Here is the latest appointments, promotions and people news from across Wales this autumn:
Hodge
Hodge has appointed Gareth Thomas as chief people officer.
The former director of people and organisational development at charity Brandon Trust, HR director at Arriva Trains Wales, and head of HR and business change at Royal Mail Group, Mr Thomas will lead all people services at the Cardiff bank.
Mr Thomas said: “It’s great to be joining Hodge at an exciting time of development within the bank. It has ambitious plans for the coming years in all product areas, so it’s vital we look after the amazing team we have in order to achieve that, as well as ensuring we have the right people joining us in future.”
Chief executive Dave Landen said: “Gareth’s CV speaks for itself. He has worked at a senior level in some of Wales and the UK’s top companies, and we are thrilled to have him here with us at Hodge.
“Hodge has changed a lot since the pandemic, with many of our colleagues now working flexibly from different parts of the UK. Gareth and his team’s job now is key to ensuring we all work as one organisation to achieve our ambitious goals.”
Hodge has also appointed former finance director Penny Bickerstaff to its board as senior independent director.
Ms Bickerstaff, who has worked with FTSE 100 groups including Barclays, Legal & General, Marks & Spencer, will also sit on the audit, risk and remuneration committees.
Read more: The story of Wales’ own oil company and plans to go green
Menter a Busnes
Llŷr Roberts has become the new chief executive at Menter a Busnes, succeeding Alun Jones who is stepping down after 20 years.
Founder of strategic development consultancy Blwbo Limited, Mr Roberts is experienced with helping high-profile firms deliver their business goals. He has worked with a range of clients including UEFA, Football Association of Wales, Welsh Rugby Union, Sport Wales, and Public Health Wales.
Mr Roberts said: “There is an excellent team ethos at Menter a Busnes and the organisation is well placed to serve and support individuals, businesses and communities across Wales.
I’m looking forward to working with the team to ensure that our high-quality services are accessible and outcome focused.
“One of my initial tasks will be to reflect on how the company continues to support the Welsh Government’s commitments in its Programme for Government. I would like to see Menter a Busnes align itself with that vision and look at business opportunities in sectors for the future.”
Chair Fflur Jones, said, “We believe we have found a leader who embodies Menter a Busnes’s vision and values, and who is equipped to undertake ambitious plans for the future. We look forward to him also building a great working relationship with all of Menter a Busnes’s strong leadership team.”
The company has also appointed four new members to its Board including two young non-executive directors for the first time. Elin Harvard and Erin Gwenlli Thomas both join as young non-executive directors alongside Dr Prysor Williams and Dylan Owens.
Net Zero Industry Wales
Net Zero Industry Wales (NZIW) has appointed former head of energy at Welsh Water Ben Burggraaf as its first chief executive.
The not-for-profit membership organisation was founded this year to support the development of the South Wales Industrial Cluster with the aim of supporting Welsh industry to explore greener and more sustainable business opportunities.
The Cluster is a partnership of businesses from all sectors including power generation, geographically located in south Wales.
Mr Burggraaf said: “I’m looking forward to supporting industry in Wales and their stakeholders, to make Wales the country of choice for sustainable goods and services. The work done by the South Wales Industrial Cluster and its partners, has built a great foundation to start developing a truly sustainable, prosperous and resilient industry.”
Head of industrial decarbonisation at NZIW Dr Chris Williams said: “It is great to have someone of Ben’s calibre leading NZIW. This new organisation and Ben’s appointment now formalises the structure for developing the South Wales Industrial Cluster and is going to be key to ensuring that Wales is at the forefront of developing a sustainable industry befitting the societal needs of 2030, 40, 50 and beyond.
“As ‘Team Wales’ we have to act, we have to change and we have to innovate to achieve net zero and ensure, through a just transition, that we preserve and grow our industries for decades to come. I am sure that Ben is the person to meet this challenge and help champion Welsh Industry on its sustainable journey for future generations.”
Persimmon Homes
Persimmon Homes has made a series of new appointments to its Wales and South West division.
Andy Hill has been appointed new regional production director, joining the housebuilder from Tilia Homes (formerly Kier Living) where he served as a regional construction and SHEA director.
Mr Hill has previously worked for Barratt Homes, Countryside and Kier Living in senior construction leadership roles, and will be responsible for overseeing the production operations of the six regional businesses that form Persimmon’s Wales and South West Division.
