APPOINTMENTS

New director for property agency

Commercial property firm Innes England has promoted Matt Howson (pictured) to director after five years working across a range of property sectors in the East Midlands.

Now championing the agency's contracts with household names such as The Co-operative Group, Matt started work as a chartered surveyor and then became an associate director for the company in 2018.

His rise through the company has seen him manage commercial property and land, across various sectors, on behalf of regional and national clients while he also advises clients on the acquisition, disposal, rent reviews and lease renewals of various property portfolios.

Matt said: “It’s an honour to mark five great years at Innes England with this much-appreciated promotion. Since joining back in 2016, I’ve enjoyed helping the company to grow both our team and our client base.

“2020 was a challenging year for everyone, especially landlords and tenants, so helping people to navigate that difficult time was a priority for us. While 2021 has continued in similar fashion, I’m looking forward to assisting our clients and driving the business forward.”

Gary Woodward, director at Innes England, added: “Throughout his time at Innes England, Matt has been invaluable in growing the business and the glowing reviews he gets from clients speak for themselves.”

The managing director of Derbybased Neuways has been announced as the first board member of the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC).

With over 25 years’ experience in the IT industry, Martin Roberts has vast knowledge in how to help protect businesses against cybercrime. He has led managed support service provider Neuways since 2016, helping clients secure and grow their business through strategising and implementating effective IT solutions.

The 60-year-old is also the managing director of partner company Neustro, which delivers functional and technical consulting and development for users around the world.

Launched in March last year, the EMCRC is a not-for-profit partnership between policing, academia and private industry, committed to helping protect businesses in the East Midlands region from cyber-crime.

Martin said: “I believe cyber security, or a lack of it, is the single biggest threat to any business and the quest to protect organisations from this threat drives everything we do at Neuways.

“When the opportunity came up to become a board member, I jumped at the chance to contribute to the wider efforts across the region. Together, we can educate businesses to protect themselves as robustly as possible from this 21st century threat.”

Detective inspector Matt Carson, director and police lead of the EMCRC, said: “Martin brings a wealth of experience, both in the cyber security industry and as a successful MD and business leader.

“He has a real passion and considerable experience in helping businesses become cyber-resilient. This aligns perfectly with the centre’s ethos and we are very much looking forward to working together.”

Martin Roberts unveiled as EMCRC's first board member

Martin Roberts

Role at Interflex for Paul Neale

A Nottinghamshire manufacturer has created a new commercial director role as part of the company’s diversification and expansion strategy.

Automotive parts manufacturer Interflex has appointed Paul Neale to the post. He brings with him over 15 years of experience working in the automotive and manufacturing industry, including senior sales and consultancy positions. Based in Langar, Interflex manufactures a range of NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) and sealing solutions for vehicles including door seals and interior trims.

Paul’s role at Interflex involves overseeing the sales, marketing and commercial sectors of the business, as well as co-ordinating its overall commercial direction.

“I’m delighted to be working in this exciting new role at Interflex,” said Paul.

JMS Engineers promotes Bhavin Parmar to civils production director

JMS Engineers has announced the promotion of Bhavin Parmar to the role of civils production director, following six years at the company.

Reporting to business development and civils director Andy Kenyon, Bhavin will provide operational and technical leadership to the team of civil engineers with the aim of growing the civils business across the JMS Group.

The group – which has its headquarters in Suffolk and an office based at Friars Mill, Leicester – provides structural engineering and audits on construction projects across the UK.

Andy said: “Since Bhavin first walked through our doors, we knew he had a great deal to offer the company. Not only is he an exceptionally talented engineer but he has also demonstrated exceptional business development skills, with a client-focused approach, to drive the civils division forward.”

Commenting on his promotion, Bhavin said: “I’m really pleased to achieve this next step in my career. The support from the whole team has been fantastic, particularly among members of the JMS board.

“JMS is a great advert for the value of family-owned businesses, and I’m incredibly proud and thankful to have been able to contribute over the years.

