APPOINTMENTS

New chair to lead tourism board’s recovery plan

Sustainable tourism will play a vital role in driving the recovery of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s visitor economy, paving the way for a brighter future for those who live, work and visit.

That is the message from Sir Richard FitzHerbert, who has been appointed as the new chair of the area’s official tourist board.

In his new role, Sir Richard will support Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s aims to grow and develop a successful and sustainable visitor economy –helping businesses to recover, rebuild and bounce back from the pandemic.

A keen advocate for the tourism and hospitality industry, Sir Richard brings a wealth of experience to the role as the owner of the Tissington Estate, near Ashbourne.

He said: “I am delighted to be appointed chair of the Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire board, and I am thrilled that the team is pursuing a sustainable tourism policy as we all bounce back after the past 12 months.

“At Tissington Hall, we welcome thousands of visitors to our holiday lets, tearooms and our Grade II home every year and our team greets them with a huge Peak District smile.

“As the new chair, I am looking forward to assisting with the local economy’s rural recovery and highlighting our outdoor and wellbeing offer, as well as our attractions and hospitality venues. We have a great product and I look forward to visiting and promoting our tourism partners in my term as chair.”

Sir Richard’s appointment comes as Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire prepares to launch its “five-year tourism recovery plan”, outlining a set of strategic priorities developed with partners to support the recovery of the sector.

Active travel and green tourism will be highlighted as top priorities alongside revitalising market towns, promoting corporate wellness breaks and bidding to become a “tourism zone” to drive economic growth.

Boosting domestic breaks, extending the tourism season and increasing overnight stays through innovative marketing campaigns will remain a key focus as the destination looks to capitalise on the growing demand for UK holidays.

Managing director Jo Dilley added: “We are delighted to welcome Sir Richard as our new chair as we prepare for a successful recovery. 2021 is going to be a great year for domestic UK holidays and there are enormous opportunities for the visitor economy to play a crucial role in the area’s economic recovery.”

Sir Richard FitzHerbert (right) pictured with Jo Dilley at Tissington Hall

Air IT welcomes Tulbir Dosanjh

Managed service provider Air IT has continued to expand with a new appointment that will enhance its business intelligence (BI) service.

Air IT, a Chamber strategic partner, has welcomed Tulbir Dosanjh as its new business intelligence sales lead.

With expertise gained from almost 20 years in the technology sector, Tulbir joins from Phocas Software where he spent nine years as a business intelligence consultant.

Tulbir said: “Joining Air IT at a time of significant growth is really exciting. I am passionate about helping SMEs take their business to the next level by introducing tools and solutions that can refine the huge amount of data available to them. The fact that Air IT offers a fully managed BI service is unique in the field.”

CEO John Whitty said: “Air IT prides itself on maintaining the highest of standards, which is made possible thanks to our talented colleagues.

“The addition of Tulbir will be a great asset to Air IT - his extensive experience will further enhance our BI division and help more clients benefit from the power of data.”

Nottingham law firm Rotheras has announced a number of promotions across its departments.

Chris Powell, Emily Weston and Natalie Abbott have all been promoted to senior associate.

Road transport lawyer Chris, who joined Rotheras in 2019, has particular experience acting for large European hauliers and transport undertakings on cross border matters.

Residential conveyancing associate solicitor Emily assists clients with all aspects of conveyancing from sales, purchases re-mortgages and help to buy to shared equity and right to buy.

Natalie joined from Massers Solicitors in January 2020 and has over 10 years’ experience working in employment law.

Meanwhile, Adam Cotterill and Luke Smith have been promoted to associate, supporting the wills and probate and commercial property teams respectively.

Rotheras CEO Christina Yardley said: “We’re very fortunate to be able to announce five internal promotions that reflect the outstanding commitment each has shown to the firm including providing great service, proactively developing their client base and mentoring trainees and paralegals within their teams.”

TOP ROW, L-R: Senior associates Emily Weston, Natalie Abbott and Chris Powell BOTTOM ROW, L-R: Associates Adam Cotterill and Luke Smith

Raft of promotions at Rotheras

Purpose Media appoints head of client growth

Experienced business development and sales professional Grace Golden has joined Derbyshire-based web development, creative and digital marketing agency Purpose Media in a newly-created role as head of client growth.

Grace has more than eight years’ experience in sales and marketing roles, and joins the company having previously worked at Motorpoint Derby, Champions UK and Status Social.

She said: “Purpose Media has always been well-known as a professional agency. Its values and culture shine through and I admire the work that has already been done to create a great infrastructure for bringing clients on board.

“The company is renowned for ‘telling it as it is’ and it is clear its clients respect this honest and advice-driven approach, which has obviously been successful at retaining clients and staff over the past 12 months.”

Managing director Matt Wheatcroft added: “Grace will be working with new and existing clients to diagnose and solve business challenges, maximise opportunities and provide a solution that adds long-term value and growth. She has some great experience which will enhance the sales team and improve our sales processes so that we are able to identify and win more new business opportunities.”

Grace Golden

New role creates data-driven insights

Creating data-driven insights about the East Midlands economy is the task for a postgraduate research associate based at the Chamber – after the role was created in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU).

Harsh Shah (pictured) begun his role as knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) associate last month and works out of the Chamber’s Friars Mill office in Leicester.

The KTP between the Chamber and DMU will create a regional business intelligence unit that aims to improve competitiveness and productivity across the East Midlands, while highlighting business strengths and, ultimately, win more investment.

Harsh, who has a background in computer engineering, said: “The KTP provides a unique opportunity to work as a professional in the business environment and at the same time working as a researcher with the university.

“This element of working in both areas is what motivated me to apply for the role. The real potential lies in the ownership that the project facilitates.

“I am hoping to deliver informed data-driven insights across the East Midlands through a ‘continuous improvement, continuous learning’ approach. Improving internal processes through standardisation of data, and developing automated approaches and accurate insights, will be key to a successful outcome of the role for me.”

A recent master’s graduate from DMU in business intelligence and data mining, Harsh previously spent two years working for Vodafone Shared Services India, where he was awarded the company’s Top Employee of the Year 2018-19 award for his work in automating a number of processes to support multiple teams.

The intelligence unit that will be developed in his new role will provide insights about the East Midlands to the Midlands Engine Research Observatory, with the aim of establishing a unified Midlands-wide voice to compete alongside other regions when engaging with Government and investors.

Overseeing his role at the Chamber is director of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson.

He said: “The pandemic has presented unprecedented economic challenges that have affected each town, city and sector differently.

“To overcome these challenges, businesses are expected to rethink strategies via innovation, effective management and investments.

“The unique insights that Harsh will create can give us the evidence base we need to help these organisations work towards their objectives, while also informing policymakers whose decisions impact on our region’s economic prospects.”

Dr Rhianna Briars, senior knowledge exchange officer at DMU, added: "The KTP project that Harsh is working on with the Chamber has exciting prospects for the East Midlands as a region and its business community.

“Deepening the insights and regional data-led intelligence will improve decision-making for local businesses and strengthen the links to policymakers.

“We expect this to make our region more competitive and attract higher levels of investment, which will improve our recovery from the pandemic and tackle the underlying socio-economic issues that affect individual lives.

“I am really pleased to see this project get funded and now start with Harsh on board – I’m anticipating a bright future for the whole East Midlands as a result.”