Embraer’s Senior VP of Engineering and Technology Development, Luís Carlos Affonso, honored with inaugural Pathfinder Award
Novidea appoints new VP of Research & Development
Graphisoft announces new CEO
Legrand Announces Pam Hoppel as President of Legrand | AV for North and Central America
Eve announces Antonio João Carmesini Barcellos as Vice President of Industrialization
Busan International Film Festival Appoints PARK Kwang-su as Chairperson
AVIA Appoints New Board Chair and Adds Two New Board Directors
Executive Recommendation Committee Selects PARK Kwang-su as Chairperson Candidate of BIFF
Previsico Adds Craig Deacon as CFO to Boost International Growth and Finance Strategy
Embraer appoints Guilherme Paiva as Director of Investor Relations
-
Porsche Korea CEO Holger Gerrmann Appointed as an Honorary Citizen of Seoul
Porsche Korea (CEO Holger Gerrmann) announced on the 8th that Holger Gerrmann was appointed as an Honorary Foreign Citizen of the city of Seoul and has been awarded the Honorary Citizenship Certificate. Holger Gerrmann, CEO, appointed as an honorary citizen of Seoul, said, "Seoul is a city that inspires dreamers; it combines historic landmarks and modern cityscapes filled with rich history and vibrant cultural diversity. The city has so much energy and positivity to move forward." He added, "As a representative of the corporate citizens and a member of Seoul City, I will fulfil my responsibilities for the society with pride, honour, and affection." Having started in May this year the city of Seoul selected individuals from nominees who have contributed to the development of the cities administration and the promotion of citizens' life and cultural activities and awarded 15 final individuals with this special honour. The honorary citizenship ceremony took place at the Seoul City Hall on the 8th of December 2023. Since his appointment in 2019, Holger Gerrmann, the CEO of Porsche Korea, has led the growth of the brand by more than doubling its sales and enhancing the image and awareness of the exclusive sports car brand in Korea. Through the opening of new engaging sales platforms such as Porsche Studios and Porsche NOW pop-up stores, he has also expanded the network including new service centres. This year, Porsche Korea has been providing differentiated brand experiences through various activities to commemorate 75 years of Porsche sports cars. In particular, the 'Porsche Do Dream' campaign, a CSR campaign led by Porsche Korea valuing 'dream' as its brand identity, has been highly evaluated for its continuous and sincere social contribution activities, such as expanding into various fields and increasing the number of beneficiaries. Porsche Korea has been conducting activities that align with the core values of Porsche, such as education, environment, and culture, since 2017. It started with Porsche Koreas 'Porsche Dream Up' project to support talented children, the 'Porsche Dream Playground' project to build indoor gymnasiums, and the 'Porsche Dream Circle' to create green spaces within schools. This year, the 'Porsche Dream Circle' has expanded this systematic approach to enhance the school environments through the public-private cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Porsche Korea also initiated the 'Dream Smart Eye' project for safe school commuting routes and children’s safety. Through comprehensive programs like 'Porsche Do Dream Fill the Space' which supports performing arts, the ‘Porsche Dream Art Ttraeungi’, a public art project in collaboration with Seoul's city bicycle called 'Ttareungi', and 'Dreamers. On.' a media art project, airing the works of emerging artists in various parts of Seoul, Porsche Korea has been supporting artists and providing opportunities for the public to enjoy culture. Moreover, Porsche Korea has been active in other fields, with campaigns like the 'Porsche Future Heritage' which supports the transmission of intangible Korean cultural heritage, and the environmental urban beekeeping project 'Bee’lieve in Dreams'. In recognition of the numerous CSR campaigns, Porsche Korea was awarded the ‘Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor Commendation for Charity Sponsor and Benefactor 2019’ becoming the first imported car brand to receive the award. In 2021, Porsche Korea has also received the '2021 Arts Supporter Grand Prize' hosted by Arts Council Korea. Meanwhile, Porsche Korea has donated a total of 5.88 billion KRW over the past 6 years through the 'Do Dream' campaign.
