People: Business change consultancy marks growth chapter with two senior hires; Chamber chairman steps down; and more

Birmingham change consultancy Entec Si has made two new senior hires – an experienced communications specialist to shape its strategic marketing activity and a managing consultant with a focus on the local government and healthcare sectors.

Justine Howl’s appointment as marketing, PR & communications manager follows a career spanning more than 20 years at Birmingham Airport.

As head of communications, she was responsible for developing the airport’s marketing strategy, as well as leading on internal communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, sponsorship and events activity and crisis management.

In her new role, which encompasses both external and internal communications, she will focus on building Entec Si’s brand and positioning within its core markets, while working with the business support team to strengthen employee engagement as the company grows further.

Sushila Vadukul also joins the business as a managing consultant. Her appointment follows six years working as a senior business analyst and requirements manager at Capita, where she developed strong skills in stakeholder management, systems implementation, and the delivery of business transformation programmes. In her new role, she will work alongside principal consultant, Tim Powlson, to support clients across the local government and healthcare sectors.

Eman Al-Hillawi, CEO at Entec Si, said: “Justine and Sushila are extremely welcome additions to our team and their appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Entec Si. With a number of important projects and programmes underway in the local government and healthcare sectors, Sushila’s support and expertise will be invaluable, and I can think of nobody better than Justine to take our marketing and communications activities to the next level.”

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David Waller is to step down as chair of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) after nearly 12 years.

The former head of PwC in Birmingham became the first chairman in the 209-year history of the Chamber when he was appointed in September, 2010.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “The Chamber is very grateful to David for his support in guiding us through this particularly interesting period in the Chamber’s history.

“I’d also like to personally thank David for his advice and insight since becoming CEO last year.

“As a highly successful businessman, his experience, expertise and counsel have been highly valuable to the Chamber and our board through Brexit, the Covid pandemic and beyond. He has been a unwavering critical friend to the Chamber over the past 12 years.

“Although he will be a very difficult act to follow, we have started a recruitment process to identify our next GBCC chairperson. I’m sure I speak for former chief executives, board and Chamber members and colleagues when we wish David continued success in his various business interests.”

Waller, who will now devote more time to his other business interests, said: “It’s been an honour to serve as the first chairman of the Chamber in a time when the organisation transformed into an even more relevant force.

“This has been achieved latterly in one of the most difficult two years businesses have faced since the Second World War. I’m delighted to say the Chamber has helped businesses to meet those challenges as they battled the impact of a global pandemic.

“We have overcome any setbacks and emerged stronger, leaner and more efficient. I have worked with three excellent chief executives – Jerry Blackett, Paul Faulkner and now Henrietta Brealey – who have all steered the Chamber through challenging times.

“The Chamber can now look forward to a secure and prosperous future following the sale of the Chamber of Commerce house in Edgbaston.”

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Women in Property has announced its incoming Midlands chair for 2022/23.

Hannah Watson takes on the role leading the regional property and construction industry influencing and networking organisation for one year.

She is senior land manager at modular housing firm ilke Homes based in the Tamworth office, where she specialises in land acquisition in modular construction.

She said: “To achieve diversity in an organisation, you have first to be inclusive.  This has been the Women in Property ethos since its inception back in 1987 and our work continues with this at our core. Now, the conversation is less about gender specifically and has a greater focus on inclusion.  We must continue to break through the barriers, the preconceived ideas that still make it difficult for many people to succeed, whether because of gender, race, age, disability or social mobility.”

Watson will be supported in her role by incoming vice chair Hannah Floyd, director of Pi Sq.