Senior leaders on the move – First Bus, Hidden Hearing, Instavolt, Outbrain, ProCook, Temenos, The Very Group
The pipeline of new marketing roles continues to strengthen, and we’re delighted to see more senior leaders taking the next steps in their careers. In this update, we’re congratulating seven incredible senior marketing leaders, and we wish them all the very best in their new roles.
Claire Tait, Marketing Director, ProCook
Congratulations to Claire Tait who has joined ProCook – the UK’s fastest growing quality cookware brand. Claire is a tenacious and commercial senior leader with exceptional marketing experience and proven results that derive from data-driven solutions, customer rapport and brand value.
Prior to her new ProCook role, Claire spent more than eight years at Joules, including the Customer Director and Marketing Director roles; and 13 years at The Energy Brokers, including the Head of Managed Services role.
When announcing Claire’s appointment, ProCook’s CEO Lee Tappenden said, ‘We’re at a pivotal point in the ProCook journey and it’s vital that we keep telling people about the incredible range, experience, and value we offer. Claire’s strong commercial acumen combined with her creativity and passion for storytelling is a unique combination that is hard to find, and perfect for the unique challenges ahead. We are delighted to welcome her to the team and can’t wait to see what she will bring to the brand.’
Claire commented, ‘I had an instant rapport with the team at ProCook and loved their passion for cooking and obsession with product. ProCook is a brand with great values underpinning its purpose and there is massive opportunity to unlock the ProCook story to deepen connections with new and existing customers.’
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-tait-b424b953
Stephanie Collins, Business Marketing Director, Europe, Outbrain
Stephanie Collins joins Outbrain – a leading technology platform – as their Business Marketing Director, Europe. Stephanie has more than 15 years’ experience as a senior leader in B2B marketing, specialising in innovative strategies, compelling narratives, and impactful events,
Previous roles include Executive Experiences Manager at Adobe; more than five years as Industry Marketing Manager at Meta; Head of Trade Marketing and Events at Mail Advertising; Trade Marketing Strategist at MailOnline; and more than four years at Microsoft, including the Partner Engagement Lead, Europe and Marketing Manager, Global Marketing roles. Stephanie was also a Professional Development Committee Member at the International Advertising Association.
When described by her peers on LinkedIn, "Stephanie always took an audience-first approach. She cares deeply about clients and has a unique way of helping teams translate company goals to client culture."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-collins-74640314
James Galassi, Senior Product Director – Retail, Temenos
Temenos – the banking platform – has appointed James Galassi as their Senior Product Director – Retail. An accomplished product and marketing director, James has substantial experience with global financial services brands.
Previous roles include Director of Product Management at Acuity Knowledge Partner; more than four years at Virgin Money, including the Head of Marketing Strategy, Planning and Operations, and Head of Digital Transformation and Mobile App Development roles; Head of Personal Lending (Credit Cards & Loans) at Clydesdale Bank; and more than four years at Barclaycard, including the Head of Product Strategy & New Product Development role.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgalassi
Jo Kerr, Group Marketing Director, Instavolt
Congratulations to Jo Kerr who joins Instavolt – the electric charging stations company – as their Group Marketing Director. Jo is an experienced Marketing Director and influential senior leader with a commercial and KPI-driven approach.
Previous roles include more than four years at cinch, including the Brand Director and Marketing Director roles; and more than five years at Iris, including the Managing Partner and Board Director roles.
When described on LinkedIn, Jo is " the ultimate professional and an absolute pleasure to work with. Well networked, commercial and a former colleague who I would recommend in a heartbeat."
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrjo
James McClusky, Commercial Director - East of England, First Bus
James McClusky joins First Bus – one of the UK’s largest bus companies – as Commercial Director – East of England.
His previous roles include more than six years at National Express, including the Commercial Director - Scheduled Network and Head of Commercial roles; and more than four years at Virgin Trains, including the Head of Strategic Analysis role.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mccluskey-2456b390
Jessica Myers, Chief Customer Officer, The Very Group
Congratulations to Jessica Myers who has been promoted to the executive team in a newly created Chief Customer Officer role at The Very Group – one of the largest digital retailers in the UK and Ireland.
Jessica joined The Very Group as Chief Marketing Officer in 2022. As covered by Marketing Week, ‘Since being appointed CMO in July 2022, Myers has launched the group’s brand platform ‘Let’s make it sparkle’. The retailer’s Christmas ad was ranked the second most persuasive festive ad of 2023, according to Kantar, which helped Very UK increase retail sales by 3.4% year-on-year over the Christmas and Black Friday period, it says.’
Previous roles also include Director, Brands and Marketing - Metro Bank (UK); more than five years as Head of Brand Management, NatWest Group; and more than eight years at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, including the Executive Manager, Brand Management & Advertising role. Jessica is also a Marketing Week Top 100 Most Effective Marketers and a Marketing Academy Fellow Alumni.
When commenting on her recent promotion in Marketing Week, Jessica said, “I’m delighted to take up this new role, which focuses on key steps across our customer journey off and on-site, from marketing right through to conversion. I’m looking forward to working even more closely with more of our talented team, who are passionate about delivering for the customers we serve.”
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-myers-8090634
Ruth Pignal-Jacquard, Marketing Director, Hidden Hearing
Ruth Pignal-Jacquard has been appointed Marketing Director at Hidden Hearing – an organisation with 50+ years’ experience in private hearing healthcare. Ruth is a strategic and commercial brand and marketing leader, with experience of driving growth for large and well-known brands.
Her previous roles include Marketing Director - Planning, Insights & Effectiveness at Virgin Media O2; more than four years as Head of Marketing Strategy, Planning & Investment at O2 (Telefónica UK; more than seven years as VP Marketing Planning at Barclays; and Head of Advertising & Promotions at Best Buy Europe.
When announcing her new role, Ruth said, ‘I took a step back to consider my ideal next role and this one ticks all the boxes: people-centric, values-driven, with a global and local scope, and in a growth industry. Most importantly, it's truly purpose-driven, helping the 1 in 5 adults in the UK living with hearing loss.’
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpjacquard
If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, or if you’re hiring for your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing, digital and technology roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
If you’re ready to make your next move, we regularly post new opportunities on our LinkedIn company page. If you apply for a role on the platform, it requires a 1st connection for us to respond, so please make sure to connect with Suzie Walker. Our company page is also frequently updated with the latest hiring news, expert interviews, and candidate guidance, so well worth following.
