Optionis makes new senior appointment

Specialist business services provider Optionis has appointed Robert White as managing director of its SME division.

This newly-created role sees White lead a 60-strong team across Optionis’ offices in Warrington, Poole and Hounslow. He will be responsible for providing HR, payroll, accountancy and tax services to small businesses, pubs and the leisure industry through the ClearSky Business and ClearSky Pub Solutions brands, as well as specialist tax solutions to Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) workers via the Brian Alfred and Arnsco brands.

White joins Optionis from technology distribution firm Exertis, where he was chief operating officer for the UK and Ireland. Prior to that, he held the position of vice-president and managing director of gaming company IGT-UK, better known as Barcrest.

He said: “I’m excited to join Optionis at a time when the SME division forms such a key part of the group’s future strategy. My focus will be to deliver a broad range of market-leading services and support for SMEs, pubs and the broader franchised operations sector, with a real focus on developing strong partnerships that take all the stress out of running a business, leaving business owners free to focus on what they do best.”

Derek Kelly, founder and group managing director at Optionis, said: “Robert’s expertise in delivering growth and building key strategic relationships, combined with his in-depth knowledge of the pub industry, make him the perfect addition to the group.”