Career Moves - Centrica, Boohoo and others

Centrica hires new customer arm CEO

Energy giant Centrica’s chief executive Iain Conn has brought in his former right-hand man at BP, Richard Hookway, as CEO of Centrica Business, the group’s corporate customer arm. Hookway will begin his role in December and will undertake the responsibility of steadying Centrica’s business unit.

Centrica has recently lost a-number-of senior executives including finance director Jeff Bell who will step down at the end of October, as well as chairman Rick Haythornthwaite who will vacate his position within 12 months.

Boohoo appoints new CEO in board reshuffle

Online fashion retailer Boohoo Group has announced the appointment of John Lyttle as its CEO. Lyttle was previously the COO at Ireland-based retailer Primark. He will take over the new role in March next year. Furthermore, joint CEO Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane are both given different roles on the board. Kamani is set to become group  executive chairman and Kane will become executive director.

Speaking on his appointment, Lyttle said: “I have known Mahmud and Carol for a number of years and have watched the growth of the Boohoo Group with admiration. I am hugely excited to be joining the Group at this key stage of its growth and capitalising on what is a global opportunity.”

Zurich UK appoints Helen Pickford as CFO

Zurich has appointed Helen Pickford to take over the role of CFO from James Quin, who will exit the company. Pickford held the position of deputy CFO in Zurich UK and the company’s UK life business CFO. She was finance director in 2016 at Angeas before joining the firm and undertook senior roles at Royal Sun Alliance among her extensive experience of 25 years in the insurance sector.

Tulsi Naidu, CEO of Zurich UK commented: “I’m very pleased to appoint Helen as CFO of our UK business. She has an impressive track record gained from her achievements both in and outside of Zurich, with a wealth of experience across the insurance sector. She is ideally placed to lead our finance team as we continue to grow our business, adapt and innovate, as we respond to evolving customer needs.”

Meggit hires former Victrex finance director as new CFO

Aerospace company Meggitt has announced the retirement of CFO Doug Webb at the end of December. Louisa Burdett will take over the role of CFO with effect from October 22. Burdett will work parallel to Webb to assure an effective transition ahead of undertaking the CFO position from 1 January.

Burdett is the non-executive director of Electrocomponents at present and had held the role of finance director for Victrex until last April since 2014. She was previously the CFO at Optos and held senior executive positions at GlaxoSmithKline.

Saga appoints new CFO after 6-month search

UK-based travel and insurance Company Saga has appointed James Quin, a Zurich insurance executive, as its new finance chief. Quin is currently the UK chief officer at Zurich Insurance Group and will begin his role commencing from 1 January. The current CFO Jonathan Hill will step down at the end of September to join Paddy Power Betfair.

Saga Chief Executive Lance Batchelor comments that Mr Quin had “extensive strategic, investor and operational finance experience within the insurance industry and will be a valuable member of the leadership team as we target investment in new customer acquisition to deliver long term value for the Group.”

hVIVO first half loss narrows on cost savings, CFO Yeatman resigns

Clinical development services business hVIVO has announced the increased revenue generation and ongoing costs savings that followed a narrowed loss for the first half. The company also said that chief financial & business officer Graham Yeatman will step down from his position and vacate the board at the end of 2018. The current vice president Shelly Fraser has been appointed as finance director with immediate effect.

hVIVO has confined its expectations for the entire year and is expected to have a higher level of sales for the second half of the year as compared to the first. It also assumes a lower cost of research and development in 2019 as a result of changes in its business structure.

Four Recruitment welcomes new director

Search firm Four Recruitment has appointed Phill Carlin as its new finance director. Carlin will work with owners Phil and Claire Sofield to ensure proper guidance and support to the company and its effective growth over the coming years. Carlin is a competent finance director, operating at board level within various businesses, sectors as well as countries. He is currently working with several SME businesses across the UK, as a part of the FD Financial Resource business.

Phil Sofield, operations director and founder comments: “There have certainly been some challenges over the last 10 years, but these are exciting times for Four. We have ambitious growth plans and Phill will help us to achieve these over the next few years. I’m delighted to welcome him to the fold.”

Gattaca appoints new CEO

UK based engineering and technology recruitment firm Gattaca has, announced the appointment of Kevin Freeguard as CEO starting 1st of October 2018. Freeguard has experience in working for Verifone as managing director for UK and Ireland from 2014 to 2018. He also worked with De La Rue where he held the role same role for their solutions division. Gattaca’s previous CEO Brian Wilkinson stepped down in February, this year, and said that he wished to retire from full time executive roles.

