People: Swinton bolsters management team; Regional director hire for Rowan Dartington; and more

INSURANCE broker Swinton Group has boosted its senior management with the appointment of two directors to its executive team.

Anne Kirk takes up the new position of marketing director, responsible for marketing and PR, Swinton’s insurer panel and products, digital, pricing and analytics.

Will Swain becomes the insurer’s operations director, a newly-created role overseeing change and technology.

Gilles Normand, chief executive of Swinton Group, said: “Anne and Will’s decision to join Swinton on a permanent basis is great news for our business. With their wealth of experience, they have already delivered significant changes and they will continue to play a key role in driving Swinton forward as we enter our 60th anniversary year.

“These changes to our senior structure give us the capability and focus to deliver on our plans to achieve sustainable future growth.

“We are transforming our business by investing for the future to ensure our customers can engage with us whenever and however they want – whether online, in branch or via our contact centres.”

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BRYAN PARKINSON has been recruited by Rowan Dartington to drive forward the firm’s activity and development in the north.

He joins from Barclays, where he was head of private clients for three years, following two years as director of intermediary sales with the bank.  His previous roles also included chief executive of Standard Life Client Management.

Mr Parkinson will lead Rowan Dartington’s investment directors in the north, communicating and implementing the company’s business goals and objectives to ensure consistency and best client experience across regional offices.

Rowan Dartington’s executive chairman Graham Coxell said: “Bryan’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to strengthen our exceptional leadership team, and grow our presence in the north of the country. Bryan’s strong strategic awareness will be a key influence in expanding our client base in the region. We currently have five offices in the North and maybe more to come in Nottingham and Newcastle, therefore having a director dedicated to the region has become a necessity.”
 
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CIVIC ENGINEERS, a civil and structural engineering practice with offices in Manchester, Leeds and London, has expanded with the appointment of Leah Stuart as associate director.

The transport engineering specialist joins the business as the 50-strong engineering practice has witnessed significant growth in transport-related projects across the UK.

Ms Stuart has extensive experience in the field, providing strategic advice on transport and infrastructure solutions to support future growth. She is a chartered engineer, specialising in transport and street design. She previously worked at other practices specialising in consulting engineering including Fore Consulting, Buro Happold and Alan Baxter & Associates.

Civic Engineers director Paul Morris said: “Leah’s expertise in transport and movement are crucial in helping inform our work in strategic planning and urban infrastructure. The number of transport related projects we are working on has grown significantly and Leah will be building and leading our work in this important area. This is an exciting time for Civic Engineers and Leah is a perfect fit for our focussed business growth. Her technical knowledge, coupled with her keen interest and passion in helping to make great places, fits with the company’s ambitions.”

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CREATIVE content agency Photolink Group has added to it team with two additional senior hires following the appointment of three new heads of department earlier this year.

Sian English joins Photolink in the newly created role of head of group communications. In her previous role as marketing manager at digital agency theEword, she brings with her a wealth of both agency and client-side marketing communications experience including Speedy Services and Yodel.

Her role will be central to driving awareness of the agency’s offering in Manchester, London and Mumbai as the group look to rebrand and reposition in 2017.

Also joining the group is Ro Parsons as senior shoot producer within the production team.  Ms Parsons spent nine years at Next, which included overseeing the creation of Next Directory’s non-clothing line, fashion shows and producing multi-channel advertising campaigns.

Following an internal restructure, Photolink Group has hired more than 30 staff in 2016, with further plans to expand their teams in Manchester, London and Mumbai in 2017.

Jayne Riley, CEO said: “Sian and Ro joining the team is testament to our ongoing commitment to continue to grow and develop the agency. We’re entering a significant period in the history of Photolink as we approach our 40th birthday and look to rebrand in the New Year. I’m delighted with the impact Sian and Ro have already made and look forward to what’s to come for the group in 2017 and beyond.”