Career moves including TSB, SSP and Renault

Crosbie quits CYBG to take up CEO role at TSB

UK-based CYBG’s group COO Debbie Crosbie has announced her resignation from the company to join rival bank TSB as the chief executive officer. She will replace interim CEO Richard Meddings, when she joins the bank in 2019. She has step down from her role as the executive director immediately but will continue her role as COO for a while to ensure smooth transition. She has been with CYBG for two decades and has worked in various leadership roles.

Welcoming her to the group, Meddings said: “In an impressive field of candidates, Debbie stood out. With over two decades of experience, superb retail and SME banking expertise, and a genuinely open and engaging style of leadership, we have found an outstanding new CEO.”

Kate Swann to step down as SSP Group CEO

London headquartered travel food and beverage services company SSP Group has announced that Group CEO Kate Swann will step down from her role on 31 May 2019. She will be replaced by Simon Smith, who is currently the CEO of UK & Ireland division of SSP. Smith will join the board immediately and begin his role as the group CEO on 1 June 2019, before which he will work with Swann for a smooth handover.

Commenting on her exit, SSP group chairman Vagn Sorensen said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Kate, and on behalf of the Board I want to thank her for her enormous contribution to the Group.  In the past five years, Kate has transformed SSP into an industry leading food travel retail business, which has grown significantly around the world, and she has generated significant returns for our shareholders.”

Renault names interim chief executive

French automobile manufacturer Renault has announced that Thierry Bolloré will take up the role of deputy chief executive. Bolloré is currently, the chief operating officer and in his new role will have the same powers as that of current CEO Carlos Ghosn. The move comes after Ghosn was arrested in Japan over allegations of financial misconduct at Nissan where he is also chief executive. Renault also mentioned that the decision to name a deputy CEO was to preserve the interests of the group and the continuity of its operations.

Poundland announces two new appointments to senior team

British variety store chain Poundland has announced the appointment of Dave Williams as its chief financial officer replacing Roy Ellis, who took up a job with parent company Pepkor Europe as business development director. In his new role, Williams will oversee the property team led by Ben Wall. Prior to this, Williams has worked as the CFO at The Original Factory and commercial director at JD Sports. The company also announced appointment of Tim Bettley as the trading director replacing Barry Williams.

Speaking upon the appointment, Barry Williams said “These are two important hires to complete my top team. And it’s no coincidence that both have value retail and clothing experience. That’s because we’re building a new Poundland that’s extending our promise of amazing value every day into a broader range of products.”

Nakama appoints finance head

UK-based recruitment firm Nakama Group has confirmed the appointment of Patrick Meehan as finance director. Meehan was previously working with the group as the interim finance director on a part-time basis. In his interim role, Meehan was helping the group by assisting the board with a cost-saving programme.

New finance boss at ‘stronger and leaner’ Redx Pharma

UK-based biotechnology company Redx Pharma has recruited James Mead as chief financial officer replacing interim CFO Dominic Jackson with effect from 1 February 2019. With 16 years of experience at AstraZeneca, Mead has worked in various senior roles including CFO of AstraZeneca Netherlands, finance director for multiple clinical development project teams and director of investor relations.

“I am delighted to have James join our team at Redx. He will bring a dynamic and professional approach and will play an integral role as we focus on progressing delivery of our strategy.” said CEO Lisa Anson.

Lloyd’s of London COO Shirine Khoury-Haq to leave

Chief operating officer Shirine Khoury-Haq of UK-based insurance market Lloyd’s of London has announced her exit from the role. Khoury-Haq has spent five years with the firm and was responsible for digitising the London reinsurance market. The announcement followed the recent resignations of the chief executive as well as the finance chief. The resignations have come after the market had a £2bn loss last year.

