"As SPD has expanded, so has our portfolio of training courses and conferences"
Paul Bolton
Salford Professional Development has promoted two staff to director roles and has appointed former BBC producer and presenter Lynne McCadden as head of its new creative and digital business unit.
Alice Birdwood, previously head of event management, becomes director of programmes, heading the team which manages SPD’s expanding portfolio of training courses and conferences.
Stuart Thompson has moved from head of sales to sales director leading a team of five.
Lynne has more than 25 years’ senior experience in digital and media roles. She spent 10 years at the BBC as a presenter, producer and reporter working in TV and radio on a range of current affairs and documentary programmes.
She is a former head of development at Creative England and director at Vision+Media, and currently runs her own advisory consultancy, Morra.
Her role at SPD will see her develop the firm’s range of courses and conferences for the creative and digital sector.
Alexis May, who was previously a divisional director at the London Business Conferences Group, succeeds Alice as head of event management.
SPD is a subsidiary of the University of Salford, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The company delivers conferences and training across the UK and overseas, with a focus on sectors including health and social care, digital and creative, business and law, the built environment, education and public services.
Deputy chief executive Paul Bolton said: “As SPD has expanded, so has our portfolio of training courses and conferences. The scope of these events is set to grow further over the next few years.
“Alice will be leading the programmes team as they engage different public sector and industry speakers to ensure our content remains cutting-edge.
“She will also be building strategic relationships with the university and links with industry partners for the benefit of our delegates and university students.
“Stuart has made a tremendous impact since he joined SPD in 2014 and now manages a five-strong team which delivers sponsorship revenues for company conferences.
“These appointments reflect our commitment to staff development within SPD. Stuart and Alice have worked hard and deserve these promotions.
“Lynne’s wealth of experience and knowledge makes her an excellent addition to the team.
“With her input, we will be able to build a stronger suite of digital and creative products and support the university to deliver its objective of working more with industry.
“We are also pleased to welcome Alexis to the company.”
Pictured left to right are Stuart Thompson, Lynne McCadden, Alice Birdwood and Alexis May
