Here is the latest list of movers and shakers from companies and major organisations across the East Midlands:
PwC:
PwC has appointed Alex Hudson as the new market senior partner for the East Midlands.
Alex (pictured above) is a tax partner who has been with the firm since 2002. She will oversee the strategy and direction for PwC in the East Midlands and wider region from the Castle Donington offices.
She said: “I’ve spent my whole PwC career in the East Midlands and recognise the value of the talent and opportunities here that benefit the firm nationally.
“The office in Donington Court has achieved fantastic growth already, and the team works on some of our biggest national clients and has been involved in some landmark wins for the firm globally.
“I’m committed to maintaining and enhancing our fantastic office culture to create the best experience in which our people can develop, flourish and have fun.”
Matthew Hammond, PwC UK Midlands regional market Leader, said: “She will play a pivotal role in achieving our goals across the region.
“This includes our growth ambitions, as well as focussing on culture, talent and how we can support the local communities in which we operate.”
Stockyard:
Jay Cooledge has been appointed as head of the Stockyard in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
His appointment comes at an exciting time for the food and drink destination in what is referred to as the “Rural Capital of Food” after recently winning millions in Levelling Up funding.
The money will go into building new food production units and events space at the Stockyard in the town’s Cattle Market.
Jay, a former East Midlands Entrepreneur of the year, has a background in the food and drink and hospitality sectors, having helped to build up and run The Griffin Inn and the Old Stables in Swithland, near Loughborough.
More recently he was marketing, sales and events manager in Dickinson and Morris’ Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton.
Jay and his team will be responsible for bringing new tenants, stallholders and events to the Stockyard, driving visitor numbers and delivering the levelling up development.
Jay said: “I’m from both a small business background and a catering and hospitality background, and I am passionate about supporting and incubating entrepreneurs working in this sector.
“This is perfect timing for us to lay the foundations and be ready as a shining beacon when the economy picks up.”
Creative62:
Creative62 digital marketing executive Leah Nelson has taken home a STAR award at the North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College Celebration of Achievement annual graduation and awards ceremony.
She joined Creative62, based in Enderby, Leicestershire, back in August of 2021 as a digital marketing apprentice, and completed her training through NWSLC.
She passed her digital marketing apprenticeship with flying colours in April 2022 and soon after set off on the venture of expanding her qualifications yet again, enrolling on a further education course to study the CIM marketing principles and gaining a Foundation Certificate in professional digital marketing.
Leah said: “Starting an apprenticeship was the best decision for me, it's led to nothing but a more confident, qualified and experienced start to my career.
“To have been chosen as the winner of the digital technologies apprentice of the year award is a super special recognition of the work I put into completing my apprenticeship and into improving the digital credentials of Creative62.”
Lincolnshire College:
A Lincolnshire college student is gaining real-world engineering experience on the path to a career in construction thanks to a work placement on the Grantham Southern Relief Road project.
Oscar Lacey, 17, is currently in his second year at Lincoln College, working toward a Level 3 extended diploma in construction and built environment.
Since starting his one-day-a-week work placement with Galliford Try on the Grantham Southern Relief Road project – one of the county’s biggest road projects – Oscar has been gaining invaluable on-the-job experience.
He said: “I’m really enjoying the placement I have with Galliford Try because I’ve been getting loads of experience learning and working on different areas of construction – like piling, structural concrete and surfacing.
“Since starting my placement in Grantham, I’ve been working with the highways and structures teams and have had the chance to mark out the locations of piles and pile caps, as well as roundabout surfacing, kerbing and drainage."
The road project is being led by Lincolnshire County Council and supported by South Kesteven District Council, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Highways England, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Homes England and local businesses.
V Formation:
East Midlands marketing and PR agency V Formation has made its fifth specialist marketing appointment within the last 12 months.
The agency, which grew turnover by 27 per cent last year, has appointed Susie Jeffrey as junior account executive to provide specialist PR and marketing support to its growing list of clients.
Susie graduated from Nottingham Trent University with an MSc distinction in advertising and marketing communications, and holds a Level 6 diploma in digital marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
V Formation’s Director, Hilary Campton, says: “Her appointment marks the start of another exciting year for V Formation as we continue to grow as a team, expand our client portfolio, and add to our list of marketing and PR services.”
Susie said: “I am looking forward to learning from the team and developing my passion for communications, as well as working with the agency’s wide variety of ambitious clients.”
Light Science Technologies:
Adam Sedgwick has been appointed as sales director at Derby-based AgTech firm Light Science Technologies to spearhead its global growth plans.
Adam has experience in the industry spanning 30 years, having graduated from Harper Adams University with a BASc in agricultural engineering.
In his new role, Adam will be responsible for directing the firm’s sales strategy across the UK and identifying further opportunities in the lighting and sensor markets.
The announcement comes off the back of a successful 2022 in which LST reported it had secured contracts for several trials for its newly launched sensorGROW product, with a potential value of more than £1.1 million. The product offers technology, data collection, advisory and maintenance services for clients, on a three-year contracted basis.
Invictus Communications:
Telecommunications, IT and energy provider, Invictus Communications, has appointed three new apprentices to work in key roles across the business.
Evie Culligan is the new marketing assistant, Louis Garner is an IT support technician and Selwyn Christianson is a digital support technician.
All three are completing nationally-recognised qualifications through leading apprenticeship provider EMA Training in Derby.
Evie is a former pupil at Chellaston Academy and worked at a boarding kennels before applying for the apprenticeship to develop her marketing and content production skills. Her role includes social media management, business networking and organising events.
Louis is also a former pupil at Chellaston Academy. He then studied Games Design and Development at Derby College and Preston UClan University and worked in customer service and warehousing at Argos before joining Invictus Communications. His frontline role includes the installation and customer services for IT and telephony clients.
Selwyn has joined the company from his role as a tester for an indie games design company to gain formal qualifications to match his digital experience and supports clients requiring remote support.
Invictus Communications managing director Jonny McPhee said: “Apprenticeships are definitely the way forward for growing SMEs like ourselves.”
Hallam:
Nottingham digital agency Hallam has appointed Julia Charlton as account management team lead.
Before joining the team, she spent 13 years working across senior marketing and client services roles, implementing strategic marketing solutions for a variety of businesses – from leading tanning brand St Tropez to Virgin’s Formula E race team.
She said: “My focus will be on continuing to develop our client experience in order to ensure satisfaction, long term retention and the growth of our client base.
Nottingham Venues:
Nottingham Venues, the brand behind meetings, events, hotel stays and a collection of venues across the University of Nottingham’s campuses, has appointed Peter Bartlett to manage its Orchard Hotel venue.
He joins a growing team at the hotel and the wider group – which now has almost 250 employees – from the DoubleTree by Hilton, where he oversaw a £6 million refurbishment of one of the group’s West Midlands venues during the pandemic.
He has more than 20 years in the hospitality industry and has worked in France, America and London.