Appointments: thebigword; McCormicks; Arc Inspirations; CPP
TRANSLATION and interpreting company thebigword has achieved a perfect balance between men and women on its company board following its latest board appointment.
Karen Milner has taken the role of director of human resources, which means that the board now comprises four men and four women.
Milner joined thebigword 10 years ago as a project manager and has worked her way through the company, taking on roles in training and learning and development before becoming head of human resources in 2012.
She has been responsible for the HR function through a period of high growth for thebigword when company revenue has increased from £10m to £42m and employee numbers from 150 to 500.
She has also spearheaded thebigword’s successful apprenticeship programme.
Milner said: “It’s a tremendous privilege and responsibility to be appointed a member of the board of thebigword. I’m very excited at the opportunity to further develop the initiatives I’ve put in place on employee engagement, worldwide training and – very importantly – identifying leadership talent. I have benefited from the company’s drive to nurture its employees and promote from within and I want to extend that opportunity to all our staff.”
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HARROGATE law firm McCormicks has appointed solicitor Stephen Hopwood to head its family law team.
Hopwood joins the firm after seven years as a senior solicitor in a large specialist family law practice.
He brings expertise in all aspects of family work, with a focus on finance and children, as well as experience in dealing with complex family breakdowns involving trusts and international elements.
McCormicks has also promoted Carol Hancock as a legal assistant. Hancock is part of the family law team and has experience in a range of family matters, in particular cases involving children or domestic violence issues.
She joined the firm in 2012 after receiving a commendation from the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, York.
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ARC Inspirations, the Leeds based business which owns and manages 10 bars across Yorkshire with a staff of 400, has announced a new appointment to head up the finance of their growing business.
Andy Whelan will take up the new position of finance director at Arc Inspirations.
Previously a senior manager within the audit department at accountants KPMG in Leeds, he will operate at board level and work with the team to manage the fast-growing businesses.
Whelan joined KPMG aged 18, and was promoted up to senior management level within the audit department in Leeds.
MD Martin Wolstencroft said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Andy has joined the team. I wanted to ensure we had the best at the helm on the financial side of the business.”
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DUNCAN McIntyre has been appointed as non-executive chairman at CPP.
He succeeds Charles Gregson, who announced his intention to step down from the York-based insurer that specialises in ID and credit card theft protection, on December 20.
McIntyre has been a non-executive director of CPP since January 2011 and is currently chairman of the risk and compliance committee.
McIntyre said: “CPP has made good progress following a period of immense challenge and change. We still have more work to do, but will work with all our stakeholders to resolve the remaining challenges and are determined in our efforts to stabilise and strengthen the group for its next phase of development. On behalf of the board I would like to thank Charles for his significant contribution as non-executive chairman.”
It was announced earlier this month that customers mis-sold insurance for their bank and credit cards will be given a pay-out by CPP.
The compensation scheme follows the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) crackdown on the company, which has now set aside £65.8m to pay for compensation claims, following a vote which saw 98% in favour of the proposed scheme.
