South West firms have continued to hire and promote staff as we head towards the end of 2021.
Companies across a wide range of industries including construction, law, property, engineering and technology have announced significant senior appointments in the run-up to Christmas.
Here, BusinessLive takes a look at some of the people moving up in their professions.
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Willans
Gloucestershire-based Willans has appointed Rishi Ladwa to its corporate and commercial team as a partner.
He joins from a UK top 100 law firm and advises businesses in a variety of sectors, including leisure and hospitality, retail, professional services and healthcare, on a wide range of corporate and commercial issues.
Mr Ladwa works with private companies, management teams, directors and shareholders and has a particular interest in helping owner-managed and family businesses. His appointment takes the firm’s partner count to 16 and its headcount to around 100 people.
Mr Ladwa will work closely with fellow solicitor Helen Howes and head of the corporate and commercial team Chris Wills, who said: “We’re delighted that Rishi has joined us. His breadth of experience and specialist knowledge further strengthen our team and the firm as a whole.”
Truespeed
Bath-based broadband firm Truespeed today has appointed James Lowther as chief executive with immediate effect. He succeeds Evan Wienburg.
Mr Lowther has more than 16 years’ experience in the telecoms sector, most recently as group chief commercial officer at mobile company Lebara, and previously as chief marketing officer at Gigaclear.
Before this he spent four years in Sweden at the quad-play service provider Com Hem (now Tele2 Group) where he held the role of director of business to consumer. He also spent six years at Virgin Media in various senior roles.
Clarke Osborne, Truespeed chairman, said: “I would like to thank our outgoing CEO Evan Wienburg for his energy and passion since the firm’s inception - and for building Truespeed into the thriving, award-winning, community-oriented business it is today.
He added: “James’s dynamism, leadership track record and breadth of experience will be invaluable as we move forward.”
Mr Lowther added: “I am delighted to join Truespeed as we ramp up the next phase of our mission to roll out ultrafast, ultra-reliable broadband that will level up the South West.”
Tilney Smith & Williamson
The wealth management and professional services group has appointed Amanda Smith as a director in its Bristol office.
She has nearly 20 years’ professional experience leading on risk, assurance, and controls transformation, and has worked across a range of clients and sectors. While based in Tilney Smith & Williamson’s Bristol office, she will hold a national role, advising clients across the UK and overseas.
Having trained and qualified within Deloitte’s Risk Advisory practice, Ms Smith returns to professional services to help organisations understand the way that they leverage their people, third-party relationships, technology, data, business processes and controls to manage corporate and strategic risks and elevate business performance.
Andrew Manning, head of risk advisory at Tilney Smith & Williamson, said: “Amanda’s appointment is a strategic move to further enhance Tilney Smith & Williamson’s Risk Advisory practice.”
EG Carter & Co
The family-run construction company has announced that from January 1, 2022, Joshua Carter and Sam Carter will become managing directors.
Current managing director Michael Carter will assume the position of chairman and will be “working in the background” as he guides and steers the duo in their new roles.
A spokesperson for the company said: “The confidence that the company has in both Joshua and Sam stems from the fact that they fully understand the underlying values, principles and ethos of how E G Carter & Co Ltd is run.
“Furthermore, they are both fully committed to continuing with those values, principles and ethos at the heart of everything E G Carter & Co Ltd do.”
Sam Carter will lead on business development, strategy and construction while Joshua Carter will lead on employee engagement and HR, head office functions, health and safety and corporate governance.
IoD
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Steve Hill to lead its South West region.
Mr Hill was formerly vice-chair and succeeds Muir Macdonald, following the completion of Mr Macdonald's three-year term as chair.
Mr Hill was previously managing director of SEA, which delivers products and services to the defence and transport markets. SEA is part of the AIM-listed Cohort Group. Under his leadership SEA grew its profits and expanded its customer base into more than eight countries. He stepped down in 2020 to build a portfolio career supporting other businesses.
The IoD has also appointed four business leaders to the South West team.
Katherine Piper joins as sustainability ambassador; Peter Doyle as education and skills ambassador; Alex Chikhani as inclusivity and diversity ambassador; and John Rotherford as international ambassador.
The team is supported by senior manager Kerri-Anne Mruk and branch manager Jayne Miller.
The IoD South West team, which is based at the University of the West of England in Bristol, is embarking on a regional tour of universities, hubs and businesses in the New Year.
Mr Hill said: “At the IoD, we believe that directors are stronger together. We will provide the connections, professional development and influence that will place our members at the forefront of the economic recovery.”
Institute of Physics
Professor Penny Endersby, Met Office chief executive, has been elected an Institute of Physics 2021 Honorary Fellow.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics, and the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland, and an Honorary Fellowship is the highest accolade it presents.
