Movers & Shakers: Neil Darwin named as chief executive of Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP

Neil has been involved with the work of the LEP since the creation of the original proposal to Government, and was formerly a board adviser before joining the LEP team on secondment from Opportunity Peterborough in June 2014. He has been the LEP’s interim chief executive since October 2014.

“I am pleased to have been appointed as chief executive of the LEP having worked with the team and board from the very beginning,” he said.

“I believe that the LEP plays a critical role in defining the future of our local economy by focusing on improving our infrastructure, ensuring we create an appropriately skilled workforce to meet the needs of our businesses, and helping our businesses to access the advice, support, and funding they need to grow.”

LEP chairman Mark Reeve said: “Neil is a strong leader who has been working hard to build effective relationships with local businesses, education providers, Government, and local authorities since joining the team full time last year. I am sure that under his leadership we will continue to make real progress in overcoming the key barriers to business growth to create more new jobs and grow our economy further.”

: : Barclays has announced the expansion of its eastern region corporate banking team with the appointment of a new head of large corporate banking.

Keith Webb will manage the team of 11 relationship directors who look after a portfolio of customers typically with turnover in excess of £50million, including plc clients.

Keith brings a wealth of experience having worked within corporate banking for 30 years incorporating a number of senior roles including credit, business development and front line leadership positions, an experience that will add value to Barclays’ clients and their businesses.

Keith said he was “pleased” to join the team.

“I look forward to working with the local professional community,” he said.

“I have worked in the corporate arena for many years and am keen to bring this experience to the fore to support both our existing and new clients. My primary objective is to ensure we continue to serve our clients well and to grow Barclays’ competitive position.”

: : Facilities management provider Servest Group has appointed Kimberly Moss as its new group marketing manager.

Kimberly takes responsibility for all of Servest’s marketing functions which include strategy, branding and communications.

She has bold plans to reinvigorate Servest’s marketing department. Changes to branding, strategy and website are already in progress and she plans to bring in additional staff to meet the demand of the continuously developing company, which is based at Fornham All Saints near Bury St Edmunds.

Having worked in B2B and B2C environments across the retail, distribution, software and manufacturing sectors, she brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and expertise to the role. Her skills were honed at university while studying towards a psychology degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

She also assumes responsibility for managing Servest’s 10 Future Leaders.

The Future Leaders programme, which launched in March, aims to prepare 10 candidates for a management role in the company over the course of two years.

In addition to this, Kimberly is excited by the prospect of inspiring more women to work in the traditionally male dominated facilities management industry.

“I am excited to be given the opportunity to be involved in such a flourishing company and I look forward to the different challenges the role will bring. I’m keen to teach Servest’s Future Leaders everything I know about marketing and management, and I’d like to inspire more young women to consider a career in the FM industry,” she said.

: : Writtle College, based at Chelmsford, has appointed four new governors to its board.

Fergus Howie is a partner at Howie & Sons, at Tolleshunt Major, Maldon, where his family runs an arable and pig farming operation. Fergus specialises in pig farming and has launched and manages the Wicks Manor brand, involved in the production sales and marketing of award-winning pork products. He also has experience of training and apprenticeships.

Iain Hutton-Jamieson, who lives locally, has a range of qualifications including three Masters Degrees from the University of London, covering History of Art, History of the Book and Garden History. He has lectured at a number of London Higher Education institutions and currently works as a designer/art director while running a marketing and design practice based in London.

Patrick Swan, a former horticulture student at the college, runs a horticultural consultancy, specialising in the management and development of heritage gardens. He is now a gardens consultant for the National Trust in Wales and the South West. He has been head gardener at a number of special places, including Arley Hall, Walsingham Abbey and the National Trust property Coughton Court. He has interests in agriculture, environmental conservation and rural history, as well as classic cars.

Sophy Aitken is marketing director at the independent Felsted School. She has senior level marketing experience, including at JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management, and has been an examiner for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is a keen sportswoman, particularly tennis, netball, hockey, sailing and skiing, and is a former British University Ladies and Team slalom ski champion.

Paul Downer, a Writtle College governor, was recently elected national vice-chairman (chair elect) of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).