The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 40: Dec/Jan 2018/19 | Page 8

APPOINTED Thrings strengthens construction team Leading commercial law firm, Thrings has enhanced its construction law offering with the appointment of Michael Chilton as partner. An experienced construction law specialist and former quantity surveyor, Michael joins Thrings from EMW Law LLP, where he was a partner and head of construction. Prior to this, he held positions at Nabarro, Trowers & Hamlins and Linklaters. During his 20-year legal career, Michael has advised on a range of construction projects, including city office developments, mixed-use and retail schemes, infrastructure projects, housing schemes, student accommodation, out-of-town retail parks, railways, power projects and football stadia. Michael said:“I am very pleased to be joining Thrings, and working with the construction and commercial property teams across the firm to develop the Wiltshire Air Ambulance welcomes two new trustees construction offering for existing clients and expand its client base. Mike Fellows “Despite the economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit which pervades at present, there are still significant opportunities in the property sector. With the construction team now based in both the South West and London, Thrings is ideally placed to offer advice and assistance on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters to clients in this region, London and the Home Counties.” Rob Kevan Mike Fellows and Rob Kevan- have been appointed to Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust’s Board of Trustees. Mike is the managing director of Mercedes-Benz of Swindon, which employs over 100 people. He has been a supporter of the charity for many years and in 2017 he and a group of colleagues cycled 101 miles in a day from the Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s former airbase at Devizes to raise funds. Rob, who lives in Keevil, is a ground operations manager at QinetiQ at MoD Boscombe Down, primarily supporting the Empire Test Pilot School. David Philpott, chief executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance said: “Over the past few months Mike has added so much experience to our board and brought plenty of practical wisdom to our trustee meetings. Rob has only just joined us, but his aviation knowledge will be a great asset.” “From time to time we recruit new trustees as others rotate off the board having served their full term, so I am always interested to hear from anyone that thinks that they might be able to support us by becoming a trustee for when vacancies occur.” [email protected] NATIONWIDE APPOINTS NEW BCS hires Annette Allmark to CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER drive digital apprenticeships 8 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 Annette Allmark has joined BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, as the organisation’s head of apprenticeships. Previously the director of strategic policy at People 1st, Annette brings with her a wealth of experience in apprenticeships. At People 1st she was “central” to the government’s apprenticeship reform for the visitor economy sector, facilitating the development of employer-designed apprenticeship standards. Lucy Ireland, managing director at BCS, said that Annette’s background in apprenticeships will help to “drive the rise of digital apprentices.” She added:“This is a small but important step to producing the skilled workforce that will maintain the UK’s advantage in the digital economy.” Nationwide Building Society has appointed Patrick Eltridge as its new chief operating officer. Patrick, whose 30-year career spans financial services, telecommunications, start-ups and management consulting, is expected to take up the post in February 2019. He has significant expertise in technology development and operations, resilience, innovation and transformation, and is currently Group Chief Information Officer at Royal Bank of Scotland, a role he has held since March 2015. As COO, Patrick’s focus will be on the Society’s IT infrastructure ensuring that, through the development of new, innovative technology, the Society continues to deliver the value, trust and service for members every day. Patrick said: “Nationwide Building Society is incredibly well positioned as a much-trusted organisation in peoples’ financial lives, and I am excited to join a highly performing team that cares deeply about its mission to provide a seamless and accessible experience for its members.”