-
A Sweet X’mas Spectacle Sparkles Inside The Cocoa Trees’ Revamped Flagship Store in Raffles City Singapore
Just in time for the holiday season, The Cocoa Trees bursts onto the scene with a spectacular grand opening of its vibrant, refreshed flagship store in Raffles City Shopping Centre. Featuring a dazzling fusion of experiential shopping and personalisation, the store turns the gift-giving adventure into an artistic wonder. Transform Gifts into Treasured Masterpieces From 15 to 17 December 2023 (3pm to 7pm) and 22 to 23 December 2023 (1pm to 4pm), patrons can watch in awe as skilled artists transform each gift into a uniquely memorable keepsake. At a S$5 fee or with a minimum spend of S$80, they can select jute bags, tote bags, and non-woven gift bags to customise their preferred embroidery. The bespoke experience at The Cocoa Trees doesn’t end there. Patrons are invited to dive into a world of endless possibilities, where they can handpick every detail of their gifts. With an array of exquisite baskets and vibrant ribbons at their fingertips, customers can craft hampers that are personalised expressions of joy and cheer. In addition, they can prepare a custom message to be inscribed on a gift box to celebrate life’s many milestones, whether it's marking a special birthday, welcoming a new baby, or toasting to newlyweds, during the festive season. The choice truly lies in the hands of the giver. Revel in an Experiential Chocolate Wonderland Beyond the realm of personalisation, The Cocoa Trees flagship store unfolds as an experiential oasis over an expansive 2020 square feet in Raffles City Shopping Centre. Here, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a captivating array of engaging activities. Expect globally celebrated brands like Fazer, Hershey’s, Jelly Belly, Lindt, Ritter Sport, and more come alive. Each corner of the store offers a new discovery, a new taste, a new experience – it's a chocolate lover's dream turned into reality. Visit The Cocoa Trees’ Refreshed Flagship Store Today! The Cocoa Trees in Raffles City Shopping Mall adds a new dimension to this time of sharing, caring and cherishing memories. Seamlessly blending the irresistible charm of chocolate with thoughtful personalisation, the brand invites everyone, from families to chocolate enthusiasts, to create gifts that celebrate the heart and soul of Christmas.
-
Kai Imgenberg joins Swissbit NA from Aware, Inc. to become Sales Director for Embedded IoT Solutions
Swissbit, a leading manufacturer of storage, security and embedded IoT solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kai Imgenberg as Sales Director for Embedded IoT Solutions. In this strategic role, Kai will lead a team of IoT sales professionals, driving Swissbit's vision to become a premier FIDO2 solution provider in North America. He will also play a pivotal role in expanding Swissbit's end-to-end embedded IoT security business across the B2B market, covering everything from chip to cloud. Kai brings over two decades of international sales and management expertise to Swissbit. His extensive experience includes market research, establishing effective regional partnerships, and successfully negotiating and closing business deals on a global scale. Prior to joining Swissbit, Kai played a key role in developing the international business and team for the leading biometrics software products, services, and solutions provider Aware, Inc. in North America. His work contributed to more than 50 % of the company's total revenue, proving his ability to drive success in the competitive cybersecurity landscape. "Joining Swissbit is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of a company known for its innovation and commitment to security. I am eager to lead the IoT sales team and establish Swissbit as a leading provider of FIDO2 solutions in North America," said Kai Imgenberg, Sales Director for Embedded IoT Solutions at Swissbit. Kai’s expertise extends beyond biometrics and Identity and Access Management (IAM) to include cloud computing, digital onboarding, AI, and crafting comprehensive IAM solutions for both enterprise and governmental agencies. Besides a strong network and extensive experience in collaborating with top global and regional system integrators in the IAM domain, Kai also brings comprehensive sales expertise in the government and financial sectors to Swissbit. Matthias Poppel, CSMO at Swissbit, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome a true cybersecurity leader such as Kai to the Swissbit North America team. His proven track record in driving sales and establishing successful partnerships aligns perfectly with our vision for growth in the embedded IoT security market. With Kai at the helm of our sales efforts, we are confident in achieving new milestones and delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers." Kai has two business degrees from the University of Trier, Germany, and Neuchâtel, Switzerland, along with numerous cybersecurity certifications.