Mr Hill said: “I am delighted to be joining Persimmon Homes at an exciting time for the business. The construction-related focus of the role was incredibly appealing, and will allow for strategic thinking and a targeted focus on the most enjoyable part of the industry – building new homes our customers can rely on and at a price they can afford.”
Persimmon has also appointed Richard Summers as new commercial director for east Wales. He will support the housebuilder’s planner process, set commercial targets and analyse performance, including overseeing all estimating, buying and quantity surveying functions.
Ellena Hodges has joined the company’s land and planning team as assistant, covering south east Wales. She joins from her role as development and planning coordinator in Jehu Group and will assist in the identification and acquisition of land opportunities and planning matters.
School of Hard Knocks
School of Hard Knocks has appointed a new director to head up its work in Wales.
Damian James has been appointed to strengthen the charity’s mission of using rugby and other high impact sports as a vehicle to deliver social change.
An experienced leader within the sport for development sector and a trustee of Street Football Wales, Mr James has also managed outdoor and surf therapy programmes for Swansea City Council.
Mr James said: “I believe passionately in the work the charity is doing and I aim to build strong links with the Welsh Government in line with its Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. I want to ensure SOHK is seen as an important and credible voice in helping meet key aspects of the Act, including, a ‘Healthier Wales’, and ‘a Wales of Cohesive Communities’.
“I also want to expand our geographical impact. I look forward to working with my team and partners to further our reach into Wales, spreading both North and West into communities that need our support. Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys have the greatest population density but our work must reach further afield to truly help meet the challenges of adults and young people here and now.
“Finally, I aim to bring the corporate world along on the journey. It is in their interests to build stronger and impactful links with the communities and people they work with, and I want to showcase SOHK’s ability to positively impact the communities in which a business operates, as well as help strengthen the morale of its own staff. My team and I will strive to explain to corporations that a person-centred approach to social value and community impact is what’s required and SOHK can deliver on this, meaning stronger, healthier communities.”
Educ8
Apprenticeship and training provider Educ8 has appointed three new directors as it continues its ambitious growth strategy.
Jude Holloway has been promoted from operations director to managing director, while Sharon Davies-Powell, a senior leader in the organisation for 16 years, will take over the Operations Director role.
James Powell also joins as marketing and communications director, driving strategies for all brands within the Educ8 Training Group including Haddon Training, Aspire 2Be and ISA Training.
Educ8 staff recently became majority shareholders through an Employee Ownership Trust giving them a meaningful say in how the business is run.
Chief executive Grant Santos said: “Since Educ8 was founded in 2004 to address skills shortages in Wales it has been a leading, fast-growing provider of apprenticeships and vocational learning, working with employers of all sizes, from micro-organisations, through to SME’s and global multi-national corporations.
“We are delighted to welcome James and see Jude and Sharon continue to grow with the business. These appointments reflect Educ8’s ongoing development and the strength of talent within the team, and I am confident that all will play an integral role in helping our learners, employers and staff reach their full potential.”
Watkin Jones
Bangor-based developer Watkin Jones has appointed Alex Pease as executive director and Francis Salway as non-executive director to the board.
Mr Pease joined the firm in 2010 and was part of the team responsible for managing the flotation of the company on the AIM market in 2016. As chief investment officer, he is responsible for the Group’s property acquisition, planning and divestment activities.
Mr Salway is currently a non-executive director of Cadogan Group Limited, which owns and manages the Cadogan Estate in Chelsea. He was a non-executive director of NEXT plc from 2010 to 2021, latterly as senior independent director, a past president of the British Property Federation, and former chair of transport for London Property Advisory Group.
On joining the Board, Mr Salway will become a member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees.
Chair Alan Giddins said: “I am delighted to welcome Alex and Francis to the Board of Watkin Jones. Alex has a long tenure with the company and as a key member of the executive team has helped to transform Watkin Jones from a family-owned business into a public company. Francis has extensive board and property experience. Both will add considerable value to the Board.”
Coastal Housing
Swansea Building Society’s chief executive Alun Williams has been named the new non-executive chair of Swansea-based housing provider, Coastal Housing Group.
Alun Williams replaces outgoing non-executive chair Roger Williams, who steps down following his five years in the position.
During his 21-year tenure at Swansea Building Society, it has become one of the most profitable building societies of its size in the UK, with total assets passing the £500m mark in April 2022.
Williams will now help decide Coastal’s strategy, advising on managing and improving its services, and helping monitor its performance in order to drive continuous improvement for the Group.
Mr Williams said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of Non-Executive Chair at Coastal Housing Group. I look forward to helping it continue its important work – building and renting out housing and commercial property to the people of South Wales, and fulfilling the Welsh Government plan to build sustainable, affordable houses for the future of Wales.”