Freeguard said: “I am delighted to be joining Gattaca at this time. The sourcing of talent is a critical and growing focus for all businesses. Gattaca’s expertise in providing complete talent solutions both in the UK and internationally positions it well for the future. I am looking forward to developing the business further with the Board and the rest of the Gattaca team.”

Orange Bank’s CEO Coisne to resign in next few weeks

Andre Coisne, the CEO of Orange’s online bank, will resign in the next few weeks emphasizing operational challenges at the company. Coisne was appointed to run and develop Orange Bank that was formed after Orange acquired a majority stake in Groupama Banque in 2016. He has experience in launching online banks in France for ING Direct and Credit Agricole’s BforBank.

The appointment of the new Group Head Paul de Leusse for mobile financial services at Orange Bank, in May this year, accelerated Coisne’s exit, due to the re-structuring of the management’s banking unit.

Tokio Marine Kiln reveals new CFO

Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) has appointed a new CFO Reeken Patel, succeeding James Dover, who will exit the company after 12 years of service and the last eight years in the role of CFO. Patel joins TMK from AXIS Capital Holdings, prior to which he worked with Novae Group, where he was responsible for overseeing the finance, risk, actuarial and investment teams.

Charles Franks, Tokio Marin Kiln’s CEO, said: “I am really pleased to welcome Reeken to our team at TMK. His background and outstanding track record speak for themselves and he will bring a new perspective and energy to the development of our business. Tokio Marine has developed a powerful international presence over the past 10 years and Reeken will be key to ensuring we continue to advance our strategy within the TM Group.”

Ancala Midstream appoints CFO

Ancala Midstream Acquisitions has appointed Paul Mitchell as its CFO. Mitchell will be a part of the senior executive team, and will play a vital role in the further development and implementation of strategic plans for Ancala Midstream. Mitchell was previously the CFO of Ramco, an oil and gas service company. He also held several managing and financial director roles in operator, service as well as manufacturing sectors.

Ancala Midstream’s Chief Executive Jim Halliday said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to the team.  Paul joins us as we pursue new business opportunities, both through SAGE and further afield. Paul’s experience, along with that of our Commercial Director, Angela Fletcher, and Operations Director, David Goodwill, further enhances our ability to offer innovative arrangements to these operators which will assist in maximising economic recovery and the longevity of critical UK infrastructure.”

Sheffield Forgemasters appoints COO in new role

Engineering company Sheffield Forgemasters has appointed a COO in a newly created role. Following the appointment of David Bond as CEO and Stephen Hammell as CFO, Paul Cahill joins the company from Rolls Royce where he worked as transformation executive. Paul will undertake a primary position at Forgemasters and will work with the current management to improvise the operational and financial performance of the business.

David Bond, CEO at Sheffield Forgemasters comments: “I am delighted to welcome Paul Cahill onto the board at Forgemasters as we further strengthen the senior management team. The role of COO is a new position and places Paul as a key figure, working alongside myself, Stephen Hammell and the existing management to transform the business and create a stable platform for growth.”

Kingfisher appoints new divisional CEOs

Kingfisher has appointed Christian Mazauric as CEO of Kingfisher in France. Mazauric will succeed Marc Tenart in the role, effective from 1 September 2018. Graham Bell will replace Mazauric and take over the CEO position at B&Q UK & Ireland. In Addition, John Mewett has been appointed as the CEO of Screwfix.

The CEO of Kingfisher, Véronique Laury, said: “Christian, Graham and John are all highly experienced Kingfisher leaders who truly embody our ONE Kingfisher values. They are proven operators who are already playing instrumental roles in our transformation.”

Serabi Gold appoints COO

UK-based gold mining and development group Serabi Gold has appointed Roney Almeida as its COO. Almeida, in his new role, will report to CEO Mike Hodgson. Before joining Serabi, Almeida was corporate and operations mine manager at Compania Siderurgia Nacional. He has experience working with companies like Anglo American, Vale, and Votorantim including mine manager for a company in Ontario, Canada.

Commenting on his appointment, Hodgson said: “I am very pleased to welcome Roney to the company and as we continue to advance the growth plans of the Company, his background, experience and knowledge of the Brazilian mining industry will be of great benefit.”

Griffiths appointed COO at Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport has appointed former COO of London Underground, Transport of London and Virginia Atlantic Airways Steve Griffiths as its new COO. He will report to CEO Ken O’Toole and will oversee safe and secure leadership of the airport. Griffiths will join from 15^th October and is set to replace Brad Miller who will take up his new role at Manchester Airports Group.

