Pennine Events appoints trio

Bamber Bridge based Pennine Events, the North’s leading provider of complex mass participation sports and leisure events has made three new appointments, as it expands the team following a flurry of new business wins.

Mark Parkinson joins the team as events development officer from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation where he was challenge and overseas event fundraiser. Mark's new role will see him research and develop a range of events for the business’ wide ranging customer base, and deliver them as part of the Operations team.

Reporting to Kirsty Britt, senior operations manager, Mark brings with him considerable experience in delivering participant focused, third sector events which will further strengthen the skill set of the Pennine team.

As well as developing a new portfolio of events, Mark will be part of the team delivering the Great Manchester Cycle, Ride Leicester and London to Brighton Night Ride and the Birmingham Bikeathon.

Jemma Crossen joins as events assistant, supporting specifically the project management team.

Following four years in Berlin, where she taught Business English and worked for a small event management company, Jemma has returned to the UK to carve out a career in event management and sees her move to Pennine as an opportunity to get involved in all areas of planning, delivery and evaluation.

Jemma has been instrumental in delivering the recent Harrogate Big Bike Bash, and will be part of the project management and delivery team on this summer’s Great Manchester Cycle, the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Night Ride and a range of cycling festivals across West Yorkshire.

Nilma Solanki joins as marketing and sales apprentice from Preston’s College where she was a business administration apprentice.

Reporting to commercial manager Mandy Parkinson, her appointment is part of the business’ commitment to growing a ‘local’ talent pool and is the first apprentice that Pennine Events has appointed.

Commenting on their appointments, Mark Sandamas, managing director of Pennine Events, said: “We’re going through a period of considerable growth and finding good people who can bring new skills and ideas to the table, as well as a ‘can do’ attitude can only be good for the business.

"Mark, Jemma and Nilma have all clearly demonstrated to the team that they have the ability to add value to the provision we offer and we’re delighted to have them on board and wish them a very long, fulfilling and successful career with us."

Pennine Events delivers exciting and innovative activity events for a wide range of clients including the event management of the spectator hubs in Skipton and Knaresborough for the Yorkshire Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014, Liverpool-Chester bike ride and the South Ribble Sports Awards. For further information about Pennine Events visit www.pennineevents.co.uk or call 01772 447979.