People: Solicitor named strategy and transaction director; Non-executive director announces retirement; New chairman for training board; and more

The Sheffield-based EVO group of companies has appointed Lorna Mendelsöhn to the newly-created role of strategy and transaction director.

Mendelsöhn, a qualified solicitor, has been general counsel and corporate services director with the organisation, the UK and Ireland’s largest multi-channel business supplies and services distributor, for the last two years.

The EVO group of companies provides sourcing, storage and fulfilment services to over 50,000 resellers, corporate clients and public-sector organisations.

Mendelsöhn said: “Our organisation dates back to the 2014 amalgamation of business supplies groups Vasanta and Office2Office. Following a period of post-merger stabilisation and Steve Haworth being appointed chief executive in 2016, we determined our new strategy last year, and my responsibilities now include implementing this blueprint across our group of companies.

“My role features managing all types of transaction – an area in which I have significant experience – as suitable acquisitions are a key part of the new strategy but by no means its sole element. I’ll also be implementing our corporate and business simplification process.

“In addition, I’m now responsible for corporate communications and brand building, for our group of companies overall.”

Mendelsöhn will be assisted in her new post by acquisition manager Adrian Vaughan, previously EVO’s credit control manager, who brings financial expertise to her team.

Mendelsöhn said: “I’m excited about not being a full-time lawyer anymore. I’m looking forward to making things happen and putting our plans into action.”

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Sheffield based Pressure Technologies, the specialist engineering group, has announced that Philip Cammerman, non-executive director is to retire from the board at the end of March 2018.

John Hayward, chief executive, said: “Phil has made a significant contribution to the Group during his nine years on the Board. His wise counsel has always been both thought provoking and supportive.”

Alan Wilson, non-executive chairman, said: “The Board would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Phil for his long-standing contribution to the development of the Group. We wish him all the very best in his retirement.”

The Board do not currently intend to replace  Cammerman, however this will be kept under review. From 1 April 2018 the Remuneration Committee will be chaired by Alan Wilson.

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Engie Fabricom’s strategic development director, Andrew Mitchell, has been appointed Yorkshire and Humber chairman for the ECITB (Engineering, Construction Industry Training Board).

The ECITB is the statutory skills body for the engineering construction industry in Great Britain. It works closely with employers and the Government to attract develop and qualify engineering construction personnel in a wide range of craft, technical and professional skills and disciplines.

The regional chair role involves supporting the work of the ECITB within the region, and helping shape the skills agenda for the wider industry.

Mitchell said: “It is a real honour to gain this appointment and having started my career as an ECITB apprentice I am very passionate about training for the future of our industry.  The continued success and growth of our organisation will not happen without training and development of our people.  This appointment will also greatly aid my day job providing the opportunity to further develop relationships with key stakeholders, clients and competitors.”

Chris Claydon, chief executive of the ECITB, said:  “We are delighted to have Andrew on board serving Yorkshire and Humberside as our Regional Chairman.  As an industry-led body, it is very important to have this industry expertise as well as input from client and contractor companies across the regions.

“The new Regional Chairs are each well placed to contribute regional and local business understanding, knowledge and relationships, to assist the ECITB in our work supporting industry and the skills agenda for the engineering construction industry.”