Organisations from across Wales have made a host of top hires and promotions in the last month. In our latest jobs round-up, we take a look at some of those who have taken on new roles.
If you have a new or recent appointment or promotion that you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail lauren.phillips@reachplc.com.
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MotoNovo Finance
Cardiff-based motor finance firm MotoNovo, which is part of Aldermore Bank, has appointed Richard Jones as its new managing director.
Mr Jones joins from Lloyds Banking Group, where he was chief executive of the bank’s motor finance and leasing businesses encompassing Black Horse and Lex Autolease brands and online car finance. He was also the chairman of the Finance and Leasing Association until 2021.
Mr Cooper said: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard and have him join the team at Aldermore. He brings a wealth of experience having run the UK’s largest motor finance business for a number of years, and his skills and expertise will be a huge asset as we aim to grow our MotoNovo business”.
Mr Jones said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started and working with the Aldermore and MotoNovo teams. I’m joining a great, well-established business which offers a fantastic service to people looking to buy their next car, van or motorbike. I’m confident that we can do even better – by improving our offering and building even stronger relationships with customers, we can grow our share of the market”.
Cardiff Airport
Cardiff Airport has appointed Jonathan Stott and Andy Jones to its board of directors as part of its revival plans.
The airport suffered significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic, but said it has been recovering in recent months with the board leading it through a five-year rescue and restructuring plan.
Mr Stott, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, has become the finance director and company secretary having previously worked for PwC and Arriva Trains Group.
While Mr Jones joins as a non-executive director and also has responsibilities as chair of the audit and risk committee. He was most recently the chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven before stepping down from the role last year.
Cardiff Airport chair Wayne Harvey said: “We have a strong and dynamic board with the right skills to address the challenges of operating a complex business whilst taking advantage of the opportunities available to develop and enhance airport activities.
“Our strategy for growth is focused on building our airline relationships , adding more choice for our passengers and developing on the potential that exists within the airport campus to diversify our business. We are working with our new board members and the wider airport team to meet the strong demand for air travel together with the development of our non-passenger related business activities.”
Thrive Women’s Aid
Thrive Women’s Aid, which supports victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Neath Port Talbot, has appointed Liz Downie as its new chief executive officer. Ms Downie, who joins the firm from Valleys to Coast Housing Association, will also lead the charity’s sister social enterprise Thrive Group Wales.
She takes over from Lucy Reynolds, who left Thrive to become chief executive of Chwarae Teg. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development, Ms Downie has worked as an executive director within the housing sector for the past five years.
She said: “I am thrilled to be joining Thrive Women’s Aid and Thrive Group Wales. I am extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to lead such a fantastic organisation as we continue to deliver the outcomes of our strategic plan.
“I am very much looking forward to meeting the team and stakeholders, and making a real difference to those sufferers or survivors of domestic violence.”
Louise White, chair of Thrive Women’s Aid, said: “Liz is extremely passionate about people and leading an organisation with a social purpose that genuinely will make a difference to people’s lives, and society. We are excited to work with Liz as we take Thrive Women’s Aid into its next chapter.”
Orbis Education and Care
Orbis Education and Care has appointed Danielle Coakley to head of education at its Brecon service, Ty Bronllys. The provider of specialist schools and homes supports children and adults with complex needs associated with autism.
The appointment comes after Ms Coakley, 35 from Pontypridd, was recently diagnosed with autism which she said gives her a unique understanding of the needs of those at Ty Bronllys.
“I struggled in school because I was labelled as disruptive and obtuse for asking too many questions but I was trying to make sense of the work we were being given,” she said.
“I was always interested in a career teaching but my ambitions were quashed by teachers who thought I wasn’t bright enough to succeed. I was diagnosed as neurodivergent last year after 18 months of tests and it was a huge relief. I finally felt as though my struggles in school were validated in that I wasn’t lacking intelligence, simply that I expressed my intelligence in a different way to my fellow pupils.”
