Gloucestershire business appointments round-up: May 2023

Companies across Gloucestershire, from law firms and house builders to cyber-focused CyNam and Marketing Cheltenham, have been busy throughout May 2023, introducing a swathe of new employees. 

SoGlos rounds up the key appointments from May 2023, including new directors at fast-growing IT company ReformIT and leading accountants Hazlewoods; a new CEO for Green Britain Group; a new business manager at GB Home Surveys; and talent continuing to rise through the ranks at the county's law firms.

Sarah Smith – ReformIT

Cheltenham-based managed IT services firm, ReformIT, has appointed Sarah Smith as its director of operations and marketing. Smith started to take responsibility for marketing last year as it continued to grow, following its merger with Grafx Digital and move into new premises at Cumberland House on Oriel Road.

ReformIT's founder and managing director, Neil Smith, said: ‘She was able to take over the new website project and has done amazing things with social media, and is working closely with our partners. This has had a very positive effect on the growth of the business with new clients and opportunities.'

Nick Stafford - Hazlewoods

Nick Stafford revealed in a LinkedIn post that he has become a director at leading Gloucestershire-headquartered accountancy firm Hazlewoods. Stafford qualified as a licenced insolvency practitioner for the Staverton-headquartered firm in early 2022, becoming its third licenced IP at the time, alongside Pete Frost and Vic Ellaby.

He joined Hazlewoods in 2007; qualified as a chartered accountant in 2011 before moving into the firm's business recovery team; and now has more than a decade of experience in managing and dealing with insolvency-related matters, specialising in corporate insolvency.

Asif Rehmanwala ­– Green Britain Group

The chief executive officer at Stroud-headquartered Ecotricity, Asif Rehmanwala, has been appointed as CEO of Green Britain Group — a forward-thinking collaboration led by Ecotricity's founder, Dale Vince OBE.

Rehmanwala, who is also a vice-chairman of Forest Green Rovers Football Club and a non-executive director of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, said: ‘Green Britain Group is at the forefront of the global green industrial revolution. Forward-thinking, innovative, low-carbon — our businesses are pioneers in the new green economy.’

Katy Manley – BPE Solicitors

The litigation team at Cheltenham-based BPE Solicitors has welcomed Katy Manley to the team as a consultant. Manley, who is also president of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, is described as ‘a well-recognised expert solicitor’ and ‘a leading name for claimant professional negligence work’.

John Carter, lead partner on professional negligence work at the firm, said: ‘We are excited to work with Katy and draw on her expertise and insights from her role at the PNLA. She will be a fantastic addition to the team.’

Hollie Wakefield – CyNam

A new face has joined the team at Cheltenham-headquartered CyNam, the cyber-focused business networking and support group which brings together representatives from across the sector and beyond.

Hollie Wakefield has been appointed ecosystem engagement, marketing and events lead for the organisation, based at Hub8 in The Brewery Quarter. 

Chris Parker – Newland Homes

Newland Homes has promoted Chris Parker to head of marketing. Parker will lead the marketing department and oversee the independent Gloucestershire housebuilder’s marketing strategies and initiatives.

He joined the Gloucester-headquartered business as marketing manager in 2013 and is said to have played a key role in developing the company’s brand, marketing campaigns and driving sales growth.

Hannah Smith – Marketing Cheltenham

Hannah Smith has joined Marketing Cheltenham, which is part of Cheltenham Borough Council and works in partnership with the town’s powerful business improvement district group, Cheltenham BID.

Smith is completing a two-year Level 3 marketing assistant apprenticeship through Gloucestershire College and said: ‘I am very excited to join the Marketing Cheltenham team as a marketing apprentice. I look forward to developing my skills in the marketing field and to increase my knowledge in campaigns and promoting Cheltenham.'

Andrew Ord – GB Home Surveys

Regional specialist GB Home Surveys has welcomed new business manager, Andrew Ord, to its expanding team, as part of what it describes as its 'aggressive growth strategy’.

Ord, who has owned his own surveying business for the last 13 years, has a track record in both the business and surveying sectors, where he also led operational teams for large corporations including Marks & Spencer. As business manager for the Maisemore-headquartered firm, he will play a fundamental role in driving the day-to-day operations of the business, while supporting strategic growth.

Katie Talbot, Phil Webb and Mary Perham – Charles Russell Speechlys

Major law firm Charles Russell Speechlys has promoted six staff members to partnership, in addition to appointing two legal directors and 11 senior associates. Some of those appointments at the London-headquartered global firm are overseas in the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Bahrain, but also include members of the team at its substantial Gloucestershire offices.

Newly appointed partners and legal directors at its Cheltenham office include Katie Talbot, who works in the firm’s tax, trusts and succession department; and Phil Webb, who works in its real estate team. Mary Perham has also been promoted to senior associate in the firm's private client team.

Phil Ball - Emerge Digital

Strategic IT provider and digital innovation consultancy, Emerge Digital, has appointed Phil Ball as its new head of innovation — an appointment it says underlines the firm's commitment to drive growth. 

Ball is described as a recognised industry leader, with more than two decades of experience in software development and management, as well as a proven track record in leadership roles at 7 Layer Solutions and Spire Healthcare. Chief executive officer of Emerge Digital, Nigel Church, said the appointment was ‘a significant milestone in our strategic growth’ and that Ball would be instrumental in driving growth in the innovation division of the firm.

Iwan Williams – Michelmores

Law firm Michelmores has appointed a new partner to its Cheltenham-based tax, trusts and succession team. The firm said Iwan Williams's arrival will further strengthen its private wealth team's expertise, bringing extensive experience of dealing with all aspects of succession and tax planning for high and ultra net worth individuals and business-owning families. 

Chris Massey, who heads up the Cheltenham office and leads the firm’s private property and landed estates team, called Williams a ‘fantastic addition’.

Jennifer Allen ­– Hughes Paddison

Jennifer Allen has been appointed as a partner at Hughes Paddison, the Cheltenham firm of solicitors she started with as a trainee in 2006.

After successfully completing her two-year training programme, Allen became a fully-qualified solicitor running her own caseload. In September 2011, she was promoted to associate solicitor and just two years later, was invited to be a director of the Royal Crescent-headquartered firm. In addition to her casework, she oversees each new starter completing their training contract from start to qualification.

Steve Maslin and Gary Kildare – Crowe

Audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe has appointed Steve Maslin and Gary Kildare as its first independent non executives.

A chartered accountant, Maslin has more than 40 years’ experience and held key audit and leadership roles at Grant Thornton, prior to retiring in 2019 — including being chairman of the Global Public Policy Committee (GPPC). Kildare spent over three decades with software and professional services organisation, IBM, holding roles including chief human resources officer for Europe and global head of labour relations, as well as being a member of IBM's senior leadership group.