Career moves including Dana Petroleum and DFS

Dana Petroleum chief executive retires

UK-based oil and gas company Dana Petroleum has announced that chief executive officer Roy Elliot retired from the company at the end of last year, replaced by Yongjoon Park as the acting CEO. Elliot was in the role as the CEO since 2014, starting on an interim basis when he replaced Graham Scotton. With over 35 years in the oil and gas industry, Elliot has served the Korean National Corporation, which acquired Dana in 2010, as HR Manager. He will stay as independent non-executive director on Dana’s board of directors.

DFS CFO to step down

Furniture retailer DFS has announced that CFO Nicola Bancroft will resign from her role later this year. With over 30 years of experience, Bancroft wishes to retire from full-time executive roles. From 1 April 2019, she will be replaced by chief development officer Mike Schmidt, who will take up the role on an interim basis until a permanent successor is selected.

DFS Group CEO Tim Stacey said: “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Nicola for her dedication and service during her time with us. Nicola has been instrumental in our continued growth as the largest sofa retailer in the UK and Ireland. Without her support and contribution, we wouldn’t be the strong and successful business that we are today.”

Newcastle BS appoints new CFO

Newcastle Building Society has confirmed that David Samper joined the firm as the chief financial officer with immediate effect. With 20 years of experience as a chartered accountant, Samper has served in various senior finance roles at RBS, Ulster Bank, EY and most recently at Sainsbury’s Bank.

Speaking on the new appointment, Newcastle BS CEO Andrew Haigh commented: “I am delighted to welcome David to our senior executive team, who will join the board of the society with immediate effect. He brings first class strategic financial management expertise and will make a significant contribution to helping our Society to grow and thrive against a backdrop of intense competition and economic uncertainty.

Adecco Group UK and Ireland hires CFO

Zurich-based temporary staffing firm Adecco Group has elevated the role of Yann Halka to the position of chief financial officer at the UK and Ireland office. He was recently the VP of budgeting and management reporting in the Zurich office. Being part of the group for past ten years, Halka has served in various roles within the group at the France and Switzerland offices. Prior to this, Halka has worked at firms like Saipem and Orange.

Alex Fleming, president and country head at the Adecco Group UK&I said: “With Yann having worked at the Adecco Group for over a decade, he has an unrivalled experience of the business and industry. As our industry continues to change, it’s great to have a CFO on board who is not just focused on innovation and transformation, but also focused on making sure we keep evolving to match the needs of our clients and candidates.”

McColl’s names new chief financial officer

Convenience shop and newsagent McColl’s Retail Group has replaced exiting CFO Simon Fuller by Robbie Bell with effect from 17 January 2019. Fuller will leave the company on 22 January 2019 to ensure a smooth handover. Bell joins from Welcome Break, where he was CEO and previously also held the role of CFO. He has worked in senior finance roles with companies including Screwfix Direct, Travelodge, and Tesco.

McColl’s CEO Jonathan Miller said: “I am delighted to welcome someone of Robbie’s calibre and expertise to the Board. With such a wealth of senior experience in retail and finance, he will add significant strength to the team. I am confident Robbie will make a valuable contribution as we deliver our strategy to enhance our neighbourhood convenience offer.”

Kingswood Holdings hires new finance director

Wealth management group Kingswood Holdings has confirmed Patrick Goulding as its group finance director. In his new role, Goulding will be responsible for the group’s finance function as well as operations. Goulding has joined Kingswood from corporate finance solutions provider Ardmore Partners. Before this, he has held senior management roles at NYSE-listed real estate firm Global Net Lease and investment bank Morgan Stanley.

Commenting on his appointment, Kingswood Chairman Buzz West said: “We are delighted that Patrick has joined the board. His considerable experience in the international financial services industry will be invaluable as we aim to grow both organically and dynamically by acquisition in the UK and US.  The board looks forward to working with him.”

Mattioli Woods’ chief operating officer exits

Leicester-based asset management company Mattioli Woods has announced the resignation of chief operating officer Mark Smith after nearly 20 years of service to pursue new opportunities. In his role as the COO, he was responsible for compliance and operations. The company has begun a search for an appropriate compliance director to replace Smith.