An Honorary Fellowship is presented to reflect an individual’s exceptional services to physics.
Professor Endersby, said: "The science of physics is fundamental to our understanding of how the atmosphere operates and is the very foundation of the meteorology and climate research we conduct at the Met Office.”
Before joining the Met Office, Professor Endersby worked as an armour researcher for the Ministry of Defence. She then led research groups at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), including leading their Physics Department, ultimately becoming the organisation’s acting Chief Technical Officer.
Wollens
Wollens have appointed partner and solicitor Emma Reed to the commercial department. She will work with Wollens clients in all aspects of commercial law.
Before joining Wollens Ms Reed was based at North Devon law firm Slee Blackwell, specialising in every aspect of commercial property law from site assembly to planning, acquisitions, disposals, option agreements, joint venture build agreements and leases, building a regional and national client base.
Alongside commercial property work she also deals with company commercial law including asset and share sales and purchases, structures, shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, bespoke contracts such as distribution and manufacturing agreements, joint venture agreements, business terms and conditions, and licensing.
Chris Hart, Wollens chief executive, said; “We’re delighted to welcome Emma to Wollens. Emma has a terrific reputation for client service, and her commercial law and commercial property expertise will add strength to our existing teams right across the firm”.
Somerset Chamber
Emma Rawlings has been appointed executive director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce.
She took up her new role on December 1 and said she was “delighted and excited” to be leading the team.
“In my previous organisations I was on the other side of the fence as a Chamber member and greatly benefited from the networking opportunities and the support that was put our way via the Chamber,” she said.
“I now have the privilege of being on the other side and taking the Chamber forward as the voice of Somerset for all businesses.”
Ms Rawlings joins the Chamber from her role as chief executive of a charity - Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Services. She is also a former director of Ammerdown Centre, in Radstock.
She added: “I want to really help Somerset to be the place to come, the place to settle and the place to start and run a business.”
Plymouth College of Art
Plymouth College of Art has appointed artist and curator Tom Milnes as a lecturer in its School of Arts + Media, working at the intersection of art and technology.
Currently lecturing on BA (Hons) Fine Art, he is also expected to take a leading role in the upcoming BA (Hons) Creative Technologies, which is due to launch in September 2022.
Mr Milnes is an artist, curator and AHRC PhD researcher who is founder of the online platform Digital Artist Residency. His work has featured in international exhibitions, including at the Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale, Korea; The Centre for Contemporary Art Laznia, Gdansk; and W139, Amsterdam.
Sarah King, senior lecturer and subject leader BA (Hons) Fine Art at Plymouth College of Art, said: “Tom brings a fresh set of eyes for students, a strong awareness of how digital practice is informing the future of contemporary fine art. It’s important to learn to think proactively and critically about how digital tools and platforms can challenge and inform creative practices.”
Irwin Mitchell
An Irwin Mitchell Family Law partner has been appointed the role of co-president of the Bristol Law Society, in a new move for the organisation.
Erin Sawyer, who was previously senior vice president of the Bristol Law Society, is a specialist in a wide range of family law areas including high-net-worth and complex financial divorce matters and cohabitation issues. She was promoted to partner at Irwin Mitchell in 2021.
Ms Sawyer, who is going on maternity leave at the start of 2022, will share the presidency for two years with new father Edward Thompson, a property litigator based in the South West region.
It is the first time the Bristol Law Society has appointed two co-presidents.
Ms Sawyer said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed co-president of the Bristol Law Society with Edward, someone I respect very much as a lawyer and as a contributor to the Bristol legal community.”
Tetra Tech
The provider of high-end consulting and engineering services has expanded its planning team with the appointment of a new director to support clients with the increasing number of self-build homes and bespoke developments across the South West.
Joanne Halton joins from land and business specialist Rural Solutions, where she was head of planning.
Working from Tetra Tech’s Wellington office, she brings 17 years’ experience in rural and urban planning. Most recently, Ms Halton contributed to the Bacon Review surrounding the promotion of custom and self-built housing as a way to increase supply and build in a more sustainable way.
She will be responsible for leading the team’s rural business, focusing particularly on the self-build market following the £150m government fund established in April as more people look to move to the country.
She said: “I’m very much looking forward to bringing my specific experience to Tetra Tech’s existing portfolio of planning experts.”
Westerleigh Group
Steve Glen has been appointed head of central operations at Westerleigh Group, a developer and operator of crematoria and cemeteries.
He will oversee group and site projects, ensuring they are implemented in a timely and efficient manner, meeting all their objectives.
Westerleigh Group is the UK’s largest owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 35 sites in England, Scotland and Wales, all set within landscaped gardens of remembrance.
