People: Law firm welcomes corporate partner; Senior hire for EdTech provider Oxbridge; and more

Business and corporate lawyer Dermot Callinan, who specialises in business sales and purchases in a range of sectors including engineering, accountancy, IT, education, pharmacies, retail and financial services, has joined Excello Law in Staffordshire.

Callinan has joined from Myers & Co, where he was director of business law services.

He deals with company grouping, EMI share schemes and corporate finance as well as drafting shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, investor documentation and cross option agreements.

He said: “Having been a partner in a local firm for many years, I was initially looking to set up my own practice but kept coming back to Excello. The innovative business model combines the advantages of a large law firm, with a range of central support services, with the freedoms of being your own boss as a sole practitioner, without the major disadvantages of both.  I am looking forward to building my own practice with the firm.”

Joanne Losty, director at Excello Law, said: “Staffordshire and the West Midlands is a key area of growth for us.  Having set up offices in Birmingham and Leicester, we’re now looking to open in Stoke on Trent and are delighted to welcome a lawyer of Dermot’s experience to our team. He knows the client base in the region very well and will be a great asset to our business and corporate legal services offering.”

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Birmingham-headquartered online college and EdTech provider Oxbridge has welcomed a new head of marketing and communications.

Allison Ridge joins its growing team as its new head of marketing.

She joins the business from the University of Leicester, where she held the position of deputy director marketing, and brings more than 25 years’ experience in marketing roles across the education, leisure and agency sectors.

Matt Jones, founder and MD of Oxbridge, said: “The growth of the online and distance learning space continues apace and at Oxbridge, we aim to be the beacon of quality and good practice across the online learning industry, helping to deliver learning without limits for thousands of students each year across the UK and wider world.

“Bringing an impressive track record and knowledge of the education sector, matched by energy and dynamism to take our marketing to the next level, Allison is a welcome addition and we look forward to what the coming months have in store.”

Ridge added: “Oxbridge is a hugely exciting business with a strong reputation and a clear vision to disrupt the education sector and open up learning opportunities to more people. It’s a real pleasure to be joining the team at such an important time, when the whole education sector is reflecting on the learnings of the pandemic and what the future looks like.

“The recent award wins highlight just how well thought of Oxbridge and its team is, providing a robust platform for further growth. This next year will be about how we can harness that reputation and seize the opportunities ahead.”

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Wrekin Products has appointed a new commercial and technical manager to head up its geosynthetics division.

Civil engineer David Fisher has joined Wrekin with more than ten years of industry experience providing engineering solutions, technical consultancy and sales support.

He said: “I am excited by the opportunity to lead Wrekin in a new direction and become the go-to company for geosynthetic solutions. Currently the division generates 20 per cent of Wrekin’s total revenue, but this is something we’re looking to increase so that we are known for geosynthetics in the same way we’re trusted with ductile iron.

“To achieve success, I plan to engage and support our customers by encouraging feedback and exploring ways to work together more efficiently. I’m also keen to promote Wrekin’s engineering and technical capabilities and how we can add value to the solutions we offer our customers.

“With my engineering background and the technical ability of others within the business there is a real opportunity to collaborate closely with engineering and design departments with a view to positively influencing specification.

“Despite the success I have seen achieved in recent years, I have joined a team hungry for an even greater national presence and a larger portfolio of projects we can proudly associate ourselves with.”

Fisher will operate from Wrekin’s Midlands headquarters in Lichfield.

Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin, said: “We’re delighted to welcome David and see our geosynthetics team grow even stronger. It’s been a great year so far for the business and continued recruitment is just one highlight.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the new ideas David brings to the table and how he can continue our mission, ensuring that project teams consider geosynthetic solutions as a principal priority during the pre-construction stage.”

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The Grand Hotel Birmingham has announced its new deputy general manager, Charlotte Horler.

Horler joins The Grand Hotel Birmingham after a three-year stint as deputy general manager at New Hall Hotel & Spa.

Housed in one of Birmingham’s most iconic buildings on Colmore Row, The Grand Hotel Birmingham is a Grade II listed building which re-opened its doors after 19 years, revealing its £50m restoration and refurbishment to the public in May 2021.

Horler said: “I’m truly honoured to join The Grand Hotel Birmingham. To be working at such an iconic hotel with a talented team during an important year is a career highlight. Our aim is to be Birmingham’s favourite hotel and I’m very excited to lead the team operationally to cement this whilst ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional experiences and create special memories for our guests.”