-
SoftServe APAC CTO Wen Huang Honored as "Executive of the Year, Technology" by Singapore Business Review
SoftServe, a premier IT consulting and digital services provider, is proud to announce that Wen Huang, SoftServe's Chief Technology Officer for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, has received the "Executive of the Year, Technology" award from Singapore Business Review (SBR). SBR is a leading business magazine that offers critical insights and analysis on business trends, economic policies, and corporate news in Singapore and the broader Asia-Pacific region. The SBR Management Excellence Awards is an esteemed award program dedicated to recognizing Singapore's most exceptional business leaders. Huang's recognition reflects his exemplary leadership and an acknowledgment of SoftServe's collaborative culture and strategic vision driving the company's growth and client success in APAC. "Wen's strategic acumen has propelled SoftServe's growth in the APAC market," said SoftServe APAC President John King. "He has made an indelible imprint on the tech sector here." Huang spearheaded the Quantum Bootcamp this July, partnering with over a dozen government and private organizations. This initiative provided a practical learning platform for up-and-coming tech leaders and professionals while demystifying quantum computing. Huang's leadership in this initiative underscores his commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, key traits recognized by the SBR executive award. In addition to his work with Quantum, Huang has been instrumental in developing strategic partnerships and nurturing tech talent within Singapore, further contributing to SoftServe's culture of excellence. His mentorship and skill development focus has attracted professionals from the world's most prestigious tech and consulting firms, fortifying SoftServe's renowned capabilities and reinforcing Singapore's position as a premier global technology hub.
-
Novidea Hires Former AgTech Exec as VP of Product
Novidea, creator of the cloud-based, data-driven enterprise insurance management platform for brokers, agents, MGAs/MGUs, and wholesalers, has named Ido Peled as senior vice president of Product. In his new role, Peled will lead Novidea’s global product team, driving the strategic direction, development, and overall success of its insurance management platform, ensuring it remains at the forefront of technological advancement in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Novidea, Peled was the chief product and marketing officer for Taranis, an agricultural technology (AgTech) provider that created the industry’s leading crop intelligence platform. Before that, Peled spent 14 years at education software provider Ex Libris, now part of Clarivate, where he held various roles, including director of solutions architecture and vice president of solutions and marketing. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Tel Aviv University. Peled will focus on continued product development momentum by streamlining processes and enhancing collaboration within the product department. Novidea's commitment to agility and efficiency is reinforced by this strategic move, setting the stage for unprecedented innovation in the insurance technology sector. "Ido has the ideal technical skillset and business experience to lead our product team and increase our competitive edge globally," said Erez Nissim, CTO of Novidea. “With Ido leading our product management team, we have the right leadership in place to continue providing innovation, quality and value to our customers worldwide.” “The insurance industry is experiencing a significant shift that hinges on technological innovation. Insurance organizations that make the right tech investments to digitalize their operations and optimize efficiencies will win the race. I’m eager to dig in and work closely together with the Novidea product team to ensure that we are exceeding customers’ expectations and delivering the innovative solutions they need to get ahead,” said Peled. With the addition of Peled, Novidea continues to augment its leadership team, building upon a series of strategic hires made over the last 12 months. This includes the appointment of Erez Nissim as CTO and Yaniv Cohen as CCO. By assembling a team of exceptional talent, Novidea reinforces its position as a top innovator in the global insurance technology landscape.
-
Transamerica Life Bermuda Appoints Brian Chui As Chief Operating Officer
Transamerica Life (Bermuda) Ltd. (TLB) today announced that Mr. Brian Chui has been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, Mr. Chui will assume leadership over Operations, covering New Business, Underwriting, Customer Service and Claims. Based in Hong Kong, Mr. Chui was most recently Chief Risk Officer at TLB, a role he had held since 2019. He joined Aegon Asia in 2007 and was promoted to the role of Head of Risk at TLB in 2011. With more than 15 years spent at TLB leading risk management and various functions, Mr. Chui has unrivalled experience and expertise across all aspects of operations, and has been pivotal in driving key transitional projects and initiatives. "Brian is a proven leader at TLB who understands our business impeccably and will be instrumental in reinforcing our strategic goal of being the provider of choice among our customers and business partners," said Chirag Rathod, CEO of TLB. "I am confident that Brian is poised to drive service excellence across all aspects of operations and deliver on our promise of safeguarding generations of wealth." Mr. Andy Wong relinquished the Chief Operating and Transformation Officer role on 17 November, 2023. TLB is a leading life insurance company specialised in serving high net worth (HNW) and ultra HNW (UHNW) individuals. With its established expertise in wealth accumulation and protection serving multiple HNW markets worldwide, TLB has extensive experience in handling large sums assured and complex cases to support legacy and business planning for its customers.
