Appointments: Mid-Counties Co-operative; Options Training; Physical Digital

THE chief executive of The Mid-Counties Co-operative, Ben Reid, has been elected to the global board of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).

The ICA is the organisation for co-operatives worldwide, representing 284 co-operative federations and organisations across 95 counties.

Five candidates stood for election, from Pakistan, Ethiopia, Russia, Iran and the UK, in the hope of securing one of the two vacancies on the board. ICA members voted for their preferred candidate at the International Summit of Co-operatives, held in Quebec.  

Mr Reid, based in Warwickshire, said: “I have had the fortune to work with talented colleagues and dedicated members over many years now, both locally at The Midcounties Co-operative and globally through the ICA.
 
“The ICA has helped me to develop important skills during the time I have been involved with the movement. My aim now as a board member, is to continue to work with colleagues and members around the world, helping to build the movement and embrace the opportunity to champion a more engaged, responsible and fair society.”
 
As chief executive of The Midcounties Co-operative since 1992, Mr Reid has overseen a period of significant growth. The organisation is now the largest independent co-operative society in the UK, employing more than 9,000 staff and with an annual turnover of over £1bn. He has also been an important figure in the regeneration of Walsall, playing a leading role in establishing the Walsall Regeneration Company and as chair of the Manor Hospital.

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MIDLANDS training firm, Options Training has appointed a new director as it looks to address a surging demand for apprentices and staff with the latest skills.

Ben Drew (left), age 38, has been promoted to a new role of business development director at the firm, which is a division of the award-winning eResponse Group.

Mr Drew, who previously led eResponse’s partnership work for two years, will now be responsible for extending the reach of the Worcestershire-based group by building training links with partner businesses, awarding bodies, and through the creation of an innovative online learning platform.

A key part of his role will be to oversee the launch of the Options Training Online distance learning programme, Pearl. The service will allow people to train from their own homes and could be rolled out on a global scale.

Paul Alekna, chief executive of eResponse Group, said: “We have big plans for the future of Options Training and Ben is a key appointment who will help bring those plans to fruition.”

eResponse Group is headquartered in Redditch with branches in Worcester, Kidderminster, Rugby, Coventry and Northampton.

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BIRMINGHAM 3D optical measurement company, Physical Digital has appointed a new Business Development Manager as it looks to build on growing demand for its products.

Steve Fletcher (left) brings a wealth of engineering experience to the new role, which will be important to the firm as it looks to secure new orders in high-value sectors such as aerospace, automotive, motorsport and marine.

He began his career as a toolmaker at Rolls Royce and has gone on to develop significant experience of the aerospace and metrology sectors. He also has a reputation as a respected conference speaker.  

Commenting on the appointment, Tim Rapley, Physical Digital’s managing director said: “With a sound reputation and the experience that Steve brings across different sectors, we will be ensuring that clients across many industries are aware of the advantages offered by our high-accuracy 3D measurement services.

“Steve brings a breadth of knowledge of non-contact metrology and its applications within high-value manufacturing such as the aerospace industry. His experience and expertise are combined with an ability to communicate the techniques and benefits that 3D metrology brings to the processes and applications of engineering and manufacturing.”