People: ALG, OBI, Journey9 & more

LIVERPOOL-based medical products company ALG has made two executive appointments to help drive its expansion.

It has hired as hired Matt Guixe as chief operating officer and Jackie Fisher as chief financial officer. Both will work closely with chief executive CEO Hugh Sheridan.

ALG owns some of the most successful product brands covering podiatry, physiotherapy and orthotics and prosthetics.

Guixe has joined ALG after senior management roles with WWRD – owner of household brands Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton – as well as ASDA and Tesco. He is a specialist in customer experience as well as logistics and supply chain.

Jackie Fisher is an experienced FD having previously worked for Cheshire firm Thyson Technology and was also FD of Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). She also has international experience having worked for Ernst & Young in Sydney.

Sheridan said: “The appointment of Matt and Jackie strengthens the ALG senior management team and ensures that our key people are playing to their strengths. Our business has come a long way in the last five years with the opening of offices in Australia, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

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HOUSEBUILDER  Story Homes has appointed Sue Warwick as its managing director for the North West.
 
Warwick, who has more than 17 years’ experience in residential development and was most recently, regional MD for Bovis Homes. She will be based at Cumbria-based firm’s new office in Chorley, where she will lead a 50-strong team, with further recruitment already underway.
 
She said: “Story Homes has achieved incredible things in Cumbria, South Scotland and the North East and we are now set on replicating that success in the North West,” says Warwick.
 
Chief Executive Steve Errington says: “We’re delighted to have someone of Sue’s calibre to lead the North West. She has great experience, impressive leadership skills and knows the North West well. We have exciting plans for the region and Sue’s appointment is key to making those happen.”
 
Story Homes  is a Carlisle based family grown business with more than 27 years’ experience in developing land and communities.

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MANCHESTER-based OBI Property has boosted its ranks with the hire of Debbie Meredith, who has joined its  transactions and asset management team.

Meredith, who has a degree in property management and investment from the University of Salford, was previously a general practice surveyor at Macclesfield based Magnus Real Estate. She was responsible for the marketing and leasing of available space and the day to day running of the diverse portfolio at Magnus which includes office, industrial and retail assets across the UK.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining OBI Property.  The company has an established reputation as one of the leading, fastest and most innovative commercial advisors in the North West.  I am looking forward to working with the whole team as I look to develop my skills and experience in a very exciting North West property market.”

Richard Lace said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Debbie to the team at OBI Property.  She has an impressive track record and I know she will hit the ground running as we continue to disrupt the conventional approach to the North West market by applying the OBI difference.”

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MARKETING and events agency Journey9, has made a senior executive hire and also strengthened its board.

The Manchester company, which owns and operates the North West Football Awards, has appointed Nigel Bennett, a creative director with over 25 years’ industry experience and non-executive director, Charles Moyle, the former MD of Grass Roots Live.

Laura Wolfe, founder and managing director of Journey9 said: “Nigel and Charles bring a wealth of industry experience to the agency.  They are the next major hires as part of our growth plan and they join us at a really important time.”

Bennett’s first project is a full rebrand of Journey9; a new website and new logo. He said: “I am delighted to join Journey9 as creative director.  It’s an exciting time for the agency and I am delighted to be a part of the next stage in the agency’s journey.  We are very excited to reveal our new brand in early 2016.  I’m proud to be part of that.”

Meanwhile former Journey9 business development director Sophie Southworth has joined Manchester digital agency AD has its head of business development.

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MANUFACTURER James Briggs, one of Europe’s largest makers aerosol and consumer chemicals, has appointed Cyril Chitolie as head of market development.
 
He  joins the company from automotive refinishing product manufacturer, U-Pol, where, as business development manager, he grew its market share and presence in the paint and coatings market across Europe.
In a new position at Oldham-based riggs, he will be responsible for researching, implementing and developing new business streams through new geographies and product markets.
 
Tim Pugh, chief executive of James Briggs Ltd, said: “We have an ambitious strategy of organic and acquisitive growth over the next few years, and bringing on a business development specialist of this calibre was a key part of our plans. Cyril’s pedigree is second to none, and I expect his experience and expertise in the sector to be a real asset to us.”