New chief exec at UGroup

UGROUP, the Wolverhampton-based contact centre business, has appointed a new chief executive and board director to lead the company’s expansion into new markets. Suresh Bawa joins the company to work alongside managing director Karen Chilton in developing new products and distribution channels for the business which was formed just under two years ago. The company has recently moved to a newly refurbished HQ at Mander House and now employs more than 160 staff. Mr Bawa has experience in marketing, customer lead acquisition and new business development. After starting his career in advertising sales and marketing at the Express & Star newspaper, he held posts at Extra Personnel and was one of the founding directors of Promise Finance which was established in 2003 following a management buy-out from Purple Loans.
He is also one of the founding trustees of the Wolverhampton charity Promise Dreams.

Arena’s first commercial sales manager

THE Ricoh Arena in Coventry has appointed its first commercial sales manager to continue growing its sponsorship portfolio. Chancelle Driscoll previously worked as group sponsorship manager at the National Exhibition Centre and account manager for the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. She said: “My job is about bringing together all the different audiences who come to the Ricoh Arena – our three key areas of business, entertainment and sport.”

Trio joins Rackline

RACKLINE, the local office and archive storage manufacturer, has appointed three new members of staff to their Newcastle-under-Lyme office. Gordon Ramshead, Bob Chilton and Paul Willis join the team after the firm said it scored a series of business wins totalling more than £7m. Mr Ramshead is head of dealer sales, Mr Chilton is the new area manager and Mr Willis joins as trainee sales manager.

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