GBW helps secure planning wins

BROMSGROVE communications agency Gough Bailey Wright has helped two of its clients secure major planning approvals.

The full service agency and its in-house specialist property PR team has worked on the Selly Oak Battery site development as well as the designer outlet village scheme approved for Cannock, which has been dubbed the ‘Bicester of the Midlands’.

Clients included The Harvest Partnership, a joint venture between Land Securities and Sainsbury’s, and U + I (formerly Development Securities) and Rioja Developments.

Agency managing director Sue Bailey said: “We’re thrilled to be ending the year on such a positive. Our track record in promoting developments, consulting the public and delivering planning consents for our clients is exceptional and we look forward to working with new and existing developers in the New Year, creating jobs and delivering exciting regeneration throughout the Midlands and beyond.”

Minster recruits apprentices to support growth plan

KIDDERMINSTER-based Minster Micro Computers has recruited three new apprentices to support its long-term growth.

Susan Marlow, director, said: “Recruitment of young people continues to be a challenge, and like many businesses looking to recruit young and talented employees there’s no shortage of applicants, just a shortage of applicants with the relevant skills.”

The apprentices were recruited after the firm participated in an apprenticeship event organised by Worcestershire County Council.

Minster Micro Computers is a provider of Microsoft, SAP, Pegasus business software and 3CX, and delivers business software and hardware IT support services to customers locally and across the West Midlands, ranging from SME’s to corporate bodies with large multi-user networks.
 

Hitchman keeps it in the family for latest venture

CIPR Midlands Young Communicator of the Year, Pete Hitchman, is keeping it in the family after joining his wife Marie to provide specialist B2B writing and PR support to the creative industries.

The husband and wife duo, who spent a combined 13 years working for some of Birmingham’s most successful PR agencies, are working alongside each other at Enamel Copywriting.

Enamel was founded by Marie 18 months ago after she saw first-hand how difficult it is for creative agencies to recruit good B2B and technical writers.

Pete, who has worked on big name brands as account director at both WPR Agency and Whistle PR in Birmingham, said: “I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some fantastic agencies and I am hugely excited to bring all my experience to this new challenge.”

Marie added: “We’ve both seen at first-hand how hard it is to recruit good writers, especially those with a passion for technical B2B subjects, and Enamel was created with this in mind.”