An Essex ingredients firm has appointed a new boss.
EDME, based at Mistley, near Manningtree has promoted Metin Fevzi, who joined the business as operations and technical director last April, to managing director.
He previously managed operations for manufacturers including Arla Foods, Greencore Group, Premier Foods and Alpro.
Chief executive David Thompson said: “During the past nine months Metin has shown himself to be a first-class operator – and capable of taking on a wider role in the business.
“He has introduced stringent controls, ensuring quality, health and safety are treated as paramount throughout the business. He is now focussed on transforming customer service and technical support, and on developing infrastructure to meet the growing demands for nutritious ingredients.”
EDME produces natural flours, flakes and mixes from wholegrains, malted wholegrains, pulses and seeds which are used by bakers and food manufacturers in products ranging from breads, cakes, biscuits and energy bars to batters, coatings, pies and breakfast cereals. “I am really fortunate to have come into a company that has a great workforce, fantastic products and huge technical expertise,” said Metin.
“My focus now is going to be on increasing capacity and reinvigorating our customer services to make them truly world class.”
Growing markets for foods that are nutritious, natural, healthy, high fibre, high protein and ‘free-from’ provided real opportunities for the firm, both in Britain and abroad, he said.
“There are plans in place,” he said. “Watch this space.”
The company’s signature malted flours and flakes played an important role in opening doors with new customers, as did its innovative sprouted grains, he said.
“These have huge potential. WholeSoft Sprouted Rye and WholeSoft Sprouted Naked Barley are perfect for dairy products, desserts, salads, soups, stews, pies and chilled foods – as well as bread. Our company’s expertise with malt (grains that have been soaked, sprouted and kilned) is extremely helpful with this kind of innovation,” he said.
“The fact that we have AA rating in the BRC (British Retail Consortium) accreditation also underlines our supplier credentials. The challenge now is to leverage the technical advantages we have.”
Suffolk enterprise agency MENTA has welcomed Ipswich-based business loans company Fleximize as a patron.
Fleximize managing director Peter Tuvey said: “I’ve always been a huge supporter of MENTA and the fantastic work that it does for businesses in the region. We look forward to lending some additional support to the organisation as a patron.”
Alex Till, chief executive of MENTA, said: “Fleximize are professional, innovative and committed to providing a high standard of customer care and it’s great that MENTA are working with the team.”
MENTA supports sole traders, established businesses and start-ups with business skills training, networking events, advice and other business-related services and resources.
A director at Sudbury-based marketing firm Mackman has joined the University of Nottingham’s digital advisory group.
Technical and operations director James Royce will help spearhead the university’s digital future and joins as one of seven advisers chosen to sit on the board alongside five university faculty members.
The seven advisers are all directors of industry-leading businesses from sectors including retail, banking, technology, finance and marketing.
University of Nottingham’s Professor Todd Landman, who was tasked with providing names of individuals with a comprehensive knowledge of digital technologies who could enhance the works of university, said: “I immediately thought of James Royce since he has over, a number of complex projects, demonstrated his knowledge and expertise of all things digital, as well as his experience working with a variety of HE (higher education) providers.”
James said, “I look forward to helping guide the development of the university’s digital strategy.”
Mackman director Paul Mackman said: “Just as James has guided our projects to success, we know that his skill and knowledge will make him an invaluable member of the group.”
Ipswich-based facilities management firm Vertas Group has made three new key appointments, including for the newly-created role of group operations director.
Keith Buet joins from a global facilities management firm, where he worked as an operations director based in the Middle East. Keith will join the four-strong executive team of directors led by chief executive Ian Surtees.
Adrian Glasgow joins as head of energy. Adrian, who has extensive experience in the wholesale energy market, will lead the team providing bespoke options including procurement, ongoing management, and bill payment and recharge
services.
Wendy Quantrill joins as communications and public relations manager.
She previously worked for specialist education charity Lapwing and brings more than 20 years of communications skills gained in the private and third sector.
Ian said: “Attracting talent of this calibre reflects the reputation we have gained across the region for providing an exceptional facilities management service. The appointment of a group operations director brings extra operational resource and resilience at a time where we are ready to progress to our next stage of growth. I wish our new appointees every success at Vertas.”
Ipswich-based law firm Barker Gotelee has appointed Luke Cain to the property team.
Luke, who is originally from Essex, brings nearly 20 years of experience having qualified as a solicitor in 2001.
He has spent a number of years working in the Ipswich and Woodbridge areas, and specialises in commercial matters such as leases of commercial offices and industrial units, and the sale and purchase of land for redevelopment, as well as handling residential property transactions both locally and nationally. He is known for providing advice in a friendly and pragmatic manner.
Head of property Andrew Nicholson said: “We are pleased to be continually expanding our service offering and are delighted to welcome Luke to our highly experienced, yet friendly and approachable, property team.”
Ipswich-based business electricity supplier Haven Power has welcomed Mark Anderson as sales director.
Mark joins with more than 10 years’ energy experience, including infrastructure and the demand-side, with a great reputation for managing business operations and client relationships. He has worked in consultancy as managing director at Ecova (formerly Power Efficiency), which is part of ENGIE Group.
The newly created role will see Mark head up the entire Haven Power sales team, with responsibility for the delivery of customer-focused sales growth.
Chief operating officer Paul Sheffield said: “Mark is really a valuable addition to the team taking up a new and pivotal role – he will be using his expertise and experience to drive initiatives and help businesses benefit from new opportunities to reduce their bills and be more sustainable.
“He joins us at a really exciting time for Haven Power and the energy sector as whole – smart technologies are revolutionising how we generate and use our power.”
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