People: HUB; iSource Group; TaskMaster Public Sector; and more

Leeds-based integrated marketing agency, HUB, has welcomed digital marketing expert Malcolm Slade to its expanding team. 

Accepting the role of performance director, Slade will spearhead the agency’s growing performance marketing team which services clients such as La Redoute, CareCo and Kingswood Mobility Group. 

He joins from CreativeRace where he has operated as SEO and performance director for the last two years, working with brands including Greggs and The Cotswold Company. 

His background also includes a 15-year appointment at Jaywing PLC (formerly Epiphany Search), and has seen him drive the SEO strategies of Ann Summers, Pets at Home, Debenhams, Waterstones, PrettyLittleThing, Gymshark, Savills and more. 

Slade said: “HUB is an agency brimming with talent, energy and ambition. I am excited to be joining to learn from, push and expand upon the outstanding work already undertaken by the performance team and beyond.”

Rob Shaw, CEO, added: “As I embark on my second year here at HUB, I couldn’t be happier to be working with Malc once again.

“We have a very long history together and I’m proud of the clients we have supported and the jobs we have created over the years.

“HUB has continued to expand with new clients and new colleagues, and Malc will lead the future growth of our existing and expanding performance team as we broaden our offering to clients.”

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Formerly a 360 .NET recruitment consultant at Gravitas, Joe McMahon is starting the New Year with a move to Leeds-based iSource Group (iSG) Technology Talent Partners to take on the role of senior recruitment consultant.

He will take on responsibility for identifying, engaging and winning new business, opening up active accounts and supporting the wider team to fulfil vacant positions.

McMahon said: “I had heard about iSG through my network and wanted to learn more about the business and how it operates.

“Hearing more about the plans for 2024 and the approach that the company takes, it was the obvious next step in my career.

“What excites me most is having the opportunity to work on new business, as well as on current accounts, while also having the incentives that come with supporting the development of the company.

“It’s certainly a New Year and new start for me, and I can’t wait to get into the office and to meet up with the team.”

Managing director, Geoff Shepherd, said: “Heading into 2024, we have some ambitious plans for iSG.

“Knowing that Joe already has relevant experience from his time in the industry gives us greater confidence in his ability to hit the ground running.

“He is a great appointment for iSG, with the right approach and attitude to help us deliver on some strong targets.

“We look forward to introducing him to his colleagues, our customers, and also the wider business community, as we welcome him to the team.”

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TaskMaster Public Sector, a Leeds and Huddersfield-based recruitment and workforce solutions provider dedicated to the public sector, has made two key leadership appointments – Jackie Collins and Helen Whitfield.

Collins has been appointed business development manager for TaskMaster Public Sector.

With a 33-year career in recruitment, including nine years specialising in the public sector, she brings a wealth of experience and insight to her new role.

Her expertise lies in partnering with the NHS, the education sector, and wider public sector organisations.

Her ability to attract and retain clients and candidates is expected to be a significant asset in expanding TaskMaster Public Sector’s service offerings on a national scale.

Collins said: “I’m thrilled to be part of TaskMaster Public Sector’s journey and am committed to helping the organisation provide custom workforce solutions to the public sector.

“Together, we aim to make a meaningful impact and drive excellence in this vital sector.”

Whitfield has been appointed head of public sector for TaskMaster Public Sector. With two decades of success, her journey with the public sector started in 2002.

Her experience and dedication have contributed to Taskmaster’s status as a trusted supplier to leading NHS organisations in the UK.

She has cultivated a portfolio of NHS trusts and is poised to lead the public sector division on a national level.

Whitfield said: “I’m incredibly proud of our achievements in Yorkshire and excited about our further expansion.

“TaskMaster Public Sector is known for providing exceptional client and candidate experiences, with patient safety and compliance at the forefront of our recruitment solutions.”

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Northern Gritstone, an investment business focused on science and technology-enabled businesses in the North of England, has appointed Jess McCreadie as investment director.

She joins from Octopus Ventures where she worked as Principal specialising in Health Tech and B2B SaaS.

Prior to Octopus, she was investment director at L&G, investing in Health Tech, Clean Tech and Infrastructure scale Clean Energy.

At Northern Gritstone her remit will include Health Tech and Clean Tech.

Launched in July 2021 and chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, Northern Gritstone’s investment philosophy is “profit with purpose”, combining strong returns for investors with wider positive, societal and economic impact.

In October 2023, the company revealed the final close of its initial fundraise at £312m and has already made 17 investments in some of the UK’s most exciting future science and technology-enabled businesses in the North of England.

Duncan Johnson, CEO, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Jess to the team. Her Health Tech and Clean Tech investment experience and understanding of the innovation ecosystem will be invaluable to us as we continue our investment activities in these exciting areas.”

McCreadie said: “Northern Gritstone has quickly built a reputation as a leading investor and innovation ecosystem pioneer.

“The past decades in venture capital demonstrate that the most successful and ambitious companies are borne out of highly collaborative local economies, thinking globally.

“I see the opportunity we have in the North of England to scale a high-performing technology ecosystem, to be incredibly exciting.”