Michael Smith Switchgear and AVW Fabrications:
Emily Smith (pictured above) has been named as one of the most inspirational people working in UK manufacturing, after she was listed among 20 ‘exemplars’ in the Manufacturer’s Top 100 – which recognises the most dynamic leaders and innovators in manufacturing.
Emily is operations and finance director at Michael Smith Switchgear in Leicester, and managing director of sister company AVW Fabrications.
The Manufacturer’s Top 100 list launched 10 years ago after academic and parliamentary studies identified a clear lack of visible role models within manufacturing. It captures 100 inspirational people in manufacturing each year.
Emily – who was named Businesswoman of the Year at last year’s East Midlands Chambers Enterprising Women Awards – said her companies were working hard to change the way the sector operates.
She said: “We want to show how UK manufacturing is providing world-class quality, sustainable manufacturing, and modern working environments built around our teams’ physical and mental wellbeing.”
Michael Smith Switchgear started its journey towards carbon neutrality in 2018 and achieved its goal in 2022. It is now working to align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.Lawson-West Solicitors
Lawson-West:
Lawson-West Solicitors in Leicester has promoted existing board director Vicky Jones to the position of managing director.
The former head of the probate, wills and trusts team joined the firm in 1997 and replaces David Heys in the top job.
She said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as managing director of Lawson-West Solicitors leading an extremely strong board with ambitious plans and highly talented heads of department, so you can be sure Lawson-West will continue to grow and prosper.”
David Heys said: “Vicky Jones is an exemplary lawyer and leader who has had an amazing 26-year career at Lawson-West having worked her way up through the firm. I know great things will come of her appointment.”
1284:
1284 founder George Oliver has won the CIPR Mark of Excellence for his work on communicating East Midlands innovation and entrepreneurship.
George was shortlisted in the Independent PR Practitioner of the Year category of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Excellence Awards 2023.
CIPR Excellence is the industry’s leading awards event. It recognises the work of public relations practitioners and campaigns from around the UK.
His Loughborough agency 1284 was listed for Independent PR Practitioner of the Year alongside seven other agencies. Nominations were received from around the UK.
1284 was runner-up in the category and then highly commended by judges for its work on public and private sector campaigns promoting East Midlands innovation and entrepreneurship.
Former Leicester Mercury editor George said: “It’s really pleasing that the judges were so engaged by 1284’s central idea – using comms to encourage small business productivity through use of innovation.
“I’m proud to be recognised by a judging panel of senior industry leaders at such an early stage for 1284 – it’s only our third birthday in July.
“It’s been a good year for 1284 - the team grew with the arrival of Amy Orton as Account Director and we’re now looking to scale our work with small businesses and local authorities.”
Penguin PR:
A former reporter who spent 15 years sharing the heartbreak, joy and achievements of people and businesses has joined the team at Derby-based public relations firm Penguin PR.
Jenny Moody previously worked for the Burton Mail, Uttoxeter Advertiser and Staffordshire Live, which are part of Reach Plc, sharing the news of people and businesses across East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.
After finishing university, she started at the Burton Mail as a trainee reporter while studying at Wolverhampton College, moving to the Uttoxeter paper before returning to Burton.
She worked her way up to senior journalist, staying with the company until recently.
Jenny said: “I am really pleased to be joining Penguin PR and ready to start sharing all the exciting and innovative ways that businesses, schools and charities across Derbyshire and Staffordshire have been supporting people and their communities as they continue to grow.
“It is a brilliant time to be joining the company and I hope to bring everything I have learned through my years as a journalist to Penguin to help promote clients and their stories.”
Jenny’s appointment brings the total number of staff at Penguin PR, which has offices in Derby and Chesterfield and represents firms, schools and charities across Derbyshire and beyond, up to seven.
Belmayne:
Financial planners Belmayne are strengthening the services they offer to clients across the region with the appointment of two experienced advisers.
The independent firm, based in Dronfield, north east Derbyshire, has welcomed John Lomax and Andrew Boulton, taking its total number of financial planners to nine.
John Lomax joined the financial services industry in 2001 and became an independent planner 16 years ago. He has particular expertise in savings, investments and pensions.
Before pursuing his interest in finance, Andrew Boulton enjoyed a successful career in the technology sector.
Belmayne partner, Martin Birch, said: “I have no doubt their energy and enthusiasm will be a great boost to our friendly team and I look forward to working with them closely.”
Cambridge & Counties:
Cambridge & Counties Bank has appointed Sarah Barker to the new role of chief commercial officer. Reporting to chief executive Donald Kerr, she will focus on sustainably growing the Leicester business bank’s real estate finance, asset finance, deposit, and marketing businesses.
Sarah was most recently director of relationship banking at The Co-operative Bank, where she helped revitalise the relationship banking team returning it to growth. Sarah also opened new channels including a broker proposition. Prior to that she spent around 13 years at Lloyds Banking Group in a number of senior roles, including business planning, client propositions and deal management.
She joins Cambridge & Counties Bank at a time of strong growth, with the bank having registered its highest ever level of customer loans and deposits in 2022. Gross customer loan balances increased 6 per cent to more than £1 billion while customer deposits rose to £1.1 billion, up 8 per cent. It provided £310 million in gross new lending for the year.
Salloway Property Consultants:
Three surveyors from the Derby office of East Midlands commercial property agency Salloway Property Consultants have passed the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Assessment of Professional Competence.
Following two years of dedication and preparation, Chris Keogh, Hugo Beresford, and William Speed have successfully completed the APC qualification process and are now fully qualified Chartered Surveyors and Professional Members of the RICS (MRICS).
The three follow in the success of managing director Stephen Salloway who is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors with over 45 years' experience in a variety of professional disciplines within the field of commercial and residential land and property.
Avant Homes:
Nottingham-based Avant Homes East Midlands has appointed a managing director to lead the housebuilder’s regional expansion strategy.
Ben Felton, who was previously a managing director for Persimmon Homes, has 16 years’ experience in the housebuilding industry.
In his new role, Ben is responsible for further expanding Avant Homes’ operations across the East Midlands region by working closely with the company’s land, construction, technical and sales teams.
Avant Homes East Midlands has eight live developments ranging from Brailsford to Kettering with many more due to start as the business continues to activate its expansion plans.
Purpose Media:
Strategic marketing agency Purpose Media has announced that Steve Hall is stepping up his involvement with the company and taking on a new role as communications director.
Steve, who has enjoyed a 40-year career in the media industry, has been a non-executive board member with the firm for two years but will now take on operational responsibilities, including oversight of content services.
The former editor and managing director of the Derby Telegraph and editor-in-chief of the Nottingham Post and Leicester Mercury is relishing the opportunity to assist the agency’s continued growth and development.
He said: “During my time as a non-executive director, I have been hugely impressed by the Purpose Media team’s commitment to achieving outstanding results for clients.”
Steve will carry out his role at the South Normanton-based agency alongside existing commitments as a director of Marketing Derby and chair of Derby County Community Trust.