-
Embraer appoints José Gustavo as Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Embraer Defense & Security for E&A
Embraer Defense & Security today appointed José Gustavo as the new Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Europe and Africa. He will be based in Lisbon, Portugal, under the leadership of Frederico Lemos, CCO of the business unit. With more than 20 years of experience José Gustavo brings a wealth of extensive international experience, from countries such as the United States and Turkey. The executive has held several leadership positions in Defense projects including functions in the NATO Command Structure and has solid sales records for Embraer, which includes the A-29 in Africa and the C-390 sales campaigns in Europe. José Gustavo has actively participated in projects developing the A-29 (A-29N) NATO configuration and creating additional capabilities for the C-390, as well as integrating with Embraer's other business units. “José Gustavo has been a key executive in the successful sales campaigns we have conducted in Africa and Europe. He has in-depth knowledge of the region and a successful track record over his more than 20-year career. His appointment as Vice President of Sales and Business Development will not only bring gains for Embraer Defense & Security, but for the company as a whole", says Frederico Lemos, CCO of Embraer Defense & Security. José Gustavo began his career in the Portuguese Air Force, as an officer. In 2013 he joined OGMA, and soon after Embraer Defense & Security, where he assumed responsibilities in sales and business development in different countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He is an Aeronautical Engineer and graduated from the Portuguese Air Force Academy and Instituto Superior Técnico, with postgraduate degrees in Commercial Management (INDEG), International Relations (UAL), Sales Leadership (INSEAD), Advanced Project Management (Catholic Lisbon School of Business & Economics) and Advanced Negotiation (Nova School of Business and Economics). José Gustavo is married and has two daughters.
-
SolarWinds Unveils New Leadership in APJ
SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI), a leading provider of simple, powerful, and secure IT management software, announced the recent appointment of Bharat Bedi as the new managing director of its Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) operations. Besides heading strategic alliances business globally, Bedi also took on the new responsibility of managing and developing SolarWinds APJ business. "We are excited for Bharat to bring his experience in the IT industry and outstanding proficiency in building strategic business alliances to this role. Bharat is laser-focused on maximizing our channel base and expanding our APJ business growth," said Andrea Webb, executive vice president and chief customer officer of SolarWinds. As the managing director of SolarWinds APJ, Bedi will be fortifying the fundamentals of the business operations and realigning strategies to make a positive industry impact in the APJ region. Alongside his new role, he will continue to lead the global team at SolarWinds that manages strategic alliances with global system integrators (GSI). "I'm thrilled to be appointed to lead the SolarWinds operations in APJ," said Bedi. "Given the region's vast opportunities and strong growth momentum, the company will continue to make focused investments to bolster and expand our footprints in APJ." "Together with new talented leaders joining us to head the Australia and India operations in the coming months, I look forward to accelerating our customers' journey in digital transformation with our full-stacked observability solutions, database, and service management solutions." Bedi has more than 19 years of experience in sales, business development, and product marketing in various aspects of the technology landscape, including enterprise hardware, software, software as a service (SaaS), and services. He previously held executive positions with HPE, IBM, and Dell before joining SolarWinds in 2019.
