Burton & District: Bosses join committee

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PR and IT bosses join executive committee

By Jessica Brookes

PR and IT business bosses have joined Burton and District Chamber as executive committee members.

Simon McAlpine, chief commercial officer at Infinity IT Solutions, and Karen McElroy, managing director of FCM PR and Communications, were elected as Chamber council members during its annual general meeting, which took place last month.

Simon founded Infinity IT Solutions alongside Anthony Cartwright and Lee Haynes more than a decade ago. Since then, the business has gone on to provide IT services for a host of national and international clients, such as Leeds United Football Club, Tyrells and Selfridges.

Karen founded her own business, FCM PR and Communications, in 2005. It provides a range of public relations, media and communications services to a myriad of clients, including Willshee’s Waste and Recycling, the National Forest Adventure Farm and Molson Coors.

During the event, Shaun Gray, European managing director of Ginho Group, also took over the presidential reins from Nik Hardy, managing director of Hardy Signs.

Mr Hardy will continue to serve as vicepresident of the Chamber alongside newly elected vice-presidents Chris Else, managing partner of Else Solicitors, and Stacy Brown, commercial services manager at Dains LLP.

On his appointment as president, Shaun said: “We should be very proud of the past and history of Burton but we must also look to the future and engage with local, regional and international business to bring sustainable growth at all levels and sectors within our town.”

Shaun further cemented his commitment to the Chamber by announcing that the Ginho Group, specialist manufacturers of precision castings, components and assemblies, has become a Chamber patron.

Karen McElroy Simon McAlpine

Burton waste firm make key finance hire

John D’Aubney has been appointed as finance director at Burton waste and recycling firm, Willshee’s.

Mr D’Aubney brings over 30 years’ experience to the family run business, which is currently enjoying double digit year-on-year growth as demand for commercial and domestic waste and recycling services continue to increase.

He has joined Willshee’s from Staffordshire-based Leavesley Group, where he was group finance director.

Earlier in his career, John also worked in a number of finance and system development roles, including Lloyds TSB and KMPG audit and compliance. He has a degree in accounting and finance from the University of Birmingham and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Dean Willshee, managing director of Willshee’s, said: “John has tremendous pedigree and a strong, impressive track record so we are very pleased that he has joined our leadership team, bringing skills and experience that will help us to grow and fulfil our ambitions.”

John said: “I am delighted to have joined Willshee’s at such an exciting time.

“Alongside rapidly increasing domestic demand, the facilities, quality, experience and the management team that Willshee’s has in place will enable the huge potential here to be realised.

“My particular focus will be leading the team in first class financial processes, controls and reporting to support the business as we look to achieve some very ambitious targets over the next five years.”

Long-serving staff member retires

YMCA Burton’s longest serving member of staff, Kath Stokes, has retired.

She joined the YMCA as an ancillary team member in 1988 and has helped change the lives of hundreds of residents and rough sleepers in the town.

She said: “Thirty-three years have gone by so quickly. I have met so many wonderful residents, staff and volunteers.

“I have watched residents grow in confidence through the support the YMCA offers and see them move on to have an independent life.”

YMCA housing manager Maxine Bennet, said: “I have worked with Kath for three years and she is such an integral part of the team. We wish her lots of love for her retirement.”

Young poets win international contest

Two Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) students have won prizes in an international poetry contest that involved reciting a poem in Korean during a live virtual event.

The pair are fashion students Mihnea Teodor Nica (pictured, left) and Hannah Zaki.

The contest was organised by Jeonju Kijeon College of Korea, and was a celebration of the life and poetry of Yun Dong-Ju. The judges were looking for good understanding of the poem, recital skills and confidence.