People: NYTA Consulting; Simed Global; Suttons Tankers; NSG Group; University of Liverpool; Luma Marketing;
Francesca Spence, the founder of business consultancy NYTA Consulting, has, on a voluntary basis, taken up the role of non-executive director at Manchester-based charity, TiPP (The Theatre in Prisons and Probation Centre).
Ms Spence trained at KPMG and has previously held senior finance and operations roles at brands including The Very Group and Bensons for Beds. She also chairs a group for Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales members in practice and industry who have an interest in ecommerce and who are based in Greater Manchester or the wider North West region.
She said: “I believe that rehabilitation of offenders is both a moral duty and a practical necessity for society. Often one of the greatest challenges in achieving this is to expand people’s horizons and help them understand there is another way forward. That is exactly what TiPP does. It is also closely linked to the University of Manchester so, as a UoM alumnus myself, I was doubly keen to get involved.”
TiPP was founded in 1991, originally as a part of the University of Manchester’s Department of Drama. In the more than three decades that have followed it has developed an international reputation for delivering high quality participatory arts projects with a wide range of people in the criminal justice system.
Ms Spence added: “Chartered Accountants have a wide range of skills, experience and knowledge that can be of benefit to not-for-profit organisations. Many of my fellow accountants already hold a range of voluntary positions, and I would encourage my professional peers, at all stages of their careers, to seek out opportunities to do likewise – not only is it the right thing to do, it will also provide you with invaluable experience and contacts as you progress in our profession.”
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Dr Michael Markiewicz
Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Michael Markiewicz, has joined forces with Liverpool-based Simed Global in the pursuit of revolutionary medical breakthrough
Simed Global, an innovator in the field of medical technology, welcomes Dr Markiewicz, consultant at Chelsea & Westmister Hospital, Cromwell Hospital and St John’s & St Elizabeth’s Hospital. It says this marks a significant milestone in the quest to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections, a long standing challenge in the medical community.
Dr Markiewicz, recognised for his expertise and groundbreaking contributions, joins the Simed Global team already working with Liverpool University and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to drive the mission to achieve the holy grail of medicine.
With a shared vision to revolutionise diagnostics and improve patient care, Dr Markiewicz brings his extensive knowledge and innovative thinking to the Simed Global team. Through cutting-edge technology, their collaboration aims to enable precise instant differentiation between viral and bacterial cases to add to the already existing technologies capabilities.
He said: “The ability to accurately distinguish between viral and bacterial infections has long been regarded as the holy grail of medicine. With Simed Global’s commitment to innovation and their state-of-the-art non invasive instant technology, we have the potential to transform the landscape of healthcare. This is what I and many others have been waiting many years for. The implication of this will be truly staggering in terms of what it would do to patient care.”
Simon Maurer, Simed Global founder, said: “His extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to advancing medical science perfectly align with our mission. By combining his expertise with our technology, we are confident in our ability to achieve a major breakthrough in distinguishing instantly between viral and bacterial infections to add to our already existing portfolio ”
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David Heath
Suttons Tankers has appointed David Heath as head of fuels and powders to its growing senior leadership team, to build on its recent success in these sectors.
With more than 25 years’ experience in senior management positions, David Heath brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in fuels and powders, which will be a key driver in achieving the Winsford-based business’s growth strategy.
This new role will be centred around the two named emerging sectors, placing significant attention on strengthening existing customer relationships, while also expanding in these areas with new business growth.
David will also be focused on reinforcing Suttons’ reputation in the market as a supplier of choice based on its exemplary levels of safety and best in class customer service.
Michael Cundy, managing director of Suttons Tankers, welcomed the appointment, saying: “With impressive experience in the industry, he is well placed to strengthen and develop upon our recent commercial success in these areas of the business.”
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Kristian Chalmers
Japan-based NSG Group, which manufactures glass under the Pilkington brand, has appointed Kristian Chalmers to a newly-created post of global strategic commercial manager in the architectural glass strategic business unit (SBU).
Kristian, based at the NSG Group’s European Technical Centre in Lancashire, will support the delivery of the group’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
She’ll be responsible for broadening awareness of the group’s action towards decarbonisation, developing local action plans with the business’s international teams towards carbon neutrality, and for helping define the manufacturer’s product strategy for low carbon glass.
Kristian was previously Pilkington UK’s head of sales and brings 15 years’ experience in Pilkington UK and the NSG Group to the new role.
She said: “Our world-first proof-of-concept trials of hydrogen and biofuel form part of a broader effort in the industry to move towards its decarbonisation. This represents an exciting beginning of a long road ahead.
“We now need to closely consult with customers to understand how we can effectively meet their sustainability challenges by supplying glass that enables them to create buildings with both high energy performance, and low embodied carbon. I’m excited to take on this critically important challenge for the business as it strives to make change in the built environment.”
David Cast, climate change director at the NSG Group, said: “We’re proud of our business’s early successes towards decarbonisation, but we can’t shy away from the operational and commercial challenge represented by decarbonising an energy-intensive process like glassmaking.
“Kristian’s deep experience and connections in the industry will enable the depth of collaboration needed to help us deliver carbon neutrality, and for working with partners to gradually develop the standardised approach to low carbon glass that architects will ultimately require.”
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Prof Tim Jones welcomes Sir Peter Rigby
The University of Liverpool has appointed Sir Peter Rigby to the new role of Honorary President, Enterprise.
A serial entrepreneur, Sir Peter is recognised as one of the UK’s most respected and successful business leaders for his contribution to technology and business nationally and internationally.
Sir Peter will work closely with the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tim Jones, and the university’s senior leadership team to maximise the commercial opportunities arising from the university’s research.
Prof Jones, said: “Sir Peter brings a wealth of experience from the business and technology sector and will play a key role in further strengthening the commercialisation of our research and innovation and guiding us to even greater success.
“Sir Peter’s appointment comes at an important time for the university as we prepare to launch our new strategy taking us through to our 150th anniversary in 2031.”
Sir Peter Rigby, said: “I am honoured to join the University of Liverpool. This esteemed institution has a rich history of innovation and academic excellence, and I am excited to collaborate with the Vice Chancellor and the university’s senior leadership team to unleash the vast commercial potential within the university’s research.
“Together, we will endeavour to identify opportunities for commercialisation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, harnessing the transformative power of technology to have a positive impact for the university and its community.”
Over the past four years the university has successfully spun out 14 companies and over the next five years aims to generate a portfolio of 30 new companies, covering specialisms including advanced materials and manufacturing, robotics, AI, infectious diseases and diagnostics.
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Luma team, Lucy Lomas, centre
Northern Quarter-based Luma Marketing has increased its client base by 60% year to date in 2023 and has recruited a new studio manager to support the team’s growing portfolio.
A full-service B2B marketing agency that specialises in property and professional services, its new clients include Pegasus Group, Mansell Building Solutions, Assent Building Control and Calderpeel Architects. They join long standing clients Placemarque, P4 Planning, Gorvins Solicitors and renaissance structural and civil engineering.
The new studio manager, Hayley McMahon, joins the team after 20 years in a b2b environment, specialising in growing construction businesses. She brings the team up to five. Luma is currently seeking a PR and communications manager to meet growing demand for specialist built environment communications, with a second raft of new clients preparing for a September start with the team.
Founder, Lucy Lomas, said: “As an agency that specialises in property and professional services, this new raft of clients is a pivotal step change in the evolution of our business. We’ll be bringing our hard-earned expertise to the table to help them show their brilliance to the world.”
