People: MSIF; Armstrong B2B; Medicash; Hydrock; Agent; Stiebel Eltron UK
After an extensive recruitment process led by CRSI, MSIF has appointed Katie Nicholson as director of the Liverpool City Region Angel Network.
Founded in March 2018, by MSIF, Brabners and Grant Thornton, the LCR Angel Network exists as an important link for active angel investors in the Liverpool City Region and provides quality investment and connection opportunities for angels and entrepreneurs alike.
Since its inception, the network has supported businesses such as Flare, Betmate and most recently, Heatio, to gain significant angel investment, successfully supporting growth ambitions across a range of industries and markets.
Katie brings with her an extensive network and deep understanding of emerging markets that will further enhance LCR Angels capabilities in the region and will be key in fostering effective relationships within the city and further afield, with both angels and entrepreneurs looking for investment to grow businesses.
Prior to joining LCR Angels, Katie launched and managed the Bridge Angel Network in the Isle of Man, participated on the Fund Her North Steering Committee and founded the successful strategic and communications business, Petra Consulting, highlighting her sound business acumen and eye for identifying companies with significant growth potential.
Katie said “I know how valuable a successful angel network is – providing that vital support and funding for businesses at that very early-stage. There is a great deal of positive activity and support within the wider LCR entrepreneurial ecosystem, this is testament to the commitment of the Combined Authority, as well as organisations such as MSIF. I believe that the LCR Angel Network has a solid foundation on which to build and I am looking forward to driving that growth.”
John O’Brien, MSIF chairman, said: “The Liverpool City Combined Authority have bought into MSIF’s vision for LCR Angels and that it should become an angel network run by angels providing money and, most importantly, hands-on mentoring and support for the region’s entrepreneurs. Appointing Katie as the first director to LCR Angels, we have selected a proven networker, with a clear understanding of what makes a successful angel network combined with a drive and ambition to succeed.”
Mark Rathbone, partner at Brabners and one of the founders of LCR Angel Network, said: “Having helped to start-up the LCR Angel Network and having continued to support it throughout the last five or so years, it is really gratifying to see the project receive the support of the LCR Combined Authority and MSIF. Their combined funding of the angel network has enabled us to recruit Katie Nicholson on a full time basis and now enables us to professionalise what we have been doing for the benefit of the angels and the entrepreneurs we support. There is a very exciting future for this angel network as a key component of the region’s growing eco system.”
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Carl Holden
Chester-based integrated marketing agency, ArmstrongB2B, has appointed Carl Holden as deputy creative director, supporting its ambitious growth plans to become the world’s leading specialist B2B marketing agency for manufacturing and industrial brands.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, Carl joins the agency’s creative leadership team alongside chief creative officer, Matt Casey, and creative director, Simon Andrews, to deliver bold creative concepts that bring clients’ industrial products and processes to life. Carl will also be responsible for supporting and developing the wider creative team to amplify the agency’s creative excellence.
Carl said: “The level of creative thinking and craft at ArmstrongB2B is truly impressive and the work they do for the industrial sector is second to none. It’s exciting to be joining such an enthusiastic and talented bunch. I’m especially looking forward to working closely with the younger creatives and to see what we can learn from each other.”
Matt Casey, said: “Having a team of sharp and talented creatives continues to be a primary focus for ArmstrongB2B. Carl’s approach to creativity and his esteemed creative background makes him a solid addition to the agency, and our clients, as we strive to find new and innovative ways to showcase technical and complex products and solutions to attract and engage audiences for the businesses we work with.”
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Charles Oddy
Medicash, the Liverpool-based corporate health cash plan provider, has appointed Charles Oddy to its board, subject to regulatory approval.
Oddy has also been appointed non-executive director of Health@Work, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medicash.
Having seen its most successful year on record in 2022, Medicash this year celebrates reaching its 500,000 policyholder milestone. The company said its ongoing success offers a key moment for the arrival of its latest addition to the board.
Charles Oddy is an actuary, investment and risk management professional with more than 20 years’ experience within hedge funds, asset management, derivatives and early stage investments. Oddy currently sits on the board of Liverpool John Moores University where he also chairs the audit and risk committee. He also recently completed six years on the board of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.
