People: PwC makes partner appointment; Senior investment hire for Creative Retail; and more

Sean Sutton has been appointed as cyber security partner at PwC, based at the firm’s new Birmingham home at One Chamberlain Square.

A former MD for Accenture’s UK & Ireland cyber security business, Sutton brings over 16 years direct experience. This includes advising clients on topics ranging from security strategy and organisational design to technical security solution design, delivery and implementation.

As a seasoned programme manager, he has led some of the UK’s largest security transformation programmes including multi-million-pound capability enhancements for oil and gas, utilities, energy, pharma and financial services organisations.

Based in Birmingham, his primary responsibilities will be to provide leadership for the practice outside of London and he will take responsibility for teams in the Midlands and the North.

He will also develop PwC’s operational technology security proposition, including the Industrial Internet of Things and operational systems across health, manufacturing and other industries.

Sutton said: “I’m excited to be taking on this role at such an interesting time. Companies are going through a rapid period of change and disruption, which presents new cyber challenges and opportunities. Increasingly there is a need for businesses to work smarter to respond to these challenges and align cyber priorities to their corporate strategy.

“I am confident we can play an important and valuable role in helping our clients navigate this ever-changing environment, especially as they adapt and grow to face the future.

“It is exciting to be joining the firm at such a pivotal time for its regional growth aspirations. The firm is putting more people, technology and expertise into strategic sites, including its new landmark Birmingham office at One Chamberlain Square.”

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Retail property agency Creative Retail has appointed Matt Pegg as investment and development director.

Pegg brings 15 years’ experience in commercial real estate in both consultancy and client-side positions. He has acted for regional and national retailers in an agency capacity at leading regional consultancy, Harris Lamb, and latterly as an asset manager of LCP’s £100m national retail portfolio.

He has been involved in the pre-letting and construction of retail space for occupiers including, McDonalds, Home Bargains, Costa Coffee, Greggs and The Gym Group, as well as adding value to commercial portfolios under his management of over £20m.

In his new role Pegg will advise private, regional and national investor clients with a specific focus on investment, acquisitions and disposal strategies in the wider Midlands commercial property market.

Scott Robertson, director at Creative Retail said: “Matt’s addition to our niche team adds a complimentary skill-set of investment and development to our existing retail agency expertise. This will allow Creative Retail to offer our clients even greater strategic advice alongside the agency work for which we are known.”

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HSBC UK has made key appointments in its commercial banking team across the West Midlands.

Suzy Verma has been appointed area director of corporate banking, Birmingham, Warwickshire and Coventry.

In her new role, she will be supporting a 30 strong team and working with businesses with a turnover of between £10m to £350m.

Joining her team are; Tom Clamp as deputy area director and Bill Dwight, as relationship director.

Clare Walker has also joined the corporate team in the Midlands as deputy Aarea director, North and South West Midlands.

Frances Howell, head of corporate banking, Midlands Region, HSBC UK said: “We are delighted to have strengthened the Midlands team. A thriving Midlands is essential to a successful UK economy.

“Suzy has an excellent track record within HSBC UK and I look forward to the role the team can play in supporting businesses across the Midlands access HSBC’s £2 billion lending fund, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises realise their ambitions for growth.”