People: Aptamer Group; Room to Grow; DJS Research; and more

Aptamer Group Ltd, a York-based developer of diagnostic and therapeutic aptamer reagents, has appointed Mark Vaux as chief operating officer with immediate effect.

He has held senior and board level positions in engineering and high technology companies from start-ups to multinational organisations.

He joins Aptamer Group from Paraytec Ltd, a scientific instrument company, where he was CEO. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Vaux will oversee Aptamer Group’s operations functions, which employ the latest cutting-edge technologies to deliver aptamer-based solutions to their international customer base for a wide range of research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

The company is currently working across a range of important diagnostic and therapeutic targets to support its customers and collaborators.

Vaux said: “I am delighted to join Aptamer Group, which is an innovative and ambitious company leading the way in its field.

“I have been involved in collaborative projects with the Aptamer team in the past and have always admired their capabilities.

“The scientists here are doing extraordinary work and I hope to bring my experience and skills to the mix to support them in the life-changing projects currently being undertaken by the business.”

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Otley-based children’s bedroom specialists, Room to Grow, has appointed a new head of marketing as it looks to achieve its plans to double turnover within the next three years.

Laura Sutherland has more than 16 years’ experience in the marketing sector, working predominantly across the retail and fashion industries.

During her time at Curvissa, she designed and implemented a strategy to grow turnover by 300%, and with proven experience of developing strategies for digital and offline channels, she brings a wealth of expertise to the team.

She will head the marketing department, directly developing strategies, processes and plans to drive business growth, as well as setting up a team to deliver it.

Sutherland said: “Having worked in the fashion sector for the past six years, I am keen to bring my knowledge of scaling turnover for fast-paced consumer brands to the furniture and home market.

“Room to Grow is an incredibly forward-thinking online retailer with ambitious plans, and I’m excited to take on the challenge of helping to deliver those results.”

Anne Davies, owner of Room to Grow, said: “Laura’s experience of developing successful digital strategies is exactly what we need to help bolster our efforts in achieving this year’s targets.

“Laura has made an excellent addition to the team, and we are so happy to welcome her into the Room to Grow family.”

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Leeds and Stockport-based market research agency, DJS Research, has appointed eight new members of staff to its expanding team, including Cara Rodwell, as field & data services director, as well as two research managers, three senior research executives and two project assistants.

Rodwell is a key hire for DJS Research, joining the business from Watermelon Research where she was a project director carrying out research for a range of clients.

She brings two decades of experience to the company, which will bolster its Fieldwork and Data Services offer to end clients, consultancies and other market research agencies.

The other new additions to DJS Research include Alex Belcher and Anna Hegarty as research managers as well as Jamie Lawson, Grace Middlehurst and Holly Collins as senior research executives.

To offer support to researchers, DJS Research has also welcomed two experienced project assistants.

Carly Parsons has extensive knowledge of the market research industry and her role will be focused on developing DJS Research’s new Opinion Exchange Panel.

Sarah Smith, a former research manager at DJS Research, has also returned as a project assistant after leaving the company in 2012 to start a family.

Danny Sims, managing director of DJS Research, said: “It has obviously been and still is a very difficult time for the whole world and that includes the market research industry.

“We strongly believe though that it is even more important now to improve as a company and to continue to invest.

“Part of our strategy is to continue to expand our team and we’ve certainly done that with these excellent and experienced new starters who have decided to join DJS Research.

“We are really looking forward to working with them all and are excited about what they can bring to the company.

“I also do feel proud that despite a very difficult climate we have managed to offer these key positions within our company.”

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North Yorkshire care provider Saint Cecilia’s has strengthened its management team by adding the new post of group director.

Its first holder is Laura Clegg, a care professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the sector.

Her role will be to oversee the expanding group’s four homes and, working with the registered managers, help build upon and improve the care they offer.

Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, based in Scarborough, has a nursing home, two care homes and a day care centre in the town and a care home in Pickering.

Managing director Mike Padgham said: “This is an exciting new post for Saint Cecilia’s, and we are delighted to welcome Laura to the group.

“Laura will bring to Saint Cecilia’s a wealth of experience gathered from working in health and social care for more than 30 years.

“During that time, she has held a wide variety of nursing, management and leadership roles and has an excellent track record of success. I am confident she will become a major asset to Saint Cecilia’s.

“Her appointment will strengthen our management team and free up the other directors to concentrate on the development of the group and the care we provide.”

Clegg added: “The values and ethos of Saint Cecilia’s absolutely reflect my own.

“Saint Cecilia’s is well-known and respected, not just in North Yorkshire but also further afield, and is about to embark upon an exciting time of growth. It’s an amazing time to join the team and I’m so excited about it.

“I look forward to developing positive working relationships with all our customers and staff. To be able to support the registered managers and share my experiences and knowledge with them.”