Comparison Creator
A Cwmbran-based software development company which specialises in insurance comparison has appointed two computer programmers.
Bethan Linbourn and Oliwia Wisniewska join as developers for the business which provides a white-label breakdown comparison service for Go.Compare, MoneySuperMarket, Confused.com, and Compare the Market.
Chief executive Steve Jones said: “We’ve very excited to have Bethan and Oliwia as part of the team and I have no doubt that they will be a real asset to the business. With more products soon to be launched and more partners coming on board, it’s fantastic to welcome two new members to the team who will help us expand and grow even more.”
Comparison Creator recently launched its mobile phone and gadget insurance white-label comparison service through Go.Compare and already provides mobile phone and gadget insurance comparison for MoneySuperMarket and uSwitch.
Snowdrop Independent Living
Specialist mobility aids retailer and distributor Snowdrop Independent Living has appointed Michael Willetts as south Wales regional manager.
He brings 15 years of engineering and management experience to the role.
Managing director David Morgan said: “Michael is a respected, natural leader – his clear passion for the business and the wider industry is a real asset that is reflected across the whole team.
“Already a dynamic addition to Snowdrop, I look forward to seeing Michael play a key role in the business’ growth ambitions, strengthening processes, supply chains and the engineering division.”
Mr Willetts said: “I am delighted to be joining Snowdrop and working with the teams across the two Cardiff, Swansea and Haverfordwest showrooms: each is unique in the way it serves communities and I look forward to supporting staff to provide the best service for our clients.
“In this sector particularly, it’s paramount that we offer tailored, functional products to each customer, from dressing and kitchen aids right through to stairlifts and mobility scooters, to help make a tangible difference to their daily life.”
Premier Forest Products
Timber supplier Premier Forest Products has appointed Huw Morgan as chairman to support the Newport-headquartered firm’s ongoing growth and acquisition strategy.
Previously head of business banking at HBSC, Mr Morgan has subsequent roles have also included senior independent director at Development Bank of Wales and independent non-executive director at ICICI Bank UK.
He said: “I am delighted to be working with such a dynamic company. It is important that Premier continues with its growth and acquisitions strategy while navigating one of the most potentially damaging and uncertain economic outlooks, and this will be my primary focus.
“Growth enables the company to invest in its people, machinery, and IT systems, thereby enabling it to develop and refine its product offering, ensuring it can maintain its great service and value for its customers.”
Co-founder and CEO of Premier Forest Products Terry Edgell said: “We are obviously delighted to welcome Huw as our new chair. These are challenging times for many businesses, but we are determined to continue with our growth plans despite those conditions."
The 2021-22 financial year saw the company grow revenues by 35pc to £120million.
Kilsby Williams
Newport-based tax and accountancy specialists Kilsby Williams has appointed five new members to its tax team, ranging from graduate to managerial roles.
Cardiff University graduates Colin Evans and Robert Harris join the team as tax assistants, Joseph Charlton, a qualified chartered accountant, joins as a tax senior, and Jamie Cannings and David Pescod appointed as tax managers.
Partner Mary McDonagh said: “We are delighted to welcome Colin, David, Jamie, Joseph and Robert to our largest ever tax team. These new appointments will strengthen our team and comprehensive tax services, providing our clients with even more support with compliance and tax planning opportunities.”
Cambridge & Counties Bank
Specialist lender Cambridge & Counties Bank has expanded its West and Wales real estate team with two new senior hires.
Sophie Wilkins and James Roche join as senior relationship managers reporting to regional director, Paul Howard.
Ms Wilkins joins the bank from working five years for Bankwest in Australia where she managed a portfolio of around 50 clients with debt facilities of between £1m and £15m, with a focus on business, property, and development finance.
Mr Roche has 16-years commercial banking experience and previously worked as relationship director for Yorkshire Building Society.
Cambridge & Counties Bank has seen increased activity in the commercial and mixed-used space in the West and Wales region. The bank recently announced it had seen total lending top £1bn in the UK and has grown into a significant competitor in its selected markets and business lines. Deposits have grown to more than £1bn at the end of 2021.
Mr Howard said: “We’re delighted to be adding Sophie and James to our successful South West & Wales team. Both have extensive experience and a deep understanding of the needs of our clients and the brokers that support them and are joining us at a time of growth and expansion. The West & Wales area is a key market for the bank, and we will continue to invest in the local team.”
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