Communications role is ‘write’ move for Amy

Journalist Amy Orton has joined corporate communications agency 1284 as account director – becoming its first full-time hire.

A trained reporter with more than a decade at well-known news titles across the East Midlands, Amy most recently spent three years as senior local democracy reporter for Leicestershire.

Working between the Leicester Mercury and BBC Leicester, she provided public interest coverage of local authorities which was then syndicated to dozens of local, regional, and national news titles.

After leaving the role in 2021, Amy spent almost two years as a communications manager at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, working on internal and external comms relating to a series of major news stories, including the Omicron outbreak.

1284 director George Oliver said: “Amy is a first-class journalist and communicator who will bring her knowledge and understanding of local authorities to provide real value to 1284 clients.

“As account director at 1284, she will bring insight, speed and networks across the East Midlands.”

From left: Mark Copley, Jamie Clayton and Matthew Fenn

Medical specialist in a healthier position

Nottingham-based medical devices manufacturer Copley Scientific has appointed two new members to its senior team.

Jamie Clayton has joined the company, an industry leader in pharmaceutical and inhaler testing equipment, as managing director and Matthew Fenn has joined as head of business development.

The appointments come off the back of sustained growth for Copley, which ended with it winning Nottinghamshire Business of the Year at the Chamber’s Business Awards last year.

CEO Mark Copley said: “Copley has grown substantially over the last five years, and we continue to welcome new recruits at all levels to augment our well-established team.

“Securing senior talent is an essential element of our long-term strategy but relies on identifying experienced individuals that combine a ‘Copley mindset’ with complementary and relevant experience. Both Jamie and Matthew are an ideal fit, and I’m excited to begin working with them.”

Legal firm adds employment director

Chesterfield-based CMP Legal has expanded its team with the appointment of a new employment director.

Lauren Pickard (pictured) has joined the niche commercial law firm from Knights plc, where she worked as a senior associate.

She has a wealth of knowledge and employment law experience from managing performance, disciplinary and grievance matters to redundancy and restructuring advice, delivering training, drafting contracts and much more.

Lauren said: “CMP Legal has swiftly established itself as a niche practice offering high-quality advice. The lawyers at CMP Legal have a wealth of experience and this, combined with their desire to do things in a dynamic and progressive way, works strongly to the benefit of clients.”