People: Flotilla; Vanquis Banking Group; SAIF; and more

Carbon accounting and net zero partner firm, Flotilla, has appointed Dr Charlotte Weaver to lead on testing and analysis of its carbon accounting platform.

Weaver brings a wealth of knowledge of the environmental and social impacts of climate change, and of society’s role in adaptation and mitigation, to the role.

Working alongside the company’s sustainability director, she is responsible for the rigorous testing and data analysis of Harrogate-based Flotilla’s carbon accounting platform, to ensure its accuracy and usefulness for businesses aiming to monitor their footprints. 

She has gained experience working with governmental organisations, local councils, and charities such as the United Bank of Carbon (UBoC) and Raleigh International.

Her work with UBoC, in connection with the White Rose Forest, helped inform a carbon-based tree planting strategy for 13 Yorkshire local authorities and was incorporated into the White Rose Forest Action Plan 2021-2025. 

She also carried out a policy internship at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), developing a hurricane vulnerability model for UK Caribbean overseas territories.

Most recently, she has carried out a Research Fellow working with the Met Office to determine how global decarbonisation could avert heatwave-related mortalities over the 21st century.

Weaver said: “Businesses play a central role in climate change and therefore have the capacity to make a huge difference.

“I’m excited to help our clients create sustainable solutions to reaching net zero. Flotilla’s drive for creating a greener future by helping businesses reduce their emissions really appeals to me.”

John Rastrick, Flotilla founder and CEO, said: “Charlotte worked with us last year to rigorously assess our carbon accounting methodology and reporting platform in conjunction with our partnerships with Leeds University and the world renowned Priestley International Centre for Climate. 

“Charlotte’s impressive credentials make her an incredible fit for us, particularly in supporting our own ambitions to be the most trusted and robust carbon accounting and net zero partner serving the UK’s SMEs, private companies and business leaders.”

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The Board of Vanquis Banking Group has appointed Michele Greene as a non-executive director of the company with effect from 9 March 2023.

Following her appointment, Greene will become a member of the Nomination, Risk and Customer, Culture and Ethics Committees.

Patrick Snowball, chairman of Bradford-based Vanquis, said: “Michele brings significant experience across technology, banking, and payments as we continue the development of the organisation as a specialist banking group with a focus on customers in the mid-cost and near-prime markets.”

Greene has held senior roles at Virgin Money and MBNA Europe Bank and, prior to that, she worked across various finance functions at Goldman Sachs, Credit Lyonnais and KPMG Dublin.

At Virgin Money, she was director of strategic development, where she was responsible for establishing a credit card business on a newly built IT platform and was subsequently appointed as the managing director of the Virgin Money Digital Bank.

Prior to that she was the chief financial officer of MBNA Europe Bank between 2005 and 2013.

She is currently executive director and co-founder of Mololo Limited, a boutique advisory company specialising in helping companies in the payments and unsecured lending space.

She also holds non-executive director seats at Bank of Ireland plc, Fair Finance and Davy Financial Services Group.

Greene said: “I am really excited to be joining Vanquis Banking Group as a non-executive director at such an exciting time in its strategic repositioning as a specialist banking group.

“I am looking forward to helping the group in its next phase of growth and development, while helping to maintain its strong sense of purpose and promotion of financial inclusion for its customers.”

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Mark Horton, of Hull-based Hortons Funeral Directors, has been elected president of SAIF, the UK’s largest trade association dedicated to protecting the interests of independent funeral directors and their customers.

Replacing outgoing SAIF president Jo Parker, Horton was elected at SAIF’s AGM weekend in Royal Tunbridge Wells and will serve until March 2024.

During the coming year, Horton has pledged to focus on communicating the invaluable work of independent funeral directors to ensure they continue to be appreciated locally and nationally at a time of great change.

He said: “Independent funeral directors have been at the forefront of innovation and transformation across the profession in recent decades and I’ve no doubt that this trend will continue for many years to come.

“However, our sector is threatened by profit-hungry players who want to dupe the public into thinking bereavement can be reduced to an online click and collect-type service.

“If this trend continues unabated it will have a terrible impact on mental health and it’s our job as independent funeral directors to educate communities and governments about the importance of gathering and remembering when a loved one dies.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the SAIF leadership team on this issue and have no doubt that we can secure a bright future for independent funeral directors and the families we serve.”

SAIF CEO, Terry Tennens, said: “Mark has been a committed member of the SAIF Executive Committee for many years and has served independent funeral directors in Yorkshire with an unswerving passion.

“He’s played a leading role in challenging local authorities who have tried to undermine local funeral businesses with cut-price, poor standard services, and I’ve no doubt his formidable approach will benefit SAIF and our wider membership.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Mark in the coming year to tackle the issues affecting our members – he represents the very best of our profession.”

Hortons Funeral Directors operates two branches covering Hull, Beverley, North Cave, Gilberdyke and the surrounding areas.

SAIF (the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors) now has more than 1,000 funeral director members who collectively operate over 2,000 funeral homes.

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Grace Cunliffe, who joined Vertu Leeds Jaguar Land Rover six years ago as a degree apprentice, has been promoted to assistant service manager.

Cunliffe, who started at Vertu Motors at just 19 years old, completed a Chartered Management Degree through the group’s Degree Apprenticeship Programme. She has since graduated with First Class Honours.

She is currently studying a CIPD Level 3 qualification to further her people management skills, which has been funded by Vertu Motors.

She said: “The company is incredibly supportive to work for and there are so many opportunities for both professional and personal development.

“I am passionate about the Jaguar Land Rover brand and absolutely love working with our fantastic customers. I am looking forward to furthering my career with Vertu Motors and continuing to develop my skills and knowledge.”

Robert Forrester, chief executive, said: “Grace epitomises the type of colleagues we are so proud of.

“From joining our Degree Apprenticeship Programme to this well-deserved promotion, she has exhibited dedication and commitment throughout.

“As a company, this is something we are always willing to match, supporting colleagues to progress their careers and hone their skills and knowledge.”