Not-for-profit law firm AltraLaw has appointed Carys Strong as a senior solicitor and its new head of training.
A former HR consultant and trainer with former gender equality charity Chwarae Teg, she will leverage her combined legal, HR, charitable and training sector expertise to support future growth and development at the Caerphilly-based legal firm.
Ms Strong is also a director and trustee for the Maker’s Guild in Wales. She said: “My work as a solicitor with AltraLaw will continue to focus on representing and supporting clients through challenging employment disputes. As the company’s head of training, I will also be educating business leaders on creating equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.”
During her time at Chwarae Teg, she worked with a diverse range of businesses to provide strategic HR consultancy, tailored training programmes and policy development, with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
AltraLaw was launched by Nathan Vidini back in 2020. He said:“I’ve worked alongside Carys in one form or another for many years, and I have seen firsthand how expertly she is able put her vast working knowledge to use for the sake of the greater good, not only with a great deal of expertise but also – crucially – with integrity too.
“This is why the appointment of Carys also as our head of training, with the experience she has behind her, is such a good fit for AltraLaw as we look to move towards a new and exciting phase of growth which ultimately will enable us to widen the net of good causes we are working to support even further.”
- Chetwood Financial
Wrexham-based digital bank Chetwood Financial has appointed Julian Hynd as its chief operating officer.
Founded in 2016, As well as its existing consumer savings products, Chetwood Financial is soon to launch ModaMortgages, a new specialist, broker-only buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage lender.
Mr Hynd has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, with a strong record of building, growing, and transforming businesses.
Over the course of his career, he has worked for several recognised brands, including First Rand, Siemens Southern Africa, National Savings & Investments, and Ford Credit Europe, where he led the development of Ford Money, a UK online savings bank. Hynd also worked for Volkswagen Financial Services, where he led the development of their UK online savings bank.
Most recently, Mr Hynd led the operational and digital transformation at Shawbrook Bank, and the commercial transformation at Redwood Bank.
As chief operating officer, Hynd will have executive responsibility for bringing Chetwood Financial’s strategy to life through the company’s technology, operations, and people. He will also help bring the ModaMortgages proposition to market later this year.
Mr Hynd said: “I’m delighted to have joined the Chetwood team. The company’s goal is to deliver exceptional products and services to help people financially – and it’s one I wholeheartedly believe in. I’m excited to play my part in ensuring we achieve that goal from an operations perspective.”
Chetwood’s founder and chief executive, Andy Mielczarek, said: “It’s great to welcome Julian to the team. He joins at a dynamic time for Chetwood, with exciting projects in the pipeline for the coming year, not least the launch of ModaMortgages. Julian’s experience and expertise when it comes to operations in the financial spaces will no doubt prove extremely valuable in helping Chetwood achieve its ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond.”
Blake Morgan
Cardiff-based firm Blake Morgan has appointed Rob Thomas as partner to strengthen its corporate tax expertise.
Mr Thomas joins the firm’s Cardiff office from his previous role as an associate director within a corporate tax practice. As well as being a specialist in UK domestic and international corporate tax, Mr Thomas is also a chartered tax adviser and a previous winner of a legal prize, LexisNexis, for his specialist tax knowledge.
He was has experience working with clients ranging from private equity funds and large multi-national businesses to start-ups and individuals
Eve Piffaretti, head of Blake Morgan’s Wales office, said: “With his wealth of experience in tax law, Rob is an exemplary addition to our corporate tax offering. His record across complex transactions will be a significant asset to the team, providing additional experience from across the UK and abroad. We’re very happy to welcome him to the team and expand the high-quality service we offer our clients.”
FUW Insurance Services
Aberystwyth-based FUW Insurance Services has appointed Emily Morton to its board.
Ms Morton is currently head of Legal at Principality Building Society She said:“It feels like an exciting time to join FUW Insurance Services . The increase in regulation in the insurance sector aimed at ensuring the right outcomes for customers is a real opportunity for us to drive growth and to cement our place as the rural insurer of choice, both in Wales and more broadly across the UK.
“I am very proud to be joining the wider FUW Group, given the key role it plays in promoting the rural economy here in Wales. I have already seen how much of a support the FUW is for members, from fighting their corner on the policy issues that matter, to supporting them with changes to legislation, and raising awareness of mental health support. It’s great to be joining an organisation that clearly cares about getting the best results for the people it represents.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my legal, regulatory and wider business experience to a new sector, and I’m keen to speak with as many people as possible to understand how FUW Insurance Services Ltd can best support our customers in these challenging times.”
Vale Resort
The Vale Resort in Hensol, along with the grade listed Hensol Castle, in the Vale of Glamorgan, have appointed a new hotel manager to oversee daily operations and facilities. Brian Gamble was previously operations director at the Coal Exchange hotel in Cardiff and bringing with him more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality sector.
Mr Gamble said: “I am honoured to be joining two such prestigious venues – Vale Resort and Hensol Castle. Taking over the reins here gives me a fantastic opportunity to utilise my almost four decades’ worth of experience in the sector, and also the knowledge of the Welsh tourism industry that I built up in my previous role.
“Vale Resort is a spectacular hotel complex and Hensol Castle is a truly stunning venue. I am excited for this new chapter in my career and to see what the future holds for Vale Resort with me at the helm.”
Stephen Leeke, managing director of Vale Resort, said: “We feel incredibly fortunate to have someone with Brian’s calibre of experience and expertise onboard as our new Hotel Manager for the two venues. This is an exciting time for both Vale Resort and Hensol Castle, and we really believe that Brian will enable us to continue going from strength to strength.”
