People: New COO at automotive engineer; law firm adds apprentice

Stephen Dyke

Northampton-based automotive engineering firm Cosworth has appointed digital and business transformation specialist Stephen Dyke into the newly-created role of chief operations officer (COO).

Dyke joins Cosworth from engineering firm Ricardo, where he spent two years as managing director, leading the company’s automotive and industrial offering across EMEA. He was also chair of the EMEA Board, as well as statutory director of Ricardo UK, so brings to Cosworth recent and relevant credentials in the fields of automotive, commercial, defence, marine, aerospace and energy sectors.

Prior to his work with Ricardo, Dyke was responsible for leading data and digital transformation within Amey, EY and Network Rail, as well as running the transport and logistics Business at CSC, now known as DXC Technology.

He said: “Cosworth is an exciting business and much broader in its capabilities than many yet know from the outside. Since joining, I have learned more about our high-performance engineering and an opportunity to scale the company’s suite of offerings into new sectors and geographies. I am looking forward to supporting the business growth, taking everything for which Cosworth is renowned, and evolving our product strategy that integrates into future mobility solutions. Speaking to Hal and the Executive Team, I got a clear understanding of the company vision, to take Cosworth’s golden thread of internal combustion engine technology, electronics and software, and use them to drive a future of sustainable and intelligent mobility.”

Holly Hayden

Law firm Weightmans has welcomed its first cohort of apprentice solicitors to its Apprenticeship Academy, which allows school leavers to qualify as a solicitor and gain a law degree while working, as applications open for its 2022 and 2023 schemes.

The 13 new starters – one of whom is based in the East Midlands – will gain experience working across each of the firm’s legal departments, and will also benefit from placement opportunities in service areas such as finance, HR and marketing, and Weightmans’ innovation department.

Denise Wright, graduate development adviser at Weightmans, said: “The future of our profession requires lawyers that can bring a combination of commercial acumen, outstanding legal knowledge and innovative thinking to the table. For us, developing alternative pathways to qualification has always been about giving budding solicitors the choice to learn in the way that suits them best, so they qualify with the skills they need to provide the highest quality client experience, embrace emerging legal technologies, and deliver the best results.

“We’re excited to see how our first cohort progress, and look forward to supporting their journey to becoming solicitors over the next six years.”

Holly Hayden, an apprentice at Weightmans in Leicester, added: “I applied to the apprenticeship at Weightmans because I wanted to learn at pace in a structured and supportive programme. From the first day in my team, I have been given responsibility to help work on cases and I have been really supported in my role. I am really enjoying the experience so far.”

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