New chairman brought in at Shropshire Business Partnership

PAUL Bennett, a partner at Shropshire law firm Aaron & Partners, has been appointed chairman of the Shropshire Business Partnership (SBP).

The SBP is an independent network of business professionals, which meets quarterly and is run for the benefit of its members.
 
Taking over from Nick Chavasse, Bennett said: “I am delighted to be elected as chairman of SBP and look forward to leading the network as it continues to develop and support the growth of the business and professional services sector in Shropshire.
 
“I look forward to helping create new networking opportunities for the many small and micro businesses in the area, and I will be encouraging greater collaboration between the members of SBP.”
 

New head of economic development for North Worcestershire

DEAN Piper has been appointed as the new head of economic development and regeneration, North Worcestershire (NWEDR).

Piper will head up the economic development and regeneration shared service for Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest district councils. He will spend his time working across North Worcestershire in his new role.

Bringing forward key regeneration projects and working with partners and businesses to attract inward investment in the area is a key remit. Over the next 12 months, the combined Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest district councils have committed investment in excess of £1m into the local economy.

Piper said: “The economic situation is improving but there is still a challenging financial climate, so we want to make sure the area is as dynamic and attractive as possible for potential investors and our existing businesses.”

Piper was formerly at East Staffordshire Borough Council where he was enterprise and partnerships manager for nearly nine years.

UK MD appointed at Palletways

THE Palletways Group has strengthened its UK management team with the appointment of Luis Zubialde as UK managing director.
 
It is a new position, which complements the senior management team Palletways already has in place in the UK. Julian Maturi will continue in his role as UK chairman and Martyn Young as managing director of Palletways UK Member Network.
 
Lichfield-based Palletways, which celebrates 20 years in business in this year, has continued to grow market share in the UK in recent years despite the challenging economic climate. 
 
Group chief executive James Wilson said: “Luis has led our business in Iberia for the last seven years, during which time he has spearheaded its rapid growth and development from a start-up operation to a well-established network with 59 members and two hub operations in Madrid and Zaragoza.”