There have been some significant appointments made in Wales in recent weeks. In our latest jobs round-up, we take a look at some of those who have taken on new roles.
CBI Wales
Business body CBI Wales has appointed Russell Greenslade as associate director.
Mr Greenslade, who has been chief executive of Swansea Business Improvement District (BID) since 2009, will take up the role in June and support the work of CBI Wales director Ian Price.
Mr Price said: I” am very excited to be working with Russell and congratulate him on his appointment as associate director. His vast experience gained from working on the reinvigoration of Swansea, and supporting the city’s recovery from the pandemic, will be a huge asset and of benefit to CBI Wales members.
“Russell joins at a crucial time for the Welsh business community with excitement surrounding the Celtic Freeport bid in Milford Haven and Port Talbot; the South Wales semiconductor cluster and the Chancellor’s Budget announcement that an investment zone is destined for Wales. However, there are economic challenges to overcome, and Russell’s experience will drive forward our efforts to find out what businesses of all sizes need to succeed.
Mr Greenslade said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in supporting the efforts of the business community to grow Wales’s economy.
“I’m proud to have worked on the transformation of Swansea since the early stages of the BID organisation, including through a recession and the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with Ian to make Welsh business the best it can be.”
Read more: What Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget means for Wales
Global Centre of Rail Excellence
Former Siemens Mobility chief executive Will Wilson has joined the board for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence as an independent non-executive director.
Mr Wilson became chief executive of Siemens Mobility in June 2019, having previously been its managing director. Prior to this he was senior vice president at Invensys Rail.
GCRE is constructing a new £400m rail innovation facility in south Wales set to open in 2025 at the head of the Dulais and Swansea valleys. It will be a facility providing world class research, testing and certification of rolling stock, infrastructure and innovative new rail technologies.
Chair Dr Debra Williams said: “We’re delighted to welcome Will Wilson to the GCRE Ltd board and to add his significant knowledge and experience to the team. Will’s industry background and his credibility make him an excellent fit for GCRE, particularly as we undertake the process of securing private investment for the company.”
Mr Wilson said: “It’s a great pleasure to be taking on such an important and exciting role with GCRE Ltd. The facility the team are constructing is truly unique and I believe will have significant benefits not just for rail in the UK, but across Europe.
“Rail faces a significant challenge in the coming years of decarbonising the network and supporting the UK’s path to net zero. That means we must increase the pace of innovation and bring new ideas and new technologies to market faster. That’s one of the critical areas in which the GCRE facility can help and one of the major attractions for me of joining the board.
“As a new entrant to rail GCRE has the ability to do things differently and develop its structures and its business in a way that better reflects both the customers it represents and the wider world outside. That opportunity to help embed equality, diversity and inclusion in everything it does is something I know the team are keen to do and a key area where I am keen to provide support and experience.”
Vista Technology Support
Leading electronics point of sale tech venture, Vista Technology Support, has created a new network infrastructure projects team to support its latest growth phase.
The Cardiff-based business, which previously traded as Vista Retail Support, has established Vista Infrastructure Project Services - headed by former sales director with ISG Tech Mark Robinson. He is being supported by newly appointed portfolio manager Ian Lewis and project manager Barry Snaden. The team has over 50 years’ experience in data cabling overseeing a large number of store openings and network projects for some of the biggest retail and hospitality firms in the UK and Ireland.
With significant growth in recent years Vista’s project services team, led by Sarah Jones, will continue to provide technology deployment projects and new store opening services to Vista’s existing customers.
Mr Robinson said; "“In a world of hyper-connected services and with a constant drive for technology integration it’s easy to forget that everything needs high performance physical infrastructure to operate with optimum performance.
Ms Jones said::“This is a very exciting time for Vista, and the introduction of the infrastructure team to complement and expand the existing project services offering, will no doubt bring a wealth of opportunity for the business, our staff and our customers - both existing and new.
Vista chief executive, James Pepper, said: "It’s great to welcome Mark, Ian and Barry to the team. We have built a reputation for delivering on our promises to customers and provide industry leading technology projects to some of the most well-known brands in retail, hospitality and pharmacy and I believe that investment in key people to continue to drive Vista’s growth will ultimately be a huge success for our business.
