People: OTD; Ortus Group
Birmingham-based global coaching and training business, OTD, has announced the appointment of Rebecca Farnworth as managing director, effective January 2025.
Rebecca will succeed founders Chris Cummins and Andy Crotty, who will transition to new roles focused on business development, product innovation, and community partnerships.
Rebecca brings nearly 20 years of senior management experience, having held positions at leading pharmaceutical companies such as Almirall and GlaxoSmithKline.
She joined OTD in 2014, where she has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, overseeing account management and customer experience, and supporting the expansion into new sectors including electronics, sports retail, and cosmetics.
Most recently, Rebecca served as head of operations, managing OTD’s global network of more than 120 associate business coaches. She is also qualified in neuro-linguistic programming as a business practitioner.
Rebecca Farnworth said: “I am incredibly excited to take on this role and lead OTD into the next chapter. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Chris and Andy and working with our talented team to continue delivering world-class learning and development solutions for our customers.”
Chris Cummins, joint founder of OTD, said: “We’re thrilled to have Becky step into the role of managing director. She has excelled in key strategic positions within the business and with her deep understanding of our company and its values, is a perfect fit to lead us forward.”
Ortus Group, a search and law firm mergers and acquisitions, headquartered in Birmingham, has announced the promotion of Dan Sill to director shareholder as of 1 January 2025.
After a decade of working alongside the founder and managing director Colin White, Sill becomes an equal shareholder in the company, marking a new chapter for Ortus Group as it continues to thrive and expand its specialist services.
Founded in 2004, Ortus Group has built a stellar reputation for its expertise in headhunting leading legal professionals, facilitating sales, and orchestrating mergers and acquisitions for law firms across the country.
Sill joined Ortus Group ten years ago with no experience in either the legal industry or high-end recruitment work.
With investment, training and support, he went on to become instrumental in growing the firm’s executive search recruitment division and this promotion recognises the contribution he has made.
His deep industry knowledge, strategic acumen, and dedication to delivering exceptional results have played a key role in shaping Ortus Group’s success.
Now, as a Shareholder and Director, Sill will work alongside Colin to steer the company through its next phase of growth.
Colin White, founder and managing director, said: “Dan’s promotion and investment in Ortus Group is testament to his exceptional leadership, commitment, and expertise. Over the past decade, he has been pivotal to Ortus Group’s success, winning and delivering successfully on some very high quality projects, and I am thrilled to welcome him as an equal shareholder. Together, we are focused on building on our strong foundation and delivering even greater value to our clients.”
Sill, said: “I am honoured to step into this new role and to invest in the future of Ortus Group. Over the years, we’ve built a business that not only delivers outstanding results for our clients but also builds lasting relationships because of the results we have achieved together. Colin and I share a vision for the future of Ortus Group, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead as we grow the team and continue to expand our client base.”
