On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

Nottingham-based clinical trials technology firm ERT has created two dedicated roles to help tackle the challenge of mental health in the workplace.

Senior software tester Sam Noel-Paton and document and training compliance specialist Julie Knapp have both become fully trained and accredited Mental Health First Aiders.

The initiative was conceived by Susan Blackman, director of HR at ERT, who worked on a similar campaign with the RSPB.

ERT’s HR co-ordinator Natasha Dames said: “We take mental health in the workplace very seriously at ERT and wanted to ensure that we look after the team as best we can. My colleague, Susan Blackman, had seen MHFA in action in her previous role. When we explored it as a possibility here we were delighted with the response from the team who were open to the concept and especially to Sam and Julie who wanted to work through the training. They are performing a vital role alongside their core responsibilities and we cannot thank them enough.”

Elsewhere, Nottingham-headquartered PR agency The Tonic Communications has announced five new appointments.

The Tonic Communications

Simon Redfern, Fay Clarkson, Sophie Gordon, Katie Moss and James Dixon have all joined the firm’s Lace Market office in the last few months, with Dixon being made head of digital.

Co-founder and director Kelly Marshall-Hill said: “Thanks to recent growth, we have bolstered our team and we are now perfectly resourced to help effectively support our new clients while continuing to provide a comprehensive service that our existing clients recognise us for.

“We’re excited to have such a talented team and while it’s fantastic to welcome new brands too, we’re also proud to continue to deliver results to our long standing clients, such as Vision Express, who we celebrate seven years supporting in 2020.”