Appointments: BFA; Pixel8; Suttons & more
LANCASHIRE businessman Simon Bartholomew has been elected as chairman of the British Franchise Association.
Mr Bartholomew, of Preston-based Oscar Pet Foods, replaces Burnley-based Michael Eyre in the role which will see him lead the trade association for ethical franchising in the UK.
The BFA represents some 375 businesses with more than 12,000 franchisees across the UK. In the North West franchise businesses contribute £1.4bn and account for 55,000 jobs.
Mr Bartholomew said: “I’m hugely excited about the prospect of leading an association which represents so many dynamic and diverse companies led by innovative, forward-thinking business men and women.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the franchise sector, which has shown exceptional growth during the past five years where other industries have struggled. Ethical franchising has afforded thousands of people the chance to realise their dreams of business ownership, and I’m looking forward to helping many more understand its benefits.”
::
MANCHESTER-based branding and digital agency Pixel8 has recruited Melanie Carey-Yard as its first business development director.
The Northern Quarter-based firm has earmarked £300,000 for investment as it targets revenue growth of 20% to £1.5m.
Miss Carey-Yard was previously with advertising agency TBWAManchester. Her arrival and that of seven other specialists over the past 12 months have taken staff numbers to 24.
The firm is investing £300,000 to expand its award-winning Brandit Global suite of marketing software products, which has been developed initially for the hotel and hospitality sectors.
::
FOOD Dudes, the Cheshire company behind a programme for schools encouraging children to make healthy eating choices, has appointed Sue Sudak as its head of product management.
Although her initial focus will be the UK, she will also supporting existing projects in the US, Italy and Southern Ireland, as well as uptake in new markets.
She said: “With the prevention of childhood obesity high on the public agenda, we’re seeing a huge demand for help in educating children about healthy eating. Food Dudes is at a very exciting stage in its journey with ambitious plans to grow globally.”
::
INTERNATIONAL logistics and supply chain specialist, Suttons Group, has appointed Greg O’Shea as regional director, Americas.
Most recently, he was with Tradelink Australia and prior to that, he was vice-president supply chain, with Big C Supercentre in Thailand.
Mr O’Shea said: “I have relocated to the USA, after 10 years in Asia, to take up this role – a move which I think speaks volumes about the scale of opportunity the position entails and the value I believe I can bring to the business in advancing its ambitious expansion strategy.”
Runcorn-based Suttons Group, which has operations across six continents, recently posted a revenue increase of 4.1%, to £154.7m, for the year ending 30 April 2013.
::
STEVE Brittle has joined surveyors Matthews & Goodman as senior associate in its Manchester business space team.
He is joining the firm after two years at Dunlop Heywood, where he was an associate director.
Mr Brittle has been involved in a number of recent high profile occupier deals across the North West, including a 60,000 sq ft headquarters relocation into Manchester city centre, and acquiring 10,000 sq ft at Manchester Airport.
