Career moves: GSK, National Grid and more

 

GSK CFO to retire

UK-based pharmacy company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that its chief financial officer Simon Dingemans will retire in May 2019. The firm will be conducting a thorough global search both internally and externally to identify a successor.

A former Goldman Sachs investment banker, Dingemans has overseen two transformational deals – the first with Novartis in 2015 which involved a major swap of assets and the second, in March, where GSK bought Novartis out of their consumer healthcare joint venture for $13 billion. He was also a Goldman adviser in establishing GSK’s ViiV Healthcare joint venture in HIV medicine with Pfizer.

National Grid CFO Bonfield to step down

National Grid has announced that its chief financial officer Andrew Bonfield is stepping down to take up a position with US-based Caterpillar. Andy Agg, the current group tax and treasury director, will hold the CFO position on an interim basis while the board looks for a permanent successor.

Prior to National Grid, Bonfield was CFO at British confectionary company Cadbury plc. From 2002 to 2008, he was executive vice p resident and CFO of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, an American pharmaceutical company. Bonfield also chairs the 100 Group, which represents finance directors of the top 100 U.K. companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Carole Ferrand appoints Capgemini group CFO

Former Artemis Group’s financial director, Carole Ferrand has been appointed as Capgemini’s new group chief financial officer. Ferrand will officially take on responsibilities of her role at Capgemini in June 2018, after she relinquishes her roles as a board director and an audit and risk committee member. She will replace Aiman Ezzat, who transitioned to the position of co-chief operating officer earlier in 2018.

Ferrand, who had begun her career at PwC as an auditor and a financial adviser for PwC’s transaction services division, had served as group CFO at EuropaCorp before Artemis. She also spent more than 10 years at Sony‘s French arm where she worked as financial director and secretary general.

Mastercard finance director James Taylor joins Yoyo

Yoyo, combined payments and loyalty marketing platform, has brought on board Mastercard finance director and the Pay by Bank app’s former head of finance, James Taylor as its new VP finance. At Yoyo, Taylor will primarily be responsible for the development of the company’s operational finance function, whilst using his extensive commercial experience to support the business in this time of rapid growth.

Taylor, who has over 13 years of experience, had previously led the finance team for Vocalink-owned Zapp, the scheme operator of digital payment app solution Pay by Bank. Prior to Vocalink, he spent four years at Barclays.

Speaking about Taylor’s appointment, Yoyo co-founder and CEO Michael Rolph said: “One of James’ first tasks will be to join our work on some pretty incredible and unique partnership deals across the UK, Europe and beyond. We can’t say too much at this stage, but we can safely say they are going to further cement Yoyo’s position as the payments and loyalty marketing platform for banks, caterers and retailers alike.”

Midwich appoints former Regus And Experian executive as finance head

Midwich Group, an audio and visual document solutions distributor, has recruited Stephen Lamb as its new finance head. Lamb will take on responsibilities of his role from 30 June 2018. Lamb will be replacing Anthony Bailey, who is stepping down from his role after more than six years.

Previously, Lamb was chief financial officer for the Europe arm of office space provider IWG, which trades under Regus brand name. He also spent 12 years at credit services firm Experian from 2001 to 2013, leaving as chief financial officer of the Asia-Pacific unit.

Managing Director Stephen Fenby said: “I am delighted that Stephen has agreed to join the group and I am confident that his recent experience with growing and managing international businesses will be of great benefit to Midwich as we continue to expand our footprint across the globe.”

Coca-Cola executive becomes new CFO of Brewdog

Scottish craft beer company Brewdog has appointed Coca Cola’s VP of finance, Jason Marshall, as its new chief financial officer. At Brewdog, Marshall will be responsible for managing the company’s financial structure as the craft beer firm continues to expand in the UK and overseas.

Marshall was instrumental in the delivery of Coca Cola’s business plans for the 2012 London Olympics and helped to create Coca Cola European Partners. Co-founder James Watt said: “His proven emphasis on fostering a positive team culture aligns with our mission of being the best company to work for. Jason will play a crucial role amongst our senior team in ensuring we never lose sight of this.”

Nottingham’s Littlefish appoints finance director

IT services provider Littlefish has named Laura Storrs as its new finance director with immediate effect. Laura’s experience, expertise and knowledge in overcoming the challenges encountered by both large and complex, and rapidly expanding organisations is expected to enable the company to achieve its financial targets and maintain strong, stable and consistent growth in line with its business plan.

SVS Securities Appoints Ruchir Rupani as finance director

SVS Securities  has recruited Ruchir Rupani as its new finance director. ?Ruchir is expected to replace the company’s outgoing financial director Demetrios Hadjigeorgiou, who only joined SVS in January 2017. ?Prior to SVS, Ruchir worked for Assetz Capital where he served most recently as CFO for ?nearly two years.

 

Alphabet appoints chief executive for France

Mobility firm Alphabet France has announced that Stephane Crasnier will take on the position of CEO from 1 July 2018. Crasnier succeeds Olivier Monot, who is leaving the business.

He is currently Alphabet Australia managing director and started his career at the business’s parent company, BMW Group, in 2005, as BMW France corporate sales manager. Prior to joining Alphabet Australia, he held the position of post-merger integration director at BMW Financial Services China and has previously worked for BMW Financial Services France, PSA and Ford Motor Company.

