Jayne Powell has been appointed human resource director at Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE), which produces metal components for a number of high-tech industries including Formula 1. The appointment came after Powell impressed on WMG’s Innovation Business Leadership (IBL) course.
Powell, the company’s former HR manager, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s increasing workforce. Staff numbers at ACE have grown by 25% in the past two years following a rapid growth in orders, which have taken company turnover past the £4 million mark.
The company is now aiming for £5m of turnover by 2017, and Powell will take the lead for recruitment, training and employee well-being as ACE goes through a period of further expansion.
ACE’s managing director, Ian Whateley, commented: “We have invested heavily in new etching equipment and a state-of-the-art laboratory, but have also channelled significant funding into improving our people. Jayne’s development and subsequent appointment to our senior management team is testimony to this.”
The IBL course is run by WMG at the University of Warwick. It starts again for a third year later this month, and consists of five three-day modules covering topics including industry 4.0, innovation strategy and people development.