In spite of the pandemic a number of firms in Wales and hiring new employees at the highest level as well as promoting from within.
These new positions are in a variety of sectors and span the country.
Partnership promotions at Peter Lynn
Swansea headquartered law firm Peter Lynn and Partners Solicitors have announced the promotion of three lawyers to partner level.
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Rebecca Jackson, Greg George, and Charlotte Hewins will join the leadership team of the firm as they look to further expand throughout Wales over the coming years.
The three promotions are all from the residential conveyancing department within the firm and all three manage their teams in Morriston (Rebecca Jackson), Llanelli (Greg George) and Mumbles (Charlotte Hewins).
"I am thrilled to appoint these talented lawyers to our partnership team, and am looking forward to their input, drive and passion as we implement our growth strategy for 2021 and beyond," said Peter Lynn.
The company is actively looking to increase their network of offices.
"We opened a new office in Llanelli last year, and then a further acquisition gave us a second office in the town," said Mr Lynn.
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"As we come out of the lockdown, we have ambitious plans to continue our growth - something the new partners will play a key role in achieving."
Amber energy appoints its first CFO
A chief financial officer is to join Amber Energy’s board to help drive the business’ long-term strategy
The Cardiff-headquartered energy management consultancy, has appointed Jeremy French as CFO. Mr French becomes the company’s first CFO, and will look to play a pivotal role in helping amber energy realise its ambitious long-term plans.
Amber energy has achieved a period of uninterrupted growth since it launched in 2009 and is working with some of the world’s best-known and most well-regarded brands, including Aston Martin, ASOS, and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Mr French joins amber energy from Equilaw, where he was group finance director. Prior to that, he worked for companies such as Airbus and Hamilton Sundstrand. He has also held finance director roles at Prezola and Ministry of Cake.
Nick Proctor, founder and CEO of amber energy, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Jeremy to amber and am confident that his commercial and analytical skills will be a valuable addition to the leadership team and the company as a whole.
“Through the hard work of our team we have managed to maintain momentum throughout the pandemic, ensuring that we are able to help more customers on their journey towards operational net zero.
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“With Jeremy on board, our leadership team is stronger than ever and we are well-positioned to be able to deliver our services in more industries and geographies, while continuing to innovate our offering so that we keep ahead of the environmental, regulatory and commercial needs of our clients.”
On his appointment Mr French said, “amber energy is a strong business with a sound commercial model, but what adds to its appeal is the genuine commitment to doing good - something that is clear no matter who you speak to at the company.
“I’m looking forward to helping the business tap into its potential and develop even further the fantastic work that is already being done to help businesses operate more efficiently - which has arguably never been more important - and all without compromising environmental sustainability.”
Codeherent appoints non-exec to drive commercial
A Newport-based code management platform has appointed Bill Crank to its board of directors as a non-executive director in a bid to strengthen its commercial expertise.
Codeherent says that Mr Crank, current CEO and executive board member of Clearspan and former president, CEO and executive board member at Dialogic, holds a proven track record of commercial growth and has also overseen acquisitions in the enterprise technology market.
“We’re delighted to welcome Bill. He joins us at a critical moment in our growth plans,” said Paul Sheehan, managing director of Codeherent. “We look forward to leaning on his vast experience as we scale our commercial strategy and evolve our cloud management capability in 2021.”
Mr Crank added: “It is an exciting time to join Codeherent. Aided by their investment in 2020, they have developed smart software that solves big problems for enterprises that are actively trying to reduce costs and save time by overhauling cloud management processes.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Paul and the board to grow a loyal customer base very quickly.”
Commenting on the news, Col Batten, technology investment executive at the Development Bank of Wales said: “This is an excellent non-executive director appointment for Codeherent, further bolstering an already strong board. Bill brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the company, as well as strong US market links and networks.
“Codeherent spotted a truly disruptive opportunity early on in the emerging ‘Infrastructure as Code’ tech sector. We’re excited to support this ambitious high-growth potential start-up as they seek to expand their reach internationally. We look forward to seeing what Paul, Bill and the Codeherent team do next.”
Wynne & Co appoint new director
Carmarthenshire-based accountancy firm Wynne & Co is set for further growth following the promotion of accountant Catrin Burt to the role of director.
Ms Burt has been with the firm for six years and has now gained her ACA Practising Certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). This qualifies her to take a more senior role within the company, so she has been appointed director alongside the company’s founder and managing director, Sarah Wynne.
They believe that having two directors will enable the company to continue the steady growth it has pursued since starting life in 2012. Wynne & Co currently has eight staff, all women, based across its two offices.
Ms Wynn said: “I’m excited at the prospects that are opened up by Catrin’s promotion. I’m hugely proud of what she has achieved over the past couple of years, and I’m really pleased for her and for us that she has now become a director.
