People: HARIBO welcomes new managing director; CBRE appoints regional director; and more

HARIBO UK & Ireland has announced the appointment of Jon Hughes as Managing Director.

This appointment follows the promotion of Herwig Vennekens who headed the HARIBO UK & Ireland team for 10 years before taking the position of Managing Director of the HARIBO Holding, responsible for Sales and Marketing globally.

Hughes, the former Sales Director for HARIBO UK & Ireland, said: “It’s a great privilege to be appointed to the role of Managing Director for such a fun and iconic brand.

“I am very much looking forward to working with our teams in the UK and in Ireland to support the continued growth of the business by driving the category forward in a responsible way.”

HARIBO operates two manufacturing facilities in West Yorkshire, which are home to more than 700 team members.

Herwig Vennekens from HARIBO added: “We are pleased to welcome Jon to the role of Managing Director. Having supported the success of our business through his sales director role, we believe he is ideally placed to lead the UK and Ireland team.

“Jon will be instrumental as we maintain our market leading position and support the continued growth of the HARIBO brand and business.”

During his recent sales director role, Hughes worked on the strategic introduction of HARIBO’s new sugar reduced line Fruitilicious, supported the relaunch of Super Mix and the opening of the first HARIBO Shop in London.

Hughes studied at London Business School and has worked for leading FMCG businesses including Kimberley Clark Corporation, Heineken UK and Red Bull UK.

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CBRE’s Specialist Markets division in Leeds has appointed Alastair Jack as Director to build the valuation and consultancy team in the UK regional marketplace.

Jack joins from JLL and brings more than 17 years of property industry expertise with extensive experience spanning specialist hotels, licensed and hospitality sectors.

The new role with CBRE will see Jack being an integral part of a larger team delivering valuation and advisory services to investors, occupiers and lending institutions.

Jack will work across the pubs, leisure, hotels and healthcare sectors with a focus on national and regional portfolios, as well as high quality single assets.

Richard Sunderland, managing director CBRE Leeds, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alastair to the team. He brings with him a wealth of experience across a diverse range of clients and his innovative approach will support our growth and development plans within the Specialist Markets team.”

Jack added: “I look forward to bringing together the collective experience and expertise in a regional context, to the benefit of existing clients and new entrants keen to capitalise on the positive returns offered across the leisure and healthcare sectors.”

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A Skipton-based chocolate manufacturer has announced the appointment of Gemma Whitaker.

The UK’s largest manufacturer of personalised chocolates has recruited wife of managing director, William Whitaker, to the position of marketing manager.

Whitaker has a strong background in advertising sales and marketing, most recently working at software development company Basis Media as senior project manager.

Prior to this, Whitaker worked as an advertising sales manager at Newsquest.

Whitaker will focus on maximising growth opportunities with existing and new customers.

Speaking about her appointment, Whitaker said: “As a new position within the company, my role as marketing manager will be incredibly diverse, stretching from direct sales to brand management, working alongside the sales and digital marketing departments.

“My marketing background is a perfect fit for the Whitakers team as I can fully immerse myself in growing our social presence, creating engaging product material, new product development and evolving the brand itself.”

William Whitaker, managing director at Whitakers Chocolates, added: “I’m immensely excited about Gemma’s future at Whitakers. We celebrate 130 years in business next year which will be accompanied by innovative product launches and many more surprises.

“She has bags of enthusiasm that she shares with the team and helps work towards a common goal which will help shape the future of Whitakers.”

Whitaker said: “Working alongside my husband has to be the best part for me as we both share the same passion, drive and commitment. Being personally and emotionally attached to the company will help me channel my excitement and dedication to the role.

“I’m really proud of what William and the family have achieved which makes my appointment even more special. However, we do have a rule not to talk shop too much at home!”

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Thrive Law, a Leeds-based firm specialising in employment law with a focus on mental health, is expanding its team of five to seven.

The firm has appointed Khaleeqa Bostan as Digital Marketing Apprentice and Annabelle Oliver as a Paralegal alongside her studies in Criminology with plans to complete the GDL following graduation.

Bostan’s expertise in digital software and marketing is already increasing Thrive Law’s social media presence on Instagram and Facebook by connecting with their audience and revolutionise the way in which lawyers are perceived.

Bostan said: “I want to break the stereotype of lawyers being ‘too legal’ and boring, I plan on creating a social media strategy which will show people that we do have personalities. Jodie and the #thrivetribe are very welcoming and my work days never really feel like work because I enjoy what I do so much.”

Oliver studying Criminology at Leeds Beckett University gives her the necessary analytical and research skills to carry out her role as a Paralegal.  

Oliver added:“Having a supportive network and colleagues around me has made settling in very easy and I feel like I am going to make great progress at Thrive.”

Thrive Law was founded in March of this year by Managing Director Jodie Hill.

Commenting on launching the company, Hill said: “Throughout my career, especially in my capacity as a solicitor, I have witnessed the breakdown of working relationships and the consequential impact this has on both the wider team and the employees concerned, in respect of their mental health and wellbeing.

“I have been overwhelmed with how prevalent poor mental health in the workplace is, so I feel responsibility to help educate and raise awareness on this very imperative issue.”

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Brawl, the Leeds-based content agency, has appointed six new staff members to its team.

New to the team are Saffron Cuccio, who joins as social media and PR executive, Nicola Lawton as office manager, Selso Xisto as VFX animator, Rosalyn Halford as Lead Designer, Euan Moreland as a designer and Mia Secker as editor.

The appointments follow Brawl’s recent appointment to work with British brands Blaze Wear and Derwent.

Blaze Wear is a heated clothing manufacturer which uses technology to integrate heating elements into the inner layers of the garments. The Brawl team will develop a content strategy and ongoing content programme for the brand.

Derwent is a art equipment retailer. Established in 1832, the company exports art materials globally from its manufacturing plant in The Lake District. Brawl has been appointed to work with the Derwent team to create content for new product launches.

Martin Jones, Managing Director of Brawl, said: “The recent additions to our growing client roster are a reflection of the outstanding work and effort that the team has done this year. We’ve had a fantastic year to date, and it just keeps getting better.

“To be able to add even greater depth and strength to the team with the appointment of four very talented individuals will enable us to do an even more comprehensive job for our clients and develop the business even further.”

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