People Business » Career moves: Including Sage Group and WPP

Career moves: Including Sage Group and WPP

A round up of new announcements of finance directors and other senior executives switching roles in the UK and elsewhere.

Sage Group CEO steps down; CFO to fill in

Software firm Sage Group’s chief executive Stephen Kelly has resigned from his role, resulting in chief financial officer Steve Hare having executive authority until a new CEO is appointed. Hare is also appointed as interim chief operating officer. Kelly will serve the group until May 2019. The search for a new CEO has begun and the board is determined to find an executive “practiced in embedding sustainable processes at scale.”

WPP to appoint company insider Mark Read as Chief Executive

UK-based advertising giant WPP is set for an internal transition by appointing Mark Read as its chief executive officer. With 10 years experience in WPP, Read is currently the co-chief operating officer. He has worked with WPP Digital, the company’s digital investment arm and as chief executive of global marketing network and WPP subsidiary, Wunderman.

New appointments to strengthen Stobart Group board

Guernsey-based logistics provider Stobart Group has announced new appointments to strengthen its management team. Nick Dilworth was promoted to the board role of chief operating officer from group commercial director. Michael Williamson was appointed as interim chief financial officer, replacing Richard Laycock. Other appointments included Ginny Pulbrook, a partner at Capital Market Communications, as a non-executive director. The new appointments will continue till 2019, as the board will also appoint a new non-executive chairman, a new senior independent director and at least one more non-executive director.

Following the appointments, Iain Ferguson, Stobart Group chairman said: “We have moved quickly to strengthen the board, and are pleased to have been able to appoint such experienced directors.”

Hostelworld appoints TJ Kelly as Chief Financial Officer

The hostel-focused online booking platform Hostelworld has hired TJ Kelly as its chief financial officer. Kelly will take up office from 21 November 2018. Currently, Kelly serves as the chief financial officer of Glanbia’s performance nutrition division. He has been associated with Glanbia since 2006 as a financial controller and his responsibility included overseeing investor relations. Kelly also held senior roles in finance at Microsoft and GE Capital.

R&D tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown appoints new FD

Bristol-based R&D tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown has appointed Andy Yeo as its new finance director. With almost a decade of experience, Yeo has helped professional service businesses to grow. ForrestBrown made this appointment to help the company grow, following its acquisition by US firm alliantgroup.

Yeo, on his appointment, said: “My professional services experience is perfectly suited to ForrestBrown at an exciting point in the company’s development. Beyond financial management, my new role is ultimately about understanding the key drivers of the business and ensuring the employees are motivated to achieve them.”

Gant appoints Thomas Dunaker as its new CFO

Sweden-based retailer Gant has promoted Thomas Dunaker as its new chief financial officer. Dunaker, joined the company as the global head of commercial finance and group business control and recently held the position of interim CFO in the company. He will succeed Pär Christiansen and will report to CEO Brian Grevy.  Dunaker has over 20 years of financial experience and has previously worked as CFO for Scandinavian fashion retailer JC.

Speaking on his promotion, Dunaker said: “I’m excited to take on this new role. Gant is a well-established global brand with tremendous heritage and great growth potential. I am looking forward to working with the team to further strengthen the company.”

Congenica woos new CFO from AstraZeneca

UK-based clinical genomics interpretation software provider Congenica has appointed Wendy Britten as the chief financial officer. In her new role, Britten will be responsible for financial aspects of the business, as well as business development and fundraising events. Britten is a qualified chartered accountant and has held leading roles at AstraZeneca and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Speaking on her appointment, Congenica’s CEO David Atkin said: “She brings financial leadership and business development expertise as we move forward commercially on the back of our successful series B financing last year. Her international experience will support our operational expansion in the UK and across Europe, China and the US.”

AFL Insurance Brokers appoints Gagg from Towergate Insurance as CFO

London-based AFL Insurance Brokers has hired Chriss Gagg as its chief financial officer and a member of the AFL board. He will join the company on 1 September 2018 and replace current CFO Keely Dalfen. Prior to this, Gagg was the group head of treasury at Towergate Insurance. With over 17 years of experience, he has held leading roles at Deloitte UK, Grant Thornton UK LLP and Ernst & Young.

Commenting on his appointment, AFL stated: “Working with leading insurers and intermediaries, Gagg has successfully executed complex finance redesigns, pursued growth strategies as a senior member of deal leadership teams, and is recognized as an expert in insurance financial regulation and operations.”

Accrol announces senior hires

UK-based paper manufacturer Accrol has recruited Mark Dewhurst as chief operating officer. He will take on his new role from 1 September 2018 and replace Don Coates. Dewhurst is currently the operations director at DS Smith Packaging. The firm has also hired Euan Hamilton as an independent non-executive director.

“It is a statement of how much progress we have made that Accrol is able to attract an operational leader of Mark’s capability. We look forward to the knowledge and operational experience he will bring to the business, as we continue to progress the turnaround and establish Accrol as the leader in the industry,” said Accrol’s CEO Gareth Jenkins.

Husqvarna Group appoints new CFO

Sweden-based our=tdoor products group Husqvarna Group has promoted Glen Instone as senior vice president (VP) and CFO from VP of global sale & services, Husqvarna division. Joining the group in 2006, Instone has held various roles like VP Finance of the Husqvarna division, VP Finance Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as VP Finance of Manufacturing, Logistics & Purchasing. Prior to this, he was the financial controller of Electrolux Outdoor Products UK, BE and NL.

Kai Wärn, president and CEO of the group commented: “I am very happy to welcome Glen Instone as our new Chief Financial Officer and I’m especially pleased that we were able to find the best candidate internally. Glen has a broad and extensive experience within the company and the right personal and leadership skills to support Husqvarna Group’s future journey towards market leadership.”

