Business News
WMGC makes appointments
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) has bolstered its executive team with a raft of senior appointments. Dan Storer, formerly
business development director at MIDAS – Manchester’s inward investment promotion agency – joins WMGC as chief investment officer (CIO). Before MIDAS, Mr Storer
was sales director at Rolls Royce Plc - Civil Aerospace, where he led wide-scale campaigns across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Other previously held positions include a range of internationally stationed leadership roles at Anglo- Dutch shipping company Royal P&O Nedlloyd. Michelle Inkpen has also
joined the organisation as programme director. These appointments
coincide with additions to the organisation’s board including Professor David Eastwood, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, Sally Scott, chief marketing officer at Advanced, Professor Geoff Layer, vice-chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton and Rob Valentine, director of Birmingham, Bruntwood, join a roster of cross-sector senior leaders helping to support WMGC’s mission.
King Edward Foundation welcomes its new chief
The Board of the King Edward VI Foundation in Birmingham have appointed Jodh Dhesi as its chief executive officer in succession to Heath Monk. Jodh spent 14 successful years at Parkside
Federation Academies, beginning as head of modern foreign languages before successive promotions took him to the post of headteacher. Under his leadership, the school was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2017. Moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2019, Jodh
was initially head of performance and standards for the Indian schools in the GEMS Education and soon given responsibility for school improvement strategy and academic performance of all GEMS Education’s 46 Schools in the UAE (offering English, IB, Indian and US curricula).
‘These are exciting times for the foundation, and I am looking forward to adding to its unique and impressive history’
Jodh also directly line-managed the principals of
eight schools (23,000 students and 2,000 staff). In March of this year he was further promoted to the role of deputy CEO for GEMS Education, with strategic educational oversight of the group’s schools in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Professor Hywel Thomas, chairman of the Board of
the King Edward VI Foundation said: “Jodh has an impressive record in leading and improving schools and we are confident he will provide the leadership we need as we work towards our mission of making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK” Jodh said: “I am very excited about this role. These
are exciting times for the Foundation, and I am looking forward to adding to its unique and impressive history. I know the foundation will continue to be true to its beliefs as it grows the
FedEx chief to take over at National Express
National Express Group PLC has appointed Jose Ignacio Garat (pictured) as group chief executive. Chris Davies will step down as interim group chief executive but remain as group finance director. Ignacio was senior vice president Southern Europe, France and Benelux Operations for FedEx. In his senior leadership positions in TNT
and then FedEx, among a number of senior positions, Ignacio led the transformation of a multi-billion dollar business with operations in 22 countries and 22,000 staff, positioning it for strong international growth. Sir John Armitt, National Express group chairman, said: “Ignacio has the
extensive international operational and strategic experience to lead National Express Group through the challenges presented by the pandemic, as well as the significant future opportunities that exist. “Ignacio’s track-record of focusing on safety, operational excellence and
strong financial performance, aligns closely with National Express Group’s priorities. On behalf of the whole board, I look forward to working with Ignacio and thank Chris Davies for his steady hand during his time as interim group chief executive.”
24 CHAMBERLINK November 2020
Collaboration: Jodh Dhesi
Changes to GBSLEP board
Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) has made four senior appointments to its board. Louise Brooke-Smith
(pictured), Ewa Truchanowicz, Christine Oates and Ian Tandy have all taken up new positions and will serve terms lasting for three years. They will work alongside
GBSLEP and its partner organisations to help provide businesses with support and access to finance, improve the physical and digital environment within the region and improve skillsets and facilities across several key sectors. Louise has over 35 years’
commercial experience working in the construction, land and property sector in both the public and private sectors. Ewa is currently the managing
director of Dignio UK, a company which connects patients and healthcare professionals through a digital platform to deliver health services. Ian is managing director for
Global Trade & Receivables Finance at HSBC UK, a role in which he helps support UK businesses that are looking to expand on an international scale.
number of comprehensive schools joining the foundation, guarantees its offer of places in the grammar schools to pupil premium children and increases the provision of Assisted Places at its two independent schools. “I also look forward to increasing collaboration with Birmingham’s other schools, colleges and universities in a collective drive to improve educational standards across the city.”
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