Appointments: Three join Avalon ; theEword takes two & more
WILMSLOW-based funeral plan provider Avalon has appointed three new members of staff as part of its international expansion plans.
John Shepherd has joined as sales director, Jason Gardner has been appointed operations director, and Mark Dugdale will join as financial director.
Shepherd has 20 years’ experience in sales, having worked as senior vice president at Aon Corporation – a provider of risk management services and insurance – in the UK and Europe. He will now drive Avalon’s expansion across Europe, and handle direct sales in the UK.
Gardner previously worked at Key Retirement Solutions and will now manage Avalon’s three operation sites in Wilmslow, Essex and Spain. Dugdale previously worked with LBC Corporate Finance, Red Squared and TopJobs.net.
Managing director Mike Cooper said: “The company is going from strength to strength and these latest appointments build on the success that Avalon has had over the last few months. John, Jason and Mark bring a wealth of experience with them and they’ll play a significant role in the continued growth of the business.”
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MANCHESTER-basd specialist search agency theEword has hired two new staff members, boosting its content and marketing teams.
Lauren Knowles from Burnage, a former freelance copywriter on several travel and holiday websites, has joined as a content writer.
Jennifer Leonard, is working towards her CIM award in digital marketing, and becomes theEword’s junior marketing assistant.
Al Mackin, managing director of theEword, said: “I’ve always believed that the Manchester creative community is up there with the best in the world, and after 14 years in the city I’d consider myself an adopted Mancunian. I’m delighted to welcome two more talented people to theEword – with more new clients on board, I’m sure they will help us achieve great success.”
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