New faces at the helm all set to make a difference
The latest senior appointments in Welsh business and the public sector
THE INSTITUTE of Directors Wales has appointed Jo Price as its nations manager. Leaving her current role as director of international within Chambers Wales, she will take up her new role in January – following the departure of former head of the IoD in Wales Robert Lloyd Griffiths.
Richard Selby, chairman of IoD Wales, said: “We’re thrilled that Jo accepted the role with us. We were very impressed with her track record of building long-lasting relationships across sectors, and her enthusiasm for supporting and promoting Welsh businesses is second to none.
“We look forward to welcoming her to the team and seeing her communicate the institute’s three pillars: connect, develop and influence and to establish the IoD as the ‘go-to’ professional organisation for business leaders, influencers, and the media.”
Ms Price said: “I am so passionate about not only working with Welsh businesses, but also supporting them through the challenges they might face and prioritising opportunities. I have gained extensive experience through previous roles, and throughout that time focused on my continuous professional development, including gaining additional qualifications specific to each role.”
IN a first for the public sector in Wales, the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) has appointed a new job share chief executive.
The arm’s-length body of the Welsh Government, tasked with transforming public services through the better use of digital, has appointed Myra Hunt and Harriet Green in what will be their third shared role.
They will be joining from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), where they held the role of joint chief digital officer for five years, leading on digital service transformation. Before this they led the global digital transformation of education services at the British Council.
They will take up the shared role in January.
Ms Hunt said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be joining the CDPS as joint chief executive. We’ve been job sharing for 11 years and this will be our third post together. We’re looking forward to leading the Centre to improve services for users across
Wales and to working collaboratively with partners to deliver the Digital Strategy for Wales.”
Ms Green said: “We’ve watched with great interest the creation of the CDPS. It’s clear to us that better public services are at the heart of Welsh Government’s ability to deliver on its priorities, and we believe there’s huge potential to support the Welsh language, culture and the Welsh economy.”
Jessica Leigh Jones, chairman of the CDPS, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Myra and Harriet as our new joint chief executive following a rigorous recruitment process. It’s an exciting time for the CDPS, for digital and for Wales. They bring with them a wealth of experience in digital transformation and communications, as well as a unique and unrivalled partnership for strategic success.
“It remains to be said that we are very grateful to Sally Meecham, for growing the profile and impact of the organisation. She will leave us in a strong position to achieve the aims of the Digital Strategy for Wales.”
Newport-based office furniture manufacturer Bisley has appointed Jeanine Goddard as creative director.
In a newly created role Ms Goddard assumes her new position after four years as Bisley’s showroom and interior designer, where she has been responsible for developing its London Clerkenwell showroom and at Bisley’s global subsidiaries around the world, including Dubai, New York, Paris and Dusseldorf.
Ms Goddard trained as a cabinet maker in Germany and studied interior architecture. She went on to work with several of the world’s biggest interiors companies in Munich, including luxury German kitchen company Bulthaup. She also trained with Osram Light Consulting, in order to develop innovative and sustainable lighting solutions for clients.
She moved to the UK 25 years ago where she established an interior design consultancy, before joining Bisley in 2017.
Bisley chief executive Richard Costin said: “This is the first time that Bisley has appointed a creative director and Jeanine was the natural choice.
“This is a hugely important role for Bisley and her appointment demonstrates our long-term commitment to our staff and our design focus for the future, following material recent investment in both the wood and steel manufacturing plants. Jeanine’s notable industry experience and design expertise will be invaluable as we look to expand and diversify our product lines and enter new global markets.”
Ms Goddard said: “Being appointed as creative director is a progression of my work to date, and it is a hugely exciting step for me. The new product development is something I am really inspired by, as for the first time I am being asked to come up with fresh ideas and use new materials.
“It’s a particularly interesting proposition at such a pivotal moment in time when the lines between the home and the workplace have become somewhat blurred.
“Ever since my father, who loved working with natural materials, put me on my path I have loved furniture and design my whole life, and have always been surrounded by brands devoted to quality and craftsmanship. Bisley is no different.”
ONE the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators, Pembroke Dockbased Ascona, has appointed Ian Richards as its director of construction and infrastructure, effective from November 1, 2021.
In a newly created role he will report directly to the chief executive, Darren Brig, to support ambitious growth strategy of reaching 300 sites across the UK within the next five years. He will also oversee all matters of construction and infrastructure, managing development projects across the portfolio
He joins Ascona following an extensive career in the downstream oil industry, having previously worked for Elf Oil, Total UK and Rontec. In his previous roles, he was responsible for managing large-scale strategic rebuild and refurbishment projects, leading engineering teams and managing and delivering multimillion-pound investment projects. He has also spent time acting as the custodian of network maintenance budgets for nationwide service station networks.
Mr Briggs said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to Ascona. He brings a wealth of relevant experience from across our industry and the excellent management skills needed to deliver extensive building projects. He joins at an exciting point in our journey as we progress the next stage of our growth strategy. I look forward to working with him as we build momentum in our ambition and take Ascona to 300 sites across the UK.”
Mr Richards said: “I am very excited to be joining Ascona, a business I know well and have watched closely as it has grown into the nationwide business it is today. I am greatly looking forward to working with Darren and his team as they take Ascona and its unique customer offer to many more people across the country.”
Chairman of Finboot Nish Kotecha has been appointed to the leadership council of Blockchain Connected – a dedicated network representing the growing blockchain community in Wales.
Part of Technology Connected, the network for technology in Wales, Blockchain Connected aims to build and promote the profile and adoption of Blockchain technologies and organisations in Wales and beyond.
Finboot, which is headquartered in Cardiff and backed by the Development Bank of Wales, gives customers a competitive edge through accelerating their digital transformation through blockchain. Its customers include Iberia, Stahl and Thales.
Mr Kotecha joins Blockchain Connected’s 12 existing council members on their mission to bring together the best minds in academia and industry to enable industries to adopt blockchain while influencing stakeholders on its significance
Mr Kotecha said: “It’s an honour to be able to join the talented team behind Blockchain Connected and help further its mission to harness the growing pool of exceptional talent here in Wales and connect it with opportunities in industry. Through forging more collaboration and partnerships, we can strive to make Wales the centre of excellence for blockchain.”
Blockchain Connected chairman Dr Cerian Jones said: “With a strong background in tech entrepreneurship and blockchain, Nish brings a wealth of experience to the role, which will help bring new ideas and forge new connections. Wales is a significant and growing hub for technology and innovation, and Blockchain Connected aims to harness and realise this potential on a larger scale.”
CARDIFF-based Orbis Education and Care has appointed Lyndsey Price as its new managing director for adult services.
The organisation runs 16 schools, residential homes and day facilities for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism and is one of the UK’s leading specialist providers.
Previously, Ms Price worked in administration, various home management roles and as regional manager for west Wales with Orbis. Having originally worked as a carer herself, she also went on to fulfil ‘every role available’ within the care home setting and brings these experiences with her to the new position.
She will now play a significant role in the planning and development of new services, and crucially in supporting people development, to help support both Orbis Education and
Care as an organisation and the wider care sector in Wales as a whole.
Ms Price, who lives in Milford Haven, said: “It’s a real delight to have been given the opportunity to support the development of our organisation.”
Chief executive of Orbis Education and Care Suzanne Lawrence said: “Lyndsey is the ideal candidate to support the ongoing growth and development of our wonderful staff.”