There have been some significant appointments made in Wales in recent weeks. In our latest jobs round-up, we take a look at some of those who have taken on new roles.
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Centre for Digital Public Services
Jack Rigby new head of technology at CDPS alongside joint CEO Myra Hunt
The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) has appointed Jack Rigby as its new head of technology. The arm’s length body of the Welsh Government was set up in 2021 to help the public sector in Wales provide better digital services.
Mr Rigby previously worked as an IT architect at HMRC where he designed changes to new and legacy tax systems. In his new role, he will be responsible for communicating complex problems and translating them into everyday language people can understand.
Mr Rigby said: “The digital ambitions of Wales and CDPS really excite me. There’s an opportunity here to set the standard for working together as a public sector and I can’t wait to play my part. Through running innovation labs to create user-centred services and advocating an open data approach across services, I have seen first-hand the pressures faced by local government and the challenges using traditional IT procurement approaches can bring.”
Joint CEO of CDPS Myra Hunt said: “The head of tech is an important role for CDPS and central to achieving our mission of making better use of technology to improve public services for people in Wales. Coming to us from a senior digital role at HMRC, Jack has the right mix of technology expertise and experience to help us deliver on that mission and help shape the future of CDPS.
“I would urge leaders in the sector to get in touch with him to start those important conversations so we can be more efficient in our procurement and get technology to deliver better outcomes and transform services.”
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Thirty4/7 Communications
Sara Powell-Davies(Image: FOTOWALES)
Monmouthshire-based Thirty4/7 Communications has appointed Sara Powell-Davies as account manager as the firm looks to grow its client base across Wales and England.
Ms Powell-Davies joins from leading the communications activities and event calendar at RenewableUK Cymru. Prior to that she worked for Centrica and has considerable experience across the Welsh renewables sector, developing relationships with stakeholders across the political and developer spectrum.
Ms Powell-Davies said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Thirty4/7 team. There is a huge amount of optimism in the renewables and infrastructure sector across the country, and I have been privileged to be a part of this sector for almost 15 years in my time with RenewableUK and Centrica. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to work with Thirty4/7 clients and colleagues to bring forward projects that will help us achieve the UK’s net zero aspirations. “
Will Morgan, founding director of Thirty4/7 Communications said: “It’s really fantastic to have someone of Sara’s calibre joining the company. We’ve worked closely with Sara for several years in supporting various projects through the pre-application process in Wales, and I’ve always been impressed with her diligence and desire to further the case for a greener, more sustainable country through her engagement work on behalf of the whole renewables industry.”
IG Design Group Plc
Gift wrap, stationery and Christmas cracker manufacturer IG Design Group has appointed Rohan Cummings to chief financial officer.
Mr Cummings joins the firm, which has its UK manufacturing and design plant at Ystrad Mynach, in July from his position of CFO at collagen-based casings supplier Devro where he was instrumental in the delivery of revenue growth and increased profitability.
In his career, has held a number of senior positions within global organisations including Japanese food and drink brand Asahi and SABMiller, where he was CFO for Birra Peroni.
Stewart Gilliland, chair of IG Design Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Rohan’s calibre to the Group. Rohan has extensive PLC experience, has worked within complex global operations as well as significant commercial and strategic capabilities. The board and I are looking forward to working with him as we continue on our journey of driving the business forward.”
Equinox
The Equinox team left to right: Tezni Bancroft-Plummer Sophie Harris , Rhian Floyd, Dafydd Wyn Orritt, Millie Evans (AM), Helen Wild and Charlotte Long.
Communications agency Equinox has promoted Rhian Floyd to senior account manager after five years. As the agency’s Welsh language lead, she specialises in designing and delivering bilingual campaigns for clients.
Tezni Bancroft-Plummer, the firm’s accessibility and diversity lead, has been made a senior account executive, after 18 months with the business.
Managing director Helen Wild said: “Like many businesses, we are embracing the ’20s with a culture of change and focusing on the needs of our clients and our people – so, providing a more inspiring, convenient setting for our hybrid working team was top of the list.”
The company has also moved to new offices at Tramshed Tech in Cardiff to support further expansion.
So far this year the firm has secured six new business and contract extensions with existing clients, including projects with the Wales Coast Path, National Trails, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, HealthWise Wales, BBC TV Licensing and Fly-tipping Action Wales.
Having relocated from offices in Llanishen to the tech and co-working hub in the Grangetown area of the city, the firm has also announced a new promotion and recruitment round.
Harding Evans
Afonwy Howell-Pryce, Hannah Thomas, Luisa Court and Rebecca Bewick with Harding Evans’ director of risk and compliance Richard Esney.
Law firm Harding Evans, which has offices in Newport and Cardiff, has promoted six of its solicitors within its training scheme ‘pathway to partnership’.
Residential conveyancing solicitors Jamie Beese, Judith Krukowicz, Luisa Court and Rebecca Bewick, along with wills and probate solicitors Afonwy Howell-Pryce and Hannah Thomas have all been promoted which were confirmed by the firm’s equity partners.
Chairman Ken Thomas said: “Developing and retaining staff is one of our top priorities and this is reflected in our desire to promote from within, ensuring that the investment we make in our staff reaps dividends in the future.