"This initiative will also provide added value to our customers. Mark and the team are already opening new doors for Vista and I look forward to working with the team and new clients in the near future.”
Women in Property South Wales
Women in Property South Wales has appointed Rhiannon Peploe-Williams as its new branch chair.
Ms Peploe-Williams is an associate in the real estate team of law firm Blake Morgan where she specialises in commercial property transactions with particular emphasis on retail asset management .
She has been a committee member of Women in Property South Wales for five years and was vice chair in 2021. Her role as chair has a one year term.
She said: "Everything Women in Property is about chimes with the principles of social value. We have always been committed to inclusion, engagement and an equitable society, so what a great time to be taking on the branch chair role, coinciding with worldwide International Women’s Day celebration
“Women in Property South Wales strives to inspire women in the biuilt environment to reinforce existing professional connections and make new ones. We are focused on reviving professional relationships following the pandemic by encouraging our members to join our in-person events. I am thrilled to be 2023 chair and looking ahead at a very exciting year, starting with International Women's Day and its theme 'embracing equity to reach equality."
Women in Property South Wales has also appointed Hannah Lewis-Jones, business development director of HKS, as its vice chair for 2023-24.
Clarke Willmott
National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has made three senior appointments after reporting revenues of £59.6m for 2021/22 - up 12% on the previous year. The firm's new chief executive, Peter Swinburn, will be replacing Stephen Rosser from May this year.
It has also appointed Karen Higgins as head of ESG, having spent 18 years at Grant Thornton UK LLP including 12 years as head of sustainability. She is also a board member of Green Element, an environmental consultancy.
Rachel Ramsay is Clarke Willmott’s new internal communications manager. With over 25 years in publishing, journalism and internal communications, she is an expert in building employee experience and culture using innovative channels and is a member of the Institute of Internal Communications’ Professional Development Advisory Board.
Meanwhile Sarah Brickell has joined Clarke Willmott as Head of Communications. With over 20 years’ experience in marketing, predominantly in financial services, Sarah has a board remit on all external communications at the firm.
JCP Solicitors
JCP Solicitors, which has offices across south and west Wales, has appointed Rhys Evans as the new head of its rural practice team.
Mr Evans, who specialises in supporting clients nationwide across a range of rural legal matters, joined as director in 2021 and developed a reputation for extensive agricultural litigation knowledge and offers advice on all aspects of agricultural law.
He acts for farmers on landlord and tenant disputes, partnership disputes, boundary disputes, adverse possession claims, easements, public and private rights of way issues. He also has extensive experience in providing bespoke and technical advice for a broad range of complex and high-value disputes, whilst understanding client needs and the industry they operate in.
Director and chief executive Hayley Davies said: ““Rhys’s vast expertise in the areas of agricultural and property litigation have been a significant asset to the team, and I am certain his dedication and impressive knowledge will continue to strengthen the team moving forwards.”
Sphere Solutions
Cardiff-headquartered construction recruitment firm Sphere Solutions has made a series of senior appointments.
Phil Sharp has been appointed area director and will focus on developing the employee-owned business’ activities across Gloucester, Bristol and Exeter. While Robyn Marshall has been appointed social value manager.
Mr Sharp said: “I am delighted to have joined Sphere Solutions, where collaboration, quality and commitment are key pillars. Since starting, I have been struck by the knowledge and talent here, and the synergy between the business and its clients.
“There are significant opportunities to develop these strengths and capitalise on new opportunities, both for us as a business and our client base. I look forward to driving growth into new sectors within the construction industry and building new relationships.”
Managing director James Hughes said: “We are thrilled to have Phil and Robyn join our team at Sphere Solutions; their wealth of experience and expertise will help us to continue delivering the highest quality recruitment solutions for our clients while also ensuring that we make a positive impact on the communities we serve.
“We are confident that their appointments will be a key factor in our ongoing success and growth as a leading industry organisation.”
Berry Recruitment
Berry Recruitment has appointed Katy Thomas as its new regional manager across south Wales and the south west of England.
