People: Data on Demand; Sandersons Department Stores; eviFile; and more

Data On Demand, a Leeds-based consumer data specialist for verification, identification and communication, has announced the appointment of Simon Gregory as its sales director.

He has been brought on board to continue the strong growth across all sectors.

He joins the business with a strong background in consumer data, having spent the past seven years helping credit reference agency, TransUnion, scale their UK business.

Stuart Murgatroyd, CEO at Data on Demand, said: “It’s very exciting for us to add Simon Gregory to our team.

“Following the appointment of Mark Davison as our non-exec chairman in March, bringing Simon on board is the natural progression that we need to continue with the success we have achieved very quickly in the collections and recoveries space with Fintrace.  

“Simon brings a wealth of experience from TransUnion that will enable us to fast-track our ambitions to service every Debt Purchaser in the UK with Fintrace.

“In addition, Simon will help us scale the success of our existing marketing solution, Continue, and be the key driver to taking our new products, Residence, and IdVu to market.”

The move comes following the announcement in March, of the appointment of Mark Davison as Data On Demand’s non-exec chairman.

Davison said: “Simon’s appointment is a pivotal milestone for us.  It is testament to our belief in the power of our products and the value they bring to our clients that we are prepared to invest in today’s market.  

“I am delighted we can attract people like Simon, of such high calibre at such an early stage in our company.”

Gregory added: “The business has already grown significantly through the great work of the existing team and feedback I’ve seen from existing clients is really exciting.

“In these uncertain times businesses are demanding alternative sources of insight.

“My role will be to accelerate and optimise the go to market strategy and ultimately make a lot of noise about the great work the business is already doing.”

:::

Sandersons Department Stores has appointed three new directors to its Board.

Managing director Lisa Fox, buying director Philippa Meighan and e-commerce director Fran O’Connell have all been appointed to strengthen the management team as the company prepares to open its third store in spring 2021.

Fox was appointed manager of Sandersons’ flagship Sheffield store in 2016 by the company’s late founder, Deborah Holmes.

Since then she has worked with her directors and has been integral to the development and expansion of the business.

She headed the opening of the second Sandersons store in Morpeth, which opened in October 2020 and has 22 years’ experience in the retail industry.

Meighan joined the company in November 2019. She has over 25 years’ experience in the retail industry, working for a number of multinational global retail brands including Topshop, River Island and New Look.

She has worked with the CEO on introducing key, luxury brands to Sandersons, as part of the company’s wider strategy to establish an unrivalled retail experience in the UK.

O’Connell started her career at Sandersons as a sales assistant when the store first opened in 2016, studying for a degree in Business Management and Leadership alongside her role in the store.

She has achieved several promotions within Sandersons – firstly to manager of the Clarins concession and then to e-commerce manager.

Since taking charge of the e-commerce side of the business, she has played a key role in establishing the stores’ online presence and significantly growing sales. She now takes on her new role as e-commerce director.

CEO of Sandersons, Mark Dransfield, said: “I am delighted to welcome Lisa, Philippa and Fran to the Board of Directors at Sandersons.

“They are exceptional individuals who have shown leadership and loyalty throughout what has been a challenging period.

“The company has performed exceptionally well during 2020 and we see a large gap in the marketplace where strong market towns have recovered much faster than city centre locations and this is where we see our future growth.”

Sandersons was founded in 2016 by Deborah Holmes. Her husband, Mark Dransfield, took over the business in 2018.

Dransfield is also the founder and managing director of South Yorkshire property company, Dransfield Properties.

:::

Duncan Mactear

Leeds-based technology company, eviFile, has recruited two construction industry specialists to help drive its growth in the UK building and infrastructure, rail, and project management sectors.

Having recently been listed at number 38 in the Yorkshire & Humberside Tech 50 rundown, the company is reinventing field-data collection with its digital evidence platform.

It has seen significant growth in its customer portfolio during 2020 and is working with global consultancy and construction firm, Mace, on a £1.6m funded Innovate UK project.

Duncan Mactear joins the company with over 25 years’ experience in the construction sector.

After formally training as an architect, the London-based customer strategy director built high-profile building information modelling (BIM) teams within two of the UK’s top five contractors and then successfully grew 4Projects — a leading SaaS collaboration provider — from start-up to a $1.2bn acquisition.

His main priority will be focused on assisting prospects and customers in analysing their requirements and promoting eviFile’s approach of capturing, managing, and sharing real-time digital data using everyday mobile devices.

Mactear said: “The industry is now recognising the value of its data and how business intelligence can help to shape future decisions — bringing enormous benefits to both individual organisations and the sector as a whole.

“It’s a great opportunity to join an innovative, dynamic company, and be instrumental in its future growth.”

Martin Cox

The additional recruitment of Martin Cox has further bolstered the eviFile team to eight.

Starting his career as a mechanical design engineer working in construction, he went onto train and consult on SolidWorks CAD software at the highest level — spending over 15 years working in software alongside clients such as Glencore PLC, TH Real Estate, Sony, and Nestlé.

He joins as customer implementation and success lead. Cox said: “Customer success is a two-way process, and I am really looking forward to working with and learning from the diverse range of eviFile customers.”

Luke Allen, eviFile’s managing director, added: “It’s great to have two high calibre additions to the team as part of a recruitment drive that will continue throughout 2021.

“Duncan’s extensive experience and creativity will be instrumental in developing corporate strategies that build revenue, and together with Martin’s service focused delivery we are confident that customers will grow with us on their digital transformation journey.”

:::

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which supports 5.7 million people living in former UK mining communities, has made two new appointments to support a partnership with Wakefield Council.

Dedicated to improving the employment, skills and health and wellbeing of residents in Airedale, West Yorkshire, the PEAT (People Enabling Area Transformation) funded project will provide support, advice and guidance to individuals needing help.

As the new community employment & skills coach, Jenny Lindley has been appointed to provide flexible and personalised employment coaching, helping people to improve their confidence, learn more skills and develop their strengths to capitalise on employment opportunities.

Using her previous experience as employability tutor for RNN group, she will assist with all aspects of the job seeking process.

Taking on the position of health and wellbeing activator, Lindsey Best-Fryer will offer support to residents who want to overcome social barriers and improve their health and wellbeing.

She will also help increase the number of health and wellbeing activities locally and will work with the Yorkshire Sport Foundation to support local groups to develop new community sport and physical activity projects through the Airedale Active Grants Scheme.

Lindsey Best-Fryer

Kat Clarke, development manager – Game On England, said: “Meeting the needs of local residents and the wider coalfield communities is central to what we do.

“This project can inspire people living in Airedale to create a better future for generations to come.

“Times have been very challenging as once again our neighbourhoods have been disproportionately impacted.

“However, our tailored approach and unique offer which combines health and wellbeing provision along with employment and skills support under one service, means we can adapt to people’s circumstances and meet individual needs.

“Bringing Jenny and Lindsey onboard will only enhance this service even further.

“We understand Airedale still faces many challenges in regards to employment, skills and health and wellbeing.

“We now feel we have the personnel and resources in place to make a lasting impact.”

Close