“Afonwy, Hannah, Jamie, Jude, Luisa and Rebecca are all talented solicitors who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to both the firm and our clients. We are delighted to promote them within our ‘pathway to partnership’ programme, which is key to supporting our retention and development of young talent”.
Lynn Group
Sophie Howe(Image: Matt Horwood)
Former Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe, has taken up a new role with expanding communications agency Lynn Group. She joins the Cardiff-based consultancy, which focuses on behavioural science to support its clients, as its first global strategic partner.
Ms Howe said: “It is imperative that public and private sector organisations recognise and embed behavioural science led communication, protected from misinformation, into all work designed to shift environmental, cultural, social, and economic norms.
“As someone who knows all too well the importance of communications to achieving positive change, the benefit of behavioural science informed communications is vital if we are to achieve important behavioural change to save our planet. Also the growing trend of misinformation is producing a markedly negative impact on the speed and extent of this change, creating real-world harm to millions and affecting the implementation of crucial policy.”
She added: “Therefore I am delighted to be partnering with Shayoni and the Lynn team, who are pioneers in the field of evidence based communications. Together I believe we can achieve transformative change, which delivers on our purpose, to improve and save lives across the world.
Ms Howe stood down as the Future Generations Commissioner earlier this year. She has been succeeded in the role by Derek Walker the former chief executive of Cwmpas.
Principality Building Society
Principality Building Society appoints Shimi Shah as non-executive director to the Board
Principality Building Society has appointed Shimi Shah as non-executive director to its board. An experienced financial leader, Ms Shah has chaired and served on a large number of boards in diverse industry sectors including Llantrisant-based The Royal Mint. She is also the chairperson at Carousel Solutions Groups.
Principality chair Sally Jones-Evans said: “Shimi has outstanding experience and is an exciting addition to the Board of Principality. As we look to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation, Shimi brings a wealth of expertise in this area.”
The mutual has also appointed Rajeev Marwaha as chief risk officer. A former CRO at Saffron Building Society, Mr Marwaha, has a well-established career in finance, including risk roles at Nationwide and Santander. He was recently the CRO of credit card fintech group, Tymit.
Julie-Ann Haines, CEO at Principality said: “Raj is an experienced CRO who has extensive experience of risk and compliance gained within market leading financial services companies. He also brings a strong tech focus and offers diversity of thought and experience.”
Caulmert
Sioned Jones, Caulmert graduate environmental scientist based at the Bangor office
Caulmert, an engineering, environmental and planning consultancy, which has an office in Bangor has taken on two graduates ahead of its growth plans for the next 12 months. Sioned Jones has been appointed as an environmental scientist while Ehsan Bastani has been appointed civil engineer.
Ms Jones, who completed a master’s degree at Bangor University, was appointed the full-time position after completing a work placement with Caulmert. While University of Bath graduate Mr Bastani is on the digital drafting and modelling team, part of Caulmert’s engineering division.
Managing director Mike Caulfield said: “Investing in graduate careers provides Caulmert with fresh perspectives, which in turn diversifies our teams and strengthens our offering as a consultancy.”
He added: “Sioned’s talent shone through during her work placement as an environmental scientist and there was no doubt that she would be a great fit for the Bangor team. Ehsan will play a key role in the DDM division as we bolster our highways offering this year. Sioned and Ehsan are both assets to Caulmert and superb examples of why companies should be considering graduates as part of their recruitment strategies.”
The consultancy is now looking to appoint two more graduates for its environment team and one for its geotechnical engineering team.
Design Commission for Wales
Jen Heal of the Design Commission for Wales(Image: Design Commission for Wales)
The Design Commission for Wales has appointed Jen Heal as its deputy chief executive. A chartered town planner with a background in planning and urban design, Ms Heal first joined the commission in 2014 leading a range of urban design, planning and regeneration projects for public, private and third sector clients.
In her new role, Ms Heal will lead the placemaking agenda for the Design Commission, advising on policy and leading the development of the placemaking Wales charter and guidance.
Chief executive Carole-Anne Davies said: “Jen is an outstanding professional and valued colleague. She is a talented placemaking specialist and a passionate advocate for the importance of good design. Jen has the leadership capability required for this role and has long demonstrated her ability to engage with and support colleagues across sectors, in local authorities and the Welsh Government.
“Jen is particularly adept at equipping others with the knowledge and understanding of how to create better mixed-use communities with a sense of place in the context of change for existing settlements or new development.”
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The City UK
Tom Bray
The City UK, the trade-body representing financial and related professional services, has appointed Tom Bray as the Wales representative of its national and regional chairs.
Mr Bray, who is senior office partner at global law firm Eversheds Sutherland’s Cardiff office, will be responsible for developing opportunities for greater collaboration with other financial centres across the UK, leading industry engagement with policymakers across Wales and in Westminster, and pursuing stronger links with key local stakeholders.
He said: “I am excited to take up the role of TheCityUK National Chair for Wales and work with the team to promote and advocate for the industry across the nation.
“Wales has a strong financial and related professional services industry and has a growing reputation for providing high-quality professional services and support functions, with expertise in insurance technology support, taxation and legal services. I look forward to collaborating with other financial centres across the UK to drive growth and support local businesses.”
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