More News » Career moves including Sage, Patisserie Holdings and Asos

Career moves including Sage, Patisserie Holdings and Asos

CFOs, finance directors and other senior leaders on the move in the UK and elsewhere.

Sage hires Jonathan Howell as new CFO

Enterprise software giant Sage has named Jonathan Howell as its new chief financial officer. Howell, a non-executive director as well as chairman of audit and risk committee at Sage, will take over the role from Steve Hare, who was recently named CEO. Howell has previously worked in senior management roles at Close Brothers and London Stock Exchange Group.

Patisserie Holdings appoints interim CFO amid accounting probe

Café group Patisserie Holdings has announced the appointment of Nick Perrin as the interim chief financial officer replacing Christopher Marsh. In his new role, Perrin will be responsible for the company’s finances till the board finds a permanent successor to the role. Perrin joins from veterinary service provider CVS, where he has worked as the CFO since 2013. Prior to this, he has worked in senior finance role at Genting Casinos, Co-Operative Group, and accountants PwC.

Speaking upon the appointment, CEO Stephen Francis said: “I am pleased to welcome Nick to Patisserie Holdings. He brings with him the necessary experience to help strengthen the team as the company works tirelessly to put the events of the past months behind it and look forward to the future.”

Asos promotes Mark Holland to chief operating officer

Online fashion and cosmetic retailer Asos has elevated the role of Mark Holland from supply chain director to COO. He is also a member of the executive board and has worked with Asos for over six years. His new responsibilities include launch and automation of the group’s new Atlanta warehouse; shifting to a merchandising and retail planning system with Truly Global Retail; automation at Asos’ Berlin fulfilment centre; and improving its headquarters and customer care centre in Leavesden. He will report to CEO Nick Beighton.

Commenting on his promotion, Beighton said: “Mark’s well-deserved appointment is a reflection of the significant contribution he has made to the business over the last six years and the skills he possesses, which will be invaluable to us as we position ourselves for further growth.”

Simon Cope resigns as CEO of Byron

Upmarket hamburger chain Byron has announced that its CEO Simon Cope has resigned from his role. Cope joined the company in 2016 as the managing director and was promoted to CEO last September. During his time at Byron, he was responsible for the closures of 19 restaurants across the UK. Prior to this, Cope had worked with restaurant group Wagamama and pub chain Mitchells & Butlers.

Starbreeze CEO steps down

Stockholm-based video game developer and publisher Starbreeze has announced the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Bo Andersson. The company also announced that Mikael Nermark, deputy chief executive officer, will replace Andersson as the acting CEO. Starbreeze Chairman Michael Hjorth commented: “In this phase, Starbreeze needs a different kind of leadership and we have therefore decided to ask Mikael Nermark to take on the full responsibility with our full mandate for this new phase.”

James Fisher and Sons chief executive to retire

British marine engineering service provider James Fisher and Sons has announced the retirement of CEO Nick Henry. He will leave the company by the end of December 2019 after 16 years with the firm. The company will start looking for a successor, whom Henry will assist in the coming time to ensure a smooth handover.

“I will be leaving James Fisher next year with a strong and experienced management team in place and in excellent financial and operational shape to take advantage of the many opportunities the group has for further growth,” said Fisher, on his retirement.

Oncimmune Holdings appoints CFO

UK-based cancer diagnostic firm Oncimmune Holdings has recruited Matthew Hall as the group chief financial officer. He will replace exiting CFO Andrew Millet. With over 25 years of experience, Hall was recently the CFO at Tusk Therapeutics and Simbec-Orion Group. Before this, he has worked in senior finance roles with Sphere Medical Holding and IS Pharma. The company also appointed Andrew Stewart as the general counsel and company secretary.

CEO Adam Hill commented: “Matthew and Andrew both have highly relevant experience and will support the Board in its day-to-day activities as we set about delivering the next chapter of our Company’s strategy over the next three years. I would like to thank Andrew Millet for his 15 years of service to Oncimmune. We wish him well for the future as he seeks to spend more time on his portfolio of directorships and outside interests.”

Robinson CEO Adam Formela leaves group

Adam Formela, CEO of Chesterfield-based packaging products manufacturer Robinson, has resigned from the firm after 11 years of service. The company will announce an interim CEO soon.

