• Logistics group Howard Tenens has appointed Honda’s former head of European transport Ray Runza as its development director. Mr Runza, who had worked at Honda in various logistics roles since 1987 and held his most recent job at the car firm for more than seven years, joins Howard Tenens on a consultancy basis.
He will report to the group’s joint managing directors Ben and Dan Morris, working specifically on new business opportunities, procurement and expansion of customer and supplier relationships. Ben said Mr Runza brought a vast wealth of experience and contacts across the European logistics arena to the group’s senior management team.
• Public relations agency owner Jo Smyth is the new face at the helm of business networking group NRG’s Swindon branch. Former journalist Jo, who owns and runs PR and copywriting agency Word Worker, took over at the May 3 meeting. The branch meets on the first Tuesday of the month at The Marriott, Swindon, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Jo, whose business is based between Swindon and Malmesbury, said: “I joined NRG just over a year ago and have found the group invaluable. “NRG is much more than just a networking group and a way to do business. The organisation offers real business support, whether through its six-month Boardroom programme, or through the NRG Xtra sessions which are held before every lunch meeting and help business people air and discuss business issues in confidence.
Guests are welcome to attend the monthly meetings. For more information about NRG call 0845 40 80 639, visit www.nrg-networks.com, or contact Jo on 01666 861149.
• Venues Event Management has appointed Lynn Harman and Lisa Bennett to the company’s expanding sales force. Lynn joins as client development manager and will be working on developing key accounts to ensure growth opportunities are maximised, including construction group Balfour Beatty, leading automotive distributor Inchcape and insurance consultancy Jelf.
Lisa will be fulfilling a new role of telesales manager. This role will also focus on managing an existing portfolio of clients such as Shaw Trust, as well as new business generation.
Lisa has a strong background in telemarketing and account management having worked for HFC Bank, HSM and InfoSys. Mark Fry, sales director, said: “Client retention and new business growth feature heavily in our strategic plans and Lynn and Lisa will provide vital elements we need to achieve this.”
