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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Laura Watson

Movers and shakers: A round-up of the latest appointments from across Staffordshire

A Staffordshire company which specialises in water hygiene and asbestos compliance is expanding.

Stafford-based Qube Environmental has appointed Chloe Hodgkinson as its new contract manager following a number of new contract wins.

In her new role, Chloe will oversee the company's growing contract base and will be the first port of call for clients.

Chloe said: "I'm really excited to have joined the team at Qube. It was a great move for me and everyone has made me feel very welcome. I’m enjoying the role and am looking forward to making it my own and helping the business grow."

Company director Judith Richardson said: "Chloe has been a terrific addition to the team. She has the experience we are looking for and is already making a significant difference.

"We feel her skills and experience will undoubtedly help us grow our client portfolio. We're looking forward to seeing her role develop and having Chloe on board to help shape it in the future."

Elsewhere, shelving manufacturer Rackline has welcomed David Long as its new area sales manager.

David, who has more than 25 years of industry experience, has joined the Talke Pits-based company to oversee clients in the South East and South London regions.

He said: "My role requires me to assess clients' current solutions and fully understand their needs. By keeping the communication channels open and transparent, I will be able to facilitate design and installation of bespoke storage solutions across a wide range of clients.

"Although I've only been with the company for a month, I've quickly integrated with my colleagues. Sales director Jeff Hibbert, in particular, has welcomed me into the compact, hardworking team.

"Rackline really looks after its staff and is exceptionally well-organised, I had everything I needed waiting for me on my first day and I wasted no time getting stuck into the role."

And repairs and maintenance company Unitas has announced the appointment of two new board members.

Julie Lorraine and Nicky Fiedler have joined the Unitas board as chairman and non-executive director, respectively.

Julie, who is currently strategic director at Manchester tech company, Mobysoft, has previously held several executive roles spanning a 25-year career in the public sector.

She replaces Dr Simon Cupples who stepped down as Unitas chairman earlier this year.

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Julie said: "I am looking forward to working with the rest of the board and wider team at Unitas to support the highest standard of practice and governance, enabling the company to continue to deliver a positive local impact and importantly provide opportunities for access to skilled employment for people across all our communities."

Nicky, who is currently corporate director of communities at London Borough of Redbridge, will join Julie as a non-executive director.

She said: "My passion and career have been centred around delivering improved outcomes for local communities. I am looking forward to supporting and mentoring the executive team at Unitas and strengthening the business growth and wider community value using my direct housing experience, knowledge and client perspective."

Formed in 2018, Unitas looks after 17,500 homes and approximately 600 public buildings owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. It has a workforce of more than 450 employees.

Meanwhile, cheese and butter supplier Ornua Foods UK has appointed Nadia Bidzinska as head of sustainability.

Nadia, who will be based at the company's headquarters in Leek, will help shape and drive forward the business' sustainability strategy.

Nadia's appointment follows the recruitment of Dave Fitzgerald as group sustainability director earlier this year. Dave will work closely with Nadia in the implementation of Ornua's Growing For Good, Sustainably strategy in the context of the Ornua Foods UK business.

Nadia said: "I'm looking forward to working with colleagues right across the business here in Leek and with the Ornua group sustainability team.

"Ornua already has an ambitious and dynamic sustainability strategy in place at group level and in my role at Ornua Foods UK, I look forward to specifically developing and activating a targeted sustainability strategy that not only dovetails with that of the group, but also provides us with the necessary focus to channel our resources into areas where we can have the biggest impact, such as circular packaging and emissions reduction."

Finally, a packaging company has made two high-profile appointments as it a targets £25 million turnover by 2025.

Burntwood-based Lesters has recruited industry experts Mark Furman and Greg Burton as head of sales and design manager, respectively.

In their new roles, Mark will help Lesters to reach its financial targets while Greg will look at ways the company can innovate the materials it uses to help make its packaging lighter, greener and more versatile.

Billy Hutchinson, managing director of Lesters, said: "Attracting Greg and Mark to our team is a massive coup and sends out a strong message of where we are and where we intend on going.

"We're doing things differently in the packaging sector and clients are responding by moving their business to us.

"More investment, more innovation and more talent will only make the Lesters offer even stronger."

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