Kickstarting some exciting plans for the new year, January 2025 was full of announcements of growth and expansion from some of Gloucestershire's leading firms and business people.
SoGlos rounds up six of the most noteworthy senior appointments announced this month, from a new CEO at one of the Cotswolds' best known family attractions, to the construction leader set to enhance the work of a local charity within the county's business community.
E G Carter & Co appoints three new directors
Leading Gloucester-based construction company E G Carter & Co announced the expansion of its board of directors this January 2025, with a view to future-proofing its senior team and ensuring its continued success.
The fourth generation company, founded in 1945, welcomes former associate directors Mat Vye, Thomas Jones and Phil Barnes to its board, with the trio bringing a wealth of experience that the firm says reinforces its commitment to 'growth and excellence' across all of its operations.
Mat Vye becomes residential director at the head of the firm's partnership housing team; Thomas Jones will be the company's construction director, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the major works team; and Phil Barnes will serve as pre-construction director, with core responsibilities including the procurement of new work and key aspects of commercial control.
New principal joins South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Kicking off the new year with a fresh head of the table, South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College announced the appointment of its new CEO and principal.
David Withey joins effective from the end of March 2025, entering the role from his previous position as CEO at the government's Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
David will oversee activities and facilities across SGS's six main campuses; and brings a 'wealth of experience' and public service leadership knowledge gained in both the UK and Australia, along with a strong understanding of the further education sector through his time leading the delivery of funding for colleges and skills providers in England.
New CEO appointed at Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park
A driving force behind the success of Cotswold Farm Park for more than a decade, general manager Kate Lord has been announced as the firm's new CEO.
Experienced manager and industry expert Kate takes on the day-to-day leadership of the company this January 2025, with plans to build on the farm park's recent visitor experience, sustainability and innovation achievements — including multiple prestigious award wins.
The company says that since joining as operations manager in 2011, Kate has since played a 'pivotal' role in steering the farm park through planning and building developments; navigating the challenges of Covid-19; and spearheading the business's diversification, with the expansion of events and the development of the farm park’s campsite offering.
Willans LLP strengthens with new partners
Cheltenham-based solicitors Willans LLP announced the appointment of four new lawyers to its senior team to aid the continued growth of the company across its departments.
Newcomers Simon Pathé, Claire Cox, Peter Raybould and John Fisher have all taken on partner roles with the firm, bringing Willans' partner count to 22 across all departments and its workforce up to 121 in total — representing a 25 per cent increase since 2020.
Simon Pathé joined the firm's employment law and business immigration team recently; while Claire Cox joins the litigation and dispute resolution team this January 2025. Their appointments follow the additions of Peter Raybould to its corporate and commercial team; and John Fisher to the agriculture and estates team, in September 2024.
Award-winning celebrity chef joins the team at Cheltenham's The Nook on Five
Celebrated chef and TV star, John Burton-Race, has landed a job at Cheltenham's rooftop restaurant, joining The Nook on Five as executive head chef.
With a career spanning 35 years, John has worked in some of the UK's best restaurants, including Raymond Blanc's two Michelin star Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons; and has also made a name for himself as a TV personality — including his Channel 4 series French Leave, its sequel Return of the Chef and ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, where he clashed with Janice Dickinson over her dislike of exotic meat in 2007.
As executive head chef, John is shaking up The Nook's menu with fresh twists on its modern British classics, as well as introducing new dishes and seasonal specials; and will also help to extend the popular Nook Deli with more French delicacies like gateaux and fruit tartlets, crafted in-house by The Nook’s fine dining chefs.
AccXel CEO is appointed patron of Gloucestershire counselling charity
Entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Forest of Dean construction school AccXel and COO of KW Bell, Nicola Bird, has been appointed a patron of Listening Post Counselling Service.
Established in 1991, Listening Post is a charity with centres in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud which offers counselling services to people in need across the county either for free, or for an affordable donation.
Bringing a wealth of contacts from across not only the construction industry, but the small business community in Gloucestershire, the charity hopes Nicola's appointment will help it to raise awareness of the need for personal support for employees — and the accessible counselling services it can provide.