-
Vantage Data Centers Announces New Senior Leadership Appointments in Asia Pacific
Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, today announced the appointment of new executive leadership in APAC to support the company's expanding regional presence. Raymond Tong has joined Vantage as President, APAC to oversee Vantage's business including expansion, operations and strategy in the Asia Pacific market. Tong will work closely with incoming Chief Financial Officer, APAC Joel Cheah who leads Vantage's APAC finance and accounting teams. Tong brings more than 25 years of business and management experience to Vantage's APAC business. He joins the company from SUNeVision Holdings Ltd., the largest data center operator in Hong Kong, where he served for five years as chief executive officer and executive director of the board. Tong's rich experience leading teams to scale operations and deliver key business outcomes is well suited to spearhead Vantage's growth strategy. Prior to his time at SUNeVision Holdings, Tong held executive-level roles at several companies including Maxim's Group and China Resources Enterprise (CRE) Ltd. As an experienced and award-winning financial executive with a focus on real estate investment trusts (REITs), Cheah brings more than 15 years of experience navigating finance, tax regulations, capital markets and investor relations. Prior to joining Vantage, he spent more than four years serving as CFO for Elite Commercial REIT Management Pte Ltd, manager of Elite Commercial REIT, where he helped lead the company's initial public offering (IPO) and oversaw the maiden acquisition of 58 assets for a total of £212.5 million ($257.6 million). He also previously held senior finance roles at two other listed S-REITs. Both Tong and Cheah will be based in Singapore at the newly expanded headquarters for the Vantage APAC region. Jeff Tench will continue in his role as executive vice president of North America and APAC and will collaborate with Tong and Cheah to advance the company's continued growth. "As Vantage strengthens our senior team, I look forward to working closely with Raymond and Joel to pursue new areas of growth and meet customer demand across APAC," said Tench. "Our growing presence in the region provides a key opportunity for us to drive the creation of digital hubs to support technological advancements, and I am excited to tap into their expertise to further grow our APAC platform." Vantage's APAC business has seen a significant increase in its overall footprint in the last 12 months. The company currently has seven campuses across the region that are either operational or under development. For more information on the company's campuses in the Asia-Pacific region, please visit https://vantage-dc.com/data-center-locations/apac/
-
Embraer Commercial Aviation Appoints Marie-Louise Philippe Vice President Sales & Marketing, Head of Region for ENCA
Embraer Commercial Aviation has appointed Marie-Louise Philippe Vice President Sales & Marketing, and Head of Region for Europe and Central Asia. Philippe reports to Martyn Holmes, the Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer Commercial Aviation. Marie-Louise will be based in Amsterdam, from where she will also support Embraer’s sustainability roadmap in the region. With over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, Marie-Louise has had a rich international career, being previously based in France, Singapore and Hong Kong. Philippe has had wide ranging commercial leadership roles at Airbus in procurement and customer affairs, and a strong sales record with customers in Europe and Asia. Most recently Marie-Louise successfully led services and aircraft sales teams in South-East Asia, where she was also spearheading M&A, industrial cooperation projects, and serving on the steering board of a training centre. “I’m delighted to welcome Marie-Louise to Embraer, she comes with an exceptional track record and reputation. Europe and Central Asia is a critical region for Embraer, where we have a strong history of building partnerships with some of the world’s most successful airlines. I know Marie-Louise will be a huge success in this role and will keep growing the business and supporting our customers”, said Martyn Holmes, CCO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “In addition, Marie-Louise’s personal engagement in driving sustainability in aviation and promoting diversity and inclusion, is a key component in our leadership values at Embraer.” Philippe is the founder and President of the Women in Aviation Chapter Singapore, which promotes and drives diversity and inclusion in the aerospace sector. Marie-Louise, an Austrian national, is married and has three children. She holds a degree in Business from Vienna University, is a keen sports woman and charity fund raiser, and recently competed in the 2023 Women’s Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
-
Former Sgcarmart CEO joins Tembusu Financial Services as Managing Director
Tembusu Financial Services, a leading financial services provider in Singapore has appointed Vincent Tan, former CEO of Sgcarmart, as its new managing director. He will also be given a board seat and his appointment is effective immediately. In his new role, Vincent will be in charge of leading Tembusu's business loan portfolio while current managing director, Joe Chua, will continue to head up the car loan business. Both Vincent and Joe will form up the expanded management team, according to a statement by Tembusu. This strategic move comes as part of Tembusu Financial Services' commitment to driving growth and innovation in the financial industry. "My focus now will be to expand our product offerings for corporate loans with priority on property backed working capital loans. Automation and online marketing will be key drivers of the business that I will focus on," said Vincent. Vincent brings with him a wealth of experience and industry expertise, having previously held the position of CEO at Sgcarmart, a leading online marketplace in Singapore. Under his leadership, Sgcarmart grew from a start up to become an award-winning company that was eventually snapped up by Toyota for $150M. He exited the company in 2022 after an 18-year tenure. "With a track record of successful leadership and a deep understanding of the local market, his appointment is expected to further strengthen Tembusu Financial Services' position as a leader in the financial services sector. As the company aims to grow its portfolio and product offerings, the expertise and strategic vision that Vincent brings to the table will be instrumental in driving the growth of the organization," said Tembusu.
