Siemens has appointed Karen Fenwick as head of communications at Siemens Great Britain & Ireland, based in Manchester.

Reporting to CEO Carl Ennis, Karen joins the technology company from Venator Materials, where she was vice president, corporate branding and communication.

Carl Ennis, CEO Siemens, said: “Karen brings a wealth of strategic communications experience to Siemens GB & Ireland. I look forward to working with her as we help our customers meet their business transformation goals, particularly accelerating their efforts to digitalise and achieve net zero, sustainable organisations.”

Karen Fenwick said: “The company is building on a legacy of both technology and brand strength and there are exciting prospects ahead with innovation and sustainability at the heart of what Siemens does.”

Karen leads a 15-strong in-house communications team and is a key member of the global communications team at Siemens.

Siemens employs 11,000 people in Great Britain and Ireland and generated revenues of £4.1bn in the last financial year ending September 30, 2022.

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Altrincham-based Crowdguard, the specialist in delivering a turnkey approach to hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) and perimeter protection, has appointed Russ Phillips as counter terrorism and risk director, bringing more than 18 years’ counter terrorism and risk mitigation experience into the team.

A strategic appointment, designed to bring Crowdguard’s Plan-Provide-Protect event security model in-house, Russ’s new role will involve working with event organisers, venues and those responsible for the public realm to help them understand their risk factors and advise them on risk mitigation measures.

Bringing expertise in threat, vulnerability and risk assessment (TVRA) and vehicle dynamics assessment (VDA) to the team, Russ will work alongside fellow directors, Deborah Ainscough and Iain Moran, to provide a proportionate approach to event security that considers risk, operational factors and budget.

With 30 years’ experience in the police, Russ was instrumental in managing the National Barrier Asset at Sussex Police, a specialist unit advising on hostile vehicle mitigation and event security, and deploying HVM and perimeter protection at events of local, national, and international importance.

His experience of risk assessment, risk mitigation strategy and HVM deployment encompasses a wide range of major events, including sports championships such as the 2021 FIFA Euros championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, various international summits such as G7 and COP26, political party conferences, and royal events, including the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the funeral of her Majesty the Queen.

Russ’s experience with the police also includes working for several years as a counter terrorism security coordinator (CT Secco), which involved assessing risk and advising on appropriate tactics to police gold commanders.

The appointment of Crowdguard’s first counter terrorism and risk director comes at a pivotal time in the company’s development. The business now has partnerships in place with HVM and perimeter protection providers, including ATG Access, Unafor, Highway Care, ARX Security, Safetyflex Barriers, and CLD Fencing, and is working with clients across the public sector, sports and events industries to help them devise and implement security strategies and prepare for Martyn’s Law.

Russ said: “As venues, event organisers and local authorities look ahead to what their risk management and security obligations might be when Martyn’s Law is in place, it’s vital that the process of protecting people begins with expert risk assessment.”

Founder and director of Crowdguard, Deborah Ainscough, said: “We have worked with Russ as a consultant for some time and his expertise in this field, along with his understanding of operational considerations, means that he can be relied upon to provide practical guidance in mitigating risk, without threatening the viability of an event.”

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A homecare provider has created a new role in a bid to help keep clients out of hospital and remain in their own homes.

The South Lakes branch of Westmorland Homecare has appointed former nursing sister Suzanne Catterall as its advanced homecare practitioner. One of her tasks is to boost training for the company’s homecare assistants, to help improve their understanding of medical conditions and help them spot any deterioration of individuals. This means they can act with more knowledge and improved skills, preventing hospital admissions and helping clients recover in their own homes with the team’s care and with input, where necessary, from medical professionals in the community.

Suzanne, who began her nursing career in 1983, retired from nursing in 2015 after working as a sister on a medical assessment unit in Worcestershire. She said: “After retirement I relocated to Grasmere with my family. I nursed my mother in my home with fantastic support from my GP and district nurses as it was her wish to live her life with her family and not to go into care. I am so grateful to have been able to fulfill her last wishes.”

Later she joined Westmorland Homecare. She started as a homecare assistant and then worked as a team leader. Now she is the branch’s advanced homecare practitioner.

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DTE Corporate Finance has announced the promotion of Lewis Pearson to assistant director. Lewis joined DTE in 2013 gaining his ACA qualification with the audit team before transitioning to corporate finance in 2018.

