People: EdTech business appoints management team; Visitor attraction firm welcomes new director; and more

Webanywhere, the Leeds-based EdTech business, has announced the appointment of a new management team.

After 15 years of running the self funded business, founder and chairman Sean Gilligan has appointed Michael Marks as its new Managing Director.

Michael joins Webanywhere with over 35 years technology experience, most recently at Smoothwall as its CEO – based in Leeds.

Joining Marks is Nicola Sharp as Webanywhere’s new Finance Director, who brings a wealth of financial experience to the board in the EdTech sector. Sharp also joins from Smoothwall where she was the Group CFO.

In addition, new Sales Director Andrew Court joins Webanywhere from Cascade HR where he helped grow the business substantially over a 10 year period.

In Poland, Michal Woch joins the business as Operations Director and has previously worked with Smart Education.

Sean Gilligan said: “Michael Marks started life as a software developer and has bought and sold a number of software companies and more recently has led Smoothwall.

“Both Michael and Nicola offer Webanywhere many years of relevant experience and are well placed to help us grow further in the USA.”

Marks added: “I am excited to join the Webanywhere team at this stage in their journey and lead them into an exciting future. The foundations are all there for accelerated growth with great people, great products and leading innovation.

“The company values of Webanywhere (proactive, curious, fun and flexible) are values that I am passionate about and have lived on a day to day basis throughout my career.”

Founded in 2003, Webanywhere is an international e-learning business with offices in Leeds, Chicago and Katowice.

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David Allwood has recently been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors and equity shareholder at JPG.

Allwood is a Qualified Chartered Structural Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in building structures.

He originally joined JPG back in 2007 as a project engineer. He then continued to develop his career with JPG and was appointed as Country Manager for JPG’s new venture in the Middle East starting in 2013 and assisted in establishing the office in Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, before returning to the UK in 2016 as an Associate.

During his time at JPG, Allwood has worked on numerous projects both nationally and internationally covering a wide range of projects across many sectors from new build high rise residential buildings, new office developments, schools, retail parks and listed building conversions.

Allwood is now part of the Board of Directors and is running one of the structures teams within the business in the Leeds head office.

Allwood said: “Having worked for JPG for over 11 years, I have always found the company to be supportive in not only my own personal development but the growth of my career within JPG, and I am thrilled to be taking the next progressive step.

“This is a great time for us at JPG at present and this is an opportunity which I look forward to embracing fully.

“This role is an exciting proposition, where the opportunities for growth and new ideas are enormous. I am passionate about building on what has been done so far, grow business revenues and invest even more in our team to enable us to further improve the customer experience and service we offer to our clients.”

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Continuum Attractions, the York-based visitor attractions company, has appointed Craig Hatto as Director of Design and Creative Experience.

One of the largest attractions organisations in the country with sites in England, Scotland and Wales within its portfolio, Continuum Attractions develop and commercially operate attractions and experiences.

Hatto’s national role will drive design and creativity across all elements of the business.

Hatto joins Continuum from Historic Royal Palaces and comes with over 25 years’ experience, working globally within both the commercial and cultural attractions industries, directing and creatively developing capital projects and award winning experiences, exhibitions and brand environments.

Hatto will spearhead and develop the group’s current creative plan strategies, commencing with the newly acquired Greenwood Forest Park, North Wales; York’s Chocolate Story; The Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh and the Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth.  

Hatto said: “It’s a privilege to work with such a farsighted organisation, and a company that is open to new ideas to challenge perceptions of what visitors with diverse interests want from a day out.

“At our heart, the daily visitors’ experience remains core, but options for alternative opportunities to maximise their time on site and add value to their visit is key. We want to attract new and diverse visitors and demographics, sustain and engage existing members by engendering loyalty and above all, remaining true to our cause; delivering innovative, entertaining and fun experiences that touch the heart and create experiences that are personal and memorable.

“We want our guests to talk about and recommend to others for years to come. How we stand out from this busy market-place is crucial, and I look forward to thinking unique, thinking big and thinking business.”

Juliana Delaney, CEO at Continuum, added: “Craig’s ability to think outside of the box combined with a keen commercial acumen means we can provide the best for our visitors, and the best for potential partners.

“His experience and skills honed at HRP add another dimension to our offer, and we are delighted to have him on board.”

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