She added: “With my diagnosis, I think of it as very serendipitous that I have ended up working in an area where I can drive the changes that help to overcome the barriers I faced growing up in a neurotypical school in the 90s.”
Lucy Pottinger, director of education for Orbis Education and Care, said: “Danielle has been working with Orbis for over 10 years and has worked in a variety of roles. Orbis supported her through her PGCE and it is through her sheer hard work and commitment that she has got where she is today. We are delighted to welcome her to the role and know she will be fantastic.”
Eriez-Europe
Eriez Magnetics Europe has promoted Gareth Meese to managing director to oversee the firm's growth and development.
Mr Meese began his career at Eriez as an export sales engineer at the company’s Cardiff operations before progressing through the company to become regional sales director where he led its strategic sales efforts in Europe, the Middle East, India and Northern Africa.
Vice President Eric Nelson said: “Gareth will focus on critical initiatives related to people development, process improvements, technology advancements, and the continued advancement of Eriez as a global solutions provider.”
He added: “Gareth’s exceptional ability to grow sales, combined with his proven expertise in motivating and mentoring his team, will be vital to the ongoing success of Eriez-Europe.”
Persimmon Homes
Persimmon Homes has appointed Stuart Phillips managing director of its west Wales region following the retirement of long-standing MD Andy Edwards.
During his 13 years working for Persimmon, Mr Phillips has worked in various roles including head of land and director of land and planning. He will now assume responsibility for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the business.
Mr Phillips said: “I am delighted to be taking on this new role and I’m privileged and humbled to follow in Andy’s footsteps. Working alongside Andy has been an absolute pleasure, and he’s built a fantastic team here in West Wales and left the business in a very strong position.”
He added: “I look forward to working with the regional chairman and my team at west Wales to ensure we maintain our upward trajectory and continue to deliver improvements, where possible, in our operational delivery.”
Persimmon’s chairman in Wales Stephen Cleveley said: “I am delighted Stuart has been promoted to managing director for the business in west Wales, which is fully deserved. Since taking over as deputy managing director last autumn, he has strived to deliver for our customers and for our staff.”
Anwyl Homes
Housing developer Anwyl Homes has made a number of promotions at its Flintshire headquarters in St David’s Park, Ewloe.
Gareth Haslam has been promoted to senior design manager and Luke Bush has stepped up to assistant development engineer. Anwyl has also appointed Renata Bochenek as pre-construction manager, Patrick Burke as adoptions manager, and Gareth Rogers as utility coordinator.
Chris Brady, technical director for Anwyl Homes Cheshire and north Wales, said: “Both promotions are well-deserved. Gareth and Luke bring a solid base of experience within house building and construction to their new roles. It’s also a pleasure to welcome Renata, Patrick and Gareth to the business, who also bring a wealth of knowledge and skills.
“We have a number of new sites in the pipeline across north Wales and the north west of England and I believe Anwyl Homes now has one of the strongest technical teams in the region, which will enable us to continue growing the business and deliver significant housing numbers across the region.”
Hybu Cig Cymru
Hybu Cig Cymru, the statutory levy body responsible for promoting and developing the lamb, beef and pork sectors, has appointed four new directors to its board.
The appointments include marketing professional Caroline Sanger-Davies; Professor Mike Humphreys who specialises in grassland research; former leader of Denbighshire County Council, Hugh Hesketh Evans OBE; and Cowshed Communications founder Vicki Spencer-Francis.
Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Congratulations to Caroline Sanger-Davies, Mike Humphreys, Hugh Hesketh Evans and Vicki Spencer-Francis on their appointment to the board of Hybu Cig Cymru. Their knowledge and expertise will be important to HCC’s work to deliver for the Welsh red meat sector such as enhancing marketing, supply chain efficiency and driving forward greater sustainability.”
HCC chair Catherine Smith said: “I’m looking forward to working alongside our new board members. They bring a huge amount of know-how and experience, in key areas such as strategic marketing and sustainability, complementing the skills we already have on the Board.”
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