Oddy said: “I am immensely proud to be joining Medicash as non-executive director. It is an exciting time to join the board and I look forward to using my experience and knowledge to support their strategic and operational ambitions.”
Chief executive, Sue Weir, said: “We are really looking forward to working with Charles during this exciting stage in our company’s history. His extensive commercial experience will be a welcome addition as he joins our audit committee and becomes chair of the risk ommittee.”
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Danny Hope
Integrated engineering design, energy and sustainability consultancy, Hydrock, said Danny Hope, regional director in the North West of England, has been appointed to the regional leadership board of Business in the Community (BITC), joining a team of senior figures who are providing strategic guidance ensuring the charity achieves its local objective to drive forward thriving communities.
BITC works with members, partners and stakeholders across a range of sectors. Its leadership board in the region is chaired by, Christopher Gray, chief of public sector at AND Digital, and brings together people who possess a unique blend of cross-sector knowledge, skills and connections in the North West.
Sue Husband, director of delivery and impact at Business in the Community, said: “The energy and drive that Hydrock bring to all their activity, will complement the existing board of purposeful leaders in the North West, committed to driving greater impact, transforming lives and helping the planet and communities thrive.”
Danny Hope said: “I’m really pleased to join the BITC North West leadership board, alongside other brilliant leaders with the vision to create a fairer and greener world driven by fairer and greener businesses. I can’t wait to get started as the BITC aligns perfectly with Hydrock’s own purpose and values. I look forward to working collaboratively with BITC employees, fellow members, peers and the wider business community to help achieve these aims.”
Based in Manchester, Danny is responsible for overseeing the operations and performance of Hydrock’s team in the North West of England — which is now 100-strong across three offices in Hale, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent.
In his career as a specialist brownfield regeneration practitioner working right across the built environment, Danny has amassed more than 20 years’ experience of working in academia, local government and professional consultancy and forged many strong relationships with influential people along the way.
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Rhys Buxton and Anna Wharton
Brand and communications agency, Agent, has announced the expansion of its team with the hiring of Anna Wharton as head of communications and Rhys Buxton as senior partnerships manager.
Both bring a wealth of experience to the North West agency which was established 17 years ago.
Anna Wharton joins Agent from her former position as an associate director at tigerbond, where she worked across various high profile brands, including Specsavers and Biffa. Anna has a proven track record of delivering numerous PR and integrated comms briefs and leading high performing teams.
Rhys Buxton comes to Agent from Kaefer, where he worked as a proposals manager. Rhys brings exceptional skills in project management as well as strategy and the development and delivery of comprehensive bid proposals.
Agent CEO and founder, Paul Corcoran, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Anna and Rhys to the Agent family. Their impressive track records and combined expertise will be invaluable in enhancing our client service and offering; supporting us to drive business growth. We are confident that their contribution will fortify our position as a leading creative marketing agency.”
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Stiebel Eltron UK has expanded its team by a quarter so far this year as it looks to supercharge Britain’s heat pump market.
The supplier of renewable energy products has bolstered its workforce with nine new hires across its operations throughout the UK to bring the company’s headcount to 44 staff.
Established in 2008 in Bromborough, Wirral, the company is now a major supplier of heat pump products and installer training to the industry.
Boosting employment within the Liverpool City Region with five new starters across its Wirral operation, they are Charlie Benjamin, marketing executive, Sam Partridge as product manager, Darren Woodward in the warehouse and two customer facing roles for James Lapping and Laura Colley in technical and sales, respectively.
The team expansion comes as part of the firm’s ambitions to grow every area of the business. Pat of this ambition will see the company continue to recruit for sales and technical roles in the Wirral office, with further recruitment in the warehouse planned before the end of 2023.
Managing director, Mark McManus, said: “At the start of the year we set out an ambition to see the company go from strength to strength. These new starters are a signal of intent to seeing this come to fruition. With the company growing its workforce, with a raft of expert employees across our operations, we are now well placed to further support the UK heat pump market and see it flourish in the years to come.”