“I look forward to using my experience and creativity to ensure we continue to provide exceptional solutions for our clients.”

Former Reach editor-in-chief joins Purpose Media as non-exec

Steve Hall, the former editor-inchief for Reach Plc in the East Midlands, has joined website development, creative and digital marketing agency Purpose Media as a non-executive director.

Bringing over 37 years of experience in journalism and running businesses and news operations across eight sites, Steve was named UK Editor of the Year in 2011 and has won twice at the UK Regional Newspaper of the Year awards. He is also a nonexecutive director at Marketing Derby, where he is publisher of Innovate magazine.

His role at Purpose Media is to help and support the management team to ensure all activity is measured and effective. He will also oversee projects that support the future ambitions of the company, which is led by

Matt Wheatcroft, left, with Steve Hall

managing director Matt Wheatcroft, and fellow directors Tim Lenton and Claudio Devanzo.

Based in South Normanton, Purpose Media employs more than 30 website development, creative and digital marketing specialists. It is planning to expand the team further with a least three new appointments by the summer to underpin planned growth.

Steve said: “I have long been an admirer of Purpose Media’s reputation for excellence and I’m particularly impressed by everyone’s commitment to gaining a deep understanding of client needs and maintaining a laser focus on generating impressive results.

“They’ve done brilliantly during lockdown to maintain and build their business and there is a steely determination to come out of restrictions in a stronger position by investing in the team and niche marketing programmes. "I am delighted to be joining a company and I hope to guide future decisions in order to capitalise on the current high demand for digital marketing skills.”

Matt added: “Steve brings exactly the type of experience and industry contacts we need at present. I have always acknowledged the value nonexecutive directors can bring to a growing business like Purpose Media as their prior insight and knowledge is invaluable. Steve has definitely ‘been there and got the Tshirt’, and has successfully guided many businesses through economic booms and dips. I am really pleased to have him on our team.”

RedTree PR welcomes Hannah Evans to the team

RedTree PR has recruited Hannah Evans – a media and communications graduate from Nottingham Trent University.

Hannah joins the Beeston-based agency as a digital PR specialist and will support managing director Chris Mitchell in developing the firm’s digital PR activity for its clients based in London and the East Midlands.

Showing her drive to gain sector experience despite the circumstances caused by Covid-19, Hannah has sought out a range of virtual internships in the marketing and PR industry since completing her degree. She joins RedTree PR from the environmental charity Trent Rivers Trust, where she was a communications and support officer.

Hannah said: “I’m very excited to have been given this opportunity, especially during such unprecedented times. I have a passion to excel in the communications and PR sector, and I look forward to developing creative ideas for RedTree’s clients and working closely with Chris and the team.”

Chris added: “I’m thrilled to welcome Hannah to RedTree PR. Her skills set and experience means that she is already off to a flying start. I’m hugely impressed with her natural enthusiasm, work ethic and prior experience.

“I’m looking forward to supporting Hannah’s career development and seeing the benefits her appointment brings to the growth of our business and those of our clients.”

Roadgas appoints new commercial manager

Roadgas, the national refuelling station infrastructure supplier based in Nottingham, has appointed David Bowen as commercial manager.

He has over 20 years’ experience in the haulage and logistics sector, working with household names and being responsible for national account development.

David joins Roadgas at what he considers to be a pivotal moment for the industry.

He said: “The pandemic has highlighted how much the logistics business has changed in a short time and how quickly we need to respond to the UK Government’s call for low and zero emissions.”

Statistics from the Gas Vehicle Network (GVN) show a 78% increase in sales of renewable gas as a transport fuel during 2020.

The HGV sector accounts for a disproportionate share of transport carbon emissions - 17% of the sector's greenhouse gases despite only accounting for 2% of road vehicles.

Managing director David Rix said: “Appointing David is a significant milestone for Roadgas as we usher in a new era of growth for the company. Decarbonising the transport sector remains our priority as we work with new clients to highlight the benefits of renewable gas fuelling technology.”