Here is our regular BusinessLive round-up of the latest appointments, promotions and other people news from across the East Midlands.
Invest in Leicester
Mike Denby has been appointed director of inward investment and place marketing at Invest in Leicester. In his new post he will play a key role in the regeneration of commercial development sites across the city and county, attracting investment from outside the area and supporting job creation.
He will also play a part in the external promotion of the city as a leading tourism destination, building on the work of Visit and Meet Leicester. Mike has more than 19 years of marketing experience and a decade working as the lead for inward investment in Wakefield where he led teams which secured up to £44 million of funding to develop commercial sites, and oversaw the building of Wakefield’s first innovation centre.
He also has experience developing policy to stimulate carbon reduction, encourage strategic investment and increase business start-ups. He said: “The transformation of Leicester has been significant over recent years, thanks to a strong public and private collaboration.
“The recent regeneration and promotion of our city and county is a great example of how meaningful, sustainable change can be delivered for our residents and local businesses.
“I look forward to further raising the profile of this great city and county, both nationally and internationally as a destination that is open for business.”
Oakland International
Hayley Smith has been appointed head of customer service and relations at Oakland International’s Leicestershire facility at Bardon.
Hayley joined the food business 15 years ago, progressing from working in dry stores, marketing and administration, before then taking on the role of key account manager in 2020.
She said: “I’m delighted to be continuing to develop my career with Oakland.
“Since joining in 2007 I have built strong bonds with colleagues and customers, hauliers and retailers, and this appointment is the next step in my career development.
“I will be concentrating on nurturing effective internal and external relationships, maintaining service levels and championing strong communication amongst all stakeholders.
“I am fortunate that in my new role I will be able to visit customers and retailers to further understand the challenges faced and how by working together we can ensure customer product is delivered on time and in full.”
The family-run business is a specialist in contract food packing, storage, picking and distribution, as well as brand development.
It works with clients sending out fresh, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via a partner in Spain.
Hinckley and Rugby Building Society
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has welcomed new chief operating officer Barry Carter to its executive board.
He joined on July 4 – having been COO at HSBC Private Bank – following the retirement of former HBBS COO Dean Waddingham in May.
Barry has 20 years of experience in private and retail banking and is a chartered certified accountant, chartered banker and is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.
His role within the society will include day-to-day operations and transformational change.
He said: “It’s a great privilege to join the society as chief operating officer.
“I am joining at an exciting time as the society looks to streamline its mortgage process, take steps forward in its digital presence and continue its improvement of day-to-day performance.
“All of this is geared for the benefit of our members and colleagues, and I am very much looking forward to being a part of it.”
Charnwood Molecular
Professor Steve Allin has stepped down as chief executive of Charnwood Molecular after 25 years with the business, and has been be succeeded by Lee Patterson.
Prof Allin founded the Loughborough University spin-out alongside Professor Phil Page in 1998, to carry out pre-clinical work for the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology market.
He has been at the forefront of the company’s growth and development and in 2019 supported its acquisition by global growth investor Synova. He will remain an investor and advisor to the board.
He said: “Now is the right time for me, personally, to hand over the reins to Lee who will be instrumental in driving the company forward over the next few years.”
Lee Patterson joins Charnwood Molecular with extensive experience gained across the drug discovery sector. Most recently this included senior executive leadership roles at Concept Life Sciences and Covance. He also brings a scientific background in pathological and biomedical sciences.
Banks, Long and Co
Lincolnshire property consultants and chartered surveyors Banks Long & Co have promoted Charlotte Elkington to associate director.
Charlotte joined Banks Long & Co in 2018 as a surveyor in the management and professional services division.
She said “It’s a real honour to accept the position of associate director.
“I am incredibly proud to be progressing my career with an organisation that has supported my personal and professional development at every step of the way.”
Director James Butcher: “Charlotte has been a valuable member of our team over the past four years, during which time she has made a significant impact to the growth of the division.
“This appointment is a well-deserved reward and recognition for that outstanding contribution.”
Sky Recruitment Solutions
Lorri Johnston has been promoted to regional business development manager at Derby-based Sky Recruitment Solutions.
She said: “I’m super excited. I came into the business part-time, but I’ve been very well looked after, and the company seems to be going from strength to strength.
Her new role comes after a 25-year-plus career in various sales roles, and more recently in recruitment and business development.
She has worked for Sky Recruitment Solutions for almost two years and was most recently business development manager.
Her promotion comes at an exciting time for the business, which is about to launch its 10th branch, in Bradford, and has just taken on Aleks Remplewicz as a recruitment consultant at its newly-launched Nottingham branch.
Leicester Tigers
The board of Leicester Tigers has announced that Duncan Green is to leave his role as non-executive director.
Duncan is managing partner of Leicester-based building consultancy Pick Everard and a senior management board member of spin-off company Perfect Circle JV.
He is a trustee and director of the Leicester Grammar School Trust, local charity Hope Against Cancer and is a member of the Leicester Cathedral Development Board.
Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE said: “I would like to thank Duncan for his service to our board especially through the challenging circumstances we have all faced over the last couple of years.
“We are grateful for what he has contributed to Leicester Tigers and we wish him well for the future.”
Finance For Enterprise
Alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise has welcomed experienced business lending manager Gurinder Mandir to its team.
Derby-based former banker Gurinder will be responsible for helping SME businesses across the UK, with a focus on helping companies in the Midlands access different lending packages to help them plan for future growth, but who are typically unable to secure financial support from traditional high street lenders.
He joins Finance For Enterprise having spent the last two years working in the alternative finance sector, following nine years in banking.
He joined the Barclay’s Degree Programme in 2012, where he balanced his day job with studying, and within three years had successfully risen through the ranks to become an assistant branch manager, with a team of seven, before choosing to specialise in business finance.
Outside of the office, Gurinder is a keen kickboxer enthusiast, a passion that he has enjoyed since he was just ten years old. He recently fought his first competitive bout in more than eight years, helping his club to be crowned ICO British Champions 2022 and walking away with an under-85kg title.
Gurinder said: “Having worked in the alternative finance sector for a number of years, I understand just what an important role organisations like Finance For Enterprise play in helping to support SME businesses throughout the region.
“Against a backdrop of rising levels of inflation, skills shortages in the workforce and the continued impact of Covid-19 on many businesses, for many companies the importance of the ability to access finance has never been greater.”
Finance for Enterprise acts as a delivery partner for Start Up Loans UK and acted for the British Business Bank’s Coronavirus Small Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS).
It was launched in 1985 as one of the UK’s first Enterprise Agencies and provides business loans up to £250,000.
PKF Smith Cooper
Midlands-based business advisory and accountancy firm PKF Smith Cooper has announced six promotions in its Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham offices.
The promoted team members are Megan Whiley (tax manager), Tom Joy (corporate finance senior manager), Selma Delic (operations director), Tara Adams (accounts manager), Charlotte Morgan (corporate tax senior manager) and Matt Aston (audit manager).
Senior partner David Nelson said: “I’d like to offer my warmest congratulations to the successful candidates.
“All six have made an impact at PKF Smith Cooper and we look forward to supporting them as they take the next steps in their career with the firm.
“This year’s promotions will strengthen our tax, corporate finance, accounts, audit and internal support teams.
“As a progressive and forward-thinking business, we remain committed to investing in talent across all divisions and at all levels.
“What is especially pleasing is that of the six promotions, four joined us as trainees.
“It’s an exciting time for the firm as we focus on our ambitious development plans and seek to further enhance our reputation both regionally and nationally.”
