People on the move: James Cropper; BDO; Portman/Clarity; Abbey Logistics Group

Cumbria-based papermaker James Cropper has made a number of appointments across senior roles within the company.
 
Steve Adams, who was appointed as managing director of the company’s paper business in September 2016, has now begun in his role.

He brings with him more than 30 years’ experience and has a strong commercial and business leadership background. Formerly working for 3M across Europe, his roles included business director for display and graphics and, most recently, business director for electronics and energy.

Adams said: “I’m excited to join James Cropper at a time when the business is flourishing and looking to grow and develop in new areas. The company has a fantastic reputation in the paper manufacturing arena and I look forward to bringing my knowledge and skills to help it build and further cement its position.”
 
Alison Daniels has joined James Cropper as marketing director, and will oversee the marketing strategy of the paper manufacturing arm of the business. She joins the company after 15 years’ marketing experience with Bayer Crop Science UK.
 
Completing the trio, Ivan Iannetta, a paper and packaging industry expert, has been appointed as sales manager for the east coast of the USA to provide local client support and promote the company’s offering in the region.

Chief executive Phil Wild said: “The paper manufacturing industry has seen a lot of changes in recent years, so the need to innovate, develop and improve is more important than ever. Our people sit at the heart of these initiatives.

“2017 is set to be another exciting year for James Cropper with the roll out of our latest paper range, Dolcelicious – a food contact approved paper – and our Tailor Made paper service across global markets.”

“We’re confident that our latest recruits bring with them the necessary skills and experience that will help us in our continued quest to be at the forefront of our industry, whether it’s technical development, enhanced marketing strategies or increased sales.”

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Accountancy and business adviser practice BDO has strengthened its customs and international trade team in the North West with the appointment of Anthony and the promotion of Onelia Angelosanto.  

BDO now has the biggest customs and international trade team based in the North compared to its competitors. Drozdowski
Drozdowski joins from HMRC where he spent the previous 14 years as a senior executive officer.

He is a customs and excise duties specialist and joins the BDO team as a manager working alongside BDO’s clients on a range of international trade matters.

Drozdowski said: “I am joining the BDO team at an important time for the industry as it’s shadowed by a cloud of ambiguity and unease. For me, this role has presented me with an excellent opportunity to combine my skills and experience to support companies in strengthening their compliance models whilst becoming more duty efficient.”

To lead the team, BDO has promoted Onelia to director. Angelosanto has been with the firm for eight years and specialises in customs and excise duties as well as export controls.

These developments within the firm are against the uncertain backdrop of Brexit which has presented various area of concern for businesses regarding the associated issues including tariffs, free trade and security within the supply chain.

Angelosanto said: “Customs and international trade is a specialism that’s not often found in a regional business adviser’s office and yet so many North West businesses have international operations.

“Tariffs were a buzzword in the run-up to the EU referendum as both sides of the campaign deliberated over how they would or could be affected depending on the outcome.

“For companies that do carry out import or export activities, it is an area to monitor very closely as duty can make the difference between a profitable and struggling business. Businesses that remain engaged and review their VAT and customs duty related activities regularly will be best placed to trade profitably as we watch the changes unfold.”

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Portman/Clarity – formerly Co-operative Travel Management, with an HQ in Manchester city centre – is continuing to strengthen its senior team with the appointment of Ewan Kassir, as the new head of sales UK and Ireland for its combined business.

Reporting directly into Paul Casement, director of sales and account management, Kassir takes responsibility for promoting Portman/Clarity’s business offering and developing new opportunities for the merged business. Kassir will undertake the new role with immediate effect.

Pat McDonagh, CEO, said: “I’ve been working over the past three months to build an exceptional team, laying the groundwork for a future about which we are all very excited. Ewan’s appointment is an essential step in this process.”

“We consistently win quality business on the strength of our award-winning technology and service excellence and Ewan is in the best position to take the team forward on this basis. I wish him and the sales team every success in achieving and exceeding our 2017 targets.”

Kassir, added: “We have the talent, technology, service and global reach to offer amazing solutions to our clients.  Having the opportunity to bring together the two sales teams, to create a new structure and sales proposition that incorporates the best of both businesses and can accommodate travel requirements from all industry sectors, is a truly exciting role.”

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Merseyside-based Abbey Logistics Group has announced the appointment of Tony Kenny as group operations director.
 
Kenny’s appointment is key to supporting Abbey’s drive for operational excellence, the company said.

His role will be critical in ensuring the company continues to provide a best in class service to its customers across the UK and northern Europe in terms of safety and compliance, service, reliability and flexibility.
 
Kenny has significant experience in logistics and supply chain operations and has held senior roles in some of the UK’s largest logistics companies spanning a diverse range of sectors, including food, retail, consumer, FMCG and chemicals.
 
He will be responsible for the day-to-day running of operations across Abbey’s three divisions: bulk powder logistics, bulk liquid logistics and the warehousing and distribution service; ensuring the team works cohesively and collaboratively as the business expands.

He is tasked with maintaining Abbey’s strong reputation for safety and compliance and continuing to ensure customers receive a user friendly, positive and personalised service, whilst further increasing flexibility and reliability for customers. Tony will also sit on the Abbey Logistics Group Board.
 
Kenny said: “There’s a really dynamic culture at Abbey and I’m excited to be joining such a unique company that really stands out in our highly competitive industry.
 
“I have joined Abbey Logistics at a tremendously exciting time; the new ownership structure combined with the ‘can-do’ positive outlook of the team and a dedication to take problems away from customers were amongst the key reasons I was drawn to the company. I believe that I can make a real and lasting impact on the way Abbey interacts with its customers and the service it provides.”
 
Steve Granite, Chief Executive at Abbey Logistics Group said: “The importance of this role cannot be underestimated as we pride ourselves on our service delivery for our customers.
 
“We are delighted to have someone of Tony’s calibre on the team and his acute understanding of the requirements of our customers. His drive for continuous improvement will exceed our customers’ expectations and further strengthen our reputation as a flexible, reliable customer focused organisation.”