Respected professor joins eResponse Recruitment

A WEST Midlands-based training provider has appointed a respected industry expert who will help lead its new crowd safety division.

Crowd science and risk analysis specialist Professor Keith Still has joined the firm, which has five regional bases including Coventry and Kidderminster, and will develop the training side of the firm’s newly launched crowd safety department alongside head of the department, Andy Hollinson.

The new department is dedicated solely to crowd safety management and includes a bespoke consultancy service. It will also offer a variety of recognised qualifications.

Professor Still has advised event organisers on a host of high profile occasions including the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Sydney and London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Paul Alekna, managing director of eResponse, said: “Crowd safety at any event is of huge importance and the new department will play a vital role in all crowd-related advice and training.

“To have someone like Keith working in the new team is fantastic and a big coup for us.”

Ceramic company enlists commercial help

IPS Ceramics has announced that it has appointed Rob Brennan as commercial director.

He has worked as commercial manager at the Stoke-in-Trent firm since IPS was set up in 2010 and before that held management positions in the predecessor companies of Acme Marls and Dyson Thermal Technologies.
 
He said: “We are a tight-knit, dedicated team, with decades of experience in all the key areas and this is an exciting time in my career to take this position as we push forward with our plan to expand our portfolio of products, explore new markets as well as introduce a new CRM system to continually improve our customer service to existing and new customers.

“I fully expect 2015 to be a big year for the company.”
 

Recruiter PGC beefs up interim management team

RECRUITMENT firm PGC has brought in Mike Dodds to strengthen its offering in the interim management sector.

Dodds and brings more than a decade of experience and extensive networks amongst the executive interim community.

At Henley-in-Arden-based PGC he will be based in the south of England with a national remit.

Phillip Price, managing director of PGC, said “I welcome Mike to PGC in what are proving to be exciting times for the interim management market, for companies as the economy recovers and for the growth of PGC.

“I know his undoubted skills and expertise will assist our clients by addressing their needs for talented leadership.”

Genesis Technical Systems appoints new HR leader

COVENTRY-based Genesis Technical Systems has appointed Lesley Harvey as people and places director.

She arrives with extensive expertise in large multi-national organisations based in the UK and internationally, working for names such as Orange, Polygram and Aon Hewitt.
 
Her appointment comes at a time of growth and expansion for the company. Over the last 12 months Genesis has increased its workforce by 45%, with aims to continue this growth over the next 18 months through employing up to 80 new members of staff.

She was previously responsible for growing global mobile giant Orange’s operation  in Thailand, recruiting more than 2,500 employees over an eight month period for launch readiness. 
 
Genesis is currently developing plans to establish a new smart working environment to house its expanding workforce. The new space will include a purpose-built test laboratory, chill and chat zones, group areas and touch-down desks.