People: New chairman for global brand design consultancy; UK Export Finance appoints senior export finance manager; and more

Elmwood’s majority shareholder Jonathan Sands has appointed Steve Gatfield to take on the role of group chairman of his global brand design consultancy.

Mr Sands, who has held the role for nearly 20 years, joined Elmwood at the age of 18 and became managing director eight years later. He then went on to lead a management buyout alongside Greg Taylor.

Starting out with a single Leeds-based studio, the business has since grown to a global consultancy with additional studios in London, New York, Singapore and Melbourne.

Mr Gatfield has held a non-executive role at Elmwood since 2013 and brings significant experience in the marcoms holding company environment, as IPG’s executive vice president for strategy and innovation, CEO of Lowe & Partners Worldwide, and COO of Leo Burnett Worldwide.

Mr Sands said: “I am delighted that Steve has accepted the role of group chairman of Elmwood. He has been quietly involved in our business for some time and has already made a crucial contribution to our subtle shift in strategic direction.

“After hitting 55 last year and having already been at Elmwood for 34 years, I’ve started to think about ‘Elmwood 3.0’. I love this business and plan to stay around for a good few years; but I want the next management team to be set up for success.  To do that we have to embrace the changes we’re seeing in our industry.”

Mr Gatfield said: “Elmwood has a wealth of talent in its ranks and an appetite for the future. Many of the precepts of effective design are critical to building brand experiences that deploy the full potential of emerging technologies. There is enormous scope to create brand experiences that are design-centered and marry technology with artistry.”

Mr Sands’ role will become focused on internal mentorship, as well as being one of the public faces of the brand.

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UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, has announced the appointment of Patrick Kendell as senior export finance manager to lead its business development and advisory activities in the north.
 
He brings 20 years’ experience in senior business development positions in the UK and abroad to his role at UKEF.

Most recently Mr Kendell was business development manager for the University of Strathclyde Business School, prior to which he worked for PA Consulting as a senior investment advisor, Asia Pacific, and One North East (the regional development agency for the north east) as head of international inward investment.

Throughout his career, he has worked with senior business clients in the UK and overseas to provide specialist consultancy in international trade and investment. He has built relationships with stakeholders across the north of England, including businesses, trade associations, regional development bodies and Department for International Trade colleagues.

Mike Newing, head of export finance managers at UKEF, said: “I am delighted to welcome Patrick to the team. He brings a wealth of experience in business development and a highly commercial outlook, which will ensure that companies in the region can fully benefit from UKEF’s support.”

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YORK-based landscape architect practice The Landscape Agency is has promoted Alex Robinson to managing director.

Mr Robinson joined The Landscape Agency in 2010 as a senior landscape architect, progressing to associate director before being appointed to his new and current role.

He said: “After nearly seven years with the practice I am very excited by the challenge ahead and proud to have been appointed to take The Landscape Agency forward. I hope to build on our strong past and continue the success achieved by the team over the years in this new chapter of The Landscape Agency’s history.”

The Landscape Agency was established in 1998 by Patrick James.   

Mr James said: “I am delighted that Alex Robinson has been promoted to managing director. Alex has worked on a wide range of projects since he joined the company, and is an excellent and very experienced landscape architect.

“I look forward to continuing as a director and the founder of The Landscape Agency but I will no longer be involved with the running of the business. This is an exciting new chapter for our award-winning practice.”