People: Aon; BDO; Wenlock Spring

Aon a professional services firm has announced that Birmingham-based Debbie Peters has been promoted to chief commercial officer for the firm’s UK Commercial Risk business. She will report to Jane Kielty, UK CEO at Aon.

Having joined Aon over 15 years ago, Peters most recently held the position of regional managing director with responsibility for both the northern and central areas of the business.

In her new role, she will continue to be a key member of the UK’s Commercial Risk Executive Committee and take a central role in several initiatives planned in 2024, including the development of new tools and propositions.

She will be co-located between Birmingham and London so that she can continue to support regional clients.

Jane Kielty said: “Throughout her career with Aon, Debbie has demonstrated her commitment both to the clients she serves, as well as to the teams around her. Her passion for supporting others within the business and driving forward social mobility is infectious, and I don’t doubt she will be hugely successful in this new role.”

Peters said: “It is a privilege to take on this new role at a time of such significant growth for Aon’s Commercial Risk business. In 2024, we have already secured several strategically important new clients, and I am looking forward to working with the team to further strengthen our proposition as we help our clients navigate new forms of volatility.

“Taking on a role with national significance while maintaining a foothold within the Birmingham team and continuing to work with clients based here is a dream scenario.”

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has expanded its Midlands team with the senior appointment of Jeroen Basten.

Basten joins BDO as a partner in the Midlands, having built up over 17 years of experience in professional services.

He will take a lead role with the Digital Risk and Advisory Service (DRAS) team, helping organ

Jeroen Basten

isations navigate risks related to regulations and IT transformation programmes. This will include designing and implementing digital controls and technology to enhance complex control environments.

 Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said:“Our digital proposition has gone from strength to strength in the last two years, with several strategic hires that have added significant weight to our offering. Jeroen’s arrival is a testament to that growth and we’re delighted to have someone of his calibre and expertise as we continue to grow our digital team, both regionally and nationally.”

 Jeroen will be based in the firm’s Birmingham office and will join from Deloitte.

 He commented: “The risk landscape has evolved significantly for businesses operating in both domestic and international markets. Not only is there a greater need to re-evaluate risk frameworks, but increasingly businesses are developing and implementing digital tools and strategies to manage those risks effectively. I’m looking forward to working side by side with entrepreneurs and industry leaders to address these complex issues in a proactive and agile way.”

Premium water brand Wenlock Spring has strengthened its team with a new appointment.

Alan Souter has joined the Shropshire-based firm as a national account manager as it targets further expansion in the food service sector.

It follows a very strong year for the company, which has benefitted from growth in the low- and no-alcohol market.

Alan Souter

Alan will be responsible for managing the company’s existing food service wholesale customers as well as creating new sales opportunities in the sector.

He has had many years of experience within the bottled water industry and has been responsible for building brands within the food service sector.

He said: “Joining Wenlock Spring means that I become part of a well-established, family-owned business with solid ethics coupled with a true passion for customer service. Customer service and consistent supply is at the heart of Wenlock Spring. It will also allow me to support the team in improving the availability and visibility of the whole Wenlock Spring range, especially within the food service sector. I have decades of experience in building brands of scale across all channels and can’t wait to get going.”

Matthew Orme, director at Wenlock Spring, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alan to our team and, with all his experience in the industry, I am sure he will prove to be a fantastic asset to the business. Alan already has impressive active relationships in the food service sector and is someone passionate about delivering strong sales and building new customer relationships. We had a hugely successful 2023 and with big plans already taking shape this year, there has never been a more exciting time to join the company.”