New chief operating officer at Training Provider

Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company has appointed Faith O’Brien as its new chief operating officer. O’Brien’s role will include supporting business planning, strategy implementation and overall performance. With over 20 years of experience, O’Brien has managed work-based learning and employability contracts in governments across the UK.

“We are absolutely delighted to have secured Faith’s expertise, knowledge and technical ability. She is a professional well known and respected throughout the work-based learning sector and a huge asset,” said Arwyn Watkins, managing director of the company.

Hospitality group confirms departure of COO

London-based industry group UKHospitality has announced the departure of CFO Rupert Culme-Seymour. Joining the organisation in June last year, Culme-Seymour’s role was to manage the organisation’s commercial and membership growth and event management.

In his role as the CFO, he oversaw the merger of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and the British Hospitality Association. Prior to his association with UKHospitality, he had worked at Heineken UK for 19 years in various positions including regional sales director.

Diploma boss Richard Ingram quits after less than four months

British-based technical equipment supplier Diploma has confirmed the exit of its chief executive officer Richard Ingram. Chairman John Nicholas will take over as the interim CEO until a replacement is found.

Joining the company in April this year, Ingram was made the chief executive on 8 May. Prior to this, he has held the position of president at London-based Smiths Group.

Manchester City COO to join NFL team Carolina Panthers

English football club Manchester City revealed that Tom Glick had stepped down from his position as chief operating officer. Glick will join Charlotte-based NFL team Carolina Panthers as the team president. He was COO at City since March 2012 after he joined the club from Derby County.

Glick has a wide range of experience where he has held roles like chief marketing officer for the (then New Jersey) Nets, VP of marketing and business operations for the NBA, senior VP of sales and marketing for the Sacramento Rivercats (minor league baseball), and general manager of the Lansing Lugnuts (also minor league baseball).

Lloyd’s Market Association to appoint new CEO

Sheila Cameron is set to replace David Gittings as the new chief executive officer at London-based Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA). With Gittings’ departure at the end of this year, Cameron will join LMA from 2019 onwards. She is currently working at Navigators Underwriting as the head of international operations. Before joining Navigators, Cameron has served as director of group operations at Hiscox and chief operating officer at Xchanging’s claims business.

Speaking on her own appointment, she said: “The LMA plays a crucial role in making the market a better place for all its participants. I look forward to working together with Lloyd’s on the evolution of its strategy, a renewed focus on our customers and the delivery of market modernisation.”

UK forex broker Global Markets Group appoints Alex Iakobachvili as CEO

UK-based Global Markets Group (GMG) has elevated Alex Iakobachvili to chief executive officer. He had joined GMG earlier this month as the group’s managing director. Prior to joining GMG, he worked at a B2B broker, Global Market Index as vice president of Sales. With 20 years of experience he has worked with companies like CFH Clearing, Squared Financial Services, London Capital Group, Thomson Reuters, IDEAglobal, and Targetpoint.

EY Scotland finance chief Sue Dawe in UK board role

Multinational professional services provider EY has promoted Sue Dawe, head of financial services in Scotland for to the firm’s main UK board. She is set to join the board along with Christabel Cowling to replace Eamonn McGrath and Alisdair Mann. Dawe has worked with EY since 1988 and took up the leading role in Scotland in 2016.

She will continue her role as the head of finance in Scotland and Edinburgh along with her current appointment which she will take up on September 1.

François Chabas appointed Chief Financial Officer for Bureau Veritas

François Chabas, chief financial officer (CFO) of certification agency Bureau Veritas Europe Zone has been elevated to the position of executive VP and group CFO. He joined Bureau Veritas in 2003 and has held various senior positions within the company. Prior to this, Chabas worked as finance auditor at Ernst & Young for four years.

Henry Howard Finance appoints CFO

Welsh broker Henry Howard Finance Group has recruited Mark Tweed as its chief financial officer. He is set to replace its current CFO Mark Burn and will join the firm from October. Prior to this, Tweed has served as deputy European chief financial officer at Opel Vauxhall Finance, GM Financial’s UK managing director, and US-based financial services provider Ally’s UK chief financial officer.

“Mark’s appointment is a real coup for us and I’m delighted he’s joining us. Mark is an outstanding talent and brings a wealth of experience and fantastic reputation in the sector,” said Mark Catton, CEO of Henry Howard Finance.

ReSI appoints Richard Stubbs as Chief Financial Officer

Residential property fund ReSI has brought on board Richard Stubbs as chief financial officer. His responsibility includes overseeing financial strategies and operations across TradeRisks as well as ReSI’s equity and debt programme and preparation of its accounts and reports. Stubbs will report to Alex Pilato, chief executive of TradeRisks, parent company of ReSI’s Investment Manager.

Stubbs brings along 35 years of experience in commercial property and finance. Prior to this role, he worked at Sistema Capital Partners and he oversaw all fund reporting and major M&A transactions. He also held various senior roles at fund management businesses such as Alpha Real Capital and Langham Hall and Capital & Regional. The organisation has also taken on board Julia Eberdal as an associate director and Sergey Pichugin as a property analyst.

Seasoned alternative financier becomes CEO of fintech firm

UK-based fintech firm Investly has promoted Wayne Hughes as its CEO. Hughes brings along 25 years of experience working in UK’s financial services sector including senior roles in organisations such as Demica and Bibby Financial Services. He joined the fintech firm in May as consultant chief commercial officer.

The company states that Hughes’ role includes making Investly the leading fintech platform across UK and Europe. Speaking about this development Wayne Hughes said: “I believe the true value exists in cooperative B2B relationships between fintech partners and existing market participants.” Investly is making its technology available for large origination partners who can then extend invoice discounting to their customers without having to build it in-house.

 

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