Seven Up for Tipton

THE Tipton and Coseley Building Society has announced the appointment of seven new members of staff. The list of appointments includes the first apprentice taken on by the society.

New to the Tipton is Becky Poole who joins as marketing assistant, Lauren Grew in the finance department, Laura Grosvenor-Smith in the mortgage department and Hannah Winfield, Mandip Dubb and Fazlul Haque who all join as branch staff.  

The society’s first apprentice, Alex Swingewood also joins the branch team. He applied for the society’s apprenticeship via Sandwell College after studying Business and Psychology at King Edwards College, Stourbridge. He hopes to pursue a career in finance after completing his NVQ Level 2 qualification in customer service.
 
Richard Newton, the society’s chief executive, said: “It’s crucial we have the right calibre of people in place that can make a positive contribution to the ongoing success of the society. What unites this group is their enthusiasm to learn and passion to develop their careers and I’ll be following their progress with interest.”

PwC welcomes new graduates

PwC in the West Midlands has welcomed 82 new recruits to its office in Birmingham, predominantly in the firm’s Tax and Assurance practice areas.

The appointments include graduate level roles, student business placements, and undergraduate internships.

The professional services firm has recruited 62 graduates from universities across the country, with half of these coming from universities based in the West Midlands, including the University of Birmingham, Aston University, University of Warwick, Coventry University and University of Wolverhampton.

Ten students have taken up work placements on the firm’s undergraduate programme, three students are on full-time business placements, and seven Higher Apprentices have also joined.

In addition, 20 students are participating in the firm’s Flying Start programme – a degree course run in conjunction with PwC, ICAEW, University of Nottingham Business School, University of Reading and Newcastle University.  The programme allows students to study at university, as well as gaining practical paid work experience with PwC.

Matt Hammond, regional chairman of PwC in the Midlands said: “Our biggest intake of graduates is in the autumn, and we are very pleased to welcome such a large group this year. Our business is expanding in the region, particularly in the private business community, and as a result we have over 100 roles in our Birmingham office this year. In addition, we have over 3o roles in the East Midlands and 19 in Milton Keynes, taking our regional total to over 150.

“Due to our continued growth in Birmingham, another 18 graduates will be starting in November, and we’ll be talking to many students in our region’s universities over the coming months with a view to filling places for next year’s intake.”

BHSF OH completes senior management team

OCCUPATIONAL health provider, BHSF OH, has consolidated its growth with the appointment of senior medical advisor, Dr Sumra Dar, who completes the firm’s eight-strong senior management team.
 
The latest announcement follows a breakthrough year for BHSF OH, during which the provider has achieved nationwide coverage through a series of strategic acquisitions, the latest being the purchase of M3 Occupational Health Ltd.
 
Dr Dar (pictured left), who is from Bewdley, brings 15 years of experience in occupational health to her new role.  From the BHSF OH headquarters in Bromsgrove, Dr Dar will be responsible for advising on the clinical governance of the firm’s 86-strong team of physicians, nurses and other employees, based throughout the UK.  She will also provide clinical support for the firm’s growing portfolio of clients, which range from SMEs to blue chip companies.
 
BHSF OH managing director, Dr Philip McCrea (pictured right), said: “BHSF OH has grown through ambitious expansion plans which have taken us on the acquisition trail, and now we have delivered on our fundamental aim of achieving a nationwide presence, the focus is on appointing the right people who share our vision for the future of the firm.
 
“Dr Dar’s position in particular is essential in ensuring all activity conducted by BHSF OH is robust and ethically sound, and that it meets the rigours of our clinical governance policy. Dr Dar was exactly the calibre of professional we were looking for to take on this remit.  She is a highly-impressive individual with a successful track record and a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we are delighted to have her on board.”