People on the Move: Visualsoft; Transport for the North; Corstorphine + Wright; INPD; WorkMobile
Manchester-based e-commerce agency, Visualsoft, has appointed Lindsey Roberts to digital operations manager.
The newly-created role is set to strengthen the agency’s digital department ahead of an exciting period of growth.
Prior to taking up the position Lindsey spent three years developing and shaping the email marketing team at Visualsoft.
Lindsey has more than 10 years of experience in the digital industry, before joining the team at Visualsoft. She led a team of marketing consultants at an email service provider, working with brands like WWF, All Saints, Adidas, and Domino’s Pizza Group.
She will be working closely with Gavin Lowther, head of digital, to identify and implement processes to improve department efficiencies and performance. The ultimate purpose of the role is to drive client growth and ensure high satisfaction rates – keeping Visualsoft and its client roster ahead of the eCommerce curve.
Digital marketing is growing at an unprecedented rate, with recent research finding that it is expected to account for 12% to 24% of total advertising by 2020.
With digital transformation becoming a cornerstone for survival in the retail market, Visualsoft says investing in the sector is integral if businesses are to survive.
The firm counts a team of 287 staff across four offices, all of whom specialise in the design, build, support and marketing of online stores for retailers. Currently, the company works with more than 1,000 UK clients, from Charles Clinkard to Little Mistress and The Lakes Distillery.
Lindsey said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed leading Visualsoft’s email marketing department over the last three years and I am really excited to get stuck into this new challenge. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work across all online marketing channels, supporting both our clients and Visualsoft, too.”
Gavin Lowther added: “Lindsey has played a key role at Visualsoft over the past three years, so we’re thrilled to promote her to digital operations manager. It is an exciting time in the business for Lindsey to take on this new role with all of her past experience and knowledge at Visualsoft.”
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A senior leader who has overseen transformation of London’s transport network is set to join Transport for the North to coordinate investment across the region.
David Hughes, who will join Transport for the North as director of strategy and programme in February 2020, has spent the past 15 years in senior roles at Transport for London.
He’ll draw on his experience in the capital, where his roles have most recently included investment delivery planning director, where he planned all aspects of TfL’s multibillion-pound capital investment programme.
Returning to the North, David will have oversight of the delivery of some of the North’s most high-profile projects. He’ll lead on driving forward the Northern Infrastructure Pipeline – a list of road and rail schemes advocated by the North’s leaders including major projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Barry White, TfN chief executive, said: “There’s never been a time when the future of transport and investment in the North of England has been as high on the national agenda. A perfect time for someone with David’s experience to join us.
“David has forged successful partnerships right across the capital, leading the delivery of multibillion investment programmes and co-ordinating major projects such as Crossrail.
David Hughes
“He’s been instrumental in driving a step-change in London’s transport network – a change that we, too, want to see for the passengers of the North. His knowledge and experience will be critical in making a commanding case to Government to level-up our economy.”
Having grown up in Sunderland and attended university in Liverpool, David went on to work for the UK Ministry of Defence, Deloitte and the BBC before joining TfL in 2004.
During his time with TfL he has held various roles including director of strategy and network development for the London Underground, and chief of staff of surface transport, as well as leading the client team for the multibillion Crossrail project as director of Crossrail joint sponsor team.
David Hughes said: “Heading home to the North, I can’t think of another role that I’d relish more right now. The North’s leaders have made clear their joint ambition for more investment in the transport network and a greater say over how that is delivered.
“The North is in a commanding position to shape its own future, one that propels the economy and delivers more opportunities for communities. I’m looking forward to playing my part in making that vision a reality.”
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Renowned architect Matt Brook has joined national practice, Corstorphine + Wright, bringing with him a clear design ethos and significant experience of the North West region.
Formerly head of design at Broadway Malyan, Matt will join the practice as design director and will be assisting Corstorphine + Wright in boosting the practice’s profile in the North West and guiding the development of a unified design strategy for the business.
A RIBA award-winning architect, Matt has developed extensive experience over his career, and is currently the chair of PlacesMatter, the RIBA North West design review panel.
He is the architect behind both RIBA North, the national architecture centre and the RIBA award-winning Mann Island, on Liverpool’s historic waterfront.