UDG appoints new CFO

UDG has confirmed that the company has appointed Nigel Clerkin as its new chief financial officer and that Clerkin will be appointed to the board of directors by 15 May 2018. Clerkin will be succeeding Alan Ralph, who will step down from the position but it is staying with the company to ensure a smooth transition.

Ashley Highfield resigns as CEO of Johnston Press

Johnston Press has revealed that the company’s CEO, Ashley Highfield, has resigned from the company due to personal reasons and will be replaced by David King.

Camilla Rhodes, chairman of Johnston Press, said: “I am pleased to announce that David King will step up to become CEO. David has worked closely with the board on our strategic review of financing options. I am confident that David will prove to be a strong leader and his transition to the CEO role provides stability to the business at this important time.”

Battersea Power Station Development Company appoints CFO and CEO

Battersea Power Station has appointed Ben Zemek as CFO, replacing Simon Murphy who’ll become CEO. Prior to becoming the CFO, Zemek served at Battersea as its head of investment and corporate finance. Speaking about his appointment, Zemek said, “I am honoured to have been asked to assume the role. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Simon and the team to help achieve the company’s goal of delivering one of London’s most eagerly anticipated regeneration projects.”

Axxsys Consulting appoints CEO

Axxsys Consulting has announced the appointment of Alix Cheema as its new CEO. Prior to joining Axxsys Consulting, Cheema served as a transformation programme director at M&G Investment. He has also held senior positions at companies such as Deutsche Bank and Lloyds Banking Group. Cheema commented on his appointment and said: “I am very excited and proud to be leading such a forward thinking consultancy. We have a strong foundation and are well positioned to increase our reputation as a world class next generation consultancy.”

Safestyle UK names new CEO 

Retailer and manufacturer of windows Safestyle UK has announced that Mike Gallacher will now serve at the company as its group CEO. Gallacher will be replacing Steve Birmingham, who will be staying with the company to ensure a smooth transition. Gallacher brings a wealth of experience with him, having served in the FMCG space for more than 20 years. Prior to joining Safestyle, Gallacher served as a CEO at First Milk, where he was responsible successfully implementing a major restructuring and turnaround strategy.

Eric Wright hires Gill Chadwick as director

Building firm the Eric Wright Group has announced the appointment of Gill Chadwick as its new group finance director. In her new role, Chadwick will be responsible the finance functions of all divisions within the Eric Wright Group. Prior to joining Eric Wright, Chadwick served at H&M as its finance director and spent 14 years at Deloitte LLP. Speaking about her appointment, Chadwick said:“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of that team and I am looking forward to the exciting challenges that lie ahead to shape the future of the business”.

Brabners appoints Robert White as CEO

Commercial law firm Brabners has appointed Robert White as its new CEO. White brings 25 years of experience with him, having in senior roles across a range of sectors. He will be replacing Janet Pickavance, who will be leaving the company after 30 years. Prior to joining Brabners, White served as the managing director of Barcrest Group.

About his appointment, White said: “I have been blown away by the strength and the quality of the Brabners team and client base and, as we look ahead to the next chapter in the firm’s development, I’m also looking forward to complementing the team by attracting new talent and expertise in support of our growth aspirations.”

TF & JH BRAIME appoint new CFO

Manufacturing firm TH & JH Braime has appointed Cielo Cartwright as its new group finance director. Prior to joining TF & JH BRaime, Cartwright served at Harry Hall International Limited as its finance director. She has also served at companies such as Froneri Iberia Ice Cream Holding, Exova Limited and Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre Limited.

Rank Group appoints John O’Reilly as CEO

Gambling company Rank Group has named John O’Reilly as its new CEO and will be succeeding Henry Birch. Prior to joining the company, O’Reilly served as the chairman of Grand Parade and as a non-executive director at William Hill. He will be stepping down from his position at William Hill to take up his new role with Rank.

New CEO for Age UK Lancashire

Age UK Lancashire announced the appointment of Teri Stephenson as its new CEO. Stephenson has dedicated her career to improving the support and opportunities available to people in need.

Vivien Mumford, Age UK Lancashire chair of trustees, said: “Lancashire has one of the highest numbers of socially isolated older people in the country. Our key aim at Age UK Lancashire is to help them, and all older people, to enjoy a more fulfilling life. We are very confident that under Teri’s leadership the organisation will go from strength to strength, increasing its capacity to enhance the lives of older people.”

Altitude hires new CFO

IT-firm Altitude Group has named Graeme Couturier as its new CFO. Prior to joining Altitude, Couturier served as a CFO at Sorted Group and he brings 15 years of experience with him. Speaking about the appointment, Peter Hallett, executive chairman of Altitude, commented “We are delighted that Graeme is joining the board at such an exciting and important time for the Company. His financial expertise and experience, in running and developing finance functions in high-growth businesses, will be invaluable to us as we realise our growth potential.”

Cleveland Bridge UK adds CFO to the team

Construction company Cleveland Bridge UK has appointed Phil Heathcock as its new CFO and company secretary. He brings 25 years’ of experience with him and has held senior level positions across a range of sectors including engineering, oil & gas and pharmaceuticals and growing businesses.

Speaking about his appointment, Heathcock said: “I am very pleased to have been given the opportunity to join a company with such a long and successful history as Cleveland Bridge. In recent years the company has re-established itself as a major player in the construction sector, in the UK and globally, and is well positioned for the future.”

 

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