Category Archives: Appointments

Appointments, News

AML Group announce senior hire

AML Group has today announced the appointment of Philippe Crump as Head of Content, in a move that will accelerate growth of the agency’s content marketing offer. Having delivered successful programmes for a number of leading businesses including: AXA, Pictet and Nomura – the agency anticipates increased demand in 2021 from existing and new clients.

Philippe joins from the Omnicom content marketing agency, Specialist, where he led the set-up and operation of global content newsrooms and content marketing programs for brands such as Zurich Insurance, Siemens and SITA For Aircraft. Commenting on joining AML he says:

“I am really looking forward to helping AML continue their growth in the coming years. There has never been a greater need for content within the marketing mix than now. With channels such as face-to-face events being impaired by the pandemic, content is one of the principal ways that brands can build trust and loyalty with target audiences in the current environment.”

AML’s content team will continue to integrate seamlessly with the agency’s strategic, creative and comms teams across advertising, digital and experience, based in the agency’s new collaborative space at The Tea Building, Shoreditch.

“We are delighted to welcome Philippe to the agency and look forward to him bringing a fresh perspective to our award-winning content work.” says Ian Henderson, CEO, AML Group “Simple ideas for complicated businesses, delivered across every touchpoint, is the heart of what we do. Informed, inspiring content is vital to that offer, and Philippe brings the experience and expertise to help us take it to the next level.”

Appointments, News

Create Health closes 2020 with three new team members

Strategic and creative healthcare agency, Create Health, whose creative work includes global and national campaigns for big healthcare brands such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, ConvaTec, BD and HOYA, has ended the year on a high by introducing three new staff members to its growing team. Ben Price joins as commercial account director, Tom Hunt joins as project manager and Matt Sugrim becomes its first in-house animator.

Price brings extensive experience in medical sales and marketing, with his previous role being senior European marketing manager for British multinational medical equipment manufacturer, Smith & Nephew. On his new commercial account director role, Price comments: “I’ve spent a large portion of my career as a client and I’ve joined Create Health as I see them as a talented and growing agency that have huge scope to impact the world of medical device marketing at a particularly challenging and interesting time for the industry.”

Meanwhile, Sugrim joins the Create Health team permanently after freelancing as an animator and CGI generalist for several years. Sugrim says, “I joined Create Health for a chance to work with an experience and dedicated agency deeply embedded in the bio-medical side of the creative world and am keen to work within a team who can guide my work to new heights. I am most excited about helping to develop Create Health’s motion and CGI offering – making some of the creative industry’s most powerful and rapidly developing tools available to our clients.”

Joining from Medical Protection, the UK’s largest medical indemnity provider, is project manager, Tom Hunt, whose role will involve taking projects from initial client ideas to fruition, across the client base. Formerly at Havas and Golley Slater, Hunt comments: “I joined Create having been fascinated by the advancements in new healthcare technology and treatments, and wanted to play a role in transforming these ideas to the people that need them most. Having spent my marketing career learning how best to understand my audience behaviour and mindset, I am looking forward to bringing this to my new role here at Create Health.”

These appointments represent continued success for Create Health as its expansion plan rolls out following the management buy-out in March.

Ed Hudson, managing director, adds: “The Create Health evolution continues – we’ve ended the year with a restructure, changing to a pod system that’s focused around bringing together a dedicated range of specialisms for each client, rather than teams separated by job title. We’ve been able to choose talented, ambitious new team members and we’re particularly excited about having a permanent animator, in Matt, as we’ve produced some powerful, successful animated projects this year and we can only see this area growing.”

 

Appointments, News

CitySprint appoints new People Director and Chief Operating Officer to strengthen senior leadership team

CitySprint – the UK’s largest same day delivery company – has strengthened its management team with the announcement of two new positions within the business. The promotion of Mark Footman to Chief Operating Officer and appointment of Sarah Gibbs as CitySprint’s first People Director, has bolstered its senior leadership team as it continues its significant growth agenda.

In her new role, Gibbs will be responsible for driving CitySprint’s people strategy and experience to support this growth. The new role highlights CitySprint’s ongoing investment in its people as part of its growth strategy. Meanwhile, Footman is tasked with directly managing end-to-end operations, fleet and property, to ensure that high service levels are maintained, and the core values of the company are delivered in the 30+ service centres across its UK network. His promotion from Operations Director follows an impressive 9 months within the organisation which has seen further operational improvement despite the challenges posed from COVID.

