thestudio recruits to support growth plans

BIRMINGHAM-based meeting and event space business, thestudio, has announced a trio of appointments to support its growth plans.

Adam Roberts, Roxanne Roberts and Katie Thomas have been recruited from senior roles at some of the Midlands’ top hotels and conference venues.  

Joining thestudio from renowned hotel and golf resort, The Belfry, Adam Roberts takes up the position of business development manager.

Previously working within the sales team at Etc Venues, Roxanne Roberts takes up the role of sales manager to help expand thestudio’s portfolio on a national basis.

Ms Roberts said: “With venues in both Birmingham and Manchester, my key focus will be developing thestudio’s client base nationally and supporting the company’s ambitious expansion plans.”

Katie Thomas also joins thestudio from The Belfry, as events development manager and her role will be to organise more out of hours functions.  

Emma Jennings, director at thestudio, said: “These appointments come at a very exciting time as we drive forward our expansion both in terms of our premises in Birmingham and our services across the business.”

Ex-stockbroker recruited to APM Wine board

APM Wine Investment has appointed former stockbroker and investor Philip Staveley to its board of directors.

In the course of his 23 years as a stockbroker, Staveley established County Natwest’s Asian sales desk, redeveloped Smith New Court’s Asian franchises in London and Hong Kong ahead of the purchase by Merrill Lynch, led Merrill to the top position for Asian product distribution in Europe, created a unique fully integrated Global Emerging Market sales desk for Deutsche Bank and originated Nomura’s Global Emerging Markets business.

His first investment in Fine Wine was in 1998 and since 2008 he has been a freelance journalist, active private investor, and property developer.

He said: “I am delighted to join the board of APM Wine Investment Ltd. I hope that by bringing some of the principles from my stockbroking career to bear, I will be able to underpin APM’s efforts to remove some of the inefficiencies in the Fine Wine market place and improve the overall client experience of this very exciting investment opportunity.”

David Jackson, APM Managing Director added: “We couldn’t be more delighted to have someone of Philip’s calibre joining the team. His past accomplishments and expertise are apparent, but over and above that, he is an invigorating presence in our business.”

Purity refreshes the parts other brewers can’t reach with latest appointment

WARWICKSHIRE-based Purity Brewing Co has appointed former Heineken executive Darryl Hinksman as its new Head of Brand.

The role includes all marketing for Purity’s portfolio of beers, as well as responsibility for driving the Warwickshire brewery’s off-trade sales, which is particularly important as Purity has ambitions to grow its national distribution.

The appointment comes as Purity prepares to open a new brewhouse at its site near Alcester. The new facility will enable the brewer to produce up to 140,000 pints of beer every week, a 150% increase in brewing capacity.

Hinksman, right, spent four years as Head of On-Trade Customer Marketing at Heineken sitting on both the On-Trade and UK Marketing Executive teams. He was also head of the team responsible for developing the on-trade stocking and investment strategies, as well as advising on the consumer and customer targeting for new product launches. His time with Heineken also included being an Account Director in the off-trade.

He said: “I’m glad to have joined Purity at such an exciting time. It’s a fantastic brand with three beers crafted with quality and consistency. I’m looking forward to raising the profile of the brand and establishing new stockist in parts of the country where Purity currently doesn’t have a presence.”

Purity’s Managing Director, Paul Halsey, left, added: “We’re on the verge of a crucial point in our business development, so it’s important to have the right people on-board who will really contribute and help drive the company forward. Darryl’s knowledge and experience will be a considerable asset to Purity.”