The latest appointments in Welsh business

Companies featured include Johnsey Estates, FleetEV, Blake Morgan, Browne Jacobson and Mor Cleaning

Owner of the 140-acre Mamhilad Park Estate near Pontypool, Johnsey Estates, has appointed former PwC partner Rob Lewis to its board.

Mr Lewis retired as a deals partner at PwC earlier this year, where his corporate restructuring experience included the commercial property sector. He grew up in Cardiff and went to university in Swansea before starting as a graduate trainee at PwC’s Cardiff office.

During his 36 years with the firm, he progressed into roles including regional chair for Wales and the west of England and chief operating officer of PwC’s UK restructuring team. He is also a trustee of the London Welsh Centre and canon treasurer of Llandaff Cathedral.

Johnsey Estates ownership of Mamhilad Park Estate, near Pontypool, dates back to the 1980s. Originally home to the first UK base for the former British Nylon Spinners (BNS) manufacturing centre, today the estate also includes the adjacent land, known locally as the Parke-Davis site, which Johnsey Estates purchased in the 1990s.

Since then, and particularly over the past decade, Mamhilad Park Estate has been one of the largest regeneration projects in south east Wales, including its designation as a key mixed-use site in Torfaen County Borough Council’s local development plan.

Johnsey Estates executive chair, James Crawford, said: “Rob’s commercial acumen and regeneration experience are unrivalled and sought-after which, coupled with his particular understanding of and passion for Wales, make this an excellent appointment for us. We are delighted to welcome him.

Mr Lewis said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the team here on the next stage of the company’s evolution. While UK commercial property is facing considerable challenges, Mamhilad Park Estate is a very special place, with its industrial heritage, picturesque setting and prime location.

“The team here sees its role as working with occupiers to support their growth, and I immediately liked that really clear focus on commercial property as a driver for company success. And, of course, it’s great to be working back in Wales again with a well-regarded local business.”

Mr Lewis is also a non-executive director of Victoria Square Woking, the Woking Borough Council-owned development company delivering the town centre’s regeneration programme.

Browne Jacobson

Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed Paul Duggan partner. Based at the firm’s Cardiff office heading up its banking and finance team. The appointment comes at a moment of significant growth for the Cardiff office team, which moved into a new permanent 9,500 sq ft office at One Central Square in January, having expanded from seven to more than 50 people over the past three years.

Mr Duggan joins nine partners and three legal directors already based in the Welsh capital.

He advises on a wide range of debt finance transactions, with a particular focus on acquisitions, management buy-outs and refinancings. He acts for banks and lenders, corporate borrowers, sponsors and private equity houses, as well as not-for-profit organisations and public sector bodies.

Mr Duggan said: “Browne Jacobson is exactly the right firm to be building a banking and finance practice here in Cardiff. The office has grown at pace, and I’m excited by the energy and intent behind the firm’s investment in Wales. I want to be part of building something lasting here, bringing banking and finance advice to clients across Wales and the wider UK.”

Tim Edds, partner and head of Cardiff at Browne Jacobson, said: “Paul is a significant appointment for our Cardiff office. Bringing in a dedicated banking and finance partner of his calibre reflects both where we are now and where we are going. He is exactly the kind of lawyer clients in this market need: technically excellent, commercially minded and straightforward to work with. Combined with the recent additions to our real estate and construction teams, we have a genuinely comprehensive offering in Cardiff.”

FleetEV

Cardiff-based electric vehicle provider FleetEV has appointed Shannon Jenkins as commercial and public sector account manager as the business continues to expand its support for organisations transitioning to electric fleets.

Bringing experience in account management and business development, her role will focus on building long-term partnerships, identifying new opportunities and helping customers navigate every stage of their electrification journey, from fleet planning through to salary sacrifice schemes and wider EV solutions.

She said: “FleetEV’s ambitious and collaborative culture also stood out to me, and I’m excited to contribute to the company’s continued growth while developing as part of a high-performing team.I’m looking forward to meeting new people, strengthening relationships and supporting the next chapter of FleetEV’s expansion.”

Jarrad Morris, founder and chief executive of FleetEV, said: “As demand for EV solutions continues to grow across both the public and private sectors, it’s important that we continue investing in talented people who can build trusted, long-term relationships with our customers.