With his passion for corporate finance, Lewis has become an integral part of the business. He has been delivering excellent results for clients and building a reputation as a trusted adviser. Furthermore, Lewis has developed strong relationships with numerous debt funders and equity investors both regionally and nationally.

Lewis’s notable recent deals include assisting Innov8 Technology with the acquisition of Wharncliffe Business Solutions as well as providing financial due diligence support to a range of high street and alternative lenders plus regional equity funds.

Lewis Pearson said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to build on my experience within DTE and the corporate finance team. DTE have supported me throughout my career, and we have developed an excellent team. I am looking forward to continuing our growth trajectory and I am excited to continue assisting clients with their transactional needs.”

Matt Beckley, director, and head of DTE Corporate Finance, said: “This promotion is wonderful to see and definitely well deserved. It is recognition of Lewis’s immense contribution to the team. He will take on added responsibilities including shaping the future direction of the business.”

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North West law firm Harrison Drury has made 10 senior promotions, including a new partner, as part of its succession and growth strategy.

Jack Stephenson, who started as a trainee in 2014, has been promoted to the role of partner in the firm’s corporate team. Also within the corporate team, Tim Grover has been promoted to senior associate and Kerry Southworth has been made an associate.

Rebecca Patience has been made a senior associate in the family law team, while Joseph Mitchell and Matt Astley become senior associates in property litigation and commercial litigation, respectively.

Within the commercial property team, Catherine Worthington and Roberto Bonaminio have been promoted to associate.

Private client team members Victoria Hill and Scarlett Richardson have also received promotions with Victoria becoming a senior associate and Scarlett an associate.

John Chesworth, executive chairman at Harrison Drury, said: “Giving people opportunities for growth and career development is a priority for us and it’s a pleasure to make these promotions, which are incredibly well deserved.

“What’s particularly pleasing is that Jack, Rebecca, Matthew and Kerry started here as either trainees or paralegals, and all qualified with us. These promotions show that Harrison Drury provides a rewarding and supportive environment where people stay and flourish.”

Jack Stephenson, said: “It’s been a great journey with Harrison Drury so far, with so many memorable experiences with colleagues and clients. I’m so proud and humbled to have been made a partner and I’m looking forward to helping others in the firm to grow and develop, too.”

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Manchester-based business intelligence platform, Red Flag Alert, an independently-owned UK credit reference agency for businesses, has made two senior hires as part of its 2023 growth strategy.

Marc Williams has joined as chief revenue officer while James Kean has been appointed as finance director.

Managing director, Richard West, said the hires reflect the tech firm’s growth ambitions: “These appointments are massive to Red Flag Alert and demonstrate the level of our ambition. They’re crucial in shaping our future growth aspirations.

“I’m a big believer in constantly bringing innovative new ideas into the business and employing those that think outside of the box. Red Flag Alert started out with just a couple of us in a basement in Stockport. Now, our latest hires mean the total headcount is 54, and we work out of offices in Manchester city centre.

“As chief revenue officer Marc will ultimately look after every £1 that our company makes in terms of new revenue and retained revenue. Marketing, sales and account management will sit under his remit.

“As finance director James has an equally critical role to play and we’re delighted to have them both on board.”

The origins of Red Flag Alert date back to 2004 when it was part of Begbies Traynor to help insolvency companies. In 2012 it became an independent business, with a focus on launching its own software product to help companies use data to help them drive growth, avoid risk and remain compliant.

Today, Red Flag Alert’s cloud-based business intelligence software offers important tools for AML compliance. With KYB and KYC capabilities, clients can become data-driven to protect themselves, manage risk, and achieve growth.

Williams, who previously worked at APLYiD and Creditsafe, said: “I was impressed by the way Red Flag Alert has grown in the last three or four years. They’re a dynamic company that can disrupt the market.”

Kean, who previously worked at Purple WiFi and Volcanic, said: “Red Flag Alert has enjoyed impressive growth and I was excited by the plans they have for the next few years. It’s an exciting, dynamic organisation and I wanted to be part of the journey.”

They join a number of senior hires including former civil servant Nicola Headlam as chief economist. West said: “We’re always looking to bring people in who add value to the business. Nicola thinks like an end user and her insights have been invaluable to the business. Without that investment we wouldn’t have won the contracts that we have.”