Lucideon makes appointment to support growth plans

NORTH Staffordshire technology group Lucideon has made a senior appointment to support plans to transform and monetise high performance materials across the global economy.

Reiner Bonsmann joins the company as general manager, supporting chief executive Tony Kinsella, with responsibility for testing and consulting operations, as well as business growth development.

An engineer by profession, Bonsmann has more than 30 years’ industry experience, having worked in Germany and the US as well as the UK.

He said: “Lucideon is a progressive organisation with a growth vision which invests in people and systems.

“I am looking forward to helping to grow the business in the spirit of innovation.”

New board member for Marches LEP

THE Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has added Paul Hinkins, managing director of Business Watch Guarding, to its board,
 
Hinkins joins in his role as chair of Telford and Wrekin Business Board, where he has a broad remit to represent the views of businesses in the area, working to provide the infrastructure to encourage inward investment and growth opportunities.
 
With a background in sales and marketing for a number of SMEs and having been a partner in a security hardware company, Hinkins is now focused on the private security industry.
 
He said: “Having moved to Shropshire over ten years ago I have enjoyed witnessing how the business environment in the region has gone from strength to strength. It is, therefore, a privilege to be working alongside my colleagues at Telford Business Board and the wider Marches LEP board to ensure that this growth continues.”

One Stop Franchise expands team

ONE Stop Franchise – the franchise arm of the Brownhills-based retailer – has made two appointments.

Matt Elliott will join as a business development manager (BDM) with the remit of growing existing franchisees’ businesses, as well as bringing new retailers on board while Stephen Clark has been appointed as a launch support manager (LSM) and will move from his current role as a One Stop store manager at the end of August.

Elliott joins One Stop after sixteen years at Musgrave Retail Partners, the majority of which was in the role of regional sales manager for central Midlands and Yorkshire. 

Both roles will report to John Miller, head of operations – franchise, who said: “As our franchise estate grows, it’s vital that we deliver our proposition with the same principles we instilled from day one. 

“We’re bringing people into the team who have great experience as well as a passion for retail, but they’ll notice a whole new way of working when they join and an exciting opportunity that is great to be part of.”

Development role filled at Cooper Solutions

AUTOMOTIVE software specialist Cooper Solutions has expanded its senior team with the appointment of a new development manager.

The new role has been created by the firm following a surge in new business.

David Cooper – no relation to managing director Barry Cooper – has joined the Barford-based firm and brings with him 25 years’ experience in the automotive industry.

He has worked for Mercedes-Benz UK, Toyota and BMW during his career and has been brought in to help strengthen Cooper Solutions’ in-house and client based support. 

David previously worked with Barry Cooper while at BMW and will be working closely alongside fellow development managers Andrew Whicher and Simon Whicher.

“Cooper Solutions is a hugely progressive company which I’m delighted to be part of,” he said.