ACS&T man gets industry body role

MALCOLM Johnstone, managing director of food logistics specialist ACS&T in Wolverhampton, has been appointed president of the Food Storage & Distribution Federation (FSDF).

It is Johnstone’s second term as president of the FSDF, which celebrated its centenary in 2011 and is the sole UK trade body that represents and supports the interests of the entire food and drink logistics industry.

Having worked in the logistics sector for 40 years and as managing director of ACS&T for the last eight years, Johnstone brings significant experience and leadership expertise to the FSDF board of directors.

ACS&T has been a member of FSDF for many years. 

Johnstone, who is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, said: “It is a great privilege and an honour to become president of the UK’s leading food logistics industry bodies.”

Portus announces new appointments

WARWICKSHIRE-based Portus Consulting has further expanded its business development and client services teams as it builds momentum for continuing growth in the employee benefits consultancy market.

It has appointed Andrew Mobberley as director of business development, Lisa Alder as business development consultant and Alistair Fox as senior client relationship manager.

Andrew Mobberley joins from Thomsons Online Benefits where he delivered strategic consultancy on ensuring benefits remained engaging for employees. In his 22-year career he has held a variety of senior roles, including 16 years at Alexander Forbes where he managed a team of consultants servicing major clients.

Alder brings more than 20 years’ experience of business development and project management for a range of clients including FTSE-100 companies with a focus on employee engagement and providing cost-effective and value-added strategies.

Fox previously worked for Capita Employee Benefits as a senior consultant and has more than ten years’ experience in the sector. He started in the technology sector with Staffcare and has also worked at Bluefin and Gissings.

New management team at Volkswagen Van Centre

KEVIN Brown is the new head of business at Volkswagen Van Centre Birmingham, after having joined the St Stephens Street business as the after sales manager last September.
 
He said: “I want Birmingham to be the van centre at the forefront of the brand’s mind. I want to be the country’s flagship site and I believe our van centre is big enough and in the perfect location to achieve that. 

“We have a great team here at Birmingham and everything we need for a very successful future.”
 
He started working for commercial vehicle brand in 2006 in Newark as a service manager. A year later, he was promoted to after sales manager and worked in that role until 2011 when he moved to Volkswagen Van Centre Hull where he stayed until joining the Birmingham business.
 
One of his first moves was to recruit Will Jephson to replace him as the business’ aftersales manager.

Thorn Baker bring in new business manager

RECRUITMENT consultancy Thorn Baker has appointed Mark Hopkins as business manager to lead the expansion of its Birmingham office.
 
With more than ten years’ experience and a strong background in engineering, Hopkins will lead on the development of a new industrial, commercial and engineering division in the region.
 
He said: “I am delighted to join Thorn Baker to help them expand further in the Birmingham market and create new job opportunities.
 
“When I met the directors I felt their style of working would really suit me. It is a progressive company and I’m looking forward to working alongside the team as we increase our service offering in the region.”
 
Thorn Baker is headquartered in Nottingham and has nine other regional offices.