Appointments: New sales director at Hilden; The Light recruits GM and more

HISTORIC Lancashire linens brand Hilden has appointed Rod Nutter as sales director. 

Mr Nutter has moved to the Blackburn-based company, which traces its roots back to textile pioneer John Hargreaves, from C&C Bed and Bath, another division of Manchester-based Vision Support Services, the textiles to office furniture group.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in the textile sector and was sales director at C&C, which supplies major retailers with bedding and bathroom products.

He said:  “It is a great honour to be associated with such an historic brand as Hilden and I am looking forward to working with the Hilden team to build the business even further. 

“My experience of working with major UK retailers and knowledge of VSS operating procedures will provide me with a strong operating platform from which to adapt to the challenges of the textile rental market.”

VSS managing director Laurie Thomas added: “We are confident his skills and experience are perfect to lead the successful Hilden business into its next stage of development.”

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THE Light, Manchester’s new luxury boutique apartment hotel, has appointed Julie Pickford as general manager ahead of its official launch at the end of the month. 

Julie joins The Light from Partnerships in Care where she was national training centre director. Her CV also includes head of national conference sales for Stonemartin, sales manager for Hilton Hotels and a policewoman in Manchester city centre.

She said:  “As soon as I visited The Light I knew that I wanted to be involved. I am looking forward to introducing The Light to the corporate and leisure markets, as the aparthotel is an exciting and unique alternative for guests. It is a very exciting venture and I can’t wait to get started!”