People: Northstar Communications; Source; Specsavers; and more

Leeds-based Sarah Hollins has revealed the launch of Northstar Communications, a financial, corporate  and investor communications consultancy. 

Hollins is a communications professional with over 25 years of experience advising quoted and private  companies on financial, investor and corporate communications.

She has worked across a full  spectrum of in-house and agency roles, including head of corporate communications for a Main Market listed company. 

She has extensive knowledge of both AIM and the Main Market, having advised a broad range of  clients across all business sectors. Her transactional and IPO experience is considerable. 

Hollins sits on the London Stock Exchange Regional Advisory Group for Yorkshire and the North East  and is a Committee Member and Judge for the Yorkshire Children’s Charity Business Awards.

She said: “We understand that growth companies need to effectively communicate a clear and compelling story  to all stakeholders including investors, and use a dedicated, cost-efficient service.

“Our offer enables  private and listed businesses to access senior-level advice and support any internal marketing and PR  teams.”

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Marketing communications agency, Source, has further expanded its team with a new senior recruit.

The Leeds-based business, which works across PR, SEO, paid digital and social media, has appointed Hayley Stansfield as head of digital PR.

Stansfield, former head of content marketing at XLMedia PLC, brings 12 years’ experience to the Source team and will play a key role in improving the online visibility and authority of its clients by creating a robust Digital PR strategy for the business.

Source has recently expanded its SEO and digital PR services for clients in various markets, including business finance and IT solutions.

Stansfield said: “I am thrilled to be joining an agency with such a great reputation and a versatile client portfolio. This creates the opportunity to produce some really exciting online PR campaigns and can’t wait to get stuck in.

“A key part of my role will also include defining client’s digital PR goals and creating a robust reporting strategy to show the true value of the links and coverage earned for clients.”

Chris Hughes, director, added: “Now is an exciting time to have Hayley join the business following new client wins.

“To elevate the agency and become more digitally minded, it is essential we onboard the right people and create a knowledgeable team to help grow the business.

“Hayley joins as part of the agency’s ambition to grow and diversify our service offerings.”

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Alex Brightwell

The team at Specsavers Acomb, in York, has welcomed two leadership changes.

Alex Brightwell has become partner after working her way up over the last five years. And Lucy King, who has completed all the relevant training, has qualified to become practice manager.

Brightwell has been in the optical industry for over 15 years and joined the Acomb store in 2012 when the store first opened its doors.

She said: “I’m beyond excited to this step up on leadership, a milestone which I set my sights on a few years ago. I’m thankful to Specsavers for providing myself and others with the training and resources necessary to allow us to pursue the careers we want.

Lucy King

“One of the reasons I strived to become a partner was to foster a positive, collaborative workplace environment where every employee’s voice is valued, and where our customers remain at the heart of everything we do.

“I truly couldn’t imagine working anywhere else and look forward to what the future brings.”

Commenting on her own promotion, King, store manager at Specsavers Acomb, added: “I am incredibly grateful for the support of my amazing team.

“Being allowed to advance and grow my knowledge through the internal training programmes has been a fantastic opportunity and has allowed me to develop my career as an optician further.

“Alongside a range of my colleagues, many of us can proudly say we’re equipped with the highest qualification. It’s a wonderful moment, as it allows us to provide our customers with the highest quality of care.”

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Leeds-headquartered TransUnion, an information and insights company and credit reference agency, has welcomed Sharon Naidoo as its new chief financial officer for the UK and Europe.

She will be joining the UK executive team, where she will be responsible for overseeing the business’s finance and accounting activities for the region, helping to drive TransUnion’s growth strategy.

She joins the UK and Europe team from her role as CFO for TransUnion Africa, bringing her experience across diverse industries such as banking, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and consumer packaged goods to the role.

Naidoo said: “I’m excited to take on this new role and to be supporting TransUnion’s commitment to using data and insights to help our customers and consumers navigate a fast-changing modern business environment – that’s what we call ‘Information for Good’.

“I’m also looking forward to working with the UK & Europe Executive team to drive our ambitious growth strategy, as we look to tackle the challenges and opportunities that will help our region realise its potential.”

David Gilbert, senior vice president international CFO at TransUnion, said: “Sharon brings a wealth of experience and leadership to TransUnion’s UK and Europe business, including her combined passions for innovative finance solutions and people leadership.

“Her talent for providing accurate and relevant information and insights, along with her significant project management skills, is sure to add great momentum to our growth in the region.”

Naidoo joined TransUnion in 2021, is a qualified chartered accountant and holds a master’s degree in financial management, along with 23 years’ experience in corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, accounting, and operations.