Both Gibbs and Footman join Darren Taylor, Rosie Bailey, David Williams and Mike Timlett on the Operating Board to drive profitable growth within the company. This diverse mix of long standing CitySprint knowledge and experience of delivering growth provides the right balance to execute the next phase of CitySprint’s growth strategy.

Commenting on the appointments Gary West, CEO at CitySprint, said: “I am extremely proud of the changes we have made across our business over the last twelve months, as we adapted rapidly to meet the changing needs of our customers, during what has been an extraordinary year of demand for our services. It is vital that we have the right people on board to drive us forward, particularly as we look towards 2021. Both Sarah and Mark have proven skills and diverse experience in the sector and will be invaluable assets to our team.”

Sarah Gibbs joins CitySprint with over twenty years’ experience in multi sector, strategic and operational environments. Sarah has held senior positions at National Car Parks Limited, Majestic Wine and Yodel where she has successfully supported the strategic development of the company through their people agenda.

Commenting on her appointment, Sarah Gibbs said: “I’m delighted to be joining an organisation that leads the field in its sector and works with such a varied mix of customers. I cannot wait to see what possibilities lie ahead – not just for me personally, but for CitySprint as a business. I’m excited to be supporting the growth of our talented team, in a company that’s firmly dedicated to driving excellence in its people operations.”

Mark joined CitySprint in March 2020 with over 30 years’ experience across multiple sectors, previously having held board and executive level positions with a remit for Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics, Property and Store Development and has extensive experience in managing large scale change programmes in small and large companies.

Commenting on his promotion, Mark Footman said: “After nine months in the business, I know first-hand how much work has been put in to consistently deliver high performance in this unprecedented year. Everyone at CitySprint is working hard to provide customers, both large and small in all kinds of industries and sectors with a seamless, top-tier service.”

As the UK’s largest privately-owned same day distribution company, CitySprint provides an extensive portfolio of delivery services including same day and international deliveries. With a regional network of 30+ service centres across the UK serviced by a fleet of over 5,000 vehicles, CitySprint is able to reach over 88% of mainland UK within 60 minutes.

It works directly with individuals to handle their delivery needs, as well as businesses in every part of the economy, and the breadth of organisations across the public sector. Its long-established specialist healthcare business is helping support the national effort to contain coronavirus through the secure delivery of testing kits and samples, as well as the movement of essential healthcare supplies and PPE.

Appointments, News

BCS Appoints to Support Expansion in Germany

Business Critical Solutions (BCS), the specialist services provider to the international digital infrastructure industry, has appointed a General Manager, Germany to support its continued expansion in the region.

Alexandra Thorer joins the senior management team with a remit to spearhead the strategic development of the business across Germany, offering a range of services within the business critical and technical real estate environments to organisations that are already established in the region or looking to locate there. She will operate from the BCS office in Frankfurt am Main, working closely with the UK based team, and be responsible for managing local client relationships.

Highly experienced in managing and developing major international infrastructure and technology projects, Alexandra joins from leading U.S. consultancy AECOM. She was previously located in Zurich and Munich, where she led significant projects for the U.S. Government as well as large commercial clients. She studied Architecture and Urban Planning in Germany and Japan and holds a PhD in Urban Affairs from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland.

James Hart, CEO at BCS, said: “As we continue to grow it is vital that we have the right people in place so we can continue to deliver assured outcomes for our customers who are keen to optimise the benefits of digital transformation. Alexandra will be a great asset to the team and we are excited to have her on board.”

Alexandra commented: “BCS acts as a trusted advisor and partner to a wide range of international clients whose data centre estate is critical to their success. The team has unparalleled expertise and knowledge and I am keen to play a role in the company’s continued growth and success.”

Appointments, News

Made Tech appoints new London Market Principal

Made Tech, the public sector technology delivery experts announces that it has appointed Thomas Moore as its new Market Principal for London.

Thomas will be responsible for the delivery of specialist technology services to Made Tech’s customers in London and the South East, including the Ministry of Justice, Hackney Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

His appointment comes at a time when the public sector is increasingly looking to modernise legacy applications and working practices to accelerate digital service delivery, drive smarter decisions with data, and enable improved technology skills within teams.

Thomas has extensive understanding of public sector IT services, digital products, and over 20 years experience in the technology industry. Formerly a Product Management and Business Technology Consultant at technology solutions provider BJSS, working with public sector organisations including NHS.uk and the Scottish Government, his previous roles include Product Manager for Hive Active Heating, Lead Consultant at Equal Experts, and Delivery Principal at global software consultancy ThoughtWorks.

