The latest appointments in Welsh business
The Port of Milford Haven has appointed three new non-executives as it focuses on a transition to net zero and implementation of its freeport status.
David Martin, James Higham and Gareth Powell will also support the port’s development of a new dedicated renewables terminal at Pembroke Port and the next phase of the Milford Waterfront development. They will take up their roles in February. Milford Haven is the largest port in Wales and the third biggest port in the UK. The port is also becoming a freeport under the Celtic Freeport banner which also includes the port of Port Talbot.
Mr Martin is a corporate partner at law firm Linklaters, specialising in infrastructure and with experience in the digital, freeports/ports, shipping and airports sectors.
Mr Higham is leaving the Royal Navy after 35 years service. In his most recent role, he was director strategy and corporate ops at defence Equipment and support with responsibility for supporting and acquiring UK military systems.
Mr Powell is a chartered accountant and was chief operating Officer of BBC Cymru Wales and a Member of the BBC Cymru Wales Board from 2008 until earlier this year. He has held roles in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Dr Chris Martin, chair of the Port of Milford Haven, said: “David, James and Gareth bring a wealth of experience from their respective fields, enhancing the Port’s capabilities in legal affairs, logistics and financial strategies. Their perspectives and proven track records will contribute to the continued success and growth of the Port of Milford Haven. As we face new challenges and pursue fresh opportunities, their guidance will be instrumental to the success of our organisation.”
Mr Martin, said: “Having grown up in Pembrokeshire and spent my career working with some of the world’s leading infrastructure businesses, I am looking forward to joining the board and supporting the Port and its management team at an exciting stage of its evolution and the opportunities this could bring for the local community”.
Mr Higham, said: “The opportunity to serve the region of west Wales, and contribute tangibly to the opportunities that the Port of Milford Haven are pursuing now and in support of a more sustainable future for Wales and the UK, is something I’m incredibly excited by.”
Mr Powell, said: “I am delighted and it is a privilege to have been appointed to the board I am relishing the opportunity to play my part in continuing the impressive strides the Port has made under Chris Martin’s chairmanship and supporting the Board’s strategic ambition in the years ahead.”
Business in Focus
Business in Focus board members left to right: David James, Jill Gorin, Andrew Couzens, Phil Jones, David Stevens, Bernie Davies, Pete Burnap.
Business support body, Business in Focus has appointed seven new non-executives board to help drive its five-year plan to unlock the nation’s entrepreneurial potential.
The new appointments include Anthony Couzens, relationship director with HSBC corporate banking; entrepreneur, TedEx speaker, and diversity champion, Bernie Davies; Cardiff University professor of data science and cybersecurity, Pete Burnap; chief executive of Net Zero Industry Wales, Ben Burggraaf; retired senior regeneration officer at Vale of Glamorgan Council, Jill Gorrin; director of public affairs from Grayling, Sian Jones, and; former financial director of Hodge Bank and chief financial officer of Motonovo Finance, David James.
A social enterprise, Business in Focus, has supported the establishment and growth of businesses in Wales for over 30 years. Its portfolio includes the delivery of the Welsh Government’s flagship Business Wales service, which deploys a suite of business support services to provide expert advice on topics ranging from finance to property requirements, making skills training accessible to entrepreneurs across Wales.
The organisation is also a major landlord with a portfolio of 19 properties across the country, providing accommodation to nearly 500 tenant businesses.
Business in Focus chief executive, Phil Jones, said: “It’s a huge privilege to welcome such brilliant people to our non-executive team. All experts in their field, they bring entrepreneurial acumen, broaden our cognitive diversity, and draw on a rich well of lived experience.
“Their support will accelerate our ambitious five-year strategy to build on our successes and increase the many opportunities we have to release entrepreneurial potential and enrich lives wherever we can.”
The board is chaired by Admiral co-founder, David Stevens alongside vice-chair, Nicola McNeely, a commercial partner and head of technology at Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors.
Gambit
Oscar Webb.
Natalie Goodwin.
Gambit Corporate Finance has made two new appointments to support its growth plans.
Natalie Goodwin joins as the Cardiff-based firm as an executive from PwC, where she was a senior associate and qualified as a chartered accountant. She graduated in biomedical science.
Oscar Webb joins as an analyst. He gained a first class honours degree in finance and a MSc in finance and Investment from the University of Bristol. He joins from IVC Evidensia, the international veterinary group backed by EQT Private Equity, the global investment fund.
A number of senior appointments will be announced in the New Year.
Gambit Corporate Finance has seen a period of growth in both deal volumes and average deal values. Jason Evans, partner said “the achievements of the team have been nothing short of remarkable this year and the outlook for the coming period is equally as healthy. It is fantastic to welcome new colleagues, who will have very successful corporate finance careers. Further senior appointments will be announced in early 2024”.
“The notable success of 2023 is followed by significant momentum in deal flow in to 2024. In addition to increasing deal volumes and average deal size, the firm has advised on a higher proportion of cross border M&A transactions.
Equinox
Sophie Harris.
Sophie Harris has been appointed associate director at Cardiff-based communications agency, Equinox after a decade working with the firm.
Managing director, Helen Wild, said: Sophie’s promotion after ten years at Equinox, they also reflect our wider dedication to nurturing strong, enduring relationships with staff members. I am thrilled to have appointed Sophie on the Senior Management Team — and am excited to see the key role that she will play in shaping
Equinox is ending the year with a suite of client contract extensions and acquisitions — including projects with Net Zero Industry Wales, Coleg Gwent, Wales Coast Path, National Trails, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, HealthWise Wales, BBC TV Licensing and Fly-tipping Action Wales.
