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PeopleServe MD moves to Wise Ability Ltd
The shuffling around of welfare to work managers continues, with news that Kay Sutton, PeopleServe's MD has headed across to Wise Employment UK.
To avoid doubt, Wise Ability Ltd is NOT the same as Wise Group, who are a major provider (and FND winner) in Scotland. WISE Ability is actually an Australian third sector organisation that's just setting up in this country to deliver some FND subcontracts that it's been given in phase 1.
Some more info on WISE Ability Ltd:
WISE Employment Ltd is a successful Australian not-for-profit organisation providing Employment Services from 20 sites across Australia. WISE Employment has recently founded WISE Ability Ltd in the UK to provide quality employment services to disadvantaged members of the community. WISE is about to commence delivery of FND subcontracts and is looking to recruit a General Manager to head up their operations in the UK.
A response from a spokesperson for PeopleServe:
Kay's resignation was accepted with regret by Jesica Lindgren, Vice President of International Operations. The company is grateful for the lasting and significant contribution that Kay has made to the development of PeopleServe and wishes her well with her future career.
Dave Stevens, National Business Director, has been appointed Acting Managing Director until the ResCare Board announces a successor in due course. As Business Development Director, Dave was responsible for overseeing the growth of PeopleServe's operations in several regions of the UK.
Dave is based at the organisation's head office in Birmingham, UK. He has over twenty years experience of welfare to work and training provision.
Reporting directly to the senior management team of US parent company, ResCare, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, Dave will oversee the growth of the UK organisation as it evolves from a regional base to a national provider in line with ResCare's plans for the UK market.
Dave is responsible for more than 250 members of staff and oversees major contracts with the Department for Works and Pensions and the Learning and Skills Council.
Expect more shuffling in the coming months - it's a busy and deeply uncertain time for the industry, but one that could be very rewarding for the organisations that get it right.
Comments
Edit 3/7 - Something of a blooper in an early form of this article. Only one full staff member of PeopleServe is moving across to Wise Ability.
One I forgot to post: another move-around of managers is taking place at Talent. Following the completion of its sale to Calder, Talent founder Jonathan Baldrey departed for pastures new. In addition, the Business Development Director (Mukesh Oza) has headed off to a non-welfare to work division of Serco. All change!
Everyone is moving around so much at the moment, all this movement is slightly unsettling!! I once had the opportunity to work for Kay Sutton at Biscom before they became Peopleserve she realy is an amazing lady. Good Luck Kay xx
how many fnd sub contracts does the oz co have?
when the going gets tough...............
Having had the privilege to work for Kay for the last 4 years I can tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. Kay takes all of her vast experience and considerable passion into the Third Sector and an organisation whose ethos and values lie close to her heart. She leaves the company in a position of financial and strategic strength and a workforce whose jobs are as secure as any within our industry. My personal best wishes and thanks go out to her.
Dave Steven is also joining Kay Sutton at Wise Ability.
Whos next? and how many more are going to jump ship?
So much for leaving the company in a position of strategic strength and secure jobs for all the staff
Knowing Dave Stevens for quite a number of years I know that in the 19 months that he has worked at Biscom/PeopleServe/ResCare he has worked diligently in securing long term contracts for the company.
If not Prime Contractor in FND delivery, PeopleServe has developed multiple partnerships and networks in major W2W/LSC delivery contracts both in the West Midlands and elsewhere and is well placed to further strengthen its position.
If this is not building strategic strength and securing jobs I don't know what is.
Good luck Dave
It's fairly normal for senior figures to shuffle round in the months after a company changes hands. Also, the welfare to work industry has a lot of new entrants at the moment, who really need experienced managers to build up their businesses. I've emailed PeopleServe's press contact for confirmation on this rumour, and would recommend treating it as a rumour until and unless I get confirmation.
More news:
Here's the official response from ResCare (owners of PeopleServe):
Several other managers are also jumping ship and taking key staff with them...
what is going on at Peopleserve? Have they lost their major contracts and not told anyone?