People: Beever and Struthers; AeroCloud; Salford City Council; Essar Oil UK; Fuuse; Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone

Accountants and business advisors Beever and Struthers has appointed Ann Bibby as tax partner to its Manchester and Birmingham offices.

Ann brings more than 20 years of experience as a Chartered Tax Adviser and qualified accountant, specialising in a wide range of business and personal tax matters previously working in both large regional and international accountancy firms.

Executive partner, Maria Hallows, said: “Ann’s extensive experience and strong track record in advising companies, entrepreneurs, wealthy individuals, and their families in all aspects of tax will be invaluable to our clients. Ann has a unique insight and understanding of the challenges clients can face.”

Ann Bibby said: “I’m joining Beever and Struthers at a time of growth for tax advice within the profession. The vision that the firm has for personal client relationships, and its focus on helping clients navigate the complex world of tax, complements my own aspirations.”

Alongside Ann joining the firm, there have been more than 20 staff promoted in the annual review this year, including Zoe Fitchett to director in Manchester.

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Jeff Gore

Stockport-based intelligent airport management platform, AeroCloud, has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Jeff Gore as Vice President (VP) of Global Sales. Gore joins during a period of rapid growth for the company and will spearhead the sales function to grow company revenues through the expansion of AeroCloud’s network of airport customers.

Gore’s expertise complements AeroCloud’s position as the only cloud-native software as a service (SaaS) management platform in the airport sector. The last 15 years of his 25-year career have focused on scaling SaaS businesses in North America and Europe.

He will propel AeroCloud’s go-to-market strategy as it continues to experience rapid growth following its Series A funding round in February 2023. Based in Boston, he will be responsible for a commercial team of 15 people in North America and Europe.

George Richardson, co-founder and CEO of AeroCloud, said: “As we pursue our goal of cementing AeroCloud as the trailblazer in airport management technology, having a passionate and experienced commercial leader in our team is crucial. Jeff epitomises this and brings with him, also, a deep understanding of propelling the sales function in scaling SaaS businesses. He has seen what works and what doesn’t, and he’ll be invaluable in driving forward AeroCloud’s go-to-market strategy and revenues as we enter the next stage of our growth.”

Jeff Gore said: “AeroCloud is a first mover in its industry and its mission and passion excited me to be part of the team and journey.”

Gore’s appointment follows the appointment of Uri Guterman as VP of Product in October 2023, as well as the launch of its new industry report, Getting on the Runway to Growth’ which seeks to helps airport leaders recognise how they can seize on this period of change to transform their operations.

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Becky Wilkinson

Salford City Council has announced Becky Wilkinson has been appointed to the post of Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships.

Becky is currently Director of Adult Social Care at the City of Wolverhampton Council.

In the Salford City Council position, Becky will work closely with Salford’s Director of Public Health and the Greater Manchester ICS.

City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Becky to Salford. She brings a wealth of leadership experience in the statutory DASS role as well as the integrated care system and commissioning.

“She has led diverse workforces across both the NHS and local authority and also brings previous career experience from a number of other local authorities and NHS England to the role. Becky is originally from Salford so I am sure will embrace the Spirit of Salford.”

Becky Wilkinson said: “I am really looking forward to joining Salford City Council in the New Year, the challenge of a really exciting role at a pivotal time for Health and Care integration, alongside returning to my roots in Salford is a perfect scenario for me and I feel very honoured to have been offered the role.”

Becky will follow Maggie Kufeldt into the role. Maggie has been interim executive director since February 2023.

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Nimish Khare

Wirral-based Essar Oil UK has appointed Nimish Khare to the position of Chief People Officer.

Nimish is a growth-focused HR leader with more than two decades of experience of engagement, employee relations, talent and performance management in the UK and Europe.

With extensive experience in the information and technology sectors, Nimish has most recently worked at LTIMindtree where he was responsible for developing high performance teams and partnering with executive colleagues to build an inclusive and supportive HR culture and to implement people strategies to support the delivery of business objectives.

He has also held various senior leadership positions at Coforge, Wipro Technologies, Infosys Technology and STMicroelectronics and has helped steer the teams at these companies through innovative and transformational people strategies. Nimish is an electrical engineer and holds an MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.

Deepak Maheshwari, Essar Oil UK CEO, said: “I am pleased to welcome Nimish to my executive leadership in the key role of Chief People Officer. Our focus is on driving performance today and transforming for tomorrow and I know Nimish will play a key role to support our teams as the development to deliver our ambition of being the UK’s first low carbon refinery.”

Rahul Taneja, Managing Director Essar Capital, said: “Developing high performing teams through an inclusive and supportive culture is an essential component of achieving our Essar Energy Transitions ambitions. I look forward to working with Nimish to develop a people strategy that can support the delivery of these ambitions.”

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Claire Miller

Electric vehicle charge point management software company, Fuuse, said Claire Miller has joined the company as a Non-Executive Director and Advisor.

Claire is a highly respected figure in the e-mobility and energy community and will support and advise Lancaster-based Fuuse as it continues to develop and bring its EV charging and energy products and features to market.

Previously Director of Technology and Innovation at Octopus Electric Vehicles, she was a founding member of the EV leasing business, a contributor to the Electroverse roaming solution, and led the delivery of Powerloop, the first domestic vehicle-to-grid (V2G) service.

Claire said: “The fast and widespread deployment of charging infrastructure is critical to build confidence in the transition to electric vehicles, for consumers and commercial fleets alike. But installing charge points is only the start. Delivering reliable, accessible and smart charging experiences is critical to unlocking the full value of electric vehicles.”

CEO, Michael Gibson, said: “Claire’s fantastic insight and knowledge of the EV and energy industries shines from her at every turn. Few people have done more to progress the industry in the UK. Really looking forward to working together to accelerate our work on transition to an electric future.”

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Wayne Wild

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone has confirmed that Jack Straw will be stepping down as Chair of the organisation, with the position to be taken up by local businessman, regeneration leader and Trustee for Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, Wayne Wild.

Serving as Honorary President since its inception, former Labour Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary Mr Straw became Chair of Blackburn Youth Zone on retiring from the House in 2015, having served as MP for Blackburn since 1979.

Andrew Graham, founder and trustee of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, expressed his gratitude for Mr Straw’s service and contribution to the organisation. He said: “We are immensely grateful for Jack’s unwavering commitment and invaluable contribution to Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone. His leadership has been a guiding force for us, and his impact will continue to be felt in the years to come.”

He added: “We are excited to welcome Wayne Wild to his new role. Wayne brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our mission. We believe under Wayne’s leadership, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone will continue to thrive and make a positive impact on the lives of young people in our community.”

Blackburn-born Mr Wild is the former Group Commercial Director of WEC Group, a Darwen-based business which he helped steer to a national group of 19 companies, turning over £100m per year and employing 1,000 people. He is also Chair of the Darwen Town Deal, a £110m investment plan to stimulate internal economic growth in the area.

He said: “As a born and bred Blackburn-er and passionate Trustee of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zones, I could not be more honoured to be taking on the role of Chair, and especially to be succeeding Jack, whose contribution to the Youth Zone since its inception is immeasurable.”

Jack Straw said: “It’s been such a privilege to chair the Youth Zone for the past eight-and-a-half years. It’s a brilliant organisation now serving 1,200 youngsters (and more) each week. This is the right time for me to step down from the Chair, though I shall remain a Trustee, and I can think of no one better than Wayne Wild to lead from now on. He will have my unwavering support.”