Appointments: Diva Telecom, NorthEdge, Calbee UK
LEEDS-BASED Diva Telecom, a supplier of UK and international virtual business telephone numbers, SMS and audio conferencing solutions has boosted its sales and marketing team.
Jackie Killiard, Ross McKane and Stuart Ward have joined as Account Managers providing advice and information about Diva Telecom’s growing portfolio of telephony products and solutions.
Ross McKane joins on a Graduate Training Scheme and Daniel Dudley takes on the role of Digital Marketing apprentice.
Diva has clients including Virgin Trains East Coast, Nuffield Health and Pure Collection.
Established in 2006, the bespoke telecoms service provider has seen impressive growth, increasing its workforce by 50 per cent in the past year.
Diva managing director Erica Lewis said: “We have boosted our team to cope with a surge in demand for our bespoke services, including our recently launched cloud telephony solution.
“This significant investment in entry level positions will bring new workers into the industry in our region, and shows how we are embracing opportunities facilitated by Leeds’ strong digital technology sector.
“We have a fantastic team at Diva and with our new account managers, we’re confident we can offer an unrivalled level of service and support to our growing customer base.”
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PRIVATE equity firm NorthEdge Capital has promoted George Potts and James Marshall to senior investment executives.
Mr Potts joined NorthEdge in 2011, as part of the team that closed its maiden fund at £225m in 2013.
Mr Marshall operates from the Yorkshire office and sources new deals in the region. He also sits on the board of HelpLink, and aided in the recent additional investment into the business.
Mr Marshall said: “With a number of new deals in the pipeline, it is a particularly exciting time to be working at a more senior level within the firm. I am really enjoying working with such high quality management teams here in Yorkshire and the North East, and I am looking forward to supporting their growth aspirations in the coming months.”
Grant Berry, managing partner at NorthEdge, said: “Both George and James have been huge assets to NorthEdge, and their promotions are a formal recognition of their hard work over the past few years.
“Both are passionate about investing in the North and developing our legacy here, so it is important that we uphold our commitment to investing in young talent. Both have achieved a lot in the time they have been with the firm, and I look forward to seeing them develop over the next few years.”
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EUROPEAN snack subsidiary Calbee UK, has appointed Gill Coombes as customer planner for the business.
Ms Coombes joins the 50-strong team after working in-house with retailer ASDA and cheese specialist, Norseland. During her time in these roles she was responsible for customer planning on the trading floor and research, category reviews, range reviews and new product innovation.
Working alongside the commercial and marketing teams, Gill will implement a customer strategy to further extend the opportunities the business has to manufacture and sell a range of delicious savoury snacks made from innovating and exciting ingredients in leading UK retailers.
Business Unit Controller for Calbee UK, Catherine Fay comments: “Gill has experience with both internal and external teams, thanks to her position at ASDA as Customer Planner and also her responsibility of working with all UK retailer accounts at Norseland. Gill was respected and regarded by both colleagues and customers as “The voice of the customer” and this endorsement is exactly what we look for in a Calbee colleague.”
Gill comments: “I was ready for a new and exciting challenge and Calbee UK offered me that. I am really looking forward to working with a company that places its values at the heart of everything it does. The business is growing quickly and I am really pleased to be a part of that and to join the Calbee UK journey.”
Calbee UK launched in June 2015 with the official opening of a £6.5m factory in Deeside, North Wales. The company’s first brand, Yushoi® SnapeaTM rice sticks was then unveiled with the help of Louis Smith MBE, the Olympic gymnast and winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2012.
The snacks, which are made using green peas and are a healthier alternative to fried crisps, can be found in Selfridges, Whole Foods Market and The Co-operative Food. Further listings will be announced over the coming months.