Commenting on his appointment, Thomas Moore said: “The public sector is redefining its relationship between citizen and state with rapid adoption of modern technologies and digital services. Made Tech already works with some of the best public servants leading that change, but there is still more to do to help those that share their vision for delivering services, technology and in-house capability at pace. I’m looking forward to working alongside our teams, new and existing clients to deliver real outcomes that drive the transformation of public service delivery, for the benefit of citizens.”

Rory MacDonald, CEO at Made Tech said: “Thomas brings considerable experience and a deep understanding of the public sector and will play an invaluable role in driving digital service delivery. We all face challenging times ahead, so it is crucial that we have the best people on board that will continue our work in growing capabilities within public sector teams so that they can deliver on mission critical transformation.”

Appointments, Creative News, News

AML Group boost creative team

London-based ad agency, AML Group, has today announced the appointment of Lizzie Hutchison to the role of Midweight Copywriter.

Lizzie joins the agency from VCCP CX where she was a Midweight Creative working across a broad portfolio of brands including: Domino’s, Canon and Chubb. Prior to this Lizzie was a Copywriter at LIDA (now M&C Saatchi) contributing to campaigns for many of the UK’s best-known brands including: O2, Boots, IKEA, The Open University and Superdrug.

“Lizzie is a hugely talented writer with a wealth of experience and we are very happy to welcome her to AML” says Ian Henderson, ECD, AML Group.

Lizzie joins a growing creative team that includes Chris Walker, Head of Art and the Senior Copywriter, Dan Wright.

“I’m pumped to be joining AML for a whole host of reasons” says Lizzie “but mainly because they work in really interesting sectors, deliver great creative and are genuinely really lovely people.”

Appointments, Finance and Banking, News

Crown Agents Investment Management (CAIM) appoints Roberts Grava as Chief Executive Officer

Crown Agents Investment Management (CAIM) announces the appointment of former J.P. Morgan Asset Management and World Bank RAMP executive, Roberts Grava, as CEO, to take CAIM forward into a new era of growth.

London: Roberts Grava brings over 25 years of global institutional asset management experience to CAIM, including a wealth of expertise working with central banks, national pension funds and sovereign wealth funds in the management of their reserves and national wealth.

Roberts has held several senior roles in public and private sector institutions, including Head of Official Institutions, Institutional Solutions and Advisory at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Head of Quantitative Strategies, Risk and Analytics at the World Bank Treasury, Managing Director and Head of Official Institutions, Fixed Income at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and Engagement Manager, Reserves Advisory and Management Program (RAMP) at the World Bank. He also brings valuable experience as a central banker himself, having spent 11 years as Chief Investment Officer, Head of Reserves Management and Market Operations and Member of the Executive Board at Latvijas Banka, the Central Bank of Latvia.

Roberts’s extensive experience in providing customised asset allocation analytics and advisory services for institutional clients – with a focus on central banks, sovereign wealth funds and national pension funds with global multi-asset, equity and fixed income portfolios – will bolster CAIM’s client offering, strengthening the firm’s position as a unique fixed income and multi asset manager for clients in emerging economies. In particular, his experience working for the Central Bank of Latvia and the World Bank’s RAMP, gives him unparalleled and first-hand insight into the priorities and concerns of CAIM’s client base of central banks.

Albert Maasland, Group CEO of Crown Agents Investment Management and Crown Agents Bank comments: “We are delighted to welcome Roberts to take on leadership of the executive team at CAIM, and I’m confident that as Chief Executive Officer he’ll be an invaluable asset to our Asset Management business. As an accomplished investment specialist, with a proven track record of success in serving institutional clients globally, his breadth of experience in portfolio construction, optimisation and management, as well as problem-solving for public sector institutions more broadly, will align with our commitment to empowering our clients in developing countries.”

Roberts adds: “Thanks to its long history and unwavering commitment to its clients in developing economies, CAIM is an unparalleled institution in the asset management sphere. I very much look forward to working closely with the team to reach our full potential and continue to strengthen our innovative investment management services, portfolio solutions, capacity building and advisory that our central bank network is accustomed to.”

Appointments, News

Okta appoints Mike Kourey as Chief Financial Officer

Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ:OKTA), the leading independent provider of identity for the enterprise, has announced that current board member and audit committee chair, Mike Kourey, will become Chief Financial Officer in March 2021. As part of this transition, Kourey will step down from the audit committee, which he has chaired since 2015, and resign from Okta’s board when he assumes the CFO role.