“Shannon brings great energy, commercial experience and a genuine commitment to helping organisations find the right solutions for their fleets. She’ll play an important role as we continue to grow our customer base and support more businesses and public sector organisations on their transition to electric vehicles.”

Blake Morgan

Blake Morgan has appointed Joanna Rees and James Williams, both based in the firm’s Cardiff office, as business group heads for its construction and corporate teams respectively, with responsibility spanning the firm’s operations across the UK.

Ms Rees takes on the leadership of the firm’s construction business group, succeeding Richard Wade, who led the team for 12 years. The construction team comprises 22 lawyers across the firm, including six based in Wales.

Mr Williams takes over as business group head for corporate from Simon Staples, who led the group while also serving as an elected member of the firm’s Board. The corporate team has 37 lawyers across Blake Morgan, nine of whom are based in Wales.

Mike Wilson, managing partner at Blake Morgan, said: “Congratulations to Jo and James on their appointments as business group heads for construction and corporate. They both bring considerable experience and a clear commitment to their teams, and I look forward to seeing them build on the strong foundations laid by Richard and Simon.

“I would also like to thank Richard Wade and Simon Staples for their contributions as business group heads. We are very grateful to them both for their dedication during their time leading their respective teams.”

Ms Rees said:“I am delighted to take on this role and to build on the excellent foundations Richard has laid over the past 12 years. We have a talented national Construction team, and I am looking forward to working with them to develop the practice further and continue delivering strong results for our clients.”

Mr Williams said: “It is a privilege to lead the corporate team, and I am grateful to Simon for everything he has put into the role. We have an exceptional group of legal professionals in our national corporate team, and I am incredibly excited about what we can achieve together for our clients at a time of dynamic growth for our practice.”

Lee Fisher, co-head of the Wales Office at Blake Morgan, said:“We are delighted to see Jo and James take on these national leadership roles. It is a real statement of the quality of our people here in Wales.

“Both Jo and James are highly regarded by clients and colleagues alike, and this is a well-deserved recognition of their expertise and leadership. We look forward to the continued growth of their teams under their direction.”

Môr Cleaning

Môr Cleaning has appointed entrepreneur Rayner Mayers as a non-executive director to support ambitious growth plans.

The Barry-based commercial cleaning company, founded by Kirsty Hosking, plans to create up to 50 new jobs over the next 12 months as it sets its sights on expanding its commercial presence across South Wales.

Ms Mayers brings more than 18 years of business and commercial cleaning experience, including first-hand experience of building and scaling her previous Welsh commercial cleaning company.

Managing director Ms Hosking said: “We’ve reached a really exciting stage in Môr Cleaning’s journey. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, but I’m also very clear about where I want the business to go next.

As founders, it can be very easy to become consumed by the day-to-day running of a business. You know your clients, your team and your operation inside out, but there comes a point when you have to lift your head, look further ahead and start making decisions for the business you want to become, not simply the business you are today.

That was a major reason for bringing Rayner into Môr Cleaning. When I was considering who I wanted alongside me, it was important to find someone who had actually walked the path we’re now embarking on.”

“Rayner built a Welsh commercial cleaning business to 358 employees and achieved six consecutive years of recognition in the Wales Fast Growth 50 before successfully leading a Management Buy Out (MBO) in 2021.

She’s experienced first-hand the opportunities, pressures and challenges that come with scaling, and that experience is invaluable to me.

Our ambition is to create up to 50 new jobs over the next 12 months while continuing to expand our commercial presence across South Wales. But I want us to grow properly. That means investing in our people, developing strong leaders and ensuring the decisions we’re making today supports the business we want Môr Cleaning to become.

Ms Mayers said:“The first things that impressed me about Kirsty were her commitment to the cleaning industry, her passion for developing her team and her determination to make a genuine difference to her clients and the environments they operate in.

“Having built and scaled my previous commercial cleaning business, achieving six consecutive years of recognition in the Wales Fast Growth 50, I know first-hand that sustainable growth doesn’t happen by accident. I understand both the opportunities and the challenges that come with reaching each new milestone.

” Through every phase of growth we need to ensure the foundations are solid, and we are one step ahead of the potential growth pains that come with fast growing companies.

“That experience means I can support Kirsty and her management team not only in setting ambitious goals, but in putting the strategy, leadership and accountability in place to achieve them.”