Betfair has appointed Nicky Brocklehurst as talent acquisition manager for corporate & graduate recruitment. She joins from Discovery Networks International. Rachel Riddington joins as head of research & sourcing from Hewlett Packard. Betfair has confirmed other new appointments starting in November. Judith Hawke joins as talent acquisition manager, projects & operations from BP, Danielle Radu is appointed research & sourcing consultant from Fresh Minds, while James Peters from Kineticom in the US joins the company as research & sourcing consultant.

Bob McKinlay (left) and Monika Kaluzna (below right) are new owners of transport and logistics staffing specialist Driver Hire’s Twickenham franchise, South-West London. Initially the business will operate from Driver Hire’s Wimbledon office before moving to new offices in Twickenham in December.

IT and financial services recruiter Empiric Solutions has promoted Steve Brown to director. Brown joined Empiric in 2007 as a senior consultant.

Martin Donnelly has been appointed Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). He will oversee the rnning of the department following Simon Fraser’s recent move to Permanent Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Former chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Steve Barnett (left), has been appointed special adviser to Green Park Interim & Executive Resourcing. He will working closely with the firm’s healthcare practice.

Specialist professional recruiter, Hydrogen Group, has appointed Ian Fallmann as an independent non-executive directo. Fallmann is a highly experienced managing director with a proven track record of running and expanding businesses in developing markets over the past 21 years.

Former Modis International manager Craig Cheetham (below right) has joined new Sheffield-based IT staffing specialist P K Technology as director. Cheetham is a shareholder in the business.

Hospitality, retail and sales staffing specialist Xpress Recruitment has appointed Willie Wood as director of its new executive search and selection division. Wood previously worked across the UK, Europe and Africa on various senior management recruitment projects. He also managed Marriott Airport Hotel in Manchester and the Glasgow Marriott Hotel.

Indian-based executive search firm 3P Consultants has appointed Pradeep Bhalla as principal partner for its NCR (National Capital Region - Delhi and surrounding area) operations. Bhalla has more than 24 years’ experience in sales, business development and retained executive search consulting.

Accounting staffing specialist Walker Andersen, the newly launched specialist recruitment brand of Andersen Partnership, has appointed Bruce Macaulay as national manager. He will lead Walker Andersen’s new professional services team in Sydney, Australia.

Recruitment, retention and career management consultancy Renovo has appointed Amanda Nichols as outbound sales manager. Nichols will develop and grow Renovo’s outbound sales function, as well as promoting products, services and winning new clients.