Speaking upon Smith’s exit, CEO Ian Mattioli said: “Mark joined the company when it employed just 40 people. His drive and intellect assisted greatly in making the group what it is today – a fully integrated, modern client-focused national wealth management group with 600 staff. And all at Mattioli Woods plc wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Tasker brings in new FD

Tasker Insurance Group has announced the appointment of Jonathan Webber as the new finance director. Webber, in his new appointment, will be based in London and Dartford offices. Recently working as a finance director at Marsh UK’s Jelf, Webber has also worked at companies including SMEI Group and GMAC Insurance.

Speaking on his appointment, Webber commented: “I am really excited to be joining such a dynamic team in a period of growth and innovation. With my SMEI experience I am looking forward to being back at a company who are at the start of their evolution and growth phase.”

David Miles appointed as CFO of ExCeL London

Event venue ExCel London has confirmed the appointment of David Miles as the chief financial officer. With over 21 years of experience, Miles has worked as an audit and advisory partner for most of the period. His previous position was at Ecovis Wingrave Yeats as the managing director and advisory partner. He has also worked at RSM Baker Tilley as well as acted as an executive coach for various CEOs and boards.

ExCel CEO Jeremy Rees commented on the appointment: “I am delighted that David has joined the team at ExCeL London. His breadth of experience, as well as his solid financial accounting and audit experience, will support our plans to continue to grow, develop and create an even stronger business. I wish David every success in his new role and look forward to working with him.”

Scheidt & Bachmann expands its UK team

Germany-based global solutions provider Scheidt & Bachmann has made expansion in their UK office with the appointment of three senior executives. Doug Shanks has been recruited as the finance director from chartered accountancy firm Perry’s, where he was also working closely as an external expert to Scheidt & Bachmann. The company has also promoted Jason Barnes to the role of operations director from service director UK. Lastly, the company also appointed Nick Maley as the commercial director from Empark Aparciamientos Servicios.

Speaking on the appointment of Shanks, MD Alan Grix said: “I am delighted that we have secured him as a directly employed staff member as he knows our business inside and out. This is invaluable to us as this lets the rest of the team focus on our existing customers and new opportunities alike. As important, Doug is a great fit for our management team; he has a driven passion for success albeit with a close eye for detail.”

Chairman and CEO of Arval appointed

French vehicle leasing fleet management company Arval has named Alain Van Groenendael as the chairman and chief executive officer effective 1 January 2019. He has replaced exiting CEO Philippe Bismut. Groenendael was recently a board member and chairman of BNP Paribas Personal Finance. Before this, he has worked in senior executive roles with Opel Vauxhall Finance, Citibank, PPR Group, French Association of Specialised Financial Companies, and European Federation of Finance House Associations.

“It is with great pride that I join Arval. I would like to acknowledge the work of my predecessor Philippe Bismut, who has shown responsibility and boldness during his eight years at the head of Arval. It is now my responsibility to bring further innovative support and solutions to adapt our offer to continuously changing mobility needs,” said Groenendael on his appointment.

Compre chief operating officer becomes CFO

Malta-based legacy specialist Compre Group announced the promotion of Simon Hawkins as the chief financial officer effective immediately. Joining in July, he was the chief operating officer and has replaced Paul Matson, who left following a successful handover. Hawkins will continue to oversee the claims function and the integration of new acquisitions, but the other operational functions would be handled by MD of operations Rhydian Williams. Before working at Compre, Hawkins was head of retrospective solutions at the QBE group.

“I am delighted to announce Simon’s appointment as CFO, whose experience and expertise will be invaluable in the further development of the group. On behalf of the board, I would also like to extend our thanks to Paul for his significant contribution and our best wishes for the future,” Compre co-CEO Mark Lawson.

Silence Therapeutics CFO David Ellam resigns

David Ellam, CFO of London-headquartered biotechnology company Silence Therapeutics has announced his resignation with immediate effect. Working since 2016, his position will be taken up by head of financial planning & analysis Rob Quinn on an interim basis until a permanent successor is found.