-
Galimedix Appoints Dr. Luciana Summo as Vice President, R&D Operations
Galimedix Therapeutics, Inc. ("Galimedix"), a Phase 2 clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel oral and topical neuroprotective therapies with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of serious eye and brain diseases, today announced the appointment of Luciana Summo, PhD, as Vice President, R&D Operations. In this newly created position, she will oversee all activities related to R&D operations, with an emphasis on clinical development and operations. This includes spearheading the design, planning, and execution of clinical trials. Dr. Summo reports to Hermann Russ, MD, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer. "We are delighted to welcome Luciana to Galimedix," said Alexander Gebauer, MD, PhD, Co-founder and Executive Chairman. "She brings strong experience setting up and running clinical trials and ensuring that all of the proper support structures are put in place. As we move our lead product candidate, GAL-101, into Phase 2 testing for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, her skill set is the perfect fit for this next stage in our development. Luciana will play a pivotal role in defining Galimedix's overall R&D strategy and driving our R&D initiatives forward. All of us very much look forward to working with her as we contribute to advancing innovative healthcare solutions that have the potential to improve the lives of patients." Dr. Summo has over 20 years of experience in clinical development and operations, including the management of Phase 1-2 clinical trials in several indications such as ophthalmology, cardiology, and oncology. Prior to joining Galimedix, she worked in positions of increasing responsibility in the clinical departments at OMEICOS Therapeutics GmbH, NOXXON Pharma AG, and Berlin-Chemie AG/ Menarini Group. She is well versed in setting up and overseeing clinical trials on a global scale and has played a key role in transitioning programs from pre-clinical to clinical stage. She has experience with the entire spectrum of activities related to R&D operations, with a special emphasis on clinical development and clinical operations, including also quality management and CMC. She works closely with cross-functional teams, including CROs, scientists, clinicians, regulatory affairs specialists, and different stakeholders, to ensure that trials are conducted in accordance with rigorous scientific standards and regulatory guidelines. Dr. Summo has experience in submitting Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs) in Europe and Investigational New Drug (IND) applications in the US and prepared for and participated in pre-IND meetings with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as regulatory agency meetings in Europe. She also has set up from scratch and run a clinical operations department. Luciana Summo, PhD, Vice President, R&D Operations, added: "I am truly excited to be joining Galimedix at this important point in the Company's growth. The programs in ophthalmology and Alzheimer's disease have the potential to change the treatment paradigm, and I look forward to working with the rest of the team to bring them forward in the clinic."
-
Chubb Promotes Ben McGregor to Head its Property Business in APAC and Japan
Chubb today announced that Ben McGregor has been promoted to Head of Property, APAC & Japan for its general insurance business, effective 1 December 2023. In his new role, McGregor will be accountable for underwriting and portfolio management across Chubb's Property line of business in Asia Pacific and Japan. He will be based in Singapore and report directly to Paul McNamee, Regional President of Asia Pacific, with a matrix reporting line to Aaron Shead, Chubb Overseas General Head of Fire. With more than 25 years' industry experience, McGregor's journey with Chubb began in 2002 when he joined the company as an underwriter in Perth. He moved through the ranks to become the Property Practice Lead, Southern Region, and in 2018 was promoted to his current role of Property Manager, Australia & New Zealand. On announcing McGregor's appointment, McNamee said, "Ben is a seasoned property insurance professional. With his proven leadership skills and commitment to underwriting excellence, Ben will be pivotal in ensuring we capitalise on the many growth opportunities across the region. His progression through the organisation and promotion to his new role is another example of our commitment to developing and advancing talented senior leaders from within the company."