"I’m highly ambitious for Wynne & Co and having a second director opens up further opportunities for expansion. Training and development are one of our strengths and having Catrin in her new role enables us to train staff to a higher standard and give them opportunities to progress their careers within the firm.”
Ms Burt added: “I’m really excited about the opportunities this is going to bring for me personally and for the firm. Achieving my ACA practising certificate enables me to progress further in a career I love, with a company I’m proud to be part of.
"Working at Wynne & Co is more than just a job that you forget about at the end of the day. I really care about doing a great job for my clients and want to make sure that they are well looked after. I’m also keen to help my colleagues progress in their careers, and my new role will help me to do that.”
New FSB Wales appointments
FSB has recently made new appointments to its Wales staff team.
Dr Llyr ap Gareth will take on the role of head of policy, while Brett John will join the team as deputy head of policy.
Dr ap Gareth is promoted from deputy head of policy for FSB Wales into the new role, having previously worked for the Community Transport Association where he was employed as Support and Engagement Executive.
Dr ap Gareth, said: “It’s a real privilege to take on the responsibility of Head of Policy at FSB Wales at this crucial time for small businesses.
"I look forward to working with our great staff and volunteers across Wales in driving the recovery from Covid and putting SMEs at the centre of economic policy in Wales.
“It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but for small businesses it has also been a constant threat on livelihoods and economic prospects, as well as families and basic security. At the same time these businesses have shown themselves to be key leaders in their communities; adapting their goods and services to support others during the crisis. It is this spirit that we need to tap into in order to benefit of us all in Wales.
“I look forward to being part of helping FSB to set the business agenda for the next Senedd term.”
Mr John will join FSB Wales in May from his role as a policy manager for the Welsh Government and has previously worked in the Welsh Parliament to promote the work of Members of the Senedd.
Mr John, said: "I am delighted to be joining the FSB at this critical time for the Welsh economy. The tumultuous experiences of the last year and challenging economic prospects have demonstrated the unparalleled value of the FSB in providing a voice for small and medium sized businesses.
"These businesses are in a unique position to strengthen economic stability in communities throughout Wales as discussions shift to consider recovery and reconstruction efforts.
"I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that those voices are heard clearly to help achieve a Wales that is prosperous, connected and resilient."
Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Brett and Llyr to their new roles in within FSB.
“The FSB Wales team is a dynamic force within the Welsh economy and will continue to advocate on behalf of our thriving business community as we move through the various stages of both reopening and beginning the long-term recovery of our economy.
“In addition to the excellent services and practical local support FSB offers to members across Wales, it is essential that we continue to build on our work in representing the small and medium-sized businesses that are so important to the economy and to communities across Wales. Over the last year, we have all seen first-hand how these firms are at the centre of our communities, and the team is united in their passionate support of Wales’ businesses and advancing our economy.”
Hugh James appoints consultant to its specialist gaming and betting legal team
Hugh James has looked to strengthen its specialist gaming and betting legal team with the appointment of former Novomatic 海角视频 CFO, Neil Paramore, as a consultant.
Mr Paramore has been involved in the gaming industry for almost 20 years, initially with Astra Games and then following its acquisition in 2004, within the Novomatic Group, the largest integrated gaming group in Europe with 22,000 employees and subsidiaries in more than 50 countries.
Mr Paramorehas joined the corporate and commercial team at Hugh James that has sought to develop a reputation as one of the 海角视频’s leading legal practices in the gaming and betting sector. Aled Walters leads the firm’s work, representing some of the world’s largest online and land-based operators such as Novomatic, Amelco, TCS John Huxley, Double Diamond and BtoBet.
Mr Paramore’s relationship with Hugh James goes back many years and he worked closely with Mr Walters’s team on many of Novomatic’s mergers and acquisitions. As a consultant, mr Paramore will look to provide insight into the sector’s challenges, trends, and opportunities to assist with the team’s growth. He will also be on hand to support Hugh James’ clients where required.
On his appointment Mr Paramore said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Aled and his team over the last eight years or so and I’m delighted to be able to build on this relationship as I transition to a new kind of work. Hugh James has built a formidable reputation in the gaming and betting sector and I look forward to doing all I can to support their clients and growth strategy in the years ahead.
"This thriving sector relies on lawyers who fully understand its complex regulatory environment, commercial dynamics and cross-border dimensions and it is really encouraging to join a firm which dedicates resource to a sector that’s been such an important part of my career.”
Mr Walters added: “We certainly feel very privileged to welcome an industry leader of Neil’s calibre to Hugh James and our team. Neil has been at the forefront of the gaming and betting sector for decades and he will enhance our offering to clients in the sector.
"Our success to date is built on strong relationships, collaboration and adding value beyond traditional legal services. Neil’s appointment is an example of that approach, but it also demonstrates our firm commitment to a sector where we see real opportunity for further growth.”
