People: The latest West Midlands hires

James Peck has joined Cooper Parry’s CP Futures scale up team as tax partner after eight years in the fast growth technology/media team at Grant Thornton.

Peck brings with him over 15 years’ experience supporting high growth, VC and PE-backed businesses as they scale, building structured tax strategies and helping them to anticipate challenges from day one, all the way through to a fundraise, sale or IPO.

The news follows a string of announcements for CP Futures, including partnerships with growth ecosystem leaders like Tech Nation and Crowdcube.

Peck said: “I am hugely excited to be joining the CP Futures Scale Up team. Cooper Parry is a firm that truly understands the complexities and nuances that scaling businesses face on a day-to-day basis and matches those with the expertise, experience and mindset to provide scaling businesses with a team of advisers who care about their business and the next phases of growth.

“Stakeholders need advisers who can relate to the journey they’re on, understand the ecosystem and have a strong desire to make a difference to their organisation. I am looking forward to bringing a wealth of experience to the table (along with a few battle scars) and continuing to support high growth businesses.”

Steve Leith, head of tech and high growth at Cooper Parry, added: “We are delighted to welcome James to the team – giving us additional tax capability and experience in the tech & high growth space. We are building the no.1 team focused on the scale-up space and James will be a huge part of our continued work, not only with founders and CFOs, but also with the wider ecosystem of accelerators, investors, and networks that support high growth companies. More than all of this, James’ entrepreneurial, dynamic and straight to-the-point approach is a perfect match for Cooper Parry and for our high growth clients.”

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Industrial cleaning machine manufacturer Tennant UK has welcomed Wendy Adams as a regional account Manager to its industrial sales team where she will be helping customers based across the West Midlands.

Adams brings over two decades of account management and sales experience to the team and has previously held roles within new business and account management at Lyreco.

Tennant UK sales director Mike Ince said: “Wendy has a strong focus on putting the customer first, and with her experience and enthusiasm I am confident she will succeed in helping our customers across the West Midlands when it comes to their professional and industrial cleaning machine needs.”

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Brian Hall

The IoD is seeking a new chair to become the voice of business for Worcester and the Marches.

The role is being vacated by commercial litigation lawyer Jo Hodgetts, who has been in the chair’s seat since 2017.

The successful candidate will work alongside a branch team to drive connections between members, influence decision-makers and deliver professional development for directors.

The chair will raise the profile of the IoD across the area by engaging with local businesses and other stakeholders including local authorities and universities.

The voluntary position is open to all members who reside or work in Worcester and the Marches.

Brian Hall, chair, IoD West Midlands, said: “I would like to thank Jo for her excellent work as chair, she will be missed.

“The successful candidate will be a figurehead for directors in Worcester and the Marches, amplifying their voices and enabling them to get the maximum benefit from their membership. We passionately believe that better directors build a better world and we are here to help our members lead the economic recovery.”

Interested candidates should send their CV and covering letter to Sophie.breeden@iod.com by 9 May 2021.