Nottinghamshire-based heavy-machinery moving specialist Joseph Merritt Group has partnered with Unitemps, a student placement service offered by the University of Nottingham, to take on Thomas Farrelly as a data analyst.

He will support the group’s sales and marketing team at its Kirkby-in-Ashfield facility.

Mr Farrelly, who lives in West Bridgford, has a degree in Technology and Enterprise Management from Birmingham’s Aston University.

He has recently been on a Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner course at the University of Nottingham.

In his new role, which will initially be a temporary appointment, he will be helping Merritts to use the data they gather on customers, projects and the heavy-machinery moving market ‘more intelligently’, in order to improve the level of service delivered to both new and existing customers.

He will also be assisting with the development of systems and processes to boost Merritt’s marketing and sales strategy, as it look to harness the benefits of technology to improve its business performance.

Managing director James Merritt said (www.merritts.uk.com): “Our company is 97 years old, and we are constantly evolving to meet the demands of the industry and our customers.

By using data intelligently, we can continue to innovate, provide a better service and create loyal partnerships with machine manufacturers.

“While this is initially a short-term appointment, we are very much hoping that — given Thomas’s background in engineering and sales — we can make this a permanent role and help him to develop a long-term career in the industry.”