Appointments: Optionis; Indigo Planning; Assura
PROFESSIONAL services group Optionis has appointed James Lawton-Hill to the newly-created position of marketing director.
Lawton-Hill’s appointment comes as Warrington-based Optionis, the parent company of contractor employment firm Parasol and accountancy and business support provider ClearSky, invests heavily in its sales and marketing functions.
In his new role Lawton-Hill will lead a 15-strong marketing department with expertise in digital, sales support, data analysis, email marketing, content creation and social media.
He joins Optionis from Manchester-based printer manufacturer Brother UK, where he progressed to the role of head of marketing and led the department to the 2014 team of the year title at the B2B Marketing Awards.
The 33-year-old has also been shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s 2015 Northern Marketer of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds on June 24.
He said: “I’m excited to be joining Optionis at this crucial point in the group’s evolution. It’s an ambitious, dynamic and forward-thinking organisation with considerable potential for further growth.
“My focus will be on devising targeted, measurable campaigns that fit within a defined strategy of supporting our customer acquisition efforts.”
Backed by private equity firm MML Capital Partners, Optionis employs around 350 office-based staff across six UK sites. Group turnover for 2013/14 was £316m.
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INDIGO Planning has strengthened its renewable energy and agricultural capability with the appointment of Guy Maxfield as associate director in its Manchester office.
Guy brings more than a decade of planning experience focusing on complex projects – particularly those falling under EIA regulations – in renewable energy and rural development.
His expertise, combined with Indigo Planning’s growing industrial and energy portfolio, will significantly enhance the firm’s ability to service major clients and landowners across the UK, the company says.
Director of Indigo Planning and head of its Manchester office, Doug Hann, said: “Our Manchester office is well established in the region and continues to grow from strength to strength. Guy’s appointment allows us to build on our growing portfolio of large scale renewable energy projects, and signals our commitment to boost this area of the business.”
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its senior team with the appointment of Orla Ball as head of legal and company secretary at its Warrington headquarters.
The hire follows the company’s transition to a UK plc. Ball joins Assura from Brooks Macdonald, where she held the position of in-house counsel for the past six years. In this position she oversaw legal matters for its property management and property funds business. Prior to her work with Brooks Macdonald, Orla was an associate in the corporate department at Eversheds.
Assura chief executive Graham Roberts said: “The first half of 2015 has already proven significant for Assura, and we are committed to having the highest possible calibre of staff to support further growth. Orla’s contribution to the team will be a valuable one, and we are looking forward to the legal insight she will bring to our business.”
In the last year Assura completed £245m of property additions. The growth in the portfolio increased rent roll by 33% to £55.6m.
