Q3's key new appointments and promotions in the South East

The best-run companies are constantly on the look-out for new ways to attract and nurture the brightest and best personnel in order to expand and succeed. There are countless innovative industries and sectors in the South East, all packed with organisations doing their level best to recruit and develop the best employees.

We like to monitor these goings-on and provide updates on all the recent top-level appointments from around the South East. All so that you can stay on top of all the most noteworthy talent acquisitions and promotions in the region.

Here's a summary of what's happened so far in the third quarter of this year...

(Last updated on 24th August)

DESIGN & MANUFACTURE LABELLING

Lizzie Allen - Beaverswood
Wokingham's 'workplace visual communications and safety specialist' firm Beaverswood have hired a new Marketing Manager. Lizzie Allen has joined the company as a senior executive, bringing with her six years' worth of industry expertise.

“I am very excited about the future potential of the business," she says. "I look forward to developing ambitious marketing plans and initiatives to raise the company’s profile and further strengthen its position in the market.”

HR SaaS

David Burns - Ciphr
In what's turning out to be a strong year for Ciphr, the UK's leading Human Resources SaaS provider, the Marlow-based company have made their third senior appointment of 2022 so far. David Burns brings three decades of high-level experience to his new role as Ciphr's Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

On his appointment, he said: “I’m delighted to join Ciphr as its first-ever chief technology officer and work with such a talented team. The business has added a lot of functionality to its HCM platform over the past few years, including payroll, talent, and learning, to ensure it can deliver on the increasingly complex requirements of today’s HR and people teams. I’m looking forward to leading Ciphr’s technology strategy to develop and enhance user experience and help our customers get the most from their Ciphr products.”

ACCOUNTANCY & CONSULTANCY

Jonathan Hickman - BDO
Jonathan Hickman has been hired as Head of Tax for the Central South region by accounting and business advice firm BDO. He will oversee the team's activity and the organisation's future expansion from his home base in Southampton. Jonathan has worked with BDO in London for 25 years, the past 16 of those as a partner.

JH: “I’m looking forward to further growing the team at all levels over the next few years as we
continue to support our clients through a challenging economic climate.”

Norman Armstrong - Grant Thornton
Norman Armstrong has been named as Grant Thornton's new Practice Leader for the Thames Valley and Southampton region. As part of his new role, Norman will be in charge of directing and growing Grant Thornton's regional team, which consists of over 350 employees situated in the company's Reading, Southampton and Oxford locations.

"I’m looking forward to hitting some impressive growth milestones over the next year," he says. "The strong and supportive culture at Grant Thornton is an important factor of our success."

Amanda Cooley - HWB
The expanding Hampshire accountant HWB has promoted Amanda Cooley from her previous position as Payroll Technical Manager to a more senior role as Payroll Manager. Amanda has obviously impressed in her short time at the Southampton firm; she only joined in 2021.

She said: “I am grateful and excited to have been given the chance to manage this hard-working department and it is very much my intention that our second-to-none reputation for great service will continue. It is good to be able to put my stamp on things and make improvements where I can. It’s all about creating best company practices, streamlining work and providing top quality work for our clients."

Thanzil Khan - Azets
Director of Audit & Assurance Thanzil Khan has been promoted to Partner at Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and specialist business advisor to SMEs. Thanzil joined Azets in January 2021 and currently has overall responsibility for the region's risk assurance division. He has 17 years of experience across a variety of industries.

Thanzil said: ”I am humbled to have been made Partner after just 16 months with Azets. This is a great opportunity to continue to grow our offering and deliver a second-to-none service while developing and nurturing our team. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this firm and to witness some really good and varied things happening as we grow."

MOTORSPORT ENGINEERING

Kirsty Knight - Xtrac
There's a brand new Head of HR over at Thatcham's motorsport engineering and manufacturing specialist Xtrac. The vastly experienced Kirsty Knight has joined the company from Nationwide.

“I join the company at an eventful time and look forward to playing a pivotal leadership role in further developing and building Xtrac,” says Knight. “I relish the challenge and look forward to applying my experience and knowledge to meet the changing cultural needs of a fast-growing company.”

COUNTRY ESTATES

Merilyn Davies - Blenheim
In order to develop its relationships with the local community, Blenheim have hired a new Community Officer. Former West Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities Merilyn Davies has accepted the position and is looking forward to strengthening ties between the estate and its surrounding communities.

“I am very much looking forward to the new role. I am keen to continue my work strengthening local communities and believe Blenheim is perfectly placed to help me do this,” she said. “My understanding of Blenheim’s role in local communities, as well as a knowledge of their specific needs, will, I hope, allow me to strengthen the relationship with surrounding villages and give local people a voice at the heart of Blenheim’s work."

LAW

Keith Lancaster - Gateley Legal
Keith Lancaster has been hired by Gateley Legal as the Guildford office's legal director, in an effort to grow and expand the South East planning team. Keith joins the team with more than 20 years of expertise advising residential developers, landowners, and public sector organisations on matters related to planning, the environment and compulsory acquisition.

Real Estate Partner and Head of Planning at Gateley Legal, Andrew Piatt, had this to say about the appointment: “Keith brings a wealth of experience which will bolster the South East planning team and its service offering to meet increasing workload demands. With a strong background in residential development work, Keith will be able to utilise his experience to support both current and new clients on a variety of regeneration schemes.”

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Faryal Sheikh Talib, Tom Horton and Matt Wakeman - Vail Williams
In order to fulfil business demand, Vail Williams has added three new personnel to its ranks. Senior Surveyor Tom Horton has re-joined the property consultancy, while experienced Faryal Sheikh Talib has been appointed as Associate at the Reading office. Associate Matt Wakeman previously spent 11 years working for Oakley Property in Brighton. He will now work out of the company's locations in Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth and Gatwick.

Faryal said of her appointment: “I am pleased to be joining such a well-respected firm as Vail Williams at this exciting time as they continue to expand and am looking forward to working in a multi-disciplinary team. I thrive on challenges, delivering excellence and making a difference when it comes to clients.”

Tom's also please with his new position, saying: “It is great to be back at Vail Williams and be part of the culture and positive working environment.”

While Matt said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Vail Williams and I look forward to delivering for clients in and around Sussex.”

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Gareth Anderson - EY Reading
Gareth Anderson is now the Reading office managing partner for EY. Gareth joined EY in 2009 and since 2014, he has overseen the Thames Valley tax office. He has over 27 years of expertise advising a variety of private enterprises.

About his new role, Gareth says: “I’m thrilled to be the new Office Managing Partner for EY’s Reading office. I’d like to thank Richard for the great work he has done in successfully developing the business over the last seven years. My aim is to build on the extraordinary growth we’ve seen in Reading and the Thames Valley and South East region, working with our thriving business community and building exceptional careers for our people.”

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