This week's London appointments

David Montague, Joseph Homes

Joseph Homes has announced the appointment of David Montague as chair.

David has had more than three decades of experience in the industry, joining Joseph Homes from L&Q.

Joseph Rajah, founder and CEO of Joseph Homes, commented: “The appointment of David was an immediate and obvious choice.

“We recognised the need for our chair to understand what we want to achieve and how we are going to do it, and in David, I saw someone that has stood tall in the pursuit of meaningful change.

“He has been holding up the ceiling for others for many years and raising the bar for what it means to be successful.

“There is already a good symbiotic energy between the Joseph Homes executive team and David because of their extensive experience and shared sense of value.

“He recognises what we are about and how to put energy behind our activism to make an impactful change.

“The built environment sector has a duty to improve its standards by taking a holistic view on impact and reward.

“Right now, the country is facing the challenge of climate change, toxicity in our homes, a housing crisis, a disenfranchised generation and a lack of engagement in the neighbourhoods within which we operate.

“Addressing these issues profitably is a journey and a challenge that Joseph Homes rises to, and with David as our chair we are better placed to push forward with challenging the status quo, at scale.”

David Montague said: “Joseph Homes is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about creating places and thriving communities.

“Over the last 33 years at L&Q I created something as part of a team, which made a lasting and significant impact on where I live.

“The reason I committed so much time to L&Q is because I believed in their mission, and that’s exactly why I decided to join Joseph Homes.

“The mission they’re working towards is both honourable and ambitious and I want to help Joseph Homes make an impact nationally, in both the private and public sectors.

“At the end of the day, we have a responsibility to look after the planet and leave the next generation a better world than the one we have today. What an extraordinary legacy that would be to leave behind.”

Franki Hackett, Engine B

Engine B has announced the appointment of Franki Hackett as head of audit and ethics.

Franki joins Engine B from the UK National Audit Office, where she was head of financial audit analytics, managing the data analytics team for the financial audit side of the business.

She project-managed the build of the office’s cloud data storage platform and was responsible for managing a team of data scientists, planning analytics, collaborating on the office’s data and digital strategy, and maintaining the quality of the code performed.

She has recently returned from an international academic secondment where she worked on the accessibility of transnational corporate tax data.

At Engine B, she will be responsible for maintaining ethical standards internally, keeping the company on track to drive futureproof and ethical change in the audit market, and ensuring its tools meet the rigorous standards of compliance needed to deliver assurance and trust.

Franki commented: “I’m delighted to join Engine B at an exciting time in the company’s journey.

“The Engine B consortium includes deeply experienced professionals who are already building the new products and platforms that the audit industry needs to regain its success and relevance in the long term. I cannot wait to get started.”

Shamus Rae, founder and CEO of Engine B, said: “We are hugely excited to have Franki onboard. Her involvement will be invaluable as we forge ahead and co-create solutions that will positively disrupt and transform financial services.”

Jasmin Allot, AO

Electricals retailer AO has announced the appointment of Jasmin Allott as director of enterprise platforms and ERP.

In the newly created role, Jasmin will work with the retailer’s tech team to deliver digital transformation across the AO Group, including the implementation of a Global ERP.

Jasmin commented: “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join a business at such a pivotal time in its journey.

“I’ve been impressed with AO’s journey to date, I am excited to help as we move forward into this next chapter.”

AO’s director of group IT, Carl Phillips, said: “We are thrilled Jasmin has agreed to join the AO team and at such an exciting time for the business.

“Over the last 12 months, customers have experienced a better way to shop for electricals and with Jasmin’s wealth of experience, we look forward to continuing to drive innovation through our tech team.”

Luke Thomas, Business Partnership

Business brokers Business Partnership has announced the appointment of a new regional partner in South West London.

Luke Thomas brings more than 20 years’ senior management experience with car hire giant Enterprise Holdings in the UK and Ireland to his new role.

In the role, he will concentrate on helping business buyers and sellers in Twickenham, Kingston and Sutton and the surrounding areas.

Luke commented: “I was interested in running my own business and Business Partnership gives me the opportunity to do that with the backing of a major franchise.

“The challenges and changes individuals and businesses have seen during the pandemic has caused many people to rethink and reset their perspectives and this in turn presents us with opportunities.

“There will be people like myself who have money to invest in a new business and those who wish to make a lifestyle change by selling their existing business and retiring or buying a new business in a different location.”

Helen Thompson, Lily’s Kitchen

Pet food brand Lily’s Kitchen has announced the appointment of Helen Thompson as non-executive director.

Helen joins Lily’s Kitchen from fellow B Corp brand, TOMS, where she held the position of managing director for over four years.

David Milner, CEO of Lily’s Kitchen, commented: “As Lily’s Kitchen continues to thrive, and grow as a B Corp business, it’s more important for us than ever before to have a board that reflects our values and diversity in thought leadership alongside commercial acumen.

“With that in mind, I cannot think of a better suited individual than Helen to join us as a non-executive director.

“In her previous roles, Helen has proven that profit and purpose go hand in hand, and she will be instrumental in driving and maintaining the Lily’s Kitchen values that have made the brand so successful over the years.”

Helen added: “I am delighted to join the Lily’s Kitchen family at such an exciting time for the business.

“Over the course of my career, I have worked with numerous fast growth businesses in many industries that place purpose at their core so the opportunity to join Lily’s Kitchen was a no brainer.

“I have long admired the Lily’s Kitchen brand, and how consumer friendly and accessible it is to the modern pet owner. I look forward to guiding and helping the business grow even further, as it embarks on the next stage of its growth.”