On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

Lorraine Hillsdon-Biggs has been appointed as national human resources (HR) manager for construction firm Stepnell, which has offices in Nottingham.

Lorraine joins the £156m turnover firm which employs 430 staff, from supermarket chain Sainsbury’s where she was retail HR manager based in the Midlands.

“I am really excited to be joining the fantastic team at Stepnell during a new phase of growth and expansion for the company,” said Hillsdon-Boggs.

“My focus will be on optimising people’s talents and capabilities and implementing a strategic ‘best in class’ recruitment and retention programme to ensure that we attract, develop, engage and retain talented people with the right skills in the right roles to take the business forward and drive competitive advantage.”

Lorraine is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and holds a CIPD Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management.

Anshu Mehan (centre)

HSKS Greenhalgh director Anshu Mehan has been appointed as the president of the Nottingham, Derby and Lincoln Society of Chartered Accountants (NDLSCA) for 2018/19.

Anshu, who is also a chartered tax adviser and a member of Society of Trust and Estate practitioners, takes over the role from George Acquah of Rolls-Royce. Christine Turner will take over the role of deputy president.

During her presidency, Anshu will represent the views of local members at national level, set the NDLSCA’s strategy for the next 12 months and attend a variety of events across England and Wales on behalf of the Society.

Mehan said: “Over the next 12 months we are looking to put on a series of events which will appeal to younger members and increase the use of social media to connect with our membership. On a personal level I am honoured to be the District’s representative and am looking forward to attending a variety of events across the country to raise the profile of the region’s accountancy professionals.

“I am also mindful that my year in office will coincide with the hundredth anniversary of the admittance of Mary Harris Smith as the first female member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, her application having twice being rejected previously on account of her gender. She was 72 years old at the time of her admittance. Since then women have made considerable progress and now account for nearly 29% of the Institute’s membership in UK. I want to encourage more women to get involved in representing the profession at both district and national level and promote Women in Business Forums.”