This week's career moves

Axletree Solutions has announced that COO Martin Lightman will retire from his daily responsibilities as an officer of the company at the end of December. He will continue as an advisor to the directors of the company. With more than five decades of extensive experience, he has guided strategic plan initiatives and business development programs at Axletree, his own company, and growth-oriented corporations.

Lightman’s decision to retire will conclude a career spanning over 50 years in sales, marketing, and operations at senior-level management positions, with the last 12 years spent at Axletree.

“The last decade has seen tremendous growth in Axletree across global Fortune 500 clients, brand recognition, global operational teams, and revenues. Marty has played a memorable role in all of these achievements,” said Mohan Murali, Axletree president and CEO. “His experience and astute understanding of the ever-changing business landscape was a guiding factor in our growth. His continuing in an advisory role is highly appreciated.”

New Appointments

• Marks & Spencer: David Cole has been appointed as head of trading for ambient. Cole will oversee all trading activity across grocery, bakery, snacking, beer, wines & spirits, and celebration categories. He previously worked at Holland & Barrett, Aldi, and Kerry Foods and will report to Stuart Machin, managing director of food. Cole succeeds Steve Kemp, who had been leading the ambient team alongside his head of hospitality role.
• Iofina: Frank Mermoud, chairman of Precision Risk & Intelligence, has been appointed as a non-executive director. Mermoud is also a non-executive director of oil and gas specialist Cub Energy and has held senior leadership roles within the U.S. State Department in international, economic, and commercial policy.
• Nexans: Franck Blanchard has been appointed as risk management director, reporting to the senior corporate vice president, general counsel, and secretary general. Blanchard joined Nexans in 2008 and previously served as the group’s deputy chief legal officer. The company has also hired Edeltraud Fabianke as corporate vice president of Information Systems and Digital Transformation.
• Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG): Julie Sadler, SBG chief risk officer and Bankhall managing director, has extended her remit to the role of risk and compliance director. Additionally, Ross Liston, former head of advisory relationships at Standard Life, has been appointed as managing director of Bankhall and PMS.