Commenting on his exit, CEO David Horn Solomon said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank David for his contribution to Silence. He has played an important role in building the business and placing Silence Therapeutics in a strong position to continue the development of its product pipeline in the RNAi medicines space. We wish David every success for the future.”

Pittards appoints Richard Briere as finance head

UK-based leather goods retailer Pittards has announced that Richard Briere will take up the role of chief financial officer and company secretary effective 19 March 2019. Chief Executive Officer Reg Hankey welcomed Briere. who has an extensive experience in the field of manufacturing and distribution industries.

Autoliv announces departure of chief financial officer

Sweden-based automotive safety supplier Autoliv has announced that CFO Mats Backman would step down from his role effective 8 July 2019.  His position will be replaced by vice president, corporate control Christian Hanke on an interim basis until an appropriate match is found for the role on permanent basis.

“We thank Mats for his valuable contributions to Autoliv and the executive management team over the past three years and wish him all the best in his new position,” said President and CEO Mikael Bratt.

Richard Buxton steps down as Merian CEO

England-based global asset management firm Merian Global Investors has announced that Richard Buxton stepped down from his role as CEO with immediate effect. He will remain with the firm as head of UK equities and manager of the UK Alpha Fund. His role as a CEO will be replaced by Mark Gregory, who was an independent non-executive director at Merian since October.

With experience over 30 years, Buxton has been part of the firm since 2013, although he was associated with the firm since December 2009. He has worked at UK equity fund manager at Barings and Schroders fro 20 years. On the other hand, Gregory has 20 years of experience in the financial services area, where he worked with Legal & General for 19 years.

Buxton said: “My passion for investment is as strong as ever and I think there are some great opportunities in UK equities today. I will continue to seek undervalued and attractive businesses, while actively working with firms to improve corporate governance. I look forward to delivering long-term returns for our clients for many years to come.

Curtis Banks chief financial officer resigns

Bristol-based financial services provider Curtis Banks has announced that CFO Paul Tarran is leaving the company by end of this year. The search for his successor has begun and he will stay to ensure an orderly transition. Tarran has been part of the company since its inception in 2009 and was made the CFO in 2012.

Speaking on his resignation, Tarran said: “I’ve hugely enjoyed my near 10 years with Curtis Banks and I’m immensely proud that it has grown into one of the UK’s market leading pension companies during that period. The time is now right for me to take a step back from the business as the board continues to focus on the opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with my successor to ensure a smooth transition”

Brightsolid hires CEO and CTO to kickstart new year

Scottish co-location and cloud solutions company Brightsolid has made two new appointments with Elaine Maddison joining in as the chief executive officer and Bryan Lambe as the chief technology officer. Maddison replaces Elaine van der Berg and will oversee the ongoing transformation of Brightsolid’s technology and service delivery offerings.

She has 20 years of experience in the UK financial services industry as well as IT, operations, risk management, strategy and M&A activities. Prior to this, she has worked with Alliance Trust Savings. On the other hand, Lambe has 12 years of experience and will focus on the technical strategy and end-to-end design and delivery of the company’s technology-based services.

“Elaine’s vision, strategy and execution track record, supplemented by Bryan’s technology expertise, are exactly what Brightsolid needs as we enter our next chapter, which I am confident will be even more impactful and exciting than our last,” said executive chairman David Thomson.

Immunocore appoints Bahija Jallal as CEO

Biotechnology company Immunocore has confirmed the joining of Bahija Jallal as the chief executive officer and director of the board. Jallal joins from AstraZeneca, where she was the president of R&D arm, MedImmune and a member of the senior executive team. She has over 25 years of experience and has written over 70 peer-reviewed publications and holds over 15 patents.

She was named the Woman of the Year by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association in 2017. She also holds positions in various institutions such as  the John Hopkins University, is a member of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable of the National Science Foundation, and the immediate past President of the board of the Association of Women in Science.

Commenting on her appointment, Jallal said: “I am excited to have the opportunity to head Immunocore, the leader in cutting-edge TCR bispecifics. I am looking forward to helping the company, and its talented employees, bring innovative T cell receptor-based medicines to patients.”

 

 

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