People: Aibytech; Ipsum; Turley; Co-op; Placefirst
Manchester-based baby-tech firm Aibytech has appointed former Dyson EMEA president Phil Parsons as its chairman and CEO.
Previously European and Middle East President at Dyson, Parsons brings a wealth of technology and engineering experience to the fast-growing start-up.
Parsons said: “Aibytech is at a critical moment in its journey, as we aim to finish the first phase of our product development. Having worked in the technology sector and multiple markets for 15 years, I am looking forward to using that knowledge to help build the commercial and operational functions we need for rapid and sustainable growth.
“Baby-tech is a relatively underserved market, making it prime for disruption and Aibytech is at the forefront of that movement. I can’t wait to get stuck into this next phase of growth.”
His appointment comes on the back of the firm’s recently announced new funding round.
Aibytech founder Stephen Senior said: “We are at a hugely exciting time in our journey, as we welcome Phil to help steer and guide our growth strategy, while also launching our latest funding round. This investment will help drive our ambitious plans for research and development, enabling us to introduce landmark products that will redefine the baby-tech industry.”
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Specialist infrastructure services group Ipsum has appointed Charlie Cornish as the new Chair. He is currently Group Chief Executive for Manchester Airports Group, a role he has held for more than a decade. Prior to this, he was Managing Director for Utility Solutions at United Utilities plc and Chief Operating Officer at RWE Thames Water. Charlie’s most recent non-executive role was Chair of Network Plus, a leading utilities and infrastructure services provider for the UK’s water, gas, electricity and telecoms sectors.
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Planning and development consultancy Turley has announced Stephen Bell as its new chief executive.
He steps into the role as current chief executive Dave Trimingham takes on a new position as executive chair.
Since joining the company in 2013 as a director, Bell has progressed to the role of senior director, head of planning North. In addition to leading the northern planning team, he has been a member of Turley’s leadership team since 2018.
He has led a range of major projects across the northern regions including Hulton Park in Bolton and Protos in Ellesmere Port and continues to advise on a number of housing and commercial developments, as well as energy infrastructure.
He said: “We have a fantastic employee-owned company made up of so many talented people. It is a company that is improving year on year, and that positive, progressive environment is being felt by our people and our clients.”
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A new chief procurement officer will join The Co-operative Group on Monday 5 June.
Imran Rasul will take responsibility for leading the whole procurement team from Claire Costello – who moved into the chief people and inclusion officer role at Co-op last year, while continuing to oversee procurement.
He will support across the whole of Co-op Group – including retail, life services (Legal Services, Insurance and Funeralcare businesses) Nisa and ventures – to deliver the best possible value.
He joins from Nationwide Building Society, where he was CPO, and brings with him a wealth of experience from previous senior procurement roles in large organisations including BAE Systems, BT Openreach and GlaxoSmithKline.
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Build-to-rent provider Placefirst has appointed Anna Hwang as its new assets and strategy director.
This is a new role and key addition to the senior leadership team for Placefirst. Hwang joins with over 20 years’ experience in the property sector and will be responsible for developing and executing Placefirst’s real estate strategy, which looks to build on recent success as the business aims to reach 6,500 homes in the coming years.
She joins Placefirst from Savills, where she was director of operational capital markets for two years, consulting with clients to drive their strategy and achieve maximum growth. Prior to this, Anna was a partner at investment and asset management specialist Addington Capital.
She said: “I am delighted to be joining Placefirst at such an exciting time for the business. Our position as an industry leader in the market is shown through a number of high-profile schemes currently being built or in planning, and it is important we continue to be influential in the industry and create communities where people are proud to live and rent for the long term, in an exciting and growing residential sector.”
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Martin Collingwood
Manchester commercial law firm, Kuits solicitors has appointed Martin Collingwood as a Senior Lawyer, specialising in construction and engineering. He has worked in house as a legal advisor to major international building and civil engineering and property development groups. He has extensive experience of major infrastructure contracts both nationally and internationally including the Channel Tunnel, Great Belt Bridge in Denmark, Canary Wharf, Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, DBFO Roads, defence contracts and others and has also worked on energy projects (renewables, nuclear, oil, gas and coal) both on and offshore. He is an accredited civil and commercial mediator and is a part time lecturer with the University of Lincoln.
