People: BigChange; AW Hainsworth & Sons; Sigmat; and more

BigChange, a Leeds-based mobile workforce management technology company for the service and transport sectors, has appointed Nick Gregory as its new chief marketing officer.

A seasoned marketer with a 30-year track record at leading software providers, Gregory joins from IRIS Software Group, one of the UK’s largest privately-held software companies.

He will be responsible for expanding BigChange’s marketing team and accelerating growth for the company in the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia Pacific.

His appointment follows an investment by private equity firm Great Hill Partners of more than £75m in BigChange.

A substantial tranche of this money will be put towards innovation and product development as the business moves into new territories.

Gregory said: “BigChange is an incredibly exciting company, with disruptive technology and enormous potential. I’m looking forward immensely to working with Martin Port and the rest of the team to help accelerate the growth and expansion of the business.”

Martin Port, chief executive, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Nick. He is a skilled marketing leader with a strong track record of delivering growth for leading software-as-a-service companies around the world.

“His experience will be invaluable as we expand our technology offering, cement our position in the UK and move into new territories around the world.”

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Yorkshire textiles business, AW Hainsworth & Sons, has appointed Amanda McLaren to the post of managing director.

Following the formation of the Family Council and the appointment of Andrew Wright as non-executive chairman in 2018, McLaren will support the executive director team with the safe running of this family business.

The last year was equally challenging for AW Hainsworth due to COVID-19, but the company has continued to manufacture throughout.

The company says it has a good platform to grow in greater strength in the coming years.

McLaren is a highly experienced executive board director with a record for results working with both SMEs and global manufacturing organisations.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the prestigious AW Hainsworth, in the capacity of managing director, working within a very experienced and driven executive director Team.

“I am excited to be able to take the reins and help the team to fully explore and achieve its strategic growth objectives.

“With sustainability at the heart of the company’s core objectives and my natural passion for the textile sector, I am confident the business can build on its current platform and provide an exciting and strong future, for the family, stakeholders and employees alike.”

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Nick Milestone

Leeds-based offsite specialists, Sigmat, has announced the appointment of two new directors to further strengthen its leadership team.

Internationally renowned offsite innovator and sustainability veteran Nick Milestone joins the team as Eegineering director, whilst structural engineering specialist Tim Doubell will take up the newly created post of R&D director.

Both Milestone and Doubell join the team with a wealth of experience across a variety of offsite disciplines and have worked across a multitude of industry sectors, including landmark projects for Blue Chip clients across the globe.

With a strong focus on fast-tracking innovation within the industry, the duo will be heavily focused on reducing carbon construction techniques as they continue to build on Sigmat’s green credentials.

Milestone said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining such a passionate and progressive team.

Tim Doubell

“Sigmat has both the resource and expertise to really push the green agenda and I am delighted to be part of this exciting journey.”

With a major project surrounding the launch of a hybrid structural building system using low carbon materials already underway, both Nick and Tim are keen to channel their experience into creating a new wave of sustainable solutions for the industry.

Doubell, who will be responsible for driving new, industry leading solutions added: “Launching a hybrid structural flooring solution is a really exciting starting point for us as a team.

“By integrating Cross Laminated Timber in conjunction with an LGSF structure, the concrete usage is eliminated. It’s this type of innovation that will make a real difference as the industry works towards achieving its net zero carbon targets.”

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Lauren Mosettig

A business community aiming to help power up the North is investing in young people through the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.

The Northern Affinity, a Pudsey-headquartered community powering growth and development, has recruited two young people as it continues to expand its influence across the North.

The appointments follow the news that the organisation has strengthened its voice beyond West Yorkshire by setting up new groups in Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire.

The two placements are a result of the Kickstart Scheme, which is aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

Lauren Mosettig, 23, and Bradley Foster, 24, have joined as social media and marketing manager and events manager respectively.

The Kickstart Scheme offers funding of 100% of National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week for a total of six months, along with employer National Insurance contributions.

It also provides £1,500 per job placement to cover set-up costs, equipment and training.

Michael Edwards, founder of The Northern Affinity, welcomed the two new recruits on board and said: “The Northern Affinity is growing quickly and expanding its support network across a large part of the North.

“As we grow, we create new opportunities and it’s great that we can help young people onto the career ladder, train them and nurture them and watch them grow as individuals.

“Just as we want to power up the North, we also want to empower young people and give them a chance to shine.

“The Coronavirus pandemic has hit young people hard and the jobs market for those just starting out has never been more difficult to access.

Bradley Foster

“Young people are the ones who will benefit from increased investment and a ‘levelling up’ of the North and we want to see them play a prominent and active role in building a new future for themselves and others.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak invested £2bn in the Kickstart Scheme which runs until December 2021. Around 20,000 placements had been created by the end of last year.

The Northern Affinity is a partner of the Northern Powerhouse and brings together business owners to provide a platform to power growth and development through on-going support and collaboration.

The organisation supports entrepreneurs and business owners who are passionate about rebuilding the North.

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