East Mids Movers and Shakers: CPW, OTB, 1284, Cambridge and Counties, North Notts BID, PKF Smith Cooper, Lime Solicitors, Doorcerts, JDR Group

1284:

Loughborough corporate communications agency 1284 has recruited former newspaper editor and journalism lecturer, Richard Bowyer. He joins chartered PR practitioners George Oliver and Amy Orton – both experienced journalists – at the business.

Richard has more than 30 years’ experience in journalism, starting out at the Coalville and Ashby Times, before going to titles including the Peterborough Telegraph, Wolverhampton Express & Star, Derby Telegraph, and Lincolnshire Echo.

He was editor-in-chief for Staffordshire Sentinel Newspapers in Stoke before spending nine years teaching journalism at the University of Derby.

Richard joins the 1284 team part-time as content editor and will support with print page design, editing, and B2B content for 1284’s small business and local authority clients.

Former Leicester Mercury editor George Oliver said: “His arrival maintains our policy of recruiting highly experienced professionals, bringing significant understanding of the media and comms industries, as well as deep Midlands networks.”

North Notts BID:

Sally Gillborn, chief executive of North Notts BID, has celebrated formally receiving her MBE at an investiture ceremony.

Sally was awarded the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours List, for her services to business and to the economy in Nottinghamshire. She was awarded her medal by King Charles at the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 25.

Having been responsible for securing and leading the UK’s first district-wide business improvement district, Sally oversaw a successful first five-year term, introducing several business support measures, particularly during the pandemic.

Sally and her team secured a second term for North Notts BID in July 2022.

She said: “I am humbled to receive this prestigious honour for spearheading and leading North Notts BID, and for doing a job that I love and take great pride in.”

PKF Smith Cooper:

The PKF Smith Cooper Corporate Finance team has hired senior executive Callum Leslie in its Midlands division, which continues to grow.

The firm is currently on the lookout for high-calibre individuals and ambitious professionals to join the Midlands offices in Nottingham, Derby and Birmingham with the aim of doubling its advisory team numbers.

Callum worked in audit for five years at a top-10 UK accounting firm in the Midlands, starting his career as a school leaver in 2018.

He was promoted twice and became an assistant manager, developing extensive experience in working with privately owned businesses in a range of sectors across the region. He qualified as an accountant in 2022.

Last year PKF ranked as the 7th most active dealmaker in the UK, completing 139 deals worth £2.3 billion.

CPW:

International building services consultancy CPW has welcomed 16 new recruits onto its 2023 apprenticeship programme, which is being delivered in partnership with regional colleges.

Some 17 per cent of CPW’s workforce is currently part of the programme – which was established 22 years ago.

This year’s trainees have joined the Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Huntingdon, Nottingham, and Solihull offices, and includes specialised apprentices in the lighting, public health, and HR teams – a first for the firm as it looks to diversify its offering.

CPW is an international M&E consultancy with more than 300 staff based across 13 offices. It specialises in designing and