City briefs: Synectics and CPP Group

Security and surveillance technology company, Synectics, has appointed Amanda Larnder – currently interim chief executive officer and chief financial officer – as its chief executive officer with immediate effect.

The firm says that following the sudden death of Paul Webb, its former chief executive officer, in late August 2024, “Larnder has been instrumental in ensuring the company continues its positive growth trajectory in what has been a difficult period for the company and its employees.”

After a period of evaluation, led by Bob Holt, Synectics’ non-executive chair, the Board unanimously agreed to her appointment as chief executive officer.

Larnder has been the Sheffield-headquartered business’s chief financial officer since July 2022 when she re-joined the company and has over 16 years’ experience in leadership roles, including within Synectics.

She will continue to oversee the company’s finance and administrative functions until her replacement as chief financial officer is appointed, the search for which is underway.

Holt said: “On behalf of the Board, I am pleased that Amanda has been appointed as the company’s permanent chief executive officer, after what has been a challenging period for everyone at Synectics.

“Not only has Amanda provided both stability and strength, but her knowledge of, enthusiasm and strategic vision for Synectics have been central in this decision.

“The Board and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Amanda as we focus on implementing our strategy, ultimately delivering growth to all stakeholders.”

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CPP Group, which provides assistance and insurance products, has appointments Alice Glenister as a non-executive director and Eleanor Sykes as an executive director in her role of group chief operations officer.

Glenister is a parametric insurance specialist with a track record in structuring and launching parametric insurance products.

She has over 12 years of experience in the insurance industry, the last five of which have been focused on parametric solutions.

She is currently head of parametric solutions at Miller Insurance Services LLP, an international insurance broker and has previously held senior managerial and underwriting roles at Mastercard, Generali Global Corporate and Commercial, and Chaucer Syndicates Ltd.

Glenister is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Insurance, having qualified in 2012 and has an MSc in Insurance and Risk Management from Bayes Business School.

Sykes joined Leeds-headquartered CPP Group in 2016 as group head of internal audit, before becoming director of Risk, Audit and Assurance in January 2021.

She was appointed as group chief operations officer in May 2022.

She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2003 and holds extensive experience in the financial services sector, with more than 12 years spent in the mutual sector including almost 10 years as the head of internal audit for Engage Mutual Assurance.

David Morrison, chairman of CPP Group, said: “We are happy to welcome Alice and Eleanor to the Board. Their appointments reflect the increasing tilt by CPP Group towards the development of Blink Parametric, in which Eleanor has been playing an important role.

“Alice brings to the Board extensive knowledge of the rapid developments taking place in the wider world of parametric insurance and we will benefit from her experience in the sector.“