Commenting on the resignation, Chairman Alan Raleigh said: “We would like to thank Adam for his contribution as CEO over the last eleven years. Under Adam’s leadership the business has been re-shaped to compete as a trusted rigid plastics packaging supplier to key fast moving consumer goods partners across Europe.”

Maestrano Group appoints Andrew Pearson as chief executive officer

London-based software firm Maestrano Group has promoted Andrew Pearson as the chief executive officer, having been appointed deputy CEO last September. He was most recently the chairman at CloudPay, a payroll service provider, which he joined in 2016. Pearson will replace Stephane Ibos, who will step down from his role but will continue as a non-executive director.

Speaking on the promotion, Chairman Ian Buddery commented: “Andrew joined the company in September 2018 and has exceeded our expectations in bringing his global execution experience to bear, as we delivered complex and time-critical projects. The board feels that as CEO, he can build on his proven record and ensure our long-term success in the cloud software market. I would like to recognise Stephane for not only his enormous contribution as founding CEO, but also his commitment to the best interests of all stakeholders in the business.”

Jacqueline Legrand resigns as CEO of Brokerslink

Swiss broking firm Brokerslink has announced that CEO Jacqueline Legrand left the firm effective 6 December 2018  to spend time with her family in New York and pursue new opportunities. Legrand has been part of Brokerslink since 10 years, when she joined the firm as COO of Brokerslink Americas.

She has been a managing director of Crystal & Company in New York. She has also worked as COO and member of the board of MDS Group. As the CEO of Brokerslink, Legrand was responsible for transforming the company from an association to a for-profit corporation.

Brokerslink Chairman Gregory Allard said: “We would like to thank Jacqueline for the extraordinary work she has accomplished in 2018 to establish Brokerslink’s vision, redefine our business model, realign the team, and launch our execution plan. The innovative platforms and offerings she developed with her team will be instrumental for Brokerslink growth.”

Cornelius Everke appointed Vapiano CEO

German restaurant chain Vapiano has confirmed the promotion of Cornelius Everke as the chief executive officer effective 1 December 2018. He will replace Jochen Halfmann, who resigned from his role following a mutual agreement. Everke was recently the chief operating officer at Vapiano, where he has been overseeing international markets. He has years of international management experience with companies like Starbucks and SSP Group. The company has also put him on the management board of Vapiano until 30 June 2021.

Welcoming Everke to the group, Chairman Dr. Thomas Tochtermann said: “We are pleased to appoint Cornelius Everke, an experienced gastronomy expert, to the helm of Vapiano. We are convinced that he will drive forward and further develop the continued focused expansion as well as the digitization and innovation initiative that has already been introduced. We would like to thank Jochen Halfmann, who successfully managed the transition from an owner-managed company to a listed stock corporation, for his contribution to the significant further development of our company and wish him all the best for his future. We will remain on friendly terms.”

SBTech appoints ‘proven pro’ Dave Hammond as new COO

Sports betting solutions provider SBTech has announced the recruitment of Dave Hammond to the role of chief operating officer with effect from next year. He joins the firm from Paddy Power Betfair, where he worked as the B2B division director. Hammond, in his role, will take responsibility of the company’s technology, research and development, operations and business analytics teams.

“We’re delighted to have appointed Dave, whose vast operational experience and proven track record of implementing high growth strategies in a host of senior industry roles will add huge value to the company as we continue to grow in over 20 regulated markets we currently operate in. Dave will work closely with myself and the senior management team across all areas of the business to ensure we not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations in 2019 and beyond,” said SBTech CEO Richard Carter.

AFH hires ex-Tavistock exec as a new chief operating officer

Jon Dear has joined UK-based financial investment management company AFH Group as the chief operating officer with immediate effect. His new role will see Dear working with AFH’s Eunisure team for AFH’s expansion in the mortgage and protection market. With 35 years of experience, Dear has worked with companies like Allied Dunbar, Zurich, Aegon and Bankhall. He was most recently worked at Tavistock Investments as the group operations director.

AFH CEO Alan Hudson commented: “Jon’s appointment is a significant step on the road to AFH becoming a major player in the mortgage and protection market.”

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