People: GMS Group; Miller Homes; CBSA

Security specialist GMS Group has appointed a leading fire safety expert as non-executive director as it offers a growing number of prevention services.

Dave Cutts has joined the board of Tividale-based GMS having worked for Jaguar Land Rover for 36 years in security and prevention, latterly in the position of Global Fire Protection Manager with responsibility for all JLR facilities operated worldwide by the leading car brand.

Cutts retired from JLR in 2021 and set up DC Consultancy, which advises businesses on fire safety by assessing sites, identifying potential hazards and recommending suitable safety measures to mitigate risks. He holds extensive fire safety qualifications and affiliations, including BS5839 Part 1 for designing fire alarm systems.

In his role with GMS, Cutts will advise clients on safety and prevention issues as a complementary service to the growing suite of security services. He had previously worked with GMS on their services for JLR and its sites, including gate supervision and CCTV monitoring.

Dave said: “It is fantastic to join GMS as I have been impressed with their work during my time with JLR and have seen their reputation build as they provide new services for an increasing range of clients. The fire safety responsibilities for businesses continue to grow so there is huge potential out there for GMS to offer high quality prevention services, which I look forward to helping them to realise.”

The company employs 500 staff delivering security solutions across the UK for leading brands including JLR, Aston Martin, CEMEX UK, Neovia, Kerry Foods and Avison Young.

CEO Neil Male said: “We are delighted to have Dave join us as his sector knowledge and business background will help shape our offering around fire prevention and develop growth plans for the future, especially in our technology division. Dave is very experienced and has a strong reputation in our sector, so we look forward to working with him as GMS continues to grow.”

An experienced director who has spent more than 30 years in the housebuilding industry, has become the first regional managing director to take the helm at Miller Homes’ West Midlands office.

Darren Humphreys began his career as a graduate trainee with Bryant Homes, rising through the ranks as a surveyor before joining the commercial team and moving on to become commercial director.

Darren Humphreys

He has held senior roles at a range of house builders across the sector, including managing director positions for regional offices of several national and regional developers. In his most recent role, Humphreys led the Solihull-based central region team at Tilia Homes.

The Worcester-based Miller Homes office opened in 2018 and has more than doubled in size since then, to now have a team of 50 people.

Humphreys said the collaborative and team-spirited approach at Miller Homes had attracted him to the position, particularly as the ethos reminded him of his early days as a trainee in the industry.

He said: “Throughout the interview process with the Miller team, it was clear everything was about people, which resonated with me. As a former surveyor, numbers are important to me but my experience as an MD is that you are only as good as your team.

“The ethos at Miller Homes reminds me of a family feel, and it felt like a good fit. There are a lot of people within our team who are long-serving and the investment which is made in people is clear”.

Danny O’Connor, divisional managing director at Miller Homes, said: “It is with great delight that we welcome Darren to Miller Homes to take on a significant role as our West Midlands regional managing director, leading a growing team from our Worcester office.

“Darren’s years of experience will stand him in good stead for this position and we’re extremely confident that the region will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership.”

Coventry Building Society Arena (CBSA) has made a trio of appointments to its business development team to help drive growth at the venue.

Lee Griffiths, Paula Young and Josh Brown have joined CBSA as business development managers after the venue enjoyed a strong first-half of 2023.

Josh Brown, Paula Young and Lee Griffiths

The new hires will be tasked with expanding the venue’s business on a national scale and cultivating relationships with agencies across the conference, exhibition and meeting sector.

Lee Griffiths, a member of the Institute of Hospitality, has previously worked with the likes of Bespoke Hotels, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and Novotel Hotels in sales and marketing management positions.

Paula Young joins the firm as national business development manager after 20 years working in sales, meetings and events for major hotel groups including Village Hotels, Best Western and Hilton Hotels.

Josh Brown completes the trio of new hires and will be transferring his recruitment skillset to being a national business development manager.

Brown began his career in events as a sales executive for Nuneaton Borough, organising a major music festival for the club which attracted more than 3,000 people. He then spent nine years working in recruitment and will be looking to drive more national corporate bookings for the Arena.

Jenni Ford, director of sales and marketing at CBSA said: “It is fantastic to be able to welcome Lee, Paula and Joshua to our team.

“They will play a key role in supporting the evolution and progression of the venue as we continue to thrive in this new era, and cement Coventry Building Society Arena as an industry leader in the conference, exhibition and events sector.”