On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Fresh produce supply chain expert Doreen Spikings has been announced as chief operating and commercial officer to accelerate growth for three agri-tech commercial research and development businesses, B-Hive Innovations, HarvestEye and RootExtracts.
Spikings brings more than 20 years of experience in the fresh produce sector, with expertise spanning, production, operations procurement, technical and commercial strategy.
Her career journey began at field level harvesting gem lettuce, before progressing through various roles building her understanding of global supply chains, sourcing, and crop yield optimisation.
Spikings has joined following three years as commercial director at Irish fresh produce grower and distributor Keelings, prior to which she also held commercial director positions at potato supplier Greenvale and Greenyard, a global supplier of fresh, frozen and prepared fruit and vegetables.
Spikings said: “My career has taken me to many amazing countries, such as Kenya, South Africa, New Zealand, where I have gained a broader perspective on global food solutions, from supply chains to sourcing and crop yield optimisation. From my experience, I can see how and where research-based solutions to real-world challenges have the potential to be enormously transformative.
“Having more recently focused on the commercial aspects of the fresh produce industry, I believe I can help accelerate B-Hive, HarvestEye and RootExtracts growth portfolio, building on the fantastic work already achieved, and delivering solutions that offer tangible benefits for supply chains.
“Financial and environmental sustainability are two aspects that must be considered hand in hand when building global fresh produce solutions and I see this as a real growth opportunity for the business.”
Vee Gururajan, CEO at B-Hive Innovations, HarvestEye and RootExtracts said: “Doreen’s supply chain acumen adds the ideal requisite that we need to connect our solutions with commercial applications and globally accelerate growth through commercial R&D, IP creation and expand our portfolio of agricultural clients.
“Eight years since the inception of B-Hive, we continue to leverage research and innovation to solve problems for the future of food production that goes beyond our initial potato specialism, having expanded commercial offerings for more produce including strawberries, apples and onions, with exciting growth planned into new areas such as aquaculture.
“Crop insights system HarvestEye is growing globally and RootExtracts, which valorises potatoes into plant-based ingredients, is in the process of commercialisation. Doreen is well suited to aid this journey and build their respective commercial portfolios. Doreen is joining at a fantastic time, and we are excited at the rate of growth that is possible in 2025 and beyond.”
A Nottinghamshire-based IT support company has strengthened its team.
Your IT Department, which has more than 100 clients across the UK, has welcomed a trio of new faces, including two former employees of major Nottingham companies.
Zara Ford has been appointed as sales and marketing coordinator. Ford worked for Boots UK in Nottingham for 14 years and brings a wealth of sales experience to the Eastwood-based IT support business.
Ford said: “Your IT Department is a growing company with a supportive culture and a strong teamwork ethic. I’m really excited to start this new challenge in such a friendly environment.”
Joanne McCarthy has joined as sales development representative. McCarthy worked for nearly nine years at Nottingham-based Games Workshop, where she was a business development manager.
More recently, she was a sales executive at a global veterinary products company.
She said: “I’m delighted to be joining an award-winning team at Your IT Department and am looking forward to using my experience to bring new business to the company.”
Will Greenaway has joined Your IT Department as an Apprentice Service Desk Engineer. He has previously worked in the hospitality sector and aims to use his customer service skills and technical knowledge to help clients.
Greenaway said: “It’s a friendly company to work for and has a high retention rate, which is very impressive. They encourage staff progression and I hope to develop my career here, in the same way other employees have successfully progressed their careers.”
Greenway’s apprenticeship includes online sessions with a training provider. Around a third of the company’s workforce have come through the apprenticeship route. Apprentices are supported by the company’s in-house ‘Your IT Academy,’ which offers training and development opportunities for all employees, while also offering them financial incentives to develop their skills.
Lee Hewson, Your IT Department managing director said: “We are delighted to welcome Zara, Joanne and Will to our exceptional team. Their skills, experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable as the company continues to go from strength to strength.”
