1284:
Loughborough corporate communications agency 1284 has recruited former newspaper editor and journalism lecturer, Richard Bowyer. He joins chartered PR practitioners George Oliver and Amy Orton – both experienced journalists – at the business.
Richard has more than 30 years’ experience in journalism, starting out at the Coalville and Ashby Times, before going to titles including the Peterborough Telegraph, Wolverhampton Express & Star, Derby Telegraph, and Lincolnshire Echo.
He was editor-in-chief for Staffordshire Sentinel Newspapers in Stoke before spending nine years teaching journalism at the University of Derby.
Richard joins the 1284 team part-time as content editor and will support with print page design, editing, and B2B content for 1284’s small business and local authority clients.
Former Leicester Mercury editor George Oliver said: “His arrival maintains our policy of recruiting highly experienced professionals, bringing significant understanding of the media and comms industries, as well as deep Midlands networks.”
North Notts BID:
Sally Gillborn, chief executive of North Notts BID, has celebrated formally receiving her MBE at an investiture ceremony.
Sally was awarded the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours List, for her services to business and to the economy in Nottinghamshire. She was awarded her medal by King Charles at the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 25.
Having been responsible for securing and leading the UK’s first district-wide business improvement district, Sally oversaw a successful first five-year term, introducing several business support measures, particularly during the pandemic.
Sally and her team secured a second term for North Notts BID in July 2022.
She said: “I am humbled to receive this prestigious honour for spearheading and leading North Notts BID, and for doing a job that I love and take great pride in.”
PKF Smith Cooper:
The PKF Smith Cooper Corporate Finance team has hired senior executive Callum Leslie in its Midlands division, which continues to grow.
The firm is currently on the lookout for high-calibre individuals and ambitious professionals to join the Midlands offices in Nottingham, Derby and Birmingham with the aim of doubling its advisory team numbers.
Callum worked in audit for five years at a top-10 UK accounting firm in the Midlands, starting his career as a school leaver in 2018.
He was promoted twice and became an assistant manager, developing extensive experience in working with privately owned businesses in a range of sectors across the region. He qualified as an accountant in 2022.
Last year PKF ranked as the 7th most active dealmaker in the UK, completing 139 deals worth £2.3 billion.
CPW:
International building services consultancy CPW has welcomed 16 new recruits onto its 2023 apprenticeship programme, which is being delivered in partnership with regional colleges.
Some 17 per cent of CPW’s workforce is currently part of the programme – which was established 22 years ago.
This year’s trainees have joined the Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Huntingdon, Nottingham, and Solihull offices, and includes specialised apprentices in the lighting, public health, and HR teams – a first for the firm as it looks to diversify its offering.
CPW is an international M&E consultancy with more than 300 staff based across 13 offices. It specialises in designing and creating energy solutions into existing and new buildings.
OTB:
Nottingham-based UK immigration law firm OTB Legal is expanding again, after making three strategic new hires.
The firm, which is ranked as a top tier immigration law firm in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, has welcomed Kate Gamester and Amie Higgins as associate solicitors and new paralegal Bridget Umoru.
Kate Gamester specialises in business immigration, sponsor licence management and compliance and right to work checks.
Amie Higgins was called to the Bar in 2005 and admitted to the Roll as a solicitor in 2008, and is an experienced human rights and public law specialist.
Bridget Umoru was called to the Bar of England and Wales and has worked with various legal charities providing practical and emotional support to vulnerable clients. She is also experienced in providing high level day to day support to solicitors particularly in immigration and personal law matters.
JDR Group:
Two apprentices are starting to use their newfound skills to help UK firms grow their businesses after joining Derby digital marketing firm JDR Group.
Sophie Teece and Amelia Slater have joined the Pride Park firm as digital marketing assistants, spending their working days generating blog content, undertaking keyword research and putting in place SEO techniques.
JDR Group provides web design, social media and content marketing to around 200 small to medium companies around the UK.
Sophie, 22, joined the company from college after deciding she wanted to learn more about digital marketing, having also tried to launch her own business.
Amelia, 20, recently returned from travelling during a gap year, having also decided to pursue a different career route to going to university.
Both are now on a 15-month apprenticeship and are being mentored by Charlotte Thornton, who is a website project co-ordinator and production team leader at the firm, having herself joined JDR Group as an apprentice straight from school four years ago.
Doorcerts Manufacturing:
Fire door and frames supplier Doorcerts Manufacturing, which is based in Stanton Hill, Nottinghamshire, has appointed Iona Ellis to the role of management accountant, and recruited Craig Priest to the job of marketing coordinator.
Doorcerts’ commercial manager Sarah Armson said: “We’re building something special here at Doorcerts and we need great people to help us reach our goals.
“Because we’re working hard on a number of projects, we needed people to join the team and be key players in what we are doing.
“Iona brings with her substantial expertise in finance and data, while Craig has a wealth of experience in producing eye-catching marketing materials.”
Lime Solicitors:
Consumer champion law firm Lime Solicitors has announced two promotions across its personal injury and medical negligence teams in the Midlands.
Catastrophic injury expert Vicky Blodwell has been promoted to partner in Birmingham, while medical negligence expert Michelle Harper has been promoted to legal director in Leicester.
Vicky works as part of Lime Solicitors’ personal injury team, helping clients who have experienced serious injury, including spinal cord injury and brain injury.
Michelle specialises in medical negligence claims against healthcare providers including NHS trusts, GPs, private consultants, dentists and care homes, and has a keen interest in women’s health including gynaecological injuries, injuries arising from child birth and still births.
Cambridge & Counties:
Specialist lender Cambridge & Counties Bank has appointed two additional non-executive directors to its board as it looks to further build on recent growth in the UK market.
Elizabeth Lockwood has joined as an NED and chair of the risk & compliance committee. She has over 25 years of experience as a risk management specialist, and previously held senior and executive roles at NatWest including as deputy chief risk officer for NatWest Holdings.
She also holds non-exec roles at Melton Building Society and its subsidiary Nexa Finance, and sits as an external expert member of the audit & risk committee at the Samaritans.
Michele Ibbs is the shareholder representative for Cambridgeshire Local Government Pension Fund, one of the bank’s two shareholders. She chairs the Board at Connexus Homes, and has worked with The Marsden Building Society, The Ombudsman Service and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
