Global speciality insurer Torus has appointed Jackie Richardson as senior vice president, head of global human resources.

Richardson, who joins from global market research firm Synovate, reports to global chief operating officer, Naveen Anand, and will implement and lead the human resources strategy for the group worldwide.

Richardson said: “I am excited be a part of Torus in taking on the responsibility of recruiting, retaining and developing the group’s most important asset - its people.”

Anand added: “This is a new and important senior management role so we are delighted that Jackie has joined Torus. Her experience in workforce development, talent management, employee relations, training, and organisational design and development, especially in the insurance industry, will help us continue to attract, develop and retain talented people around the world as we continue to grow.”

It’s great to be joining an organisation that understands the true value of its humancapital and believes in the alignment of business growth and development with employee growth and development

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Law firm Osborne Clarke has recruited staffing sector legal specialists Kevin Barrow and Frances Lewis to join its London employment, pensions and incentives practice group. They join from Blake Lapthorn, where they were both partners in the recruitment sector team.

Employment, payroll, tax, accountancy, administrative support and advice provider the Service Providers Association (SPA) has appointed Stuart Davis as its new chairman.

Multi-sector recruiter and training agency Acorn has recruited Sarah Hancock as industrial resourcer for its Bristol branch.

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The Judge Group, a US Philadelphia-based international professional services firm, has promoted Gary Morris from his role as executive vice-president to president of the firm.

Specialist executive search firm RUSTON wheb has appointed Stuart Brown and Anne Duvaux to lead its cleantech and renewable energy practice groups.

Mario Mazzocchi is the new head of the recruitment finance division at Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, replacing Paul Saunders, the outgoing head of the division.

HR recruiter Oakleaf Partnership has appointed Rachel Richardson to the board of Oakleaf Partnership. She joins chairman Brendan Forster and David Moss as a non-executive director.

Gloucestershire-based recruiter Omega Resource Group has launched an executive search division and appointed Steven Fulwell to oversee development of the business nationwide.

Rise Group has appointed Graeme McConnell as its new business development manager of Rise Executive.

Marketing jobs board Only Marketing Jobs has appointed Kammi Hackett as social media manager to increase its social media activity.

HR recruiter HR GORecruitment has recruited Nick Jiles to head up the commercial division, HR GO Commercial, based at Kent’s Canterbury branch, while Terry Maynard will lead HR GO Exectec’s division, which recruits within the executive technical and engineering markets.

Multi-sector recruiter Barker Ross has appointed Damion Willis as business development manager, focusing on Nottingham’s industrial sector.

Executive search firm VMA Group has appointed Oskar Yasar, managing director of VMA Search, as MD of VMA International to expand VMA Group’s offices in Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and Australia. Claire Tuffin also becomes MD of VMA Group UK.