Airbus names new finance and operations chiefs as overhaul continues

European aerospace corporation Airbus has announced the appointment of a chief financial officer as well as chief operating officer. The company named Dominik Asam as the chief financial officer replacing Harald Wilhelm, who will exit Airbus next year. Asam has experience working with various companies like Infineon Technologies, Siemens, and Goldman Sachs. Airbus, also, named Michael Schoellhorn as the COO for its commercial aircraft business replacing Tom Williams, who is set to retire at the end of 2018. Schoellhorn joins Airbus from Bosch subsidiary BSH Home Appliances where he is the COO.

Fertiliser maker Yara replaces CFO for second time in eight months

Norwegian chemical company Yara has announced the resignation of Chief Financial Officer Petter Oestboe effective immediately. He will be replaced by Lars Roesaeg, who joined the company last year. Prior to joining Yara, Roesaeg was working with metal maker Sapa. The resignation was due to lack of cooperation between CEO Svein Tore Holsether and Oestboe.

However, Holsether said: “This change is not related to Yara’s financial performance nor any disagreement around strategic direction. We separate on good terms.”

Homeserve COO to depart

Walsall-based home emergency insurance cover and repairs provider Homeserve has announced that COO Johnathan Ford will leave the company by end of this year. Meanwhile, CEO Richard Harpin, CFO David Bower and Global CEO Tom Rusin will take over Ford’s responsibilities of COO.

Commenting on Ford’s exit, Chairman Barry Gibson said: “Following the successful reorganisation of the group along four global business lines and the subsequent reduction in Johnathan’s responsibilities, he has decided to pursue other opportunities. We respect his decision and wish him well for the future.”

RPS Group completes leadership team with new appointments

Abingdon-based environmental consulting company RPS Group has appointed John Chubb as the chief executive officer of Consulting UK & Ireland. He will replace Judith Cottrell, who will take up the newly create role of director of strategy. Prior to joining RPS, Chubb was the managing director at Sweco Denmark AS. The company also appointed Kelly Olson as the chief information officer effective 29 October 2018.

Speaking on the new appointments, the company said: “The [leadership team] creates a flatter, more responsive, organisational structure combining new and existing leaders who together provide deep expertise, global perspective and strong functional support. The team will support the group’s CEO, John Douglas, in defining and implementing the group’s strategy and management of its global operations.”

Lufthansa Cargo appoints Harald Gloy director of operations

Germany-based Lufthansa Cargo has announced the promotion of Harald Gloy as the director of operations with effect from the start of 2019. He will replace Soren Stark, who will join Lufthansa Technik team as the COO. His new role will see him handling Frankfurt, Munich and the Lufthansa Cargo Service Centre. Gloy has been a part of Lufthansa for over 20 years and has previously worked with the Technik team.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to engage Harald Gloy, an experienced member of the Lufthansa team, as Board Member Operations. Thanks to his comprehensive experience in logistics and in managing large operational areas, he will continue to further guide Operations into the future and strengthen the role of Lufthansa Cargo in the face of strong competition,” said Mr Hohmeister.

Anouk Mertens named as Eleven Sports COO

London-based group of sports television channels Eleven Sports has promoted Anouk Mertens as the chief operating officer. Mertens, in the new role, will handle budgets, review market performances and ensure operational efficiencies across the group. She will, also, continue being the MD of Eleven Sports in Belgium and Luxembourg. Prior to this, Mertens was MD at Sanoma and VP of television at Telenet.

Speaking on the promotion, Mertens said: “Having spent the last three years leading ELEVEN SPORTS’ operation in Belgium and Luxembourg, I have developed an intimate knowledge of the business and its global operations. I am thrilled to take up a formal role in the company at Group level at such an exciting time.”

Version 2 Lights appoints finance director

England-based broadcast and event lighting specialist Version 2 Lights has named Graham Baskeyfield as its finance director. In his new role, Baskeyfield will be responsible for the company’s expansion along with MD Nick Edwards. Before joining Version 2, Baskeyfield was working with Aurora, where he had worked alongside Edwards.

Commenting on the appointment, Edwards said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Graham to his new role at Version 2. His experience is second to none, and is well in-tune with the challenges of our ever-changing fast-paced industry. Graham is already well respected by both our team, and external stakeholders it’s the perfect appointment.”

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