People: Gym chain appoints new chief technology officer; Chartered Accountants welcomes associate director; and more

Xercise4Less Gyms, the Leeds-headquartered gym operator, has announced Renier Pretorius as its new Chief Technology Officer.

Pretorius joins from WHSmith, where he headed up the global IT architecture and strategy organisation as well as the innovation team.

Pretorius follows Peter Wright (Chief Executive Officer) and Helen Gauden (Chief Financial Officer) as the latest recruit to join the senior management team.

Pretorius studied B.Sc. IT degree at the Rand Afrikaans University (now known as University of Johannesburg). Upon graduating, he started his career in technology as developer and application specialist at a supply chain software vendor.

Following three years working in his native South Africa, Pretorius move to London in 2006. After a number of developer and architect roles as a contractor in the financial and oil and gas sectors, Pretorius found a home at Avis Budget Group where he spent nearly five years.

Pretorius spearheaded the design of the innovative ‘Avis Now’ app in Europe – which revolutionised the consumer’s car hire user journey.

Pretorius then joined WHSmith in January 2018, where he led the global IT architecture and strategy organisation as well as the innovation team.

In his role as Chief Technology Officer at Xercise4Less, Pretorius will be accountable for structuring the IT organising to ensure it can respond to the business needs; leading the digital transformation through design and development of an entirely new systems architecture (to include web front end, operational data hub, CRM, App and data warehouse); and optimising the technology spend and the return on investment.

Jon Wright, founder of Xercise4Less, said: “Renier was the standout candidate throughout the interview process and we’re thrilled to be bringing onboard someone with such pedigree. As a business, the IT infrastructure is something we’ve wanted to look at for a while now. Renier will be pivotal in implementing a fit for purpose architecture that improves the overall member experience.”

Renier Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer, added: “I am delighted to be joining a company that truly makes a positive difference in peoples’ lives and am honoured to be leading the digital journey Xercise4Less is embarking on to revolutionise the fitness space.”

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Bev Tate has been appointed Associate Director at Brown Butler, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Leeds.

Tate has been promoted from Manager to Associate Director. She joined the firm in 2011 and has played a key role in the development and growth of the audit and accounts team at Brown Butler having worked alongside Directors Denis Cross and Steve Hornshaw.

Steve Hornshaw, Director of Brown Butler, said: “Bev’s hard work, technical excellence and client-focused approach has played a key role in helping the team to deliver growth and provide a first-class service to clients.

“Promoting from within is paramount to Brown Butler continuing to grow, maintaining high levels of client service and remaining fiercely independent, as well as providing support to assist junior members of the team to develop their careers. We wish Bev every success in her new role.”

Tate added: “I’m looking forward to further developing the audit and accounts team at Brown Butler in my new role as Associate Director. It’s great to be recognised and rewarded and have a clear career path within such an established business.

“Our focus is on entrepreneurial owner-managed businesses; we understand their needs and enjoy providing our clients with well-rounded commercial advice.”

Brown Butler employs more than 80 people at its office on St Paul’s Street Leeds and offers a full range of accounting services including audit and assurance; tax compliance and planning; advisory and business services; and corporate finance.

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Edge45, the York-based digital marketing agency, has appointed search engine and marketing agency specialist John Readman as a Non-Executive Director.

Edge45’s digital marketing services include Search Engine Optimisation, Pay Per Click, Conversion Rate Optimisation and Social Media Advertising.

Employing a team of five, the firm has grown a large portfolio of clients across the UK including, Kopparberg, Glencor Golf and Langleys Solicitors helping them to increase their website traffic and generate more income through online sales.

With over 20 years’ experience of helping digital marketing agencies to grow, Readman will be helping to oversee the next stage of the business’s growth. He has already been responsible for the growth of several digital agencies including Summit Media and Search Laboratory.

Readman helped Search Laboratory grow from a small Leeds based agency to having offices in London and New York and working with many household names such as Asos, Boohoo, Superdry and House of Fraser.

Colin Docherty, Director of Edge45 Limited, said: “I am proud of how Edge45 has grown in the last four years and am ambitious about its potential for future growth, something which John will be a big part of – I am thrilled to welcome him to the board as a Non-Executive Director.

“John brings significant experience and knowledge of the digital agency industry, coupled with an energy and passion that will greatly benefit the company and we are very much looking forward to working with him as we embark on the next stage of our growth.”

Readman added: “Edge45 has already established a solid reputation both across the region and within the industry and I am very much looking forward to guiding the business as it moves forward. I will be identifying opportunities to scale the business, helping them to go from the best in York to the best in the UK, and beyond.”