Trio of appointments at Social Investment Scotland

RESPONSIBLE finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS) has appointed three new members to its commercial team following continued growth in customer lending.

Joining the organisation as business support and development manager is Lindsay Wake who brings with her 16 years of supporting and advising social enterprises, community organisations, businesses and charities. She will manage and develop SIS’ business support activities.

Stephanie Smith has been appointed marketing and communications manager and Louise Vaughan takes up the post of events manager. Ms Smith develop and deliver SIS’ proposition to stakeholders while Ms Vaughan will oversee the organisation’s extensive events programme.

Chief executive of Social Investment Scotland, Alastair Davis, said: “We have ambitious plans to continue growing our offering to the third sector across Scotland and our new hires will each play a key role in helping us to reach and engage with organisations that might not be aware of the support and help that is currently available to them.”

The appointments follow three other key hires, including Ken Barclay as vice-chairman and two investment managers.

Traveltek appoints new chief technology officer

TRAVEL technology provider Traveltek Group has appointed Kenny Millar as chief technology officer to scale-up the business.

Mr Millar, a software professional with more than three decades’ experience including spells at IT giant Cisco Systems and global online retail brand Amazon, has been hired to expand the IT team, streamline processes and roll out new technology that will deploy client solutions faster than ever before.

His predecessor, Richard Smith, has been appointed chief architect tasked with spearheading innovation within the East Kilbride-based business.

The appointments follow 18 months of expansion for the firm during which it has grown its workforce by more than 50 per cent, opened offices in several international markets and made enhancements to its product portfolio.

First Milk appoints new chairman

FIRST Milk, the farmer-owned dairy co-operative, has appointed a new non-executive chairman, Chris Thomas.

Mr Thomas, who has spent his career in senior management with some of the food sector’s leading businesses, joins the First Milk board, replacing Clive Sharpe.

He has positions across a range of firms including Tulip UK, Adelie Foods, Bakkavor, St Ivel, PepsiCo and Mars. He is currently non-executive Chairman of G’s Convenience Foods and Street Eats Food Ltd and a non-executive director of Espersen.

“It is great to be joining First Milk at this exciting time in the food sector,” Mr Thomas said. “We face a period of huge change – both in the retail environment and with Brexit on the horizon – and change brings opportunities.

“First Milk has well-established long-term customer relationships, efficient processing facilities, a stable financial position and a clear strategy for growth, and I look forward to working with the business to deliver for its farmer members.”