Since early 2019, Kourey has served as the CFO of Vlocity Inc., a cloud software company that was acquired by Salesforce in June 2020. Prior to this, he served as CFO of Medallia, Inc., a cloud-based customer experience management company, and Partner at Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm. Kourey also spent over 20 years in a variety of roles at Polycom, Inc., a communications solutions company, most recently as CFO.

Kourey will succeed Bill Losch, who will be retiring after serving as CFO at Okta since 2013. Losch will continue in his current role through early March 2021 and the filing of Okta’s Form 10-K, and will remain an advisor to Okta through the end of the company’s first quarter of fiscal 2022. Kourey will report directly to Todd McKinnon, Okta’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder.

“I want to thank Bill for his invaluable contribution to Okta from our early years to helping set the course to achieve over $1 billion in revenue next year,” said McKinnon. “He’s been a fantastic leader, partner, and friend, and we are all going to sincerely miss him. We’re excited for the next chapter for Bill and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement next year.

“We couldn’t ask for a better successor than Mike, who has been an instrumental member of our board as audit committee chair over the past five years,” continued McKinnon. “Mike’s career in technology, both as an executive leader and board member, is second to none. He brings decades of experience in scaling companies, which will be key as we position Okta to become the next iconic technology company.”

The news comes following the announcement of Okta’s strong third quarter results which saw revenue grow 42% year-over-year and subscription revenue grow 43% year-over-year, increasing the company’s fiscal year 2021 outlook for both revenue and profitability.

Appointments, News

Appointment of Renee Semiz as Managing Director, UK Marketing, Phillips 66

Renee Semiz will assume the position of Managing Director, UK Marketing, Phillips 66 Limited in January 2021. Renee relocates to the UK from Phillips 66’s Houston office in the USA and takes over from Mary Wolf who, following a smooth transition period, will relocate to the Houston office and assume the role of General Manager, Global Specialties.

Having joined the business in 1998, Renee has an extensive and diverse background across refining, process engineering, commercial commodities, optimization and marketing. She has held various roles in Phillips 66, most recently as Manager, Brand U.S. Marketing. In this role she was responsible for leading the rebranding of service stations, advertising and programs for Phillips 66’s large network in the United States. Renee has also spent time working internationally in China, India, Turkey, Lithuania and Germany in her early career.

Mary Wolf, currently Managing Director UK Marketing at Phillips 66 Limited, comments: “I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Renee to the UK Marketing family. She brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to the team, and I’m sure she will lead the business to new heights. We have a great UK team and incredible, wonderful customers that it has been my privilege to serve. I would like to sincerely and deeply thank everyone for their business and friendship over the last five years. I will dearly miss you all.”

Renee Semiz, currently Manager, Brand U.S. Marketing “I am looking forward to joining the UK business and building on the strong working relationships that Mary established with our customers. Mary and her team have done a fantastic job transforming the UK business and I’m looking forward to continuing our strategic initiatives. I wish Mary continued successes as she transitions into her new role in Houston.”

Appointments, Finance and Banking, News

Welsh Building Society Principality to Appoint First female Chair in History

Sally Jones-Evans is to be appointed the new chair of Principality Building Society’s board in April 2021, subject to regulatory approval.

This follows an external search led by Board’s Senior Independent Director, Derek Howell.

Cardiff-born Sally will become the first female chair in the Society’s 160-year history and will succeed Laurie Adams who is retiring from the Board next April as part of succession planning. She has been a member of the Society’s Board since 2015, including her role as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Sally is a former Lloyds Banking group executive and currently sits on the boards of Hafren Dyfrydwy Ltd (a subsidiary of Severn Trent Plc), Saga Services Ltd, the insurance broking arm of Saga Group Plc and Delio Wealth Ltd, a Welsh fast growing ‘fintech’ company. She also serves as a Trustee of Tearfund, the humanitarian and overseas development charity.

Laurie Adams, Chairman of Principality’s Board said: “Sally’s 30 years of experience in retail banking which involved leading people mainly in areas directly serving customers, made her such a strong candidate to become the new Chair subject to regulatory approval. She has been a prominent non-executive director Board member for the past five years has a deep knowledge of the business and what matters to our members.

“This is another proud moment in Principality’s rich history as we now will have our first female Chair, joining Julie Ann Haines our first female CEO working in tandem to take our business forward.”

Sally said: “This is a very proud moment for me and a role which I am looking forward to starting. I’m delighted to be a part of Principality’s future and help it deliver the same qualities of value and outstanding customer service in a rapidly evolving financial services market. The Society’s consistent focus on putting members’ interests first is one of its stand out characteristics, and it will be an honour to serve as the first female Chair of this great organisation.”