People: Fantastic Media; BRM; idhl; and more

Leeds-based strategic marketing agency, Fantastic Media, has appointed a new non-executive chairman as it looks to target £3m turnover by 2026.

Dave Moore, former growth and structured finance director at Lloyds Bank and founder of corporate planning and advisory consultancy, North View Advisory (NVA), will take on the role, driving the agency’s growth plans forward.

Fantastic Media reported its best ever year in December with multiple new clients coming on board from across the UK and Europe and 26% growth in overall revenue to £1.65m.

In January, it acquired Faith Brand Communications for a six-figure sum to bolster its in-house PR and content offering.

As non-executive chairman, Moore will leverage his 46 years’ relationship management experience in the banking industry working with high-growth businesses to strengthen Fantastic Media’s client-centric and insights-driven approach.

In addition to guiding strategic initiatives, he will collaborate with the directors and senior leadership team to support and challenge them as well as helping to optimise business development strategies, elevate client experiences and maintain industry leadership.

Andrew Hobson, founder and co-owner of Fantastic Media, said: “Dave will bring his incredible energy, financial rigour and expertise within high growth businesses to the table, supporting our team to implement strategies that will enable us to reach our growth goals.”

Moore added: “I am excited to join the Fantastic Media team at such a pivotal time for the agency, following its recent growth and acquisition of Faith Brand Communications.

“My time at Lloyds and NatWest, as well as my role with NVA, has provided me with the tools needed to challenge, support and hold to account the processes, ideas and structure that make Fantastic the powerhouse that it is.”

Moore’s newly launched North View Advisory consultancy supports business owners and their senior teams to achieve their ambitions, working across all industries and business sizes. Moore also chairs a peer-to-peer group, Challenging Leaders.

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Sheffield and Chesterfield law firm, BRM, has made senior promotions across its two offices after a period of significant growth.

BRM’s Real Estate team’s Mario Esposito and Adele Walker have both been promoted to senior solicitor, while Umara Zafar is set to qualify as a solicitor in May after starting at the firm as a paralegal before becoming a trainee.

In the firm’s Dispute Resolution department Kate Fowler has been promoted to senior associate, while Jennifer Knibbs and Annabel Denby Hollis become associates.

Adrian Sheehan, executive director, said: “We’re happy to announce promotions across the firm, and we would like to congratulate all of those promoted to new roles.

“Each promotion is a testament to the individual’s hard work, and it is important that we acknowledge excellence with the praise they deserve.

“We are passionate about creating a positive workplace for people to thrive and progress in.

“We’re proud to not only see promotions for Mario, Adele, Kate, Jennifer and Annabel but to also celebrate Umara as she qualifies as a solicitor after completing an undergraduate degree in Law and a Legal Practice postgraduate course at the University of Sheffield.”

Fowler said: “I am so pleased to have received my promotion to senior associate. I have enjoyed three years at the firm, and it is a workplace that truly cares about its staff and career progression.

“I’m looking forward to starting my new role and continuing my career at BRM.”

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Sharon Palmer

National digital agency idhl has made a series of promotions to further grow and develop its integrated client proposition.

idhl, which specialises in performance media, e-commerce, web development, data and e-mail marketing, employs around 400 people across its London, Leeds, Harrogate, Manchester and Newcastle offices.

Sharon Palmer, who joined the firm’s senior leadership team in December, has been promoted to take on a group role as director, group accounts and client success.

She will take strategic responsibility for group clients, programmes and initiatives to drive client success and satisfaction across the business. Further hires will be made in the team to support this pivotal strategic function.

Tom Walkden

Head of paid media, Tom Walkden, has been promoted to media strategy director.

Walkden joined the business 10 years ago as a PPC account manager and has secured a string of promotions during his time at the agency.

His new role will see him develop and implement strategies to further propel client success within Paid Media.

Eleanor Papadimos has taken on the role of commercial director, web division.

Papadimos joined idhl in 2019, initially starting out in NetConstruct before taking on more responsibility for driving commercial success in the wider division.

Eleanor Papadimos

Palmer said: “I’m thrilled to take on this new role with a group remit, helping to strategically drive success for our clients while also having the opportunity to shape the future direction of idhl.

“I’m really looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my career and creating a new team function within idhl solely focused on accelerating growth for clients.”

Ben Wood, CEO, added: “Congratulations to everybody who has recently secured promotions across our business, each of whom will make a positive impact in their respective new roles.

“We have a brilliantly talented group of people working across all divisions at idhl and it’s always a real pleasure to support them to progress in their careers.

“Our digital agency operates in a wonderfully fast-paced innovative industry and these senior promotions further bolster the expertise we have leading this business in its next phase of growth.”

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Charlotte Scaife and Matt Ganley

Leeds-headquartered DB3 Group, an architecture, engineering, and building solutions consultancy, has made a series of strategic promotions designed to strengthen and support the company’s operational efficiency.

Since its move to an employee-owned model in December 2022, DB3 has been working to shape its operations for future growth.

It has secured involvement in significant infrastructure projects, such as the £1.2bn North London Heat & Power Project and the £22bn XLinks Morocco to UK interconnector project.

To drive the business’s strategic objectives forward, it has made some changes to its Board of Directors.

Charlotte Scaife has been appointed business development director and Matt Ganley engineering director. Both bring extensive experience and expertise to their positions.

Meanwhile, Matthew Savory has decided to step down from the DB3 Board while retaining influence within the company as the director of DB3’s Cardiff studio. To further support him, Hasviter Monkley has been promoted to associate.

In Glasgow, Bob Ramage, previously Head of DB3 Glasgow, is stepping into a strategic and client support role, with Ewan Ross assuming leadership of the studio, supported by Cameron Young who has been promoted to senior architect.

Nathan McNamara, chief executive at DB3, said: “It is important for us to provide stability to our clients, while allowing for progression within the company.

“The Board congratulates Charlotte and Matt as they step into their new roles as directors. These strategic appointments reflect DB3’s ongoing dedication to serving our valued clients, including brands such as M&S, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Hugo Boss.

“We are grateful for Matthew’s invaluable contributions over the years and eagerly anticipate his continued involvement in his new capacity.

“And we extend our heartfelt thanks to Bob for his exceptional involvement throughout the years. We are delighted to retain him as an indispensable part of the company.”