This week's London appointments

Andy Gallagher, Analytic Partners

Measurement and optimization solutions firm Analytic Partners has appointed Andy Gallagher as vice president of client engagement.

Andy has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and digital measurement. He spent the last seven years leading a media & analytics measurement consultancy for Kantar in various locations including London, San Francisco, and New York.

Prior to this, Andy spent eight years at media conglomerate NBC Universal in New York overseeing research and analytics in the news & sports division.

Maggie Merklin, chief client officer at Analytic Partners, commented: “Andy is joining Analytic Partners at an exciting time of market growth. Faced with disruption and data challenges companies are looking for more adaptable, granular, and multi-dimensional data-driven decisioning to prepare for future success.

“With his extensive background in analytics consulting, measurement solutions and business development, he will be an excellent addition to the expanding EMEA presence working to help companies thrive.”

Andy added: “We are seeing ever increasing demand for holistic measurement and optimization solutions across the region and complexities like the fluid changes in data deprecation, shifting media consumption and purchase behaviours, along with budget pressures have further accelerated this trend.

“With these pressures comes a greater need for best-in-class solutions such as GPS Enterprise. I am looking forward to growing Analytic Partner’s local presence in the UK & EMEA by leveraging our wealth of experience and leading-edge technology to turn data into expertise.”

Karen Classen, Mazars

Tax, audit and advisory firm Mazars has appointed Karen Classen as public interest entity (PIE) audit partner.

Karen has joined the team from Deloitte. Alongside providing sector expertise and an international perspective, Karen will play a key role in further developing the team through coaching, support and mentoring.

In her new role, Karen will focus on growth initiatives primarily in the consumer and services sector, while also delivering a number of audit transformation initiatives.

David Herbinet, partner and Head of audit, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Karen to the team as a Partner at what is an exciting time for our audit practice.

“Her depth of experience and industry knowledge will be a huge asset in delivering high quality audits and ensuring that we provide the best possible service to our clients.

“Karen’s is a perfect fit with Mazars’ values and the culture which we continue to build across the team.”

Carlton Hopper, GFT

IT services and software engineering firm GFT has appointed Carlton Hopper as UK managing director.

Carlton joins GFT from IBM Global Business Services, where he was the partner for banking, running strategic programmes encompassing IT strategy, digital delivery and IT resilience.

Prior to this, Carlton was IBM’s market development head for the UK financial services team and the European & UK blockchain lead.

Carlton brings over 30 years of banking, technology and consulting experience, having worked at Accenture, Barclays and Ernst & Young.

Carlton commented: “GFT is an exceptional, high growth business with an impressive cross-industry client list.

“The firm is home to some of the industry’s most talented people, underpinned by an award-winning service delivery capability, providing a rare combination of engineering skills core to all digital transformation programmes, and subject matter expertise.

“As client demand for our services grows apace and inspired by the successful transition to remote working during the pandemic, one of my first projects is to launch a regional network of GFT capability. Watch this space; there is more to share.”

Christopher Ortiz, group chief executive - global markets and region manager APAC & UK added: “We are delighted to welcome Carlton into the GFT family. I believe his knowledge and extensive experience of clients’ needs are invaluable assets, not only for the UK business but also for the wider GFT group.

“I am looking forward to working closely with him and his team to deliver modern, business-critical solutions which support the evolving needs of our new and existing clients, across multiple industry sectors both now and into the future.”

Stephen Bell, Sami Al-Sharif, Michael Rolfe and Richard Burrows, British Arab Commercial Bank (BACB)

International wholesale bank British Arab Commercial Bank (BACB) has made four new senior hires.

Stephen Bell has been appointed as managing director and chief risk officer, Sami Al-Sharif returns to BACB as deputy chief executive officer, Michael Rolfe has been appointed as head of trade finance and Richard Burrows will take up the role of head of real estate alongside his existing role of treasurer.

Recently serving as chief executive and chair of investment committee for a private-equity backed real estate lender, Stephen has held a range of executive and board roles with a focus on risk, strategy, transformation and restructuring.

Stephen’s former employers include Wellesley Group, Ulster Bank Group, Allied Irish Banks, Barclays and General Electric. He is also a serving independent non-executive director on the Board of Homes England.

Experienced banker and qualified accountant Sami joins from Libyan Foreign Bank (LFB) – BACB’s majority shareholder – where he has held several senior roles, including deputy head of operations and, most recently, head of risk (CRO).

Having previously spent seven years at BACB, Sami has experience in trade finance, treasury services and risk management.

Michael assumes his new role in addition to his existing responsibilities at BACB, and has also been promoted to managing director.

Michael will focus on the bank’s core trade finance competencies, using his extensive experience and leadership skills to ensure the continued delivery of tailored trade finance solutions for clients operating in specialist markets.

Richard joined BACB in 2019, having previously held senior positions at the Bank of China, the Co-operative Bank, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Citigroup. He continues to hold a non-executive directorship at UK Mortgages Limited.

CEO Eddie Norton commented: “As BACB moves towards its next phase of safe, sustainable growth, it is vital that we maintain a sharp focus on strengthening our risk strategy and framework and our core trade finance offering for the markets that we serve.

“Stephen and Sami bring deep knowledge of our specialist markets as well as a wide range of expertise, and we are delighted to welcome them to the bank.

“Our leadership team is further strengthened by Richard’s appointment as head of real estate/treasurer and Michael’s appointment as head of trade finance, whose knowledge and leadership skills will help us to continue to deliver excellent service to our real estate and trade finance clients.

“I am confident that the skills, experience and unique perspectives of Stephen, Sami, Michael and Richard will prove invaluable to the senior leadership team.”