Movers and shakers: A bumper round-up of appointments from across Staffordshire
Mortgage expert My Simple Mortgage has expanded its service offering with the recruitment of experienced financial services manager Tony Currie.
The Basford business has added a protection department to its portfolio after recruiting Tony to its now 11-strong team in a new business development manager role.
Tony, who lives in Nantwich, has been working in financial services for 30 years having led and managed teams for companies including Pearl Assurance and HSBC.
Tony said: “My Simple Mortgage has established a reputation as a successful company that customers can rely on and I’m delighted to be joining them.
“I’ve spent several years working to ensure teams of advisors provide the best insurance solutions for customers and I look forward to both supporting the growing My Simple Mortgage team and to providing market leading solutions for our customers.”
![Tony Currie has joined My Simple Mortgage](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053708.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_STO_LJR_211021tony.jpg)
My Simple Mortgage director James Adams said: “We’ve worked with other firms in the past, but felt the time was right to provide our own, in-house service and it means we now have a holistic mortgage and protection solution. Securing Tony’s services is a coup for My Simple Mortgage. He will advise our team of consultants to ensure customers are given the best available insurance advice.
“We plan to build a team around Tony and want to offer a chance for a local young person to join us as a trainee administrator through the Government Kickstart programme.”
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Growing law firm Beswicks Legal has welcomed three experienced private wealth lawyers to its team.
Rachel Watkinson joins the firm as a private wealth partner, while Nadia Jones and Louise Allen have been appointed private wealth associates.
All three are experienced private client lawyers who deal with wills, estate administration, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection work.
![Pictured (L-R) is Louise Allen, Rachel Watkinson and Nadia Jones who have all recently joined Beswicks Legal](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053732.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_STO_LJR_221021bez.jpg)
Rachel and Louise will primarily be based at Beswicks’ Altrincham office, while Nadia will join the private wealth team at the firm’s Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.
Beswicks Legal Managing Partner Nick Phillips said: “I’m delighted to welcome Rachel, Nadia and Louise to Beswicks.
“They are all extremely skilled lawyers whose experience further boosts our highly-regarded private wealth team.”
Meanwhile, training provider Acadame has appointed David Hancock-Dexter to the role of accounts director for its health and safety training division.
In his new role at the Fenton-based company, David will work with Acadame’s business development team to generate interest in – and implement – short commercial and bespoke health and safety training, and promote funded health and safety apprenticeships.
![Acadame has appointed David Hancock-Dexter to the role of accounts director for its health and safety training division.](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053931.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_STO_LJR_271021davejpeg.jpg)
Martin Blakemore, Acadame’s chief operating officer, said: “David has significant experience and background in occupational safety and health, especially within the West Midlands which is a big growth target.
“From his past career in this space, he is perfectly placed to spearhead this role.”
David added: “Joining a forward-thinking national training provider like Acadame suits my intentions perfectly to maximise the impact of these qualifications in the sector.”
The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards
![The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards in association with The Sentinel and StokeonTrentLive is open for entries](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article21911777.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/3_Stoke_BA_22_logo_FINAL_LOGO.jpg)
The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards in association with The Sentinel and Stoke-on-Trent Live 2022 are back and open for entries.
Businesses and individuals from across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being encouraged to enter across 14 categories including the coveted Business of the Year award.
You can find more information about all of the categories here.
The deadline for entries is Monday, January 10 and the ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 28.
To enquire about sponsorship please email [email protected] or [email protected].
Takeaway delivery business Foodhub has appointed Neil Sturrock to its senior team as global operations director.
In his new role at the Fenton-based business, Neil oversees the customer journey from start to finish and will be involved in key strategic elements, working closely with CEO Ardian Mula on major overseas acquisitions.
Neil said: “This is an incredibly exciting time to join Foodhub, as the brand is in a key stage of its global expansion.
“My role primarily focuses on the overall customer journey – managing the on-boarding process and beyond, all the way through to order volume and customer retention.
“With so many new clients in a variety of locations, it’s essential that our core ethos of championing independent takeaways and restaurants remains unchanged, and all clients get the same high level of service, regardless of where in the world they’re based.”
![Foodhub has appointed Neil Sturrock to its senior team as global operations director.](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053774.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_STO_LJR_031121neiljpeg.jpg)
Ardian Mula, CEO of Foodhub said: “As Foodhub continue to expand globally, it’s more important than ever that we invest in our infrastructure to keep the overall customer journey at the same high standard.
“Managing a process on this scale is a huge challenge, but we;re incredibly fortunate to have Neil on board – his demonstrated experience in customer service right across the globe makes him the perfect candidate for the role.”
Elsewhere, Alpha Manufacturing has welcomed Nick Moss as its new senior production manager.
Nick has joined the Hixon-based company from JCB where he worked as a manufacturing group leader in the Loadall division.
In his new role at Alpha, Nick will oversee all aspects of manufacturing operations and production processes and working with operations manager Neal Lafford to ensure smooth production of parts and operational functions.
![Alpha Manufacturing has welcomed Nick Moss as its new senior production manager.](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053801.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_STO_LJR_031121nick2jpg.jpg)
Nick said: “I’m someone who continually wants to grow my skills and learn, so I’m really looking forward to getting to know this new business.
“Having worked in the manufacturing industry for many years, one thing I have never worked on solely is sheet metal, so it’s the perfect challenge for me to get to know these new processes and machinery.
“One of the things I am already enjoying about Alpha is the variety of our customer base and the scope of innovative projects the company is working on.
“There’s a real family feel about his company that is unique, and I’m already proud to be a part of it.”
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And communications specialist Complete Voice & Data Solutions has appointed Karen Lloyd-Weston as corporate accounts director.
Karen has been recruited by managing director Mike Ridgway under whom she previously held key roles at Newcastle-under-Lyme based Qualitel Voice & Data.
As a newly appointed equity stakeholder in the business, Karen will focus on corporate accounts acquisition and management, and further drive the growth of the business.
Karen previously held key roles within the communications industry, including corporate development within Vodafone and also indirect channel manager and corporate solutions manager at Qualitel Voice & Data.
![Complete Voice & Data Solutions has appointed Karen Lloyd-Weston as corporate accounts director. She is pictured here (left) with managing director Mike Ridgway.](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053818.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_STO_LJR_031121mike.jpg)
Karen said: “I am delighted to be joining a progressive and ambitious business, with a group of highly experienced professionals with whom I can trust.
“Having worked under Mike before, I know that I am joining a business that will flourish under his leadership.
“I am also bringing with me a wealth of experience and contacts from within the communications industry, which I believe will stand me in good stead with both existing and new accounts.”
Mike added: “Karen is the consummate professional. Having employed her previously, I knew exactly what she was bringing to the table and I know that she will flourish in this senior position within the business.
“At Complete Voice & Data, we are looking to build a team that knows the industry intrinsically but at the same time is customer-centric.”
In Lichfield, Legionella and Fire Safe Services has appointed Ashley Spang as head of sales.
![Legionella and Fire Safe Services has appointed Ashley Spang as head of sales.](https://i2-prod.business-live.co.uk/incoming/article22053869.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_unnamed.jpg)
Ashley’s role will be to develop and execute a sales strategy that delivers sustained growth for the company.
Ashley said: “This is an outstanding opportunity to join a business that is not only already a market leader in these sectors with an incredible team, but the opportunities also to grow the business further is what attracts me most.
“We are embarking on an incredible journey, and I’m delighted to bring my passion, enthusiasm and drive to help achieve our vision.”