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Economy

Natasha Toothill is new Va Chairman

Written by Gary Howes
Friday, 25 July 2008
Natasha Toothill is new director at Payzone Following its recent elections The Va, the trade body representing the UK’s £3.2billion voucher, gift card and stored value solutions industry, has announced that Natasha Toothill, gift services director at Payzone, will be the association’s new Chairman. This comes as Andrew Sellers, corporate business manager at John Lewis, steps down after a successful year as the association’s Chairman. Natasha has worked in the industry for over twelve years and, in addition to her professional roles at several motivation and incentive companies, she has long been a member of The Va Executive and a leading figure and spokesperson for the industry. On her goals as Chairman, Natasha Toothill commented: “The Va must take the lead in the prepaid card sector, but we must also remember that vouchers still lie at the heart of our members’ business, particularly in the corporate market. As an organisation we must understand what consumers want and, for our members, how we can enrich our offering to them.” New additions to the Executive resulting from the elections include Arun Glendinning from B&Q, Bill Alexander from Red Letter Days, Denise Porter from Treatme.net, John Davis from Argos and the re-elected Yvonne West from Sainsbury’s. Members continuing their stand as Executive members include Phillip Shelley from Voucher Central, Rachelle Smith of PrePay Technologies and Caroline Watson from Voucherline. Andrew Johnson, Director General of The Va, commented: “The new board offers a variety of expertise and experience and we are relishing the opportunity to continue taking the industry from strength to strength with our plans for the next twelve months. Natasha’s dedication and enthusiasm along with support from the other industry-leading figures on the board can only spell good news for the association and, indeed, the industry as a whole.” Other appointments this week New technology leader at Ernst & Young Ernst & Young today announced that UK-based partner, Karl Havers, has been appointed to lead the firm’s technology practice across Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA). Mr Havers will lead the firm’s technology team, operating across 87 country practices in the firm’s new EMEIA Area. The new Area is an $11.2 billion organisation with more than 60,000 people and 3,300 partners. Speaking of his new position, Mr Havers said, “Technology is a global industry, operating without borders, and as a firm we must reflect exactly how the sector and our clients do business. In my new role I will be leading the firm’s technology business across 87 countries offering our clients a truly international service offering – so whether clients are in Reading, Reykjavik or Riyadh they will be able to tap into our vast experience and knowledge of the sector.” Mr Havers has led the firm’s European Technology Centre of Excellence for a number of years. Concluding, Mr Havers said, “Technology across these jurisdictions is a multi million Pound sector and I am relishing the opportunity of leading our international team in providing a first class service to our clients and pursuing international assignments.” Lucy Morris - CM Group Bristol based learning content and consultancy company, CM Group, has appointed Lucy Morris as new business account manager. Lucy previously worked as a financial analyst for the Canadian Government after graduating from university with a first class degree in Business Administration and Project Management. She now assists large US-based enterprise organisations with their learning and development strategy programs. Actinic Appoints Director of Product Development The award-winning developer of ecommerce and EPOS software for small and medium businesses, has appointed Ben Dyer to the newly-created position of Product Development Director. Ben will lead the development of Actinic’s growing portfolio of ecommerce and retail applications. Actinic CEO Chris Barling expands on why the post has been created: “There are significant changes taking place in ecommerce at the moment. This is a key strategic appointment that will help Actinic to respond to these changes, push forward future product developments and retain our leading position in the market.” Ben joins Actinic from Xyratex, where he was an IT program manager responsible for browser-delivered software services. Prior to this he worked for BSkyB and BAE Systems. At BSkyB he was part of the team responsible for relaunching SkySports.com and its supporting infrastructure. He also worked on some of the original ‘red button’ interactive television services. At BAE Systems Ben won Apprentice of the Year in 1997 and first became involved in professional software development. He was responsible for writing one of the first country-wide intranet systems, with a total user base of over 30,000 people. Ben comments, “I’m highly passionate both about the ecommerce and technology sector and I am delighted to be joining the talented organisation at Actinic. I am looking forward to helping build on its excellent reputation." Ben Dyer is thirty years old and married with one daughter. He lives on the Isle of Wight and is a sailing and water sports enthusiast.