National Express strengthens senior management team

BIRMINGHAM-based public transport group National Express has appointed a new Business Development Director in a move to further strengthen its senior management team.
 
Martin Quail has joined the firm from risk management company Aon, where he was Partnerships Director.
 
He brings with him a wealth of relevant executive-level experience to his new role as prior to joining Aon he spent seven years with the RAC where, as Corporate Partnerships Director, he was responsible for leading the motoring organisation’s £180m turnover business-to-business division.  
 
Quail will be based in National Express’ Birmingham headquarters.    
 
With a track record of driving rapid and significant growth this appointment is seen as a coup for National Express as the company seeks to build on recent business successes, including a major deal with budget airline Ryanair and a partnership with The Post Office.
 
Quail said: “National Express is a great brand with an enviable heritage. My focus will be on driving the business forward by capitalising on untapped opportunities with partners and affiliates and building on recent success. It is an exciting time to join the business and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the job and working with our partners.”   
 

New COO for logistics group Hellmann

GLOBAL logistics group, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, which has a base in Lichfield, has appointed a new Chief Commercial Officer, a newly-created position within the company.

Jochen Freese, left, who will be based in Hamburg, will manage the business development and sales for the company, taking over some of the current duties of the managing partner Jost Hellmann.

As a member of Hellmann’s International Executive Board, the focus of the role will be the strategic business development and growth of the air and ocean freight services, as well as the development of the sales and the solutions business.

Freese has previously worked in various capacities for the global logistics company UTi Worldwide.

Harvey Nichols handbags Burberry for new CEO

MAILBOX retailer Harvey Nichols has appointed Stacey Cartwright as its new Chief Executive Officer. She replaces Joseph Wan, who has held the position of CEO for 21 years and who will be retiring at the end of March 2014.

Ms Cartwright, left, was previously Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Burberry Group plc for nine years where she played a leading role in transforming the company into a world leading luxury brand, increasing turnover from £676m when she joined in 2004 to over £2bn in 2013. She was also responsible for overseeing Burberry’s successful entry into new markets including China and the Middle East.

Commenting on her appointment, she said: “I am delighted to be joining Harvey Nichols at such an exciting time in the luxury retail market; a market which demonstrates significant potential and for which I have enormous passion.  I am excited by the opportunity to further develop this world class brand both in the UK and internationally.”

Harvey Nichols Group Chairman, Dr Dickson Poon said: “Stacey joins us with an outstanding track record in growing and transforming world class companies, most recently in the luxury retail sector.  Her appointment underlines our commitment to raising the bar even higher in this sector, strengthening both our leadership team and the exceptional service, products and experience we give to our customers at home and abroad.”

She will take up her new role on February 17.