Here is the latest in our regular look at the latest significant appointments and promotions from across the East Midlands:
Intoware
Digitisation business Intoware, which is based in Nottingham, has expanded its software engineering team after a successful 2021, with the appointment of Paul Cope as senior software engineer and Mark Hundley-Appleton as software engineer.
Paul Cope brings 25 years’ software engineering experience to the role, joining Intoware from the Gambling Commission.
He will help drive the development of Intoware’s digital work-instruction ‘tool’ WorkfloPlus.
New software engineer Mark Hundley-Appleton joins from electricals retailer AO where he was a junior software developer working within its payment team.
In his new role he will focus on optimising the speed and performance of WorkfloPlus.
Chief technology officer Lee McDonald said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Paul and Mark, two very talented and experienced hires to strengthen our software engineering team at this exciting time for the business.
“I’m looking forward to working with them as we meet new challenges and opportunities this year.”
Hexa Consulting
Nottingham engineering firm Hexa Consulting has welcomed three new starters, as it continues to expand the team and bolster its growth.
Chloe Whitnell, Gethin Jones and Ricardo Vendone all bring fresh experience into the business across their respective specialisms.
Gethin Jones joins Hexa as a senior technician, providing technical drawing packs for clients, including technical designs and 3D modelling for residential, industrial and public sector schemes.
He said: “I’m pleased to be joining the senior design team at Hexa, putting me in an environment where I can learn from those around me and continue developing my skills.
“I've jumped straight in and had the chance to look at some small industrial sites and a new leisure centre with Hexa, which have both been a fun challenge to design. I’m looking forward to getting more involved in drainage design, as well as running and managing my own projects.”
Ricardo Vendone joins as a senior engineer having worked in management at Severn Trent Services and as a design and project engineer for a range of civil engineering consultancies.
He has worked on an array of schools and multi-storey accommodation developments, including Freeman’s Common student accommodation village in Leicester.
Kickstarting her career is Chloe Whitnell who joins as a graduate transport planner, having completed a degree in geography then taking part in a graduate program with DHL Aviation.
Freeths
National law firm Freeths has appointed family law solicitor Nikki Aston as a director in its Nottingham office.
Nikki joins from Shakespeare Martineau and will look to lead Freeths’ family law team in the East Midlands.
She has more than 17 years’ experience advising clients on a range of issues, specialising in divorce and high-net-worth financial settlements.
She is known for her friendly approach and for delivering ‘no nonsense’, pragmatic advice.
She has a particular focus on businesses, trusts, property portfolios and pensions, having acted on many, complex cases in these areas. She also deals with private law child matters; pre- and post-nuptial agreements; civil partnership breakdown; and cohabitee property disputes.
Nikki said: “This is a great opportunity for me to be part of a growing dynamic team.
“I’m excited to be able to contribute my experience and skills, not just on a legal level, but also with my passion and flair for business development.
“I look forward to helping the team continue to expand its services nationally.”
Timms Solicitors
A paralegal at Timms Solicitors has won the top prize in an annual competition organised by Derby & District Law Society in association with Derby Law School at the University of Derby.
Leah Pilling came first in the legal skills triathlon which was held at Derby Law School in Friargate Square.
Timms trainee solicitor Michael Radze-Constable also won two awards on the day.
The triathlon sees paralegals, trainee and newly qualified solicitors from local firms team up with undergraduate law students from Derby Law School to take part in three challenges.
The teams work together to compete in an advocacy assessment (held in the mock courtroom at the law school), an interview of a client and a negotiation.
Competitors are given a unique opportunity to receive feedback and mentoring support from experienced practitioners, to showcase their skills and network.
Timms Solicitors managing partner Fiona Moffat said: “The experience for everyone involved is invaluable in terms of developing their skills in three key areas of work, learning from each other and gaining valuable feedback from esteemed lawyers who generously give their time to be judges on the day.”
Cite
Leicester-based creative agency Cite, which merged with brand agency Well & Truly in 2021, has bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of creative director Stu Perry and added to its client services team.
Stu has more than 30 years’ experience in agencies working globally with brands including Avis and Harley-Davidson.
He has held head of design roles at McCann Birmingham and Big Communications and most recently was group creative director at M3.Agency.
A new client services director Dan Caputo and account director Amie Massarella have also joined Cite.
Dan will head up the client services team and brings a wealth of experience in sectors including financial services, home & lifestyle, construction and food & drink.
Amie brings huge automotive experience having led the Volkswagen Group account at BI Worldwide for five years and delivered reward and recognition portals for Audi and Volkswagen. She then joined Graymatter where she managed the VWFS Fleet and Audi Fleet accounts working on projects including the launch campaigns for ID.3 and Audi E-tron.
NG
Commercial property specialists NG Chartered Surveyors are investing in the future of the industry again after hiring Alicia Lewis as trainee surveyor.
She said: "By joining NG, I hope to offer a sense of diversity and fresh ideas.
“I have a passion for learning and perseverance to push myself to beyond the limits. I hope that my success in my role with NG, mirrored by my university degree, will make me a valued member of the team."
Alicia hopes to follow in the footsteps of NG surveyor Charlotte Steggles who recently received her APC accreditation from industry body RICS.
Richard Sutton, managing director at NG, said: "We're really pleased to have Alicia join us.
“NG had a long track record of identifying and nurturing the next generation of commercial property talent, and we have no doubt that Alicia will flourish and become an integral part of the NG team.
“Welcome aboard, Alicia."
Bridge Help
Tracey Vaughan is the latest appointment to Bridge Help’s business development team.
It means the Chesterfield-based bridging loan provider now boasts an all-female business development team, bucking the trend in the male-dominated financial services industry.
Tracey, who hails from Chesterfield, brings more than 20 years of sales experience to the role and will offer guidance and support to help manage broker and lender relationships across England and Wales.
The company has continued to grow since its inception in 2017, filling a gap in the market for bespoke bridging loan products for complex deals. Her appointment follows a successful first half of 2022 and comes hot on the heels of the appointment of Tina Panayi in April.
Cambridge & Counties Bank
Leicester-based business bank Cambridge & Counties Bank has appointed Glen Christie-MacAllan to the role of head of asset finance.
Glen replaces Simon Hilyer, who is moving to a new role within the New Walk bank developing its broker-based offering.
Glen has extensive experience in the asset finance sector, having worked in the market for over 20 years.
Prior to joining Cambridge & Counties Bank, he was director of intermediary business at Shawbrook Bank, where he had worked for seven years.
He has also held senior roles at Aldermore and Hitachi Capital, among others.
Cambridge & Counties Bank said it saw strong demand for its asset finance and classic car loans in 2021, with demand continuing in 2022.
It said asset finance lending rose 29 per cent last year while finance for the purchase of classic cars and sports vehicles using hire purchase and finance lease products increased 33 per cent.
