Aibytech

Manchester-based Aibytech, which is disrupting the world of baby tech, has made a couple of big hires in Denise Namakando and George Goudie. Namakando joins with a wealth of experience from the baby tech sector at Owlet Baby Care and brand strategy and marketing expertise from Dyson and Mattel.  Goudie will lead Aibytech’s health tech platform and app development team.

CFC

CFC, the specialist insurance provider and pioneer in emerging risk and market leader in cyber, has appointed Jason Hart as head of proactive cyber. In this newly created role, Hart will be responsible for leading the continued development of CFC’s market leading cyber threat analysis, vulnerability and threat detection service which has already protected thousands of CFC customers from suffering potentially harmful cyber events. Hart was most recently chief technology officer – EMEA at Nasdaq-listed cybersecurity platform, Rapid7, as well as supporting a number of cyber security and technology businesses as a board advisor. Hart said: “I am thrilled to be joining CFC to head up their proactive cyber capabilities. CFC is well known as an early pioneer in cyber insurance and an innovator in proactive threat prevention.”

Adelicious

The UK’s leading independent podcast hosting platform, Adelicious, has appointed Andrew Goldsmith as its CEO. Previously serving as MD since October 2021, Goldsmith’s promotion comes at a time of exceptional growth for the company, allowing them to accelerate their long-term growth plans. Adelicious was founded in 2020 by podcasters for podcasters and in 2023 reported a 314 per cent year-on-year increase in network listens.  The promotion of Goldsmith to CEO is part of the company’s wider growth strategy, allowing co-founders David McGuire and Pascal Hughes to move to the newly created roles of co-chief growth officers, with the trio focusing on the on-going evolution and long-term vision of the business. Goldsmith said: “Stepping into the role of CEO at such a dynamic time for Adelicious is both an honour and an exciting challenge. Our impressive growth since launch is a clear indication of our team’s hard work and the innovative strategies we’ve implemented.”

Shipster

Manchester-based shipping technology Shipster has appointed James Stockton as its new sales and partnerships director. As a custom shipping integration platform, Shipster connects online retailers, eCommerce warehouses and distributors with over 100 leading couriers. Stockton, who has previously held senior roles at AppLearn and AccessPay, has been tasked with creating and building on key partnerships throughout 2024 and beyond, ahead of the Shipster’s 10th anniversary. Stockton said: “Shipster is the best kept secret in shipping and logistics. To be able to grow a business year-on-year organically from word of mouth and referrals is extraordinary.”

Trigpoint Ventures

Frazer Durris, co-founder of Businesswise Solutions, has launched Trigpoint Ventures, which will work with founder owned/operated businesses to provide them with investment and advisory support.

CloudKubed

Amy De-Balsi clearly made an impression when she embarked on a three-month project at tech consultancy CloudKubed as she’s just been appointed CCO. She brings a wealth of experience with over 20 years of delivering successful transformation programs across public and private sectors.

Business Systems

Ex-Giacom CEO Mike Wardell has taken on the same role at Business Systems, which has  been at the forefront of communications compliance and contact centre technologies for over 20 years.

Alvarez & Marsal

Big news at Alvarez & Marsal, where award-winning dealmaker Jonathan Boyers has joined as managing director and head of corporate finance for EMEA. In other news Victoria Price, who made her name at EY, has also joined as managing director, to lead the firm’s private capital offering for entrepreneurs in the UK.

DF Capital

DF Capital has appointed Angela Goulding as its new managing director for Powersports. She previously spent 18 years with Wells Fargo.

Gallagher

Gallagher, a global business insurance, risk management and consulting services company, has appointed Alistair Dornan as chief revenue officer of its benefits & HR consulting division in the UK. Dornan was previously director of the people experience consulting practice at Gallagher.