People: Cognito Learning; Minister Law; Garbutt + Elliot; and more
An award-winning training and education industry leader has been appointed by technology and learning specialist, Cognito Learning.
Allan Pettman, who has more than 20-years senior management experience, has joined the Leeds-based firm as chief executive officer, having previously been the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) president of worldwide IT and business skills training company, Global Knowledge, where he helped to achieve record revenue and results for the region.
Pettman said: “Cognito Learning is a business with a passion and intent to grow and continue to evolve. It cares about the customer journey and has incrementally developed its offering with customers at the centre of its strategy, which was very attractive to me.
“Cognito Learning is highly effective for supporting and reinforcing formal training activities in a wide range of applications from risk, regulatory and compliance to product knowledge, sales and technology. It’s a really great idea that’s not labour intensive for the learner or organisation and it has the potential to assist organisations from every sector, as well as complementing and enhancing other learning assets already used by businesses.
“There are opportunities to grow and shape the Cognito Learning application, with meaningful new features that will deliver an even more robust organisational-grade learning tool, and I’m really looking forward to helping the business mature and become an authority in the learning, training and development sector.”
Cognito Learning’s commercial director, Jonny Jerome, said: “Despite the backdrop of Covid-19, 2020 was a productive year for the business, where we won a number of high-profile contracts with international corporate organisations, financial services companies, charities and public sector organisations. We were also recognised in the Tech Nation Rising Star Awards as one of the UK’s best and most innovative technology companies. Allan’s appointment comes at a significant time for Cognito Learning, as we plan to build on this momentum, and we believe that his drive, experience and intelligent management style will be invaluable moving forward.”
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Maggie Game
Insurance and transformation specialist Maggie Game has been appointed chief operating officer at Minster Law.
Game joins the Wakefield-based business after running her own management consultancy and has previously held senior roles across the financial services sector including director of insurance at Experian, director of banks and building society distribution at L&G as well as roles at Markerstudy and Aviva.
Shirley Woolham, CEO of Minster Law said: “Maggie is a hugely important signing for us. She is an exceptionally talented change agent with deep experience of transforming businesses in financial services and especially insurance.”
“It is great that she is joining us at such an exciting time for Minster Law and bringing her expertise in transformational change to an already diverse executive team.”
Game added: “I was attracted to Minster Law because the company thinks and does things differently and has an immensely strong consumer focus. The experience of the executive team spans numerous sectors from insurance and financial services to claims management and retail, which has created an entrepreneurial culture that feels less hidebound by lawyerly tradition.
“My priority will be to ensure Minster Law further builds its reputation as a 2020s law firm and I look forward to working alongside Shirley and the rest of the Minster Law team to realise our ambitious growth plans.”
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Mark Frier
Garbutt + Elliott Wealth Management has appointed Mark Frier as a financial planning director.
Frier’s appointment signals the continued success of the wealth management team located in Leeds and York. The team has developed significantly over the last 3 years resulting in the need for additional leadership capabilities to enable further growth. In addition to leading a group of advisers, Frier will add strength to the advice provision of the firm by looking after his own portfolio of clients, providing a personal and reliable service to individuals across the region and beyond.
He joins Garbutt + Elliott from Schroders Personal Wealth, formerly Lloyds Bank where he held a variety of senior management and adviser positions in the UK, Isle of Man & Gibraltar. With over 30 years experience in the industry, Frier brings extensive experience to the business having started his career as a clerk in Knaresborough.
Robert Simpson, managing director for Garbutt + Elliott Wealth Management said: “Mark is the latest addition to the G+E Wealth team which has seen its overall headcount treble over the last 3 years. Mark has an impressive background and over his career he has advised some of the North East & Yorkshire’s wealthiest families in addition to leading teams providing advice throughout the world. I am delighted to welcome him to the team.”
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L-R: James Perry, Lindsey Gaimster and Rebecca Stopford
Leading niche law firm, Bhayani Law has boosted its business legal services team with a trio of appointments as part of its continued expansion.
Employment solicitor, Lindsey Gaimster, who joined the firm in 2016 has been promoted to director and head of employment law.
Joining Gaimster is Rebecca Stopford an experienced company commercial solicitor with over 20 years legal expertise both working in law firms and inside businesses and James Perry a specialist commercial litigation solicitor who has dealt with many types of commercial disputes during his 15 years working in this field.
Jay Bhayani, managing director of Bhayani Law, said: “I am delighted that our expansion is moving so quickly. We have recently opened offices in Leeds, Leicester and London and added new staff along the way. We have always been focussed on staying ahead of the curve and offering cutting-edge, but practical, advice and day-to-day support to our clients. This now extends to company and commercial matters and so, no matter what size your business, whether you have employment, HR, health and safety or business-related challenges, we can help you to overcome it.”
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Dr Graham Rich
Exemplar Health Care, a leading provider of specialist nursing care for adults living with a range of complex and high acuity needs, has announced the appointment of Dr Graham Rich as its new chairman of the board.
As part of his role, Rich who has a wealth of experience in chair and non-executive director roles across healthcare and technology sectors, will be supporting the Exemplar Health Care board to develop and implement the firm’s strategic plan. He will work with the existing leadership team and advise on clinical governance, external stakeholder management and digital transformation.
Starting his career as a GP he has held a series of senior leadership positions including CEO of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, CEO of West Hull Primary Care Trust and director of Health Services for Boston Consulting Group.
Rich said: “I am very pleased to be joining Exemplar Health Care, at this key stage in the company’s history. I am looking forward to working with the team to promote excellent care so that every day is better for the people we support.”
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