Matt said: “The North West has always been a very special place to me and it’s been a genuine pleasure to be able to deliver projects of the calibre of Mann Island and RIBA North.
Matt Brook
“Each city and location within the region is individual, with its own history and character, and it’s, therefore, vital that designs distil and amplify these differing regional identities.”
Alongside driving delivery of schemes in the North West, Matt has also been tasked with the creation of a unified design ethos for the practice, further enhancing Corstorphine + Wright’s already high quality of delivery across its national network of studios.
Director Michael Lampard said: “The practice has undergone considerable growth over the last 12 months and we need to ensure that as we expand both in terms of our geographic reach and size of the teams, we maintain a cohesive approach to design.
“A key element of Matt’s role is to ensure that each of our studios around the country are operating within an aligned design framework. As we continue to grow, this will help us to ensure that the practice delivers the high standards of work that our clients have come to expect from the practice.”
The firm has 12 offices throughout the UK, including Liverpool and Manchester.
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Leadership and management training company In Professional Development (INPD) has expanded its team with four new staff, including its first apprentice.
Chloe McDaid, 18, has begun an apprenticeship in business administration which will see her work across all departments at Wigan-based INPD.
Training provider Alliance Learning is working with INPD to deliver the programme.
The company’s other new recruits include event co-ordinator Rebecca Highton, who was previously an event planner at Salford’s Lowry Hotel.
Her role at INPD is to ensure the smooth running of its courses across the UK.
Laurence Kellett has joined the business as an email marketing executive from Skelmersdale company Direct365.
Using his experience of data management and email targeting, he is focused on optimising email marketing campaigns for INPD.
Mike Johnson has joined INPD’s sales team from Salford Professional Development as an executive education consultant, helping to build customer relationships and drive revenue growth.
Chloe McDaid
INPD director Dave Hall said: “We are committed to developing our own talent while also bringing in experienced professionals as we look to continue our rapid growth.
“Chloe is a confident and highly-motivated individual who is proving to be a tremendous team player. We are sure she will make an excellent contribution to the business while gaining valuable experience.
“Rebecca, Laurence and Mike each have strong track records of success in their respective specialist areas and are great additions to the team.”
Chloe said: “I heard about the apprenticeship at a college careers convention and, not knowing what university course I wanted to do and seeking real world experience across a range of business areas, I jumped at the chance to join INPD.”
Kelly Perkin, chief executive of Alliance Learning, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with INPD on the development of our next generation.
“It’s great to see local companies giving young people an opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship.”
INPD provides leadership and management training to executives across the country.
The company, which began trading in March 2018, has so far delivered more than 70 courses nationwide, training more than 1,500 delegates.
The business, which is led by Dave and fellow directors Marc Davis, Jon Palmer and Stuart Thompson, is on track to double revenues from £1.2m to £2.4m this financial year.
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Mobile data capture specialist, WorkMobile, has boosted its technology department following a string of new client wins.
Shayan Rastegar has joined the team as a junior software developer, supporting on vital software development projects and supporting the wider development team.
Having had a number of projects to deliver on a tight timescale for both new and existing clients, WorkMobile made the decision to expand its fast-growing technology division.
Holding years of experience in the technology industry, Shayan is the latest addition to the team, with WorkMobile having also recently brought Che Knights on board as a C# developer.
Shayan Rastegar
Available on every type of mobile device, WorkMobile’s app provides a more accurate, compliant and efficient alternative to paper forms captured in real time. It is stored securely in the cloud, so information can be accessed and shared from anywhere.
When necessary, businesses can have a clear electronic audit trail to keep their customers fully informed and ensure that they have proof of operating in the most compliant manner.
Shayan said: “I’m delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting time. The business is growing rapidly so there’s a lot I can get involved in right from the outset, ensuring that the WorkMobile service is the best it can be.”
Chief executive Andrew Huntly said: “Shayan’s drive, enthusiasm and positivity really made him stand out from the pack and we’re so pleased to welcome him to our growing team.
“We’ve recently secured a number of exciting new projects, such as that with international engineering firm Laing O’Rourke, so there will be plenty for Shayan to do. We want Shayan to grow with the business, and we’re hopeful that he will play a crucial role over the coming years.”
