, delivering a high standard of quality and advice to our clients.
“They live and breathe our core values and culture on a daily basis.
“I hope these promotions continue to highlight both the diverse range of talent and the various opportunities that exist within the Finch community.”
Finch Consulting provides expert witness, legal counsel, training workshops and consulting services to clients in the legal, financial and insurance, food and drink, leisure, manufacturing, energy and waste sectors.