Mr Glen joined the organisation in December 2015, having previously been a police officer with Merseyside Police.
He trained at Vale Royal Crematorium before moving to West Lancashire Crematorium in January 2016 as a cremator technician. He became site manager just over a year later.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to further develop, having managed a crematorium, and to utilise the experience I have gained in order to assist colleagues at site level.”
Interpath Advisory
The independent financial advisory business is growing its Bristol-based team with the announcement of a number of promotions and new additions.
Lee Swinerd has been appointed head of the Interpath team in Bristol, overseeing 15 Interpath staff. Mr Swinerd is an experienced financial advisor, having worked at Interpath (formerly KPMG’s Restructuring practice) for 29 years. He specialises in a range of advisory services including operational and financial restructuring, transformation, and supplier risk management. He has a particular interest in the automotive sector.
Interpath has also promoted Ben Freer to associate director and James Lovett to manager.
The firm has also hired Laura Chavda as a new graduate to the Bristol team. She will receive a training contract as part of a three-year programme to ACA qualification. Ms Chavda is part of the first cohort of 12 graduates who joined Interpath’s new graduate recruitment programme in September.
The announcements also follow the recent promotion of Sarah Collins to managing director.
Mr Swinerd said: "I am delighted to be heading up our Bristol-based team and to announce the recent promotions of Ben and James - our first tranche of promotions since we launched as an independent business six months ago.
Immersive Labs
The Bristol-based cyber security tech firm has appointed Jennifer Johnson to its board.
She is currently chief marketing and strategy officer at analytics company Amplitude and former chief marketing officer of cybersecurity firm Tenable.
MS Johnson was also former chief marketing officer of Coverity (now Synopsys) and a partner at Andreessen Horowitz. She is currently on the board of Illumio and an advisor with Play Bigger.
She said: “I’m thrilled to join the Immersive Labs board of directors as it shapes and leads the market, helping organisations optimise their workforce to address this once in a generation problem.”
The announcement follows the recent appointment of Immersive Labs’ founding chief marketing officer Evelyn Swaim.
Founded by ex-GCHQ trainer, James Hadley, Immersive Labs has built an award-winning platform which enables large organisations to continuously measure and enhance cyber knowledge, skills and judgement in a strategic manner.
Mr Hadley said: “Jennifer’s considerable experience helping fast-scaling cyber companies carve strong, differentiated positions will be crucial to helping us articulate this vision to move towards category ownership.”
Thomas Westcott
South West firm Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants has appointed a new partner with 20 years’ experience in VAT and other indirect taxes.
Becky Hayes will develop the firm’s specialist tax advice.
She joins from PKF Francis Clark, where she advised clients across the UK and internationally on VAT and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for 10 years. She also regularly delivers VAT and SDLT training for the professional sector.
Based in Exeter, she will work with colleagues across Thomas Westcott’s network of offices, providing clients with specialist VAT advice, heading up a dedicated VAT team to support Thomas Westcott’s clients in the South West and beyond.
Managing partner Shona Godefroy said: “We are delighted to welcome Becky Hayes to Thomas Westcott. She has an extremely impressive CV and brings the depth and breadth of expertise we need to take our VAT offering to the next level.”
Launch
South West paid media agency Launch, has announced the appointment of Mike Sharp as operations director.
Mr Sharp, who joins Launch from digital agency Adapt Worldwide, will take the newly created role within Launch to support the company’s growth.
Since the start of the year, Exeter-based Launch has doubled its revenue to exceed £1m, and employed a further 10 people to grow its total headcount to 20. Ambitious plans for 2022 have the company on track to grow a further 50% to exceed £1.5m.
Jaye Cowle, managing director of Launch, Said: “Mike is an extremely experienced paid media expert and senior team manager, bringing a huge amount of value to Launch and its clients.”
Mr Sharp added: “It’s a great time to be joining Launch. The company has been on a very exciting growth path over the past few years and I’m looking forward to playing a key role in the next chapter.”
Devonshire Homes
West Country housebuilder Devonshire Homes has appointed a new managing director. Angus Cook has taken the reins at the firm, which is based in Tiverton and has been building homes across the South West since 1992.
With over 20 years’ experience in residential development, Mr Cook, 45, joins from Bewley Homes where he was the land and planning director. He has delivered a range of complex projects across the residential sector during his time with housebuilders including Barratt Homes, Taylor Woodrow, Charles Church and Berkeley Homes.
His appointment follows a strong performance for the company over the last 12 months, which has seen turnover increase to more than £39m.
In his new role Mr Cook will build on the company’s growth and will be responsible for overseeing operations from land purchase through to customer service.
He said: “It’s an exciting period to join Devonshire Homes, as the funding, partnerships and appetite to expand are in place ready for the next step change.
