Brace of high profile appointments at Marketing Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM’S inward investment body has strengthened its senior management team with two high profile appointments.

Dr Richard Hutchins, Director of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) Academy for Young Engineers and Director of JLR Programmes, joins Marketing Birmingham as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Strategy.

The agency, the region’s strategic marketing and inward investment body, has also recruited Nicola Hewitt as Commercial Director.

Ms Hewitt brings strong commercial experience to the post, having held international marketing roles with Codemasters and Brintons Carpets. She will lead Marketing Birmingham’s business attraction and business growth teams.

Prior to his post at WMG, Dr Hutchins was Deputy Chief Executive at regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands. He has a commercial background in the food sector including Business Director for IGD, the UK’s leading research, education and training organisation for the food industry.

Commenting on the new appointments, Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, said: “Richard and Nicola will bring a comprehensive mix of public and private sector experience with particular expertise in business development and economic planning.

“It is critical that Marketing Birmingham continues to provide exemplary service to its customers and responds positively to the changing regional political geography.  In Nicola and Richard we have two people who I am sure will make a significant contribution to the region’s economic prospects.”

Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport and Chairman of Marketing Birmingham, added: “The board of Marketing Birmingham is keen to ensure the company continues to play a significant role in attracting investment to Birmingham and the wider region.  

“In Nicola and Richard we have two talented individuals that will complement the existing strengths of the company’s management team and will add further capacity and capability at a key moment in the organisation’s development.”

The two appointees will take up their new roles early next month.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close