APPOINTMENTS


Purpose Media appoints head of client growth


Experienced business development and sales professional Grace Golden has joined Derbyshire-based web development, creative and digital marketing agency Purpose Media in a newly-created role as head of client growth. Grace has more than eight years’ experience in sales and


marketing roles, and joins the company having previously worked at Motorpoint Derby, Champions UK and Status Social. She said: “Purpose Media has always been well-known as a


professional agency. Its values and culture shine through and I admire the work that has already been done to create a great infrastructure for bringing clients on board. “The company is renowned for ‘telling it as it is’ and it is


clear its clients respect this honest and advice-driven approach, which has obviously been successful at retaining clients and staff over the past 12 months.” Managing director Matt Wheatcroft added: “Grace will be


working with new and existing clients to diagnose and solve business challenges, maximise opportunities and provide a solution that adds long-term value and growth. She has some great experience which will enhance the sales team and improve our sales processes so that we are able to identify and win more new business opportunities.”


Grace Golden


New role creates data-driven insights


Creating data-driven insights about the East Midlands economy is the task for a postgraduate research associate based at the Chamber – after the role was created in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU). Harsh Shah (pictured) begun his role as


knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) associate last month and works out of the Chamber’s Friars Mill office in Leicester. The KTP between the Chamber and DMU will


create a regional business intelligence unit that aims to improve competitiveness and productivity across the East Midlands, while highlighting business strengths and, ultimately, win more investment. Harsh, who has a background in computer engineering, said: “The KTP provides a unique opportunity to work as a professional in the business environment and at the same time working as a researcher with the university. “This element of working in both areas is what


motivated me to apply for the role. The real potential lies in the ownership that the project facilitates. “I am hoping to deliver informed data-driven


insights across the East Midlands through a ‘continuous improvement, continuous learning’ approach. Improving internal processes through standardisation of data, and developing automated approaches and accurate insights, will be key to a successful outcome of the role for me.” A recent master’s graduate from DMU in


business intelligence and data mining, Harsh previously spent two years working for Vodafone


Shared Services India, where he was awarded the company’s Top Employee of the Year 2018-19 award for his work in automating a number of processes to support multiple teams. The intelligence unit that will be developed in


his new role will provide insights about the East Midlands to the Midlands Engine Research Observatory, with the aim of establishing a unified Midlands-wide voice to compete alongside other regions when engaging with Government and investors. Overseeing his role at the Chamber is director


of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson. He said: “The pandemic has presented


unprecedented economic challenges that have affected each town, city and sector differently. “To overcome these challenges, businesses are


expected to rethink strategies via innovation, effective management and investments. “The unique insights that Harsh will create can


give us the evidence base we need to help these organisations work towards their objectives, while also informing policymakers whose decisions impact on our region’s economic prospects.” Dr Rhianna Briars, senior knowledge exchange


officer at DMU, added: "The KTP project that Harsh is working on with the Chamber has exciting prospects for the East Midlands as a region and its business community. “Deepening the insights and regional data-led


intelligence will improve decision-making for local businesses and strengthen the links to policymakers. “We expect this to make our region more


competitive and attract higher levels of investment, which will improve our recovery from the pandemic and tackle the underlying socio-economic issues that affect individual lives. “I am really pleased to see this project get


funded and now start with Harsh on board – I’m anticipating a bright future for the whole East Midlands as a result.”


business networkMay 2021 21


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