Business people on the move

Chris Stewart Group (CSG) has made two appointments to its leadership team as the real estate investment and management company maps out new plans for growth with people, sustainability and governance at its core.

Tessa Allen

Tessa Allen, formerly global head of private markets and real estate structuring with abrdn, becomes chief operating officer and Marzena D'Arcy joins CSG from The Artisanal Spirit Company as people and culture director.

Over the past 20 years, CSG has carved out an innovative business model at its Edinburgh developments around Old Town Chambers and The Edinburgh Grand, and latterly at Love Loan in Glasgow.

Marzena is tasked with strengthening the organisational design of the company. Her remit is to work alongside the board and management teams driving the company’s people and culture strategy by supporting connectivity, capacity and communications.

Marzena D'Arcy

As COO, Tessa holds a board level position and is responsible for providing management and leadership to the business, with direct responsibility for capital markets, corporate structure, legal and governance. As a strong signal to the markets, she will have a particular focus on the sustainable and ethical impact of the business, ensuring alignment between business performance and strategic vision.

The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has appointed Ronnie Gurr as chief executive.

The membership organisation and innovation agency exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry.

Gurr will lead the SMIA’s executive team and work with the company’s board to support Scotland’s music industry recover and grow following the pandemic, while championing, developing and celebrating the artists, music and diverse network of industry professionals working across Scotland.

Ronnie Gurr

Gurr is a former journalist and music consultant who has worked in the music business since the 1970s. As a teenager, he produced his own punk fanzine, Hanging Around, before going on to write for the NME and Record Mirror. He joined Virgin Records as a press officer in 1982 where he orchestrated the launch of Boy George and Culture Club. He also worked in press and as an A&R manager with Simple Minds.