Fry joins Patni from Real HR Consulting, where she provided HR outsourcing consultancy to organisations in the financial and technology sectors. She previously worked in senior HR roles within companies such as TCS, SHL, Sony UK, Steria and Hitachi Data Systems.

Fry will be based at Patni’s EMEA headquarters in the Patni Building near Heathrow.

Derek Kemp, president, EMEA at Patni, says: “We are delighted to welcome Alison to the leadership team at Patni EMEA. Her experience and understanding of the HR function within businesses such as Patni will be invaluable as we grow the team in the EMEA region.”

Talent management specialist Ochre House has appointed Leesa Mather as group HR director, while Louise Szymala has moved from head of talent and acquisition to client services director. Ochre House’s other operations have also announced appointments. Mike Ryall has been promoted from operations director to managing director at Parkside. Lloyd Francis joins Parkside Accounting and Finance as a team leader, while Parkside Office Professionals welcomes Tracy Iqbal as a division manager.

Executive search firm Redgrave Group has appointed John Hunter as a non-executive director. Hunter worked with chairman Brian Hamill at Imprint as group chief operating officer, and more recently as Asia Pacific chief executive.

Education recruiter Aspire People has appointed Kelly Steadman to set up a non-teaching staff department. Steadman joins from Monarch Recruitment and will be responsible for non-teaching staff including office administrators, ICT technicians, finance officers, bursars and receptionists into schools.

Lucy Crittenden has been promoted to graduate recruitment manager at law firm Reed Smith. Crittenden is a qualified solicitor and before joining Reed Smith in 2007, she worked at recruitment consultancy Hudson.

Interim management solutions provider Interim Partners has appointed Steve Blake as head of its technology, media and telecoms practice. Blake started in executive search and selection in 1999 at Michael Page before moving to Prism Executive Recruitment, where he spent nine years as a senior manager and equity partner.

Executive search firm Korn/Ferry International has appointed Lewis Rusen to office managing director in Toronto, Canada. Jeffrey Rosin, who previously held the position, will continue in his role as president, Canada, overseeing the region’s four local offices: Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, as well as focusing on the firm’s board and CEO practice in Canada.

Recruitment software provider Bullhorn has appointed Peter Linas as UK managing director. Linas, who was Bullhorn’s UK sales director, will continue to work with Bullhorn chief executive and founder, Arthur Papas, to build Bullhorn’s existing UK presence.

International accounting, technology and banking recruiter Ambition has appointed Matt Hill as managing director of its Hong Kong business. Current Hong Kong managing director Andrea Williams is moving to the UK to take up a newly created role, while James Ash and Tim Gilbert will assume the roles of co-managing director for Ambition’s UK company Witan Jardine, which is to be rebranded Ambition.

Executive search firm Hitchenor Wakeford has appointed Richard Mathias as partner to head its HR practice. Mathias, previously a partner at law firm DWF, where he led new business development, will develop new relationships at HR director level to generate new business opportunities across all sectors.