-
ANZIIF Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer Katrina Shanks
Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has officially announced Katrina Shanks as the next Chief Executive Officer of ANZIIF. Ben Bessell, ANZIIF President comments, “I am delighted that Katrina will be joining ANZIIF. Katrina has a fantastic background and is experienced in a range of industries and environments. Her tenure in politics and a range of industry associations will provide ANZIIF with the leadership and capability to continue to grow and deliver the strategic objectives of the Board and members in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.” Shanks comments, “ANZIIF is the leading provider of education, training and development which ensures the insurance and finance sector has the skills, knowledge and competency to thrive. I am excited to be joining a high performing team dedicated to enabling the delivery of high-quality education and standards.” “We know insurance and finance play a pivotal role in people’s lives to ensure they have financial resilience and freedom at every life stage. ANZIIF plays an important role in ensuring that their members are inspired to continue on a journey of lifelong learning to stay relevant and up to date so they can continue to make a difference in people’s lives. I am looking forward to being part of this journey with the members,” adds Shanks. Katrina has spent much of her career in financial services. A Chartered Accountant by trade, Katrina started her career in Audit, spent time at Newton Fund Management in London and then joined Westpac Trust. She has owned her own small accountancy business for seven years, after which she was the Financial Controller for the New Zealand National Party. Katrina has a deep understanding of the legislative process and how to influence policy development, drawn from her experience as a two- term Member of Parliament. Katrina has been the CEO of Financial Advice NZ for five years. She was the inaugural CEO which merged three industry bodies into one professional body. In this time the organisation has become the voice of the financial advice sector, influenced significant legislative and regulatory change, and delivered quality professional development. In addition to this she has ensured research has been the basis for promoting the value of advice to consumers, enabling more New Zealanders, to seek quality financial advice to increase their financial health, wealth and wellbeing. Katrina Shanks will be relocating from New Zealand to Melbourne in the coming months and will be working with outgoing CEO Prue Willsford on transition plans into the new year. Katrina will officially begin her role with ANZIIF on 8 January 2024.
-
Garnica Announces the Appointment of David Smith as President, North American Division
Garnica, a leading global supplier of sustainable plywood solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of David Smith as President of its North American Division, effective September 1, 2023. David previously held senior positions at EGGER Group and Arclin USA before founding The David Smith Group, a sustainable building materials consulting firm, with a mission to revolutionize the construction technology landscape. Across a wide range of industries and leadership positions, he brings over 28 years of experience to the role. “We are confident that David’s expertise in forging strong client relationships and driving innovation will undoubtedly propel the company to new heights,” stated Christian Michel, Garnica’s CEO. “Our commitment to the North American market and offering tailored solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations remains an integral part of our strategy in this next phase.” In an ever-evolving business climate, Garnica’s focus continues to be on agility and strategically adapting to North American market demand to ensure its customers receive the highest degree of personalized service. “I am proud to be transitioning into this new role at Garnica during a time of remarkable expansion and progress,” said David Smith. “In addition to communicating the company’s focus on customer and market engagement which underscore their commitment to the North American market, I am eager to support their initiatives in sustainable industry practices.” Garnica has been committed to developing sustainable and cutting-edge solutions in the manufacturing industry for over 80 years. The company is confident that under David’s leadership, it will remain at the forefront of industry trends and continue to seize emerging opportunities in North America. David’s expertise lies in growth and innovation as well as leveraging technology to drive operational efficiencies and product development initiatives.
