Appointments: Transport for the North, Coats Crafts, Intermarketing Agency

TRAVEL organisation Transport for the North has appointed David Brown as its chief executive.

Mr Brown has come from Merseytravel, where he was the firm’s chief executive. Before this, he headed up South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

He also led on the successful establishment of Rail North, which, similarly to TfN, brings together the Northern authorities into a single organisation.

David Brown said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this new role within TfN at a really exciting time for transport across the region and beyond. TfN will be at the forefront of delivering an integrated and holistic approach to transport in the North and I relish the opportunity to help shape and drive that forward.”

Sir Richard Leese, interim chairman of TfN, said: “We’re delighted to welcome David into the post of CEO. His experience to date speaks for itself and there’s no doubt that David will play a key role in bringing together authorities across the North of England to allow the North to speak with a single voice on the big decisions to benefit the region as a whole.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We set up Transport for the North so the region can exercise real power and make its voice heard on how we can best invest in transport.

“That’s why we have given Transport for the North £30 million to take forward its work over the next three years. I look forward to working with David as together we transform northern transport and build the Northern Powerhouse.”

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INDUSTRIAL thread and textile crafts firm Coats Group, based in Holmfirth, has appointed Anna Mitchell as managing director of its UK Crafts business.

She is based at the Coats UK Crafts head office in West Yorkshire and has been with the business since 2012, previously in the position of group director of communications.

Coats Crafts business has seen the sale of the EMEA Crafts business to the Aurelius Group, a deal which completed in July. This excluded the UK crafts business which remains a part of Coats, as does their US operations.

Michael Schofer, chief executive UKCrafts, Coats plc, said: ‘The UK is an important sales and distribution market for some of the best known textile craft brands and we have strong relationships with large retail chains, online players, independent retailers and some exceptional designers. Anna will be a great asset to our business as we build and develop it further in this key market.’
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Prior to joining Coats in 2012, she spent over 11 years as Head of Global Communications at the international law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

She has also previously worked at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and in consultancy.

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LEEDS’ Intermarketing Agency has appointed Nickii Gray as managing director, following the firm’s expansion into London, Amsterdam and Sydney in the last three months.

James Henry has also been appointed to the board of directors.

Group managing directors Jamie Allan and Steve Sowden are aiming for global growth and Ms Gray will oversee the UK business, enabling the group managing partners to concentrate on developing their overseas operations.

The newly-appointed pair have been with the UK business for nine years, and were appointed to the management team at the time of the MBO in 2011; Ms Gray as head of Client Services and Mr Henry as Head of Retail.

Steve Sowden, Intermarketing Agency’s group managing partner, said: “Nickii and James are passionate about the agency and share our dedication to its continued growth and success.

“They have proved their commitment, supporting Jamie and I all the way through our buyout and the subsequent expansion of the agency, it was a logical step for them to become Board Directors. They will ensure that our UK operations continue to thrive while the Group focuses on global expansion.”