Overseeing the Cornwall, Devon and South Wales’ operations, Ms Thomas plans to grow the established branches in Truro, Exeter and Newport in terms of turnover and headcount.
She said: “We have three great branches in the south west with our Wales branch moving recently from Cardiff to Newport. One area of growth is construction; we are receiving more and more instructions in this sector.
“Construction is an industry that is an indicator of an economy, so contrary to what you hear, the south-west economy is looking resilient. We are still seeing a shortage of candidates and our aim is to continue recruiting them by offering them well paid roles to which they are well suited.
“We recruit in the industrial, driving , factory, warehouse, manufacturing and cleaning sectors, as well as in office and professional services. Being part of a large group means we benefit from all that experience and knowledge as well as Berry Recruitment’s in-house training which is excellent.
“We want to grow the number of staff in our branches and continue to develop the business in Bristol and surrounding area."
TCi Futures
Go Compare founder Lee Griffin has joined the board of insurance technology startup TCi Futures as its first non-executive director.
Mr Griffin was previously part of the launch team at Confused.com before going on to found Go Compare in 2006 alongside Hayley Parsons.
Launched last year, TCi Futures offers tech-led solutions such as embedded insurance. Mr Griffin joins managing director David Lewis on the board.
Mr Griffin said: “Customers are increasingly more self-sufficient when buying their insurance – they want to see all their options in a format they can digest easily, and then make an informed decision about what’s right for their requirements. It means that providers have to continuously work to meet these new age expectations, and provide a sales process that’s personalised, digital and efficient.
“TCi Futures is creating something truly unique – made by brokers, for brokers – it will build products for the independent broker market, creating new revenue streams for both the broker, and their clients. Its technology will also allow businesses to create a more dynamic sales process that’s tailored to the individual, providing options that are affordable, relevant and convenient. The potential of the new embedded insurance market is estimated to be around £405bn, this is an exciting time, and I am delighted to be a part of that.”.
Parker & Co
Accountancy practice Parker & Co has promoted two of its accountants to directors of the business following its merger with Cwmbran-based practice Griffiths & James. The Newport and Gwent-based accountants and business advisers have promoted Gareth Pinder and Rebecca Webster to their new roles at the practice.
Mr Pinder said: “Parker & Co is in an exciting position of growth. We have all worked really hard to ensure that the recent merger with Cwmbran's Griffiths & James went smoothly through the pandemic. We are now in a position to fully incorporate Parker & Co."
Ms Webster, who has been with the firm for 13 years, said: “Parker & Co is in a really exciting stage in its growth as a business. I believe with managing director Gary Parker, Gareth and myself working together, we have a successful management team at the core.
"The merger with Griffiths & James has been a success story and we are now ready for further challenges. The motto of Parker & Co is adventure in business. I'm making sure that we all enjoy and make the most of our own business adventure as we guide and assist others to follow suit."
Limegreentangerine
Cardiff-based digital agency Limegreentangerine (LGT) has promoted its head of brand, Alex Down, to creative director.
In his new role, Mr Down will take central charge of the creative output of the agency, overseeing both brand and digital departments, while also becoming a shareholder in the company.
During his 14 years at LGT, he has worked to deliver major briefs for companies including MG Motor, the Football Association Wales and cider brand Kicking Goat.
Co-founder Andy Rees will move away from his creative director role to concentrate on further developing the central business and growth opportunities.
Mr Rees said: “Last year saw an exciting period of growth for the business which coincided with us strategically focussing on investing heavily in staff and technology, and so we’re delighted to recognise Alex’s contribution and exceptional talent.
“Alex has led some of our best and awarded brand programmes and campaigns, including that of the first electric vehicle for the UK’s fastest growing car manufacturer; MG. With the campaign delivering staggering sales uplifts for the brand, Alex’s role demonstrates his expertise and we’re delighted that we can harness his eye for strong brands that work."
LGT was established 20 years ago by Andy and Beverley Rees and has gone on to work both nationally and internationally, with hundreds of brands, bodies and organisations across all sectors.
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