Here is the latest news on the big movers and shakers from across the East Midlands:
Everards
Leicestershire’s Everards Brewery has revealed details of its succession planning to replace managing director Stephen Gould (pictured above) when he retires.
Mr Gould plans to step back from the business by March 2025 – but has said he will take a seat on the board as a non-executive director. In the meantime the business is looking for a suitable replacement.
In recent years Mr Gould has overseen the relocation of the brewery to a new site at Everards Meadows opposite Fosse Park, along with putting a stronger emphasis on its pub estate. The business also has plans for a new hotel and business units alongside the headquarters.
In a note to staff chairman Julian Everard said: “This move from managing director to non-executive director will enable Stephen to fulfil a long-standing desire to spend more time with his lovely family and explore non-executive and advisory opportunities both within the hospitality industry and outside."
Space Park Leicester
A member of the University of Leicester leadership team who has helped develop a future mission to Jupiter to learn about the ‘habitability of ocean worlds’ has been appointed director of the Institute for Space at Space Park Leicester.
Professor Emma Bunce was head of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester and is a Professor of Planetary Plasma Physics.
She has played an instrumental role in several space missions including as a lead member of the team behind the Mercury Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer on board the BepiColombo mission to Mercury.
As director of the Institute for Space, she will work alongside the scientists and engineers striving to find innovative solutions in space exploration, satellite technology, and space-based observations of earth and beyond.
1284
Ex-Leicester Mercury and LeicestershireLive journalist Amy Orton has joined corporate communications agency 1284 - becoming its first full-time hire.
A trained reporter with more than a decade at well-known news titles across the East Midlands, as a senior local democracy reporter for Leicester and Leicestershire she worked with the local paper and BBC Leicester, covering areas such as politics and health.
In 2021 she became a communications manager at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, working on internal and external comms.
1284 director George Oliver – who was the Mercury editor during Amy’s time at the paper – said: “Amy is a first-class journalist and communicator who will bring her knowledge and understanding of local authorities to provide real value to 1284 clients.
Amy said: “George last recruited me at the Mercury back in 2018 and I’m pleased to be teaming up with him again after what’s been a period of swift growth for 1284.”
Rutland Hall Hotel
Rutland Hall Hotel has made a positive start to 2023 by welcoming Chloe Dustan as assistant financial controller.
Chloe started her finance career aged 16, working as an apprentice in an accountancy firm, learning about everything from double entry and self-assessments to partnership and limited company accounts.
After finishing her apprenticeship ahead of schedule, she took her skills and experience to local engineering, surveying and architectural company Smithers Purlow, gaining three years of further experience, before moving to The Silver Spoon Company.
Chloe’s role at Rutland Hall sees her covering a variety of tasks and projects, from assisting in preparing management packs and supporting members of the team with her accounting experience.
trentbarton
Tom Morgan, group commercial director at trentbarton, has been appointed as managing director for all the bus operators in trentbarton’s parent company Wellglade.
The move follows last month’s retirement of trentbarton and Kinchbus managing director Jeff Counsell, after almost half a century in the bus industry. Wellglade bus operators also include Midland General, Notts & Derby and TM Travel.
Mr Morgan joined Wellglade in 2009 to work on the Nottingham Tramlink project and has subsequently been trentbarton’s Assistant Operations Manager for Derby and the General Manager at Kinchbus before taking on Directorial roles across operations and then commercial.
Allison Homes
Allison Homes has appointed Karl Edwards as operations director for its newly created East Midlands region, covering Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Karl will focus on establishing a new office and team in the region, as the company seeks to drive forward its presence in this market. The office will be situated in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, in the centre of the region’s operational area, which runs from Chesterfield to Rugby.
He has a long career in the housebuilding industry, starting out as a joiner, moving on to become a site manager with Barratt Homes East Midlands and then spending most of his career to date in land, most recently as senior land director at Gladman.
IDT
Ilkeston-based managed IT services specialist IDT has promoted one of its longest-serving staff members to director.
Head of technical support Lawrie Moon steps up to operations director, having joined IDT when he left college in 2004. He now oversees the company's entire support team.
Managing director Luke Draper said: "Lawrie has a great relationship with his team - they cannot speak highly enough of him.”
PKF Smith Cooper Systems
PKF Smith Cooper Systems, a Sage business partner based in Derby, has made five new appointments.
Ian Barbour, Ben Robertson, Haris Naeem, and Ben Skeels have joined the consultancy and support departments, while Lulu Qu is joining as a senior project manager.
Managing director Chris Smith said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome all the new starters to our team. They are all excellent additions and equally excellent people, who I have no doubt will play a key role in helping us achieve our growth targets.”
Wattbike
Smart bike business Wattbike has appointed Greg Nieuwenhuys as its new chairman.
Mr Nieuwenhuys has been chief executive of UK retailers including Cotswold Outdoors, Snow+Rock and Runners Need and previously led Dutch outdoor retailer Bever. He is currently chair of Swiss mountain brand Mammut Sports Group.
West Bridgeord-based Wattbike has commercial deals with British Cycling, Manchester City and the New Zealand All Blacks as well as David Lloyd, the England football team, Hilton Hotels and the British Army.
Mr Nieuwenhuys said: “Wattbike is an amazing company, helping people to improve their health, fitness and wellbeing, focused on those who have clear goals.”
