People: Specialist risk consultancy strengthens senior management team; Director appointment for distance-learning provider; and more

Birmingham-based risk management consultancy Equib has bolstered its senior management team with the addition of an experienced senior risk analyst.

Jacqueline Hughes brings to the management team over 10 years of risk management experience, gained across a range of high-profile projects, including many in the rail, road and nuclear power sectors.

Prior to joining Equib in 2011, Hughes worked with Network Rail, where she conducted cost and schedule-focused quantitative risk modelling, as well as communicating and developing risk management processes for projects and programmes ranging from £50k to £350m in value.

Equib specialises in providing risk advisory and management services to heavy civil construction and infrastructure projects and programmes. In her senior management role,Hughes will work closely with Neil Dunkerley and the firm’s co-founding directors Bob Hide and Bill Zuurbier to develop a long-term commercial strategy and expand the existing client base.

Hughes said:  “Since joining Equib nine years ago, I’ve gained invaluable experience advising public and private sector partners involved in the delivery of some of the UK’s most challenging projects and programmes. I’m looking forward to working closely with Bill, Bob and Neil to identify new opportunities for growth and continue strengthening the firm’s reputation as a leading risk management consultancy.”

Bill Zuurbier, managing director at Equib, added: “Jacqueline is a highly-valued member of our team and has made a significant contribution to the business over the last few years. We are looking forward to welcoming her to the senior management team and benefiting from her support as we continue to pursue our commercial goals.”

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Distance-learning provider Open Study College has announced Sadie Cooper as director of marketing with immediate effect.

The new role will see her assume full responsibility for directing strategy and activity of the marketing and ecommerce teams, with further expansion high on the agenda.

Cooper joins the company’s board of directors in a promotion from her previous role as head of marketing. She will now also take a strategic role in the direction of the organisation, which has its headquarters in Solihull.

“At Open Study College we are developing and strengthening our ability to bring effective flexible learning to a wide variety of people, broadening their career prospects and encouraging lifelong self-improvement,” said Cooper.

“As director of marketing, I will be pursuing this overall strategy with key emphasis on re-aligning the brand and improving our digital offering, identifying new audiences and establishing Open Study College as the leading distance learning provider.

“From a personal point of view, I see the opportunity as a way to play a greater part in helping thousands of people to better themselves, not just in their careers but in their personal interests and hobbies.”

Before joining Open Study College in 2018, she was brand and PR manager for npower Business Solutions, and previously held various marketing positions at npower, HomeServe and Aston Villa Football Club.

Established in 2007, Open Study College offers a range of training and further education courses, including vocational disciplines such as accounting and childcare, and traditional academic qualifications.

Currently employing 43 people, the company is preparing to move to larger premises and is seeking a marketing manager to join Cooper’s team.

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Three digital project managers have joined the team at creative communications company DRPG.

Beth Regan and Leanne Freer joined the rapidly growing digital team having climbed the career ladder together at Spark 44, a creative agency serving brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley.

Grace Wood was a project manager at a video market research company called Voxpopme, forming part of the team responsible for the European offices.

Gemma Oldfield, head of digital project management, said: “Between them they bring a great variety of skills and experience to the company and it is fantastic to see our team growing at such a rate. Beth, Grace and Leanne are great assets to the team and have already ingrained themselves seamlessly into the company work and culture.”