People on the Move: Jam_; Bibby Financial Services; Westgrove Group; Pluto Marketing; Clearwater International
Jam_, formally JAMpr and JAMcreative, has made two senior hires as the agency continues to grow as a fully integrated business.
Account director Claire Robinson has been appointed to head up and lead the strategy for key accounts, including The Printworks and The Furniture Recycling Group, as well as playing a key role in new business to support the agency’s ambitious growth plans.
She has previously worked with high-profile clients including Mondelēz International, Krispy Kreme UK and Merlin Entertainments.
Dan Muir joins Jam_ as senior creative, following a five-year stint at WTF Creative in London.
Previous accounts include Warner Bros, HBO and West Ham United, and his vast experience spans print, digital, branding, packaging and animation.
He’ll be helping to lead and implement creative work for clients such as Velcro Brand Products and Sync.
Jaime Gee, managing director and co-owner of Jam_ said: “Both Claire and Dan bring a great amount of experience with them and we believe they’ll be vital to help drive the agency forward by amplifying the offering to both existing clients and future clients.”
Currently employing 12 staff in its Manchester office, Jam_’s new identity comes just over a decade after the agency was established and includes a new company website – wearejam.agency.
Jam_ has also enjoyed a record year, increasing turnover by 51% and bringing in record fee levels through a combination of growing relationships with existing clients and onboarding new clients, such as Transport for Greater Manchester, The Printworks, APJ Solicitors, MakeUrMove and Velcro.
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Bibby Financial Services specialist director, Kash Ahmad, has been appointed to the board of the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT).
Established in 1935, the IOE&IT is the professional membership body representing and supporting the interests of those involved in importing, exporting and international trade.
Kash Ahmad joined Liverpool-based Bibby Financial Services in December 2017, following a range of senior executive positons throughout the UK, the Middle East and Asia, supporting SMEs, mid-market and global corporate businesses.
Kash said: “Amid the backdrop of Brexit, it is more important than ever that businesses can access the support they need to trade internationally with confidence. The IOE&IT provides a wide range of resources and training for importers and exporters, so I’m delighted to join and add our support to such an important resource for SMEs.”
Kash Ahmad
Prior to joining Bibby, Kash held the position of managing director of Global Transaction Banking, mid-markets at Lloyds Commercial Banking.
Previous roles also include chief risk officer at Barclays Bank Pakistan and managing director of inward business for Barclays Bank’s UK global corporates division.
Bibby Financial Service’s specialist division is responsible for supporting businesses through the provision of trade finance, export finance, construction finance and recruitment finance.
Lesley Batchelor, director general of the IOE&IT, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kash to the board of the IOE&IT.
“Through its trade finance and export finance support, Bibby Financial Services has a rich history of supporting SMEs that trade overseas, and Kash’s experience of working with thousands of internationally trading businesses will be a huge advantage to us.”
Bibby Financial Services is a global financial services partner to more than 10,500 SMEs.
Formed in Liverpool in 1982, today the business has more than 40 offices throughout Asia, North America and Europe.
Kash added: “A no-deal scenario threatens the very survival of many businesses that import and export goods and services within the EU.
“It is now critical that businesses look to plan ahead for Brexit and beyond and the IOE&IT can provide the support SMEs require.”
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Fast-growing facilities management company The Westgrove Group has recruited a new brand & development manager.
James Robinson has been brought on board to help with the continuing rapid growth of the independent company which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
James, from Altrincham, previously worked for Mall Solutions Europe, which provides commercialisation solutions to the property industry.
Laurie Barton Wright, brand & development director of The Westgrove Group, which employs more than 1,000 people, said: “We are delighted to welcome James on board.
“He comes from a strong commercial background and has a good understanding of our market sector.
“He is set to be an intrinsic member of our business development management team as we continue to grow within the shopping centre sector.”
James Robinson
James said: “I’m looking forward to being part of such a forward thinking and successful company.
“My previous experience within shopping centres will help support the synergy by Westgrove proposition which is very much about industry knowledge, added value and service excellence.”
The Westgrove Group is projecting a turnover of around £22m at the end of 2018, a 21% growth on 2017.
Headquartered in Warrington, the company specialises in providing security, cleaning and security services in high footfall destinations across the UK including shopping centres and airports.
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Jill Holden has left her senior role at Forrest to launch a new marketing and communications consultancy business.
She has launched Pluto Marketing, specialising in the property and construction industry across the North of the UK.
The new company offers an integrated marketing and communications approach, with a range of services to help organisations shape strategy and target results-driven campaigns.
Jill Holden
With a strong reputation within the built environment sector, including the last eight years at main contractor Forrest, Jill has also led teams at BDP and 3DReid as marketing manager, North and national marketing & business development manager, respectively.
Jill said: “Launching my own business has been a long-term ambition which is now an exciting reality.
“With seemingly more and more organisations looking to bring onboard external marketing support, rather than growing in-house teams, clients can ensure best value with quantitative results whether they require strategic consultancy, insight, media relations, digital campaigns or brand development.”
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Clearwater International has promoted director Michael Loudon to partner.
Michael Reeves, Clearwater chief executive, said: “It’s great to be able to promote individuals from within the business.
“Michael has consistently delivered great results and has been instrumental in the completion of a number of high profile deals, as well as helping to build the team and continuing to develop private equity relationships in the North.
“We look forward to his further contribution to the business.”
Most recently, Michael advised the shareholders of Pyroguard, a leading independent manufacturer of fire safety glass, on its buyout backed by ESO Capital Partners.
Since joining the Manchester-based financial institution in 2016, Michael has advised on a number of high-profile transactions across the mid-market.
Notable successes include advising the shareholders of ChargePoint Technology on its buyout backed by LDC, WHP Telecoms on its buyout backed by Equistone, and The Creative Engagement Group on its sale to Huntsworth plc.
Prior to Clearwater International, Michael spent more than 10 years with Gleacher Shacklock in London, where he advised on a range of transactions across the industrials, infrastructure and transport sectors.
Michael Loudon
He said: “I am thrilled to have been invited into the partnership of Clearwater International.
“Over the two years I have been with the firm, I have seen the strength of our organisation continue to grow and have had the privilege of working with some phenomenal businesses, management teams and investors.
“I am very proud to be part of the Clearwater International team and excited to continue our strong momentum in the market.”
Michael Reeves added: “This is the sixth internal promotion to partner across Clearwater International in 2018, illustrating our continued commitment to career development and progression.
“These appointments are testimony to one of our ongoing strategic goals on being ‘employer of choice’.”
