People: Boston Energy; Surgical Innovations; Flotilla; and more

Boston Energy, a technical services provider to the wind energy industry, has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Jonathan Godber as chief financial officer.

In his new role, he will drive the Beverley-based business’ financial performance as it targets new international markets and supports the global transition to a clean energy economy.

He brings 15 years of experience in senior finance roles across PLC and private equity-backed businesses in the technology and technical service sectors.

Previously, he was CFO of Giacom, a cloud services provider which was acquired by Digital Wholesale Solutions following significant growth. His other senior finance roles include posts at HomeServe PLC and KCOM PLC.

His appointment follows that of Ian Langley, who joined the Board as chair in July 2023.

Langley is a highly experienced chair and non-executive director at several public and private equity-backed organisations in the energy industry, including Airswift and EPI Group.

Julian Cattermole, CEO of Boston Energy, said: “Jonathan’s results-focused approach and wealth of experience are going be invaluable as we continue to accelerate growth and expand our global presence. We’re very happy to have him on board.”

Godber added: “It is a very exciting time for Boston Energy. Its reputation as a high-quality service provider to the wind industry makes it perfectly positioned to take advantage of new opportunities in the UK and overseas.

“I’m proud to be joining such a dynamic business and high achieving team and look forward to working with them to help accelerate the success of the business.”

Boston Energy has over a decade of experience providing technical services and technical training to the wind energy industry, supporting both onshore and offshore wind farms across the globe, including in Europe, APAC and North America.

Private equity investor LDC backed the business’s management team in July 2023 to support its international growth strategy. Boston Energy recently supported Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, to generate its first power.

James Marshall, investment director at LDC, said: “Boston Energy is growing rapidly as demand for services to the wind energy industry increases.

“Jonathan’s experience will help the business meet this demand and cement its position at the heart of Yorkshire’s green energy industry.

“We look forward to supporting him, along with the rest of the management team, as they embark on this new stage of their growth journey.”

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Surgical Innovations Group, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of innovative technology for minimally invasive surgery, says Keyvan Djamarani has been appointed independent non-executive director with immediate effect.

At the same time Nigel Rogers, who previously served time as chair of the Leeds-based company, will step down from the Board. He joined the Board in 2015, bringing stability to the company at a critical time.

Djamarani has over 30 years’ relevant experience, holding numerous leadership roles in product development within manufacturing organisations covering medical and pharmaceutical drug delivery devices.

He has a track record of delivering increased sales, profitability and business critical programmes and projects.

Most recently he spent over nine years as managing director/business president at Bespak Europe, a medical and pharmaceutical drug delivery devices business.

He began his career at Unilever working in its Detergents and Personal Products Divisions prior to joining Bespak.

At Bespak, he held several roles across its European and North American divisions.

Within this period, from 2002 to 2005, he was general manager and president of Bespak Inc and from 2010 to 2013, he became CEO of King Systems, an airways management business, encompassing design, development and manufacture of airway management products.

He was most recently a non-executive director of CEME Ltd, a not-for-profit business enterprise operating on a 19-acre campus, home to over 100 engineering, technology and training businesses – a role he held for over 16 years.

Chair of Surgical Innovations, Jonathan Glenn, said: “I would like to thank Nigel for the dedicated service he provided over his eight-year tenure, bringing the company safely through a number of significant challenges including the pandemic.

“His experience proved invaluable and his insight has always been appreciated by the Board and management.

“I am also happy to welcome Keyvan to the Board. He has an excellent track record in the medical device sector and brings with him a broad and relevant skillset.

“His extensive operational experience will provide a wealth of expertise to the Board, affording valuable insight into the challenges of manufacturing as the company undertakes a major efficiency drive to improve margins.”

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Harrogate-based Net Zero consultancy, Flotilla, has made two key appointments – Charlotte Hallowell as carbon accountant and Jason Talman as full stack developer. 

Hallowell will help Flotilla’s clients understand their carbon emissions and deliver insights on the make-up of their footprint.

This will assist in creating a Net Zero plan using the resources and intelligence available at Flotilla.

A qualified accountant, she joins from KPMG where she worked primarily with large listed and regulated businesses.

Her interest in sustainability began at university where she took an elective module on the challenges of climate change as part of her maths degree.

She said: “Once I’d qualified as a chartered accountant, I was looking for a change, wanting to contribute positively through my work.

“The role at Flotilla is the perfect opportunity to apply all the skills I gained as an accountant in an important, forward-thinking setting.

“It’s a pivotal time for the industry, with decision makers and stakeholders across every business becoming more interested in understanding emissions. I am excited to join Flotilla to support clients on their journey towards Net Zero.” 

Bringing seven years experience gained across a range of front and backend technologies, Talman will support Flotilla in the delivery of its client facing carbon accounting and education applications.

He will also develop core features to add additional functionality to its existing applications.

Talman said: “This role gives me the rare opportunity to work on software that will provide a wider benefit to society by aiding in carbon reduction.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Flotilla’s talented developers to help further progress my own skills, support clients’ journeys and contribute towards upcoming innovations.”

John Rastrick, CEO, said: “Bringing Charlotte and Jason on board is critical to the delivery of our high-quality Net Zero solutions services.

“Charlotte’s analytical and business understanding skills will help clients realise the wider benefits of starting and delivering a Net Zero journey.

“Jason is a determined problem solver and I am confident his arrival will allow us to further develop our technology for the benefit of our clients and for our planet.”

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Bradford-based Expect Distribution has appointed Jon Stowe, who joins the firm as head of warehousing.

Stowe has 37 years of experience in Logistics and Supply Chain. His new role will involve developing the team, enhancing their accreditations and expanding the business’s storage capabilities, to cater to an even broader range of customers.

He joins Expect Distribution from ACS&T Logistics where he served as managing director.

Before his role at ACS&T, he held key positions at companies such as AF Blakemore, Nisa, and Wincanton.

His professional journey has afforded him valuable insights from working with major players in the food industry, including Iceland, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda, as well as a diverse portfolio of clients spanning various industries.

Stowe said: “Working with Expect Distribution was an obvious next move for me. I am not one to ever shy away from a challenge and for a business to have as many moving parts as Expect, I think I will get the challenge I’m looking for.

“I am excited to guide the team from strength-to-strength and get us even closer to being the number one provider of Warehousing and Logistics in Yorkshire.”

Operations director Andy Taylor said: “We are pleased to welcome Jon to the team. Jon understands the commercial pressures that come with working in a fast-paced environment like logistics.

“He joins the company with a set of skills that not only complement but bolster the existing skill set of the business.

“These skills will help us offer our bespoke service to an even wider range of customers and develop the skill set of the warehousing team.

“We are confident that under his warehousing leadership, Expect Distribution will continue to thrive and provide the very best solutions to the logistics, distribution and warehousing industry.”