On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Lincoln potato supplier Branston has appointed a new group HR manager.
Rachel Leech joins Branston from fresh prepared food manufacturer Bakkavor, having been with the company between 2007-2009, and re-joining in 2010 following a stint at the NHS.
She said: “I am so excited to join Branston as group HR manager – it is an opportunity that I simply could not miss. I have admired Branston since working in the potato industry in my very early career and it has been a pleasure to see the business grow over the years. Clearly Branston is a forward-thinking company that is not deterred by change or challenge.
“I believe the company offers me brilliant development opportunities, and I know that I can offer Branston something in return, using my own expertise to provide insight to help to optimise the processes and systems already in place.”
Simon Telfer, HR & logistics director said: “We are delighted to bring Rachel on board. Her knowledge of the food sector is extensive, and she is clearly extremely passionate about her role.
“We are always keen to bring on board new talent with the drive and enthusiasm to help us to continue to innovate and move forward across all parts of our business, and I have no doubt at all that Rachel has this in abundance.”
Ben Cree
Lesley Cree Opticians in Radcliffe on Trent has expanded its team following the appointment of Ben Cree as a business development manager.
Ben graduated from Leeds University with a first-class degree in Business Management in 2016, and after travelling around South East Asia and Australia, he joined the Lesley Cree team to help develop “SUNNIES”, their online designer sunglasses business.
Initially, this involved promoting the “SUNNIES” brand and building online customers using ‘pop-up’ shops at leading sports and lifestyle events such as Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Royal Windsor Horse Show, Eastbourne Tennis Competition, Southampton Boat Show, Carfest South, Burghley Horse Show and Goodwood Revival.
Lesley Cree said, “Ben has been very successful in establishing the SUNNIES brand name and developing our on-line business. The next three years will see him further develop and learn how the ‘bricks and mortar’ part of running an opticians practice works.”
Ben added: “It has been great to build the on-line side of the business, but running a successful opticians practice means having the skills and knowledge to build relationships with patients, so I’m looking forward to learning more about this more traditional business model, as well as gaining my formal qualifications in dispensing optics. This combined experience will certainly benefit me in the future. particularly when I am advising SUNNIES customers on the best choice of designer sunglasses.”
