News
Bluestone appoints two high-profile non-executive directors
BLUESTONE NATIONAL PARK RESORT has recruited two high-profile non-executive directors comprising a former Trinity Mirror executive who joins the business as chair and a former senior executive with Microsoft.
Blanche Sainsbury is a former senior executive with Trinity Mirror who also worked at newspaper groups Northcliffe and Local World before being appointed commercial director of Local World in November 2013. She continued to hold the same role for Trinity Mirror, following the takeover of Local Word in 2015.
Sainsbury will replace Andrew Probert, the former finance director of insurer Admiral, as chair. Probert will continue in the position of non-executive director.
Nick Barley’s executive career has spanned 35 years and included CEO, CMO and COO positions at Microsoft, Oracle, Hewlett Packard and Computer Associates. He is also the founder of consulting organisation, outcomes, non-executive chairman of eCommerce specialist Netalogue and he holds non-executive director positions at Coachwise and Physical Activity.
Bluestone, which already employs 700 staff, has strengthened its board of directors to help drive a period of growth. It sought directors with specialist experience able to guide it and offer insights on strategic development.
The new recruits will join an existing board comprising: chief executive William McNamara; commercial and operations director Pamela McNamara; finance director Neil Evans; and director of HR Debbie Rainbow.
William McNamara, chief executive of Bluestone, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of two non-executive directors to the Bluestone board of directors.
“Both Blanche and Nick join the business with a depth of experience which we look forward to them applying to Bluestone in order to support our ongoing business development.
“I would like to thank Andrew for his support and input during the last four years as chairman and look forward to working with both Nick and Blanche in the exciting years ahead.
“Staff will have an opportunity to meet Blanche and Nick over the course of the next few weeks and we are sure they will join us in welcoming them into the business and look forward to working with them both.”
Andrew Probert added: “I’m very pleased to welcome Blanche and Nick as the new non-executive directors of the company, and to be handing over the chairmanship of the board to Blanche.
“Both, I am sure, will bring a fresh impetus to the next stage of Bluestone’s development with their complimentary skills and their real enthusiasm for the business. My time as chairman has seen the park flourish, with the completion of the lodge building programme and visitor numbers rising to 150,000 per year, all through the hard and dedicated work of the executive management and staff. This has been achieved while establishing a stable and profitable financial base, which will enable even greater things to come.”
Jason Llewellyn, director of Corporate Banking at Barclays, said: “We welcome the appointment of Blanche and Nick to the team. By really understanding the business and the industry sector, Barclays is delighted to be able to continue to support Bluestone.
“Over the past three years Bluestone has made great progress, investing in additional accommodation in the Park and demonstrating a strong track record of cash generation and profitability.
“We are delighted to continue to play a role in helping the management team realise their ambitions and look forward to the next phase of the business’s development.”
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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