-
Bentley Systems Announces Executive Appointments
Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company, today announced executive appointments. Kristin Fallon joins Bentley as Chief Marketing Officer, based in Annapolis, Maryland. Most recently, Fallon was Global Head of Brand and Digital Marketing at GE HealthCare, an $18 billion medical technology and software company. Among many accomplishments, she led the company’s rebranding as part of its separation from GE, for which she was named Communicator of the Year by the Association of National Advertisers. Prior to GE, she spent 10 years in international aid, leading marketing and communications for social, environmental, and economic development projects in Asia and Africa. Fallon earned a BA in economics at Wake Forest University and an MBA at the University of Maryland. She is a board member of the university’s Center for Social Value Creation and a board member of the International Advertising Association. Fallon succeeds Chris Bradshaw who takes on the newly created role of Chief Sustainability Officer, based in Easton, Maryland, bringing together Bentley’s sustainability and education initiatives, with the objective of empowering Bentley’s users to achieve sustainable development goals, while ensuring the next generation of engineers has the tools and knowledge to succeed. Colin Ellam joins as Chief Executive Officer of Cohesive, Bentley’s digital integrator business, based in Manchester, United Kingdom. Most recently, Ellam served as Global Head of Nuclear at Capgemini. He previously led the Capital Projects business for Accenture in the U.K., providing consulting and technology services for the infrastructure sector, including Transport, Utilities, and Power. Ellam has worked across many geographies including Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe, and Africa and lived and has worked in the United States for three years. He succeeds Mark Bew, who takes on an advisory role, having grown Cohesive into a global organization of more than 700 colleagues in 15 countries. Oliver Conze joins as Senior Vice President, Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, based in Heidelberg, Germany. Most recently, Conze was Chief Product Officer at Customs4trade, a B2B SaaS startup automating international trade management, where he was responsible for product, technology, and operations. Previously, Conze spent 15 years at SAP, where he held a variety of executive roles in product management, portfolio strategy, and customer success. Conze earned a master’s degree in industrial engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, an MS in Management Science at Stanford University, and a Ph.D. at University of St. Gallen. Bentley Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Cumins, said, “This is a pivotal moment for the infrastructure sector and an exciting time to be in infrastructure engineering software. It is gratifying that Bentley Systems has attracted world-class talent to position the organization strongly for our next phase of growth and to help our users in the world’s leading infrastructure organizations design, build, and operate more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”
-
Library of Congress Appoints Stephanie Stillo Chief of Rare Book and Special Collections
The Library of Congress has named Stephanie Stillo as the new chief of the Library’s Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Stillo, who assumed her new role on Oct. 9, joined the Library in 2016. She has served as the curator of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection and the Aramont Library — two of the division’s notable collections. The Rare Book and Special Collections Division is the largest collection of rare books in North America. Spanning eras and subjects, its holdings include nearly 1 million books, broadsides, pamphlets, theater playbills, title pages, prints, posters, photographs, and medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. At the center of the collection is President Thomas Jefferson's library, which was sold to Congress in 1815. As division chief, Stillo will lead the development, stewardship, interpretation, promotion and service of the collection to meet the needs of government officials, scholars and the public. “Through a search that drew applicants from across the nation, Stephanie proved to be the top candidate based on the combination of her deep knowledge of rare books and special collections, her breadth of experience across all aspects of collection development and stewardship, and her strong commitment to collaboration,” said Jennifer Meehan, director of Special Collections. “She has a clear and compelling vision for expanding the reach and impact of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division. I look forward to what lies ahead for the division under Stephanie’s leadership.” During her time at the Library, Stillo has collaborated with division staff to launch several engagement initiatives — including the division’s first crowdsourcing campaign and two large symposiums — as well as the Artists and Archives program, which manages an archivist every year to process archival arrearage relating to the contemporary book arts. She also oversees the division’s popular video series “From the Vaults” and co-manages the division’s blog, Bibliomania. In 2020, Stillo was essential in brokering the Aramont Library donation for the Library. The large collection of modern literary editions, fine binding and 20th-century livres d’artiste (artists’ books) was accompanied by a $1 million programming endowment and a $1 million educational outreach gift from the Aramont Charitable Foundation. “Over the past seven years as Curator of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection and the Aramont Library, I have had the privilege of witnessing the incredible knowledge of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division team and the astonishing breadth of our collections,” Stillo said. “I am deeply grateful for those years. I am now looking forward to working with my colleagues in the division and beyond to support Dr. Hayden’s vision to connect all Americans to the Library of Congress.” Stillo completed a doctorate in Modern European History in 2013. After earning her Ph.D., she served as the Andrew Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Digital Humanities at Washington & Lee University, where she taught classes on digital storytelling, public history and virtual exhibitions. The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov