This year has remained exceptionally busy for executive search, as the strong competition for senior leadership talent continues; with marketing technologies moving faster than the development of skills now required to lead within this ever-changing landscape. We offer our huge congratulations to the following senior leaders on their new roles, and we wish them enormous success.
Sue Dover, Chief Marketing Officer at Phoenix Hospital Group
Congratulations to Sue Dover on her recent appointment as Chief Marketing Officer at Phoenix Hospital Group - one of the UK’s leading private healthcare providers. Sue is a respected senior leader with exceptional experience in marketing, digital, e-commerce and business development within healthcare, lifestyle, retail and B2B. Previous roles include Marketing and Business Development Director at Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, Retail and Ecommerce Consultant at Elgeo, Group Marketing Director at Theo Paphitis Retail Group, more than five years as Director at Robert Dyas, and six years at Boux Avenue.
Phoenix Hospital Group said, ‘We are really pleased to advise that Sue Dover has now joined Phoenix Hospital Group as Chief Marketing Officer. Sue will take responsibility for all of our marketing initiatives including digital, direct to patient and business development. Sue will also lead our growing appointments and bookings team covering all our services – from those patients who wish to see a GP or book a scan through to enquiries for complex surgery. A champion of service excellence, Sue joins Phoenix with a wealth of experience...’
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-dover-4794668
Simon O'Flynn, Managing Director at Spabreaks.com
Simon joins Spabreaks.com - the largest Spa Travel Agency in Europe - as Managing Director. Simon is a strategic senior leader with experience in fast-moving digital and retail markets. Previous roles include Customer Acquisition Director at L+R Hotels, Head of International Trading at loveholidays, Interim Consultant at British Airways, more than five years as President of Virgin Vacations, and more than nine years at Virgin Atlantic. Simon is also a Non-Executive Director at Guanxi - a sales, marketing and PR consultancy specialising in the outbound Chinese travel market.
Of his new role, Simon said, ‘It’s amazing to join a business that has such a strong directive when it comes to supporting its spa partners and the wider wellbeing industry. Spabreaks has an incredible track record and our goal now is to continue accelerating the growth of the business, adding new partners and further building a phenomenal team.’
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-o-flynn
Beth Francis, Marketing Director at The FOLD
Beth has been appointed Marketing Director at The FOLD – the award-winning womenswear brand empowering the modern woman to feel confident and put together. Beth has extensive experience within the fashion sector, specialising in start-up and scale-up environments, with an entrepreneurial spirit and empathic leadership. Previous roles include Director of Growth at RIXO and Marketing Director at Mint Velvet, where she spent more than 12 years.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethfrancis
Lizzy Johnson, Chief Customer Officer at Vapiano
Lizzy Johnson joins Vapiano - a restaurant group known for its homemade pasta - as Chief Customer Officer. Lizzy is known for her expertise in strategic and transformational growth, with a background in multinationals and ecommerce start-ups. Previous roles include General Manager at Farmbox, Growth Director at Deliveroo, Vice President at Flash Entertainment, Global Brands and Marketing Director at Quintessential Brands Group, and Global Brand Director - Captain Morgan Rum at Diageo. She has also been an Advisor to The Neela Collection - a luxury hospitality group in Tanzania.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzy-johnson-6368991
Ludwig Paillier, Global Associate Brand Director - Grant's Whisky at William Grant & Sons
Ludwig has been appointed Global Associate Brand Director - Grant's Whisky at William Grant & Sons - an independent, global company with some of the world’s most iconic spirit brands. Ludwig is an accomplished business leader with solid strategic and hands-on experience. Previous roles include Director of Marketing & Brand at Limbic, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Excellence at ViriCiti, more than eight years at Philips including the Director of Marketing and E-commerce (Europe) role, and more than six years at Pernod Ricard.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludwig-paillier
Graham Smith - Marketing and Digital Director at Homebase
Graham joins Homebase - the home and garden experts - as Marketing & Digital Director. A Board-level Marketing Director, Graham has more than 25 years' experience within the omni-channel retail sector. Previous roles include Marketing Director at Holland & Barrett, Group Marketing Director at Kingfisher Plc, and Marketing Director at Screwfix where he spent more than eight years.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamdjsmith
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 marketing and digital roles in consumer-facing FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