Gleeds appoints project director for Wales
Gleeds, the construction and property consultants, has appointed Justin Moore as its project director for Wales.
Mr Moore has worked in construction for nearly 25 years, initially with Carillion as an operations manager and then Bouygues 海角视频, where he worked in numerous roles, including Wales regional operations director.
In his role at Bouygues 海角视频, Mr Moore oversaw the building of many of Wales’ most innovative education buildings. These include the award-winning Penarth Learning Community in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff University’s state of the art Innovation Campus, which will house the world’s first social science research park and start up hub, as well as two world-leading scientific research organisations - the Institute for Compound Semi-Conductors and the Cardiff Catalysis Institute.
Mr Moore, an active member of the CBI in Wales, has joined Gleeds to lead on all education projects in Wales, building on his expertise in the education field to further develop the company’s offering in this market.
Speaking of his appointment, Mr Moore said: “Having worked with major contractors for most of my career, I am really looking forward to the challenge of working on the project management and consultancy side of construction projects.
"Seeing education projects come to fruition has always been one of the parts of the job I have really enjoyed - being able to see the building come to life, handed over and be used day in day out by students and teachers. So, I am looking forward to the change of working on projects from day one, from scoping out a building to its design, managing costs and its construction, and then onto the completed, working building.”
Mr Moore added: “One of my biggest passions is around social value and how construction companies can improve how they work within local communities. There’s such a huge opportunity for these businesses to integrate themselves into the communities where they operate and I am keen to take what I have learned in the past ten years around social value and bring it into my consultancy role.”
Gleeds’ regional director Simon Williams added: “Getting Justin to join the Gleeds team is a real coup for us. His reputation in Wales is second to none and we are really pleased that he has decided to make the leap into construction consultancy with Gleeds.
"His knowledge of the contractor landscape, particularly in education, is unparalleled as he has worked in this sector on some very challenging builds for many years, so we are looking forward to working with him to build our education client portfolio and make Gleeds the go-to consultant for education projects in the region.”
Dudley’s Aluminium makes five director-level appointments
Cardiff-based aluminium fabricator, Dudley’s Aluminium, has strengthened its senior management team with five director-level appointments.
Selected by the company’s board of directors, the appointments are all internal promotions, rewarding the commitment and longevity of their staff.
Neil Andrews and Simon Hoggett have been appointed estimating director and sales director respectively, supporting new business development.
Mr Andrews manages a team of three estimators, reviewing all tender enquiries to ensure that compliant and competitive bids are submitted for new projects. The estimating team led by Mr Andrewswill liaise closely with sales director Simon Hoggett, whose wealth of sales experience from 30 years within the aluminium curtain walling and window industry, will support the development of existing and new client projects and further company growth.
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Mr Andrews said: “Having worked with Dudley’s for over 21 years, I am excited to take on this new leadership role and thank the Board of Directors for this opportunity.”
Mr Hoggett added: “I am looking forward to this new opportunity and further developing Dudley’s highly respected reputation within the curtain walling industry.”
Supporting clients from design to project completion, Neil Jones has been appointed contracts director. Mr Jones will oversee all projects from contract appointment, engaging with clients on the planning, coordination and programming of their projects as well as ensuring that quality is delivered through supply and installation by internal employees and their supply chain.
Mr Jones said: “In my 26 years at Dudley’s, I have been fortunate to progress in the company and am grateful for this latest opportunity to further develop the company’s relationships and reputation with clients.”
Dudley’s Aluminium offers clients full in-house design and production facilities and within the design team, Gary Smythe has been appointed technical director. Mr Smythe oversees the design process of all secured projects, ensuring that his team prepare and present concise drawing packs in line with company guidelines and standards, and provides support to both the estimating and installation departments.
Mr Smythe said: “I am delighted to receive this appointment. Securing new projects across the 海角视频, Dudley’s is continuing to go from strength to strength and I am looking forward to playing my part in the company’s growth.”
The final appointment sees Stephen Muir become commercial director. Mr Muir’s responsibilities include contract condition negotiations for main contractors, issuing sub-contract orders and payments to the company’s supply chain and supporting the planning of future projects.
Mr Muir said: “Having been with the company since I was an apprentice joiner, it’s a privilege to have been given this opportunity with Dudley’s. I look forward to working closely with the existing board of directors, along with the other members of the new structure, to ensure we continue to provide the high level of service and quality our customers have come to expect from us.”
Speaking about the appointments, Dudley’s managing director Colin Shorney said: “On behalf of the board of directors, I am delighted to welcome the five new directors to the leadership team. These appointments acknowledge the dedication of our team to positioning Dudley’s as a leading aluminium fabricator and will help us capitalise on new business opportunities.”