Griffiths commented: “The opportunity to join London Stansted in the next stage of its development is really exciting and I’m looking forward to working with Ken and the team to drive the business on and ensure all those using the airport have the most seamless and enjoyable experience possible.”

Tatton Group makes senior appointments and opens new offices

Janet Nuzumwill has joined property management company, the Tatton Group as its COO. The new role will see Nuzumwill heading the launch of Ultrafast Broadband as well as technology solutions like door and gate access solutions and VOIP telephone systems. The UK-based group has also opened new offices in Ashley village between Knutsford and Altrincham. Additionally, the group hired Annete McDonald as deputy managing director.

“Recruiting a highly experienced team to support us at this pivotal time will help give us the structure and resource to progress our ambitious pipeline creating significant new jobs, homes and investment in the Northern Powerhouse,” said Henry Brooks, founder and managing director of Tatton.

Designer Parfums announces leadership changes

Watford-based Designer Parfums has recruited Santiago Alvarez to the newly established role of COO. Prior to this, he held the position of global commercial director for brands like Penhaligon’s and L’Artisan Parfumeur. He has also served at Puig and worked in markets at China, Europe, Middle East, Russia and Africa. The company also announced promotions of Parag Vidyarthi and Arkesh Shah as joint managing directors and appointment of Pascale Fontaine as global marketing director.

Designer Parfums CEO Dilesh Mehta said: “Santiago understands global sales, go-to-market strategy, brand development and operations, and has a proven track record of capturing the growth potential of beauty brands in multiple distribution channels across diverse geographies.”

HSBC announces retirement of private banking head

HSBC Holdings announced a series of changes in the executive roles as chief executive of global private banking Peter Boyles is set to retire this year end. He will be replaced by current CEO of HSBC Bank and Europe António Simões. Simões’ position will be taken up by James Emmett who was the COO of HSBC Bank, CEO of HSBC Turkey and global head of trade and receivables finance with immediate effect. Boyles has worked with HSBC since 1975 serving leadership roles in Asia, Middle East, and Europe.

Speaking on the appointments, HSBC’sgroup CEO John Flint said: “We are grateful to Peter for his 43 years of dedicated service. He has been instrumental in transforming Global Private Banking into a modern and future-focused business. In António we have an individual who has consistently demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to strengthen client relationships. In James, we have a very experienced international banker to lead our European business.”

Jonathon Brown appointed CEO of compare the market

Peterborough-based financial services company BGL Group has hired Jonathon Brown as its CEO. He is set to take up his new role from 23 October. Brown has previously worked as COO at PhotoBox where he led the strategic, commercial, marketing and organisational transformations for the group which handles companies like Moonpig, Greetz, and Hofmann.

BGL Group CEO Michael Donaldson said: “Jonathon brings with him a wealth of experience in leading digital businesses and has a strong background in strategy, commercial and marketing. His strong e-commerce and customer focus make him a perfect fit for the division and for BGL more widely.”

Lucozade Ribena Suntory names new COO for UK & Ireland

UK soft drink group Lucozade Ribena Suntory has promoted Carol Robert as COO for its UK & Ireland division. She is set to replace Peter Harding who took up the role of CEO at Suntory Beverage & Food Europe in August. Robert joined the company in 2013 and was recently the marketing director of UK.

Robert, on his appointment, commented: “I inherit a company in great shape, with a set of leading brands that are fit for the future. I couldn’t be prouder to be leading Lucozade Ribena Suntory.”

3aaa co-founders resign following ESFA investigation

CEO Peter Marples and Director Di McEvoy-Robinson of apprenticeship giant Aspire Achieve Advance (3aaa) have resigned from their roles. The resignation comes after the government’s investigation into the company. Marples and Robinson had co-founded 3aaa in the year 2008.

3aaa Chairman Derek Mapp said: “I have rarely experienced the total dedication and exceptional effort that both Peter and Di have applied to this business. They will be missed, but it is to their great credit that they have successfully put in place strong management succession for the company going forward. The board wishes them every success.”

The CEO of Petra Diamonds has announced his resignation

UK-based diamond miner Petra Diamonds has announced that CEO Johan Dippenaar will step down from his role after an appropriate successor is found. Dippenaar has served as the chief executive for Petra since the 2005 merger with Crown Diamonds.

Petra Diamonds Chairman Adonis Pouroulis said “Johan will continue in the role of CEO until this time and will work closely with the Board to ensure an efficient handover. I would like to take this opportunity to express the Board’s sincere gratitude for all that he has done for Petra.”

 

 

Comments are closed.