Ms Harris, said: “Taking on this exciting new role at Equinox is an honour and — following our success at the recent CIPR Cymru PRide Awards.
“Reflecting on my journey over the last decade, it’s fair to say that it’s been challenging and sometimes stressful, but always fun and incredibly rewarding. Working across more than 30 different client accounts has taken me from castle turrets to mountain tops — and I can’t wait to see where this agency will take me next.”
Green & Co
Green & Co Accountants and Tax Advisors: Front – Andrew Evans, Tracey Metcalfe, Mags Leck, Tom Probert. Middle – Helen Williams, Will Skone, Adam Jones, Anthea Powell, Hannah Swain, Olivia De-Gare Pitt. Back – Ryan Williams, Maddie Groves, Gabriel Mulcahy, Julie Williams, Tim Beckinsale.
Cwmbran-based accountancy and tax advisory firm Green & Co recruited 11 new members of staff in the past year and promoted seven existing staff to more senior positions as part of a strong period of growth for the business.
The appointments come after the firm saw a 28% increase in its turnover, with the business expected to continue this growth as it increases its client capacity, having previously been limited in the number of new clients it could take on.
Alongside the 11 new hires, Tracey Metcalfe, Andrew Evans, Sarah Lewis, Anthea Powell, Tom Probert, Nicola Lloyd and Mags Leck have all been appointed from accountancy roles to the more senior positions of client manager, where they will oversee the delivery of wider accountancy services.
The change in structure is part of a future strategy to enable the firm to grow its client capacity, with a new partnership scheme expected to be announced in the following months.
Director at Green & Co, Scott Harris, said that the appointments are the first step in what will be a wider strategy for growth. He added: “We’re delighted to have welcomed some new faces to Green & Co these past few months who will be supported by the wealth of experience we have in Tracey, Andrew, Sarah, Anthea, Tom, Nicola and Mags, all of whom join our senior team.
“After a sustained period of growth the last few years, we’ve been in the strong position of operating close to capacity across our service divisions. This has allowed us to focus on what makes us unique as an accountancy and tax advisory firm and really helped us develop a deeper understanding and relationship with our clients.
“It’s always been the plan to expand our capacity, but we wanted to do it in a sustainable way, avoiding the teething issues some firms have when they onboard a number of staff. That’s why we’re so pleased to have been able to progress some of our core staff members to more senior roles whilst also bringing in a number of new hires. These appointments will help us to continue growing in the future whilst also providing our clients with the detailed level of service they’ve come to expect.”
Agri Advisor Legal
Arwyn Reed
Agri Advisor Legal has appointed Arwyn Reed as its new managing partner.
He has succeeded Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones, founder of the business, who has stepped down after 12 years as head of the legal firm specialising in all aspects of rural law. Agri Advisor Legal employs 45 people, and specialises in tailored legal advice for rural businesses throughout Wales and the border counties.
Mr Reed, joined the firm in 2020, having previously been a member of the managing board for 20 years at Morgan and Richardson.
A fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Reed has advised on a number of different areas of law including residential property transactions, family law and private client. He now lives in Cardiff, but hails from Pembrokeshire and regularly attends Agri Advisor’s Newcastle Emlyn and Pumsaint offices to meet with clients in West Wales.
He said: “I’m delighted to be elected as Managing Partner at Agri Advisor, a business which has its roots firmly in West Wales but that has grown exponentially to provide services across Wales and England over the last 12 years.
“There is an excellent can do and problem-solving ethos at Agri Advisor and I am proud to be leading it in to its next chapter of growth and development. I’m looking forward to working with the team to ensure that our high-quality services continue to meet the needs of our clients.
“One of my initial tasks will be to reflect on how the business continues to grow, especially in North Wales, and encouraging new talent to join our team to service the increasing demand for our services. Agri Advisor is renowned for its specialist agricultural advice but it does so much more than that, and its recognition as a significant provider of legal services in Wales and beyond is something I am keen to build on.”
D Llewelyn Jones said, “I am so pleased to be passing on the mantle to Arwyn. Agri Advisor’s success over the past twelve years is down to the hard work and dedication of the whole team, who work relentlessly to assist our clients and I know that Arwyn will lead the team expertly going forward.”
Monmouthshire Building Society
James Greenwood
Monmouthshire Building Society has appointed James Greenwood to its board, who brings with him extensive experience in global banking and the fintech sector.
Mr Greenwood is chief technology and operations officer at Bitstamp, the world’s longest standing crypto-exchange. He has also held numerous executive positions in regulated financial entities across product, customer experience, technology, and operations. Previously, he served as the Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Zand Bank (UAE), where he oversaw the launch offerings of the world’s first combined corporate and retail digital bank.
He said: “The Society’s ambitious forward thinking approach, combined with its community focused fundamentals really appeal to me and I want to be able to help it continue to grow and reach its ambitions.
“In any business, it’s a balance to do the best for both stakeholders and customers – even in purpose-driven organisations. The unique model of a mutual building society, which is owned by and run in the best interests of its members, provides real clarity and combined with the right strategy, the right team, and the right culture to execute it provides a unique opportunity for us to make a real difference.”
Will Carroll, chief executive of the Newport headquartered mutual,said:“We are delighted to welcome James to the society. His breadth of experience across various sectors in financial services will significantly enhance the board and its committees, particularly now that technology solutions play an ever increasing role in how we serve our members. We are pleased to have secured his experience and I look forward to working with him in implementing our strategy and realising our vision of becoming an innovative, modern mutual.”