People: Wesleyan strengthens board with private equity investor appointment; Contractor makes senior hire to lead on £60m Commonwealth Games venue; and more

Wesleyan, the Birmingham-based specialist financial services mutual for doctors, dentists, lawyers and teachers has appointed Linda Wilding to its board.

She will chair the remuneration committee, subject to regulatory approval, succeeding Chris Brinsmead who retired from the Wesleyan board at the May AGM after nine years.

Wilding has extensive experience in the private equity investment and healthcare sectors. Having qualified as a chartered accountant with EY, she worked in the private equity division of Mercury Asset Management from 1989 to 2001.

She is an experienced non-executive director and has sat on a number of remuneration and audit committees, including her current role as chair of the remuneration committee with UDG Healthcare.

Wesleyan chair Nathan Moss said: “Linda brings invaluable experience to the Wesleyan board. Her experience in the private equity sector and her broader understanding of mergers and acquisition, strategy and finance will be a real asset to us as we enter a new strategic planning period.

“The board and I are grateful to Chris Brinsmead and we’re pleased to have found such a worthy successor.”

Wilding added: “It’s clear that there is enormous drive within Wesleyan to grow the organisation and move it to another level so that more customers can benefit from its services while creating a stronger business for members.

“I’m looking forward to using my experience to help create opportunities for future growth which will include ensuring we have the right remuneration strategy in place to attract and retain the talented people we want in the business.”

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Wates Construction has appointed Paul Reynolds as project director for its delivery of the £60m Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which will host the swimming and diving competitions for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

He will be responsible for the successful execution of both the pre-construction and construction phases of the project. This will be delivered for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and construction will start this month.

Reynolds joins Wates from Carillion Construction where he worked for over 30 years progressing initially to project director and for the last 11 years as operational director in the Midlands.

The appointment supports Wates Construction’s continued growth in the Midlands where it is currently delivering a number of projects, including the Access Group’s new HQ on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park, Nottingham City Hub and The Bank, Birmingham’s tallest residential skyscraper.

Reynolds said: “Working on this prestigious project for Sandwell Council will be a real privilege. Throughout my career I have always been passionate about working with clients to deliver major projects while also having a positive impact upon people’s lives and their communities. This aligns perfectly with the Wates business and we are looking forward to the project getting underway and seeing our plans become a reality.”

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Companies in Coventry have been encouraged to work with a new advisor tasked with boosting business for firms in the city.

Justine Chadwick has joined the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub as account manager for Coventry, bringing with her a wealth of experience in sales and marketing, business consultancy and strategic partnerships.

She will work with SME businesses across all sectors to help with advice on growth strategies, finances and supply chain issues.
The Growth Hub was established in 2014 to provide a single point of contact for businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire to access information, advice and support to help them grow.

Chadwick said: “I am excited to start working with businesses across Coventry to help realise their growth potential.

“My career so far has helped me build a wide range of contacts in the city and beyond as well as a wealth of experience at all different levels of business, from management to ownership and developing successful long term business partnerships.

“I can offer a unique and informed opinion on any decisions businesses are finding themselves facing.”

Craig Humphrey, managing director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “Justine is a great addition to our Account Managers team and will be a real asset to Coventry’s business community in this role.

“She has a varied and exciting background, with all of the contacts and enthusiasm to help push SMEs in the city forward.”