CEO Today Magazine September 2019 Edition

www.ceotodaymagazine.com 86 APPOINTMENTS & UPDATES From around the world APPOINTMENTS & UPDATES Paul Geddes appointed as QA CEO; William Macpherson to retire QA, a leading digital education and skills provider owned by CVC, announced that Paul Geddes will become CEO of the business when William Macpherson retires in September. William Macpherson has led the business for 11 years delivering an average annual profit growth rate of 35% and successfully building QA into the largest digital education and skills provider in the UK. Paul Geddes joins the firm on 2 September 2019 and will take over as CEO later that month. William will remain on the Board of QA. Paul was CEO of the insurance company Direct Line Group (DLG) for 10 years before stepping down in May 2019. During this time he led the successful IPO of the business, delivered strong customer and business performance leading to its entry into the FTSE 100. At DLG Paul oversaw significant digital innovation and championed the adoption of agile business development. Under his leadership, DLG was recognised in the top three of the Sunday Times Best Big Companies To Work For ranking. Paul Geddes commented, “I am really excited to be joining the QA team. Digital transformation is a pressing and urgent need for companies and for individuals in the workplace. QA is brilliantly placed to help them flourish in the digital age through our unique combination of IT skills training, consulting, apprenticeships and higher education. These are the key ingredients of our success and give us the potential to become a world-class, technology- enabled business in this market.” Liz Earle MBE, Jo Fairley, Lord Michael John Hastings and Ade Hassan Among Business Leaders Mentoring Aspiring Startups at New Launch Event Jamie Doyle has joined forces with a host of well- known business leaders to launch Secrets of the Startup, offering new businesses the opportunity to network with and learn from successful businesses. Green & Black’s chocolate, Nubian Skin and Liz Earle Wellbeing are among businesses taking part in the first networking event of the scheme. Jo Fairley put a lot on the line to launch Green & Black’s. Since founding the business in 1991 with her husband, Jo has built the brand into the world’s leading organic chocolate and in 2005 it was successfully sold to Cadbury’s. Liz Earle MBE is known for her passion for beauty, natural health and wellbeing, as well as her considerable charity and campaign work. She is the bestselling author of 35 books, an established TV presenter, an entrepreneur and a farmer. The event will take place on 3rd September at the Brewery in London and is open to all new businesses looking to network with like-minded individuals and learn from the best, while platforming their business without the need for selling. The event will be led by the industry-leading guest speakers and global award-winning businesses coaches and will be in a Q&A guest speaker format, followed by the chance to meet with them and network in an intimate setting. As part of the event, Jamie and the team are looking for a creative and imaginative business idea, or current business, that has huge growth potential in its field for a Best Startup Idea award. The award winner will gain the opportunity to apply for funding through the event’s incubator, will get help from 5 non-executive directors to create a business plan and progress the business, receive mentorship from a bank of 250 non- executive directors and access personally tailored podcasts from Lord Michael Hastings. Co-Founder of Secrets of the Startup, Jamie Doyle, says: “We are incredibly excited to be launching our Secrets of the Startups events. We want to achieve human interaction, bringing networking offline and in person rather than just on the phone or computer to create opportunities for startups. We aim to bring likeminded entrepreneurs, wealth managers and investors as well as other people working in the startup community together for the benefit of all!” For more information on the event, visit: www. secretsofthestartup.co.uk