People: Opus Trust Communications; Freeths; EE Smith
Opus Trust Communications, the Leicester communications firm, has appointed former Royal Mail senior manager, Danijel Karadza, as head of customer relationships and development.
Karadza brings 15 years of experience in senior client management, strategy development and sales generation to the role.
Richard Farmer, sales & marketing director at Opus Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Danijel to the team. He is a great example of the high quality of people that we are attracting.
“We are committed to ensuring each of our clients benefit from the greater efficiencies, cost-savings and profitability which can be achieved by utilising our OpusCX communication platform. Danijel’s understanding of channel choice, coupled with his industry experience in operations, marketing and sales, will see him become an invaluable asset to our clients.”
A newcomer to a specialist interior fit-out contractor has encouraged more women to consider a career in the construction industry.
Law firm, Freeths, has appointed Rena Magdani as its national head of employment, pensions and immigration.
This follows the promotion of the previous head, Julian Middleton, to deputy chairman of the firm.
Magdani said: “I’m really excited to be taking over the role of National Head of Employment, Pensions and Immigration. It’s a privilege to lead our team of talented, commercially-minded lawyers, who put excellent client service at the centre of everything they do. I’m looking forward to the continued growth and success of the team by recruiting and developing the best lawyers across our 12 offices.”
Middleton said: “The team is in a really strong position, with a first class client list – many of whom have been with us for the long term – and I am delighted that someone of Rena’s calibre is picking up the reins. I am sure she will oversee the continued growth and significant success of our group of talented and dynamic lawyers.”
Bianca Guthrie joined EE Smith Contracts, which is based on the Clarendon Industrial Estate in Leicester, after being involved in a Women into Construction event held with West London College and the Mayor’s Construction Academy West London.
The virtual session for a wide range of businesses in the construction sector gave women the opportunity to showcase their talents to future employers.
Guthrie, from Hackney in London, was among those who took part and following a successful two-week placement, she has now secured a permanent position as a document controller at EE Smith’s prestigious contract to help create a luxury new hotel, The Peninsula London which overlooks Hyde Park Corner in the capital.
The 32-year-old previously worked as an electrical engineer and as a project planner for leisure centre and education facilities
“I have always been a practical person and I’m familiar with the work of Women into Construction which is why I joined the event,” Guthrie said.
“It is a great scheme because it gives you an opportunity to hear about positions you wouldn’t necessarily find out about and it is like a match-making session since you list three companies you would like to join for a two-week placement and employers name their three preferred candidates.
“It is a confidence booster when you are matched with each other and even with Covid restrictions, it was good to get on site at The Peninsula.
“Everyone at EE Smith Contracts has made me feel welcome and I would definitely encourage more women to consider a career in construction.
