This week's national appointments

This week’s round up of national appointments includes Mediaworks, Mercer UK and Belong. Read on to find out more.

Leigh Gammons, Mediaworks

Mediaworks, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest independent digital marketing agencies, has confirmed Leigh Gammons as the group’s new chief customer officer. He arrives from WPP, where he was CEO of Wunderman Thompson Technology, leading the £40m specialist digital division and a team of 600 across seven offices globally.

In his seven-year career at WPP, Leigh became global lead for a host of their digital and technology client relationships and played a key role in the agency being named partner of the year in each of the last three by both Adobe and Sitecore.

CEO and founder at Mediaworks, Brett Jacobson said: “Leigh is exactly the calibre of person we’re attracting to Mediaworks. His experience of growing a digital business to a £40m operation across multiple, international sites will be of huge value as we chart our own growth journey.

“He has a deep understanding of the digital industry and how that’s applied with the very best global brands. Leigh brings an exciting, new dynamic to the senior team here. He’ll be a critical part of the team’s focus on making us the biggest and best UK headquartered digital agency.”

Leigh said: “For Mediaworks to have doubled in size over the last two years is incredibly impressive, so it’s an exciting time to be joining the team. They’ve been on my radar for some time.

“Their unique approach to data driven experiences blew me away the first time our paths crossed, so I was delighted when Brett asked me to join the board here. The commitment to developing proprietary IP sets them apart when delivering exceptional customer insights and commercially-driven results for clients.”

Kerry Ghize, Mercer UK

Kerry Ghize has joined Mercer UK as its new career business leader, replacing Tony Wood, who took on a new role as region leader for Mercer Marsh Benefits (MMB) Continental Europe, in 2021. Kerry will be part of Mercer UK’s Executive Leadership team and reports to Mercer UK’s CEO, Benoit Hudon.

Kerry joins from HR technology and employee experience SaaS provider, TI People, following a three-year tenure as managing director. Prior to TI People, Kerry spent 20 years with CEB, a B2B insights and technology firm, becoming the company’s executive director and market lead, EMEA.

Benoit Hudon said: “Under Kerry’s direction, Mercer UK’s Career business will continue to lead in rewards and transformation, leveraging collaboration with Mercer’s global team to help clients design and execute sophisticated workforce strategies.

“We have ambitious growth plans for the UK Career business, and Kerry is enthusiastic to ensure the business is on a sustainable growth path and that it continues to play a significant role with our clients in their strategic decision-making.”

Kerry commented: “It is a privilege to take on this role leading the UK Career business in delivering continued growth and positive experiences, for clients and colleagues alike. I am delighted to partner with the team in our commitment to building brighter futures through innovative workforce strategies.”

Martin Rix, Belong

Specialist dementia care provider Belong has appointed Martin Rix as its new chief executive, to lead the next phase of the care village operator’s expansion as it prepares to open three new villages over the next three years.

Martin joins from Norfolk based Norse Care, where he was chief operating officer, with responsibility for services in 36 care homes and housing with care schemes. He brings experience of overseeing specialist dementia and nursing settings and managing operations supporting around 1,600 residents and tenants and a similar number of employees.

Chair of the Board, Nicola Brooks, said: “We are delighted to welcome Martin to Belong’s executive team. His appointment as chief executive followed a rigorous recruitment process and we have every confidence that, in Martin, we have found someone with the leadership skills and integrity to take the organisation forward into a new era of growth as we emerge from the pandemic.”

Martin added: “Belong villages are a leading light within the sector, making a significant contribution to driving standards and creating opportunities, particularly for people with dementia.

“With a number of new villages close to completion, it’s a very exciting time to be joining the organisation, and I’m looking forward to working alongside an incredibly dedicated and talented team of people as we continue to innovate into the future.”

This summer will see Belong open its first intergenerational care village in Chester, featuring an on-site children’s nursery fully integrated into the village model.

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