People: New role created at loan provider; Former Yorkshire Building Society senior manager taken on by public relations business; and more
Rotherham-based Norton Finance Group has announced the appointment of Sonny Gosai to its newly established role of senior sales and development manager.
Gosai brings a wealth of business development experience in the commercial, bridging, loans and mortgage markets from his previous roles as sales and operations manager at Clever Lending and as a Partner at Phoenix Financial Solutions.
He will focus on developing new business opportunities and distribution both for Norton Finance & Mortgages (brokerage) and Norton Home Loans (1st & 2nd Charge Lender), using the firm’s suite of products.
Paul Stringer, director of The Norton Finance Group, said: “Sonny is an excellent addition to our sales development team, and he brings a range of experience and knowledge that will help deliver over the next decade increased business levels for the Group.”
Gosai said: “I am delighted to be joining one of the longest standing and successful companies in the financial sector. I look forward to helping Norton achieve their goals over the coming years. It is an honour to work with what is a pillar of the industry.”
:::
PR, social and creative content business The Lucre Group has appointed communications and corporate responsibility professional, Tanya Jackson.
Jackson joins The Lucre Group from Yorkshire Building Society, where she worked for 35 years, most recently holding the position of head of corporate affairs.
Her career began as a processing clerk, moving up the ranks and working across management positions in insurance, sales and media relations, before taking a role in the senior leadership team as head of corporate affairs. In addition to her extensive communications experience, Jackson is also the vice chair of Overgate Hospice and was chair of the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation until she left the society.
Joining the senior management team as director of brand and innovation, Jackson’s role will involve expanding the brand’s insight and innovation programme, developing new products and services and managing the firm’s reputation as it continues with its ambitious growth plans.
The agency has seen significant successes in recent months, including new client wins for Kettle Foods, Great Rail Journeys and TOMY toys, plus an office move to a larger building on Park Square in Leeds, where the company now occupies the entire building.
Jackson said: “I’m delighted to be joining an agency which is so routed in the success of its clients. The Lucre Group has earned a reputation on a regional and national level as one which stands by its motto ‘the best or don’t bother’ something I am looking forward to extending as part of my new role.
“With its impressive and consistent growth over the last few years I believe there’s a real opportunity for me to add my expertise to this ambitious team.”
Sophie Spyropoulos, Lucre co-founder and director, added: “We are very proud that someone of the calibre and experience of Tanya has chosen The Lucre Group as the next step in their career; further strengthening our senior management team.
“Tanya will be helping us to develop our insight and innovation division, as we look forward to launching a raft of new products and services for our clients during 2020.
“We’re confident Tanya’s extensive experience will be a real asset to our existing portfolio of brands, in addition to helping us attract new clients who are looking to benefit from over thirty years of public affairs and corporate social responsibility experience.”
:::
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which supports 5.7 million people living in former mining communities throughout the UK, has appointed Alex Hobson as development officer supporting its Game On England sports programme.
Hobson will take responsibility for coordinating and developing the Game On England programme across the Yorkshire region, aiming to improve the health, skills and self-esteem of young people from coalfield communities.
In addition to organising the Football 5ives sessions, Game On Girls and Boys training and the Walking Football events, he will also be looking to embed skills development as a fundamental part of the programme’s core offer.
Hobson first discovered the lasting impact sport can have on improving the lives of those from deprived communities when he worked at the charitable arm of Doncaster Rovers, Club Doncaster Foundation. During his tenure with the South Yorkshire club, he was responsible for the recruitment and development of all volunteers.
He said: “I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact football can have on young people from disadvantaged areas and how it was capable of changing their lives. Following on from my previous role, I was determined to carry on making an impact in local communities and I knew I would be given the opportunity to do so with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
“I am a firm believer that participation in sport and physical activity can change lives, but I expect that removing existing barriers to participation will be the biggest challenge in my new role. However, I am determined to encourage as many people as possible to access the programme and benefit from the many opportunities it presents.”
Kat Clarke, development manager for Game On England at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “Alex’s previous experience makes him a great fit for the Game On England team and he will be able to hit the ground running.
“Football’s ability to bring different people and communities together is invaluable and our programme has constantly strived to improve the health and well-being of people living within some of the UK’s most deprived areas.
“Every year we want the programme to become bigger and better, and we are looking forward to seeing how Alex’s ideas help Game On continue to change the outlook, attitudes and aspirations of younger people living across the Yorkshire region.”
