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Career moves: Dixons Carphone, Dunelm and more

A round-up of some of the UK’s leading CFO and FD moves, as well as other executive changes across UK and global organisations

Dixons Carphone appoints Clare Pettitt as interim finance chief

London-based telecommunications retailer Dixons Carphone has appointed Clare Pettitt as its interim group CFO, following the departure of its previous finance chief Humphrey Singer from the FTSE 100-listed group. She will hold the position till the company receives a confirmation date for the newly appointed group CFO Jonny Mason. Singer is joining multinational retailer, Marks and Spencer.

 

Dunelm hires Compass Group financial controller as new CFO

British home furnishing retailer Dunelm revealed that the company will be appointing Laura Carr, group financial controller of Compass Group, as its new chief financial officer. Carr will be replacing Keith Down, who had stepped down from the position on 24May 2018. In the meantime, FTSE 250-listed Dunelm will appoint David Stead as its interim CFO.

Dunelm chairman Andy Harrison said: “We are looking forward to Laura joining the Dunelm team to work with Nick Wilkinson, our new CEO. Laura brings a breadth of business and finance experience, which will really help us to achieve our ambitious business plans to become the leading multi-channel retailer in our space.”

 

ITM Power CFO to join board as finance director

Hydrogen-based power solutions manufacturer ITM Power announced the appointment of its current CFO Andrew Charles Allen, as its new company finance director.

Allen is a qualified chartered accountant and prior to joining ITM in 2011, he built his career auditing small and medium-sized enterprises in South Yorkshire. He joined ITM Power as a financial controller in 2011 and eventually became its CFO in 2015.

ITM Power’s chairman, Roger Putnam said: “We are delighted that Andy is joining ITM Power’s Board. He has been an integral part of the management team in his position as CFO and his contribution in the period since he joined has been invaluable.  We are today recognising his contribution with this appointment.

 

NetEnt AB promotes Therese Hillman to group CEO

Swedish game developer NetEnt has promoted Therese Hillman to CEO of the group, after serving as an interim CEO for the company since March 2018. Prior to becoming group CEO, Hillman was NetEnt’s group CFO.

NetEnt’s chairman of the board, Fredrik Erbing, said: “We are pleased to appoint Therese Hillman as new group CEO. Therese has a clear business focus and is an appreciated leader with great energy. NetEnt is pioneering the online gaming industry and is taking the next step to be at the forefront of business focus and innovation. With Therese’s abilities, we get the right person to lead the company in the next growth phase.

 

Mainstay Medical announces CFO transition

Dublin-based medical device company Mainstay Medical confirmed that its CFO, Hugh Kavanagh, will step down from his position in August 2018. Jason Hannon, Mainstay Medical’s CEO, confirmed that Kavanagh will stay with the company to ensure a proper transition.

“On behalf of Mainstay’s board, management team and staff, I would like to thank Hugh for his substantial contribution to the growth of the company. We are pleased that Hugh will continue to support the company through this transition. We wish him all the best for the future,” said Hannon.

 

Moy Park replaces chief executive after US takeover

Craigavon-based poultry giant Moy Park has replaced Janet McCollum with Chris Kirke as its CEO after it was acquired by Colorado-based Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation.

Commenting on Kirke’s appointment, Bill Lovette, Pilgrim’s Pride president and chief executive said: “The Pilgrim’s team is excited to have Chris join us on our journey to realize our vision of becoming the best and most respected company in our industry.”

 

Earthport appoints Amanda Mesler as CEO

Global Payments Specialist Earthport has brought Amanda Mesler on board as its new CEO, starting in July. She is replacing interim CEO Phil Hickman who will resume his position as a non-executive director at the company.

Mesler brings a plethora of experience with her, having served at senior management and board levels for small and medium-sized enterprises and large international companies. Currently, she is a general manager at Microsoft.

Hank Uberoi, executive chairman of Earthport, said about the appointment: “We are delighted to have such a talented and experienced global technology leader as Amanda join us to guide Earthport in the next stage of its growth. Everyone on the management team and board is excited to welcome her as CEO.

 

Gowling WLG appoints Ian Mason as head of UK financial services

International law firm Gowling WLG has strengthened its upper management with the appointment of Ian Mason as its new partner and head of UK financial services and regulatory. Mason brings a wealth of experience with him, having served as a senior regulatory lawyer and as a head of department in the enforcement division of the Financial Services Authority.

In his new role, Mason will be responsible for building upon the firm’s established financial services and regulatory practice to increase the strength and depth of the team.

 

CoInvestor appoints new COO

Alternative investment platform CoInvestor appointed Rob Ferguson as its new COO. Ferguson has worked in software, financial, and legal firms for 20 years and brings a considerable amount of experience with him. Prior to joining CoInvestor, Ferguson served as the chief commercial officer at the IG group and as a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

 

Hilton Food Group reshuffles senior team

Hudington-based Hilton Food Group (HFG) has made a series of changes to its senior team with the appointment of its current CEO Robert Watson, as its new executive chairman. HFG’s COO, Philip Heffer, is set to succeed Watson and will become the company’s new CEO in July.  Speaking about the appointment, Watson said: “I have worked closely with Philip for the past 24 years and I am confident he is the right person to succeed me as CEO.”

 

DFS Promotes Tim Stacey to CEO as Ian Filby Steps Down

Furniture Retailer DFS has appointed Tim Stacey to replace Ian Filby, the company’s current CEO. Filby will be stepping down from the position after serving DFS for eight years. However, he will remain with the company on a part-time basis from November 2018 to October 2019, when he will be retiring. Stacey currently serves as a group COO for the furniture retailer and will assume the position of CEO in November, after a six-month handover period.

Prior to joining DFS, Stacey served as multichannel director for 12 years at Walgreens Boots Alliance. About his appointment, Stacey said: “I am excited and feel hugely honoured to be taking on the position of chief executive at DFS.  As chief operation officer, I have hugely enjoyed working with Ian and every single member of the DFS family to further establish our position as the clear market leader and I’m confident that we have many exciting opportunities to drive our business forward.

 

MS Amlin appoints new COO

Specialist global reinsurer MS Amlin made changes to its senior team by appointing Simon Smith as its new chief operating officer. Prior to joining MS Amlin, Smith worked with Willis Towers Watson, where he served as a CEO for its India division.

CEO Simon Beale said: “I am confident he (Smith) will make a significant contribution to the programme of initiatives underway as we build a modern, relevant business with a sustainable and profitable long-term future. I look forward to working with him as we move forward with our plans for MS Amlin.”

 

Air Partner appoints interim finance boss

Global aviation services group Air Partner appointed Chris Mann as its interim CFO, following the departure of its previous CFO Neil Morris.  Mann has 25 years long career in senior-level finance positions for multiple companies. Most recently, he served as a finance director at Kone Corporation for four years. Prior to this role, he spent three years in finance with Gatwick Airport. Mann will be returning to his position at Kone Corporation, once Air Partner finds a suitable candidate for the position of CFO.

 

Homeserve CEO resigns

Walsall-based household repairs business Homeserve UK confirmed the resignation of its CEO Martin Bennet. Bennett will step down from the board at the annual general meeting slated to be held in July 2018 and leave the company later in the year. He served the company for 15 years and was previously the CFO of Homeserve before he eventually became the CEO. Homeserve chairman Barry Gibson said: “On behalf of the board I would like to take this opportunity to thank Martin for his service to HomeServe. Our recent reorganisation to create four global business lines gave Martin the opportunity to consider his next move, and we respect his decision to move on. We all wish him well for the future.”

 

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