Albert Goodman
Regional chartered accountancy firm Albert Goodman has appointed Anne Gardner-Thorpe as a tax partner, based in its Taunton headquarters.
Ms Gardner-Thorpe has worked in the private client tax field at BDO, advising on all income tax, CGT and IHT/estate planning matters, both on and offshore.
She previously worked for firms including Smith & Williamson, Deloitte and Monahans, and as an ex-HMRC tax inspector.
She holds both the STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) Diploma in Trusts & Estates, as well as the Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) qualification.
Ms Gardner-Thorpe will join Albert Goodman’s tax team, working alongside current tax partners Tracey Watts and Dominic Crilly.
She said: “I’m thrilled to join such a friendly and reputable chartered accountancy firm in a region that boasts such a vibrant and exciting business community.”
Gilbert & Goode
Cornish housebuilder Gilbert & Goode has appointed Gordon Innes as its new managing director.
Mr Innes has more than 30 years’ experience in residential development, including site acquisition, sales and customer care.
His career has seen him progress from quantity surveyor to commercial manager, and then onto leadership roles at Avant Homes, Persimmon Homes, and Countryside Properties PLC.
“It’s a really exciting time to be joining Gilbert & Goode, and I can’t wait to get stuck in with the team working across projects here in the South West,” he said.
“I strongly believe in keeping quality and safety at the heart of homebuilding, values which are shared by the group, and something which really attracted me to the position.”
Established in 1972, Gilbert and Goode has recently repositioned as a developer of high-quality homes across Cornwall and Devon. It also underwent a complete rebrand, with the new modern identity reflecting its vision for the future.
Knight Frank
Global property consultancy Knight Frank has expanded its Bristol team with the appointment of Jemima Young on the graduate programme and Claire Stretton as a senior surveyor in the residential development valuation team.
Ms Young joins the Knight Frank Bristol office as a graduate surveyor from the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester. She studied BSc (Hons) Real Estate with modules including property market analysis, commercial property management and valuation.
Ms Stretton joins having had 15 years' experience in real estate at Alder King and Macarthur Wilson. In these roles, she specialised in advising on both larger and smaller scale development and investment assets.
She will focus on residential valuations across the South West, South Coast and South Wales regions, advising major banking, developer and public sector clients. Her role will involve advising on a wide range of PRS assets and development sites.
SafeGroup
Soft FM and waste management specialist SafeGroup have appointed business development manager Tracey Tripp to drive expansion of its operations in the South West.
She has more than 15 years' experience working in sales roles in the specialist cleaning and hygiene service sector.
She is now heading up business development for SafeGroup in the South West in support of the company's newest depot in Dorchester, Dorset.
SafeGroup's head of sales, Mark McGowan, said: "Tracey brings exceptional experience and drive to SafeGroup which I am sure will help us accelerate our growth in the south west region.”
Tracey said: "I'm excited by the opportunity to work at SafeGroup. I like its ambition for growth based on the delivery of first class service, and developing strong relationships with customers”
Biovault Family
Plymouth-based Biovault Family, the UK's largest private human tissue bank which is licensed to handle all human tissue types including cord blood and tissue, has appointed Hannah McGrath to the team as marketing executive.
Biovault Family offers personalised cord blood and tissue processing and storage services to parents who wish to bank their babies' umbilical cord blood because it is rich in stem cells.
Ms McGrath, who joins Biovault Family with a background in marketing and management, will be responsible for developing and growing the brand. In particular she will oversee positioning the brand for its next stage of growth as it looks to expand nationally, and lead how the business grows.
Before joining the business, she had worked in various key positions, including with Actuate Marketing for seven years.
Ms McGrath said: “I’m so excited to be working with Biovault Family and putting plans in place to continue the growth of the business, helping ensure its incredible success story maintains momentum and driving the business forward.”
Based in Plymouth’s International Medical and Technology Park beside its partners at Derriford Teaching Hospital, Biovault has led the way in human tissue processing and storage since 2004.
Royds Withy King
The law firm has strengthened its construction and engineering dispute resolution team with the appointment of Sean Randall-Morris as a partner at its Bath office.
He joins from Davies & Partners Solicitors and is an award-winning advocate and an arbitrator who specialises in alternative dispute resolution. His work typically concerns disputes relating to payments and contractual entitlements, building defects, and professional negligence claims against architects and engineers.
Before coming to law, Mr Randall-Morris was a chartered surveyor and spent 20 years working in the construction, infrastructure, and defence sectors. He remains a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS).
Andrew Ash, partner and head of construction and engineering, said: “Sean has a brilliant reputation and a proven track record for winning cases for clients both in the UK and overseas. Sean’s skills as an advocate and arbitrator will complement those of our market-leading team.”
