Close Motor Finance grows senior management team

The company has hired Richard Parr as senior head of marketing, John Kelly as director of analysis and decision support, Andrew Sproston as director of partnerships and Sean Mayman as director of national sales.

The new recruits will join existing management at the firm’s Doncaster head office in promoting growth of the company and its dealerships across the UK and Ireland.

Communications agency Words&Pictures has hired five people in its Leeds office, across the group’s three companies.

David Norton joined the education team as head of education (business development).

Brent Craig has been named business development manager in the commercial division, alongside senior client manager Fiona Broomfield.

Sally Ward has been appointed client coordinator in the educom team, while Clare Addy is the new head of digital and engagement.

A sixth appointment, Stephen Roberts, joined the company as education development manager in the Midlands office.

The Professional Speaking Association (PSA) has named Frederika Roberts as president of its Yorkshire region office.

Ms Roberts succeeded Lee Jackson, taking responsibility for activities from October 18.

The PSA said it is “bucking the trend” by appointing women to a number of leadership roles.

Three of the PSA’s 12 regions have female presidents, with a total of seven women in leadership roles across the local offices.

“I don’t believe women should be promoted to senior leadership positions because of their gender,” Ms Roberts said.

“I do, however, believe there are far more highly capable women out there than general trends for female/male ratios in senior leadership roles would indicate.”