Member Article

This week’s Yorkshire appointments

KPMG

KPMG has made seven senior promotions within its Leeds office as the firm prepares for a landmark year.

The newly-promoted directors include Rashpal Khangura and Claire Needham in audit; Chris Sheryn in management consulting and James Lumb and Helen Roxburgh in the transactions and restructuring practice.

KPMG’s staff in Leeds are set to move into the firm’s new Sovereign Square development in 2015, which follows the completion of its national Innovation and Solutions Centre at Broad Gate, which has created a further 200 new roles in the city.

Chris Hearld, Northern chairman and office senior partner at KPMG in Leeds, said: “In Leeds, we have built one of KPMG’s largest practice areas outside of London, which is home to some of the firm’s most experienced and talented professionals, and are committed to growing that offering in the city and across the North of England.

“These promotions recognise the clear commitment we have to expanding our operations in the region, but also the hard work and performance of our team in delivering exceptional services to our clients.”

Leigh Davenport from the firm’s tax division and Marcus Tyldsley from audit have also been named as directors. The pair will work alongside recently-appointed partner Ian Beaumont, who has 25 years’ experience in the Yorkshire market, to support KPMG’s offering to privately-owned businesses.

Ian Beaumont, partner and enterprise lead at KPMG in Yorkshire, said: “I’m excited to have joined such a high quality team at KPMG, which has a long and successful history in the region, and congratulate the new directors on their promotions.

“In such a rapidly changing environment, Yorkshire businesses are increasingly looking to advisers for expert support in achieving their growth ambitions.

“It is the perfect time to be developing our proposition to private enterprise, which is an essential part of the Northern economy and has long been at the heart of what we do.”

Irwin Mitchell, Sarah Smith

The Sheffield office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell has boosted its specialist financial crime expertise with the appointment of Sarah Smith as an associate solicitor in its Regulatory and Criminal Investigations team.

Sarah Smith said: “I am absolutely delighted to have joined Irwin Mitchell.

“It is already clear from my short time here that the firm is forward thinking and keen to push forward to further success. I have no doubt that working at an ambitious firm will not only broaden my skills but also help me to learn new disciplines.”

Team partner Paul Haycock added: “The addition of Sarah to our team provides new skills and expertise which will undoubtedly help us grow our Regulatory offering further.

“Her appointment is further sign of our determination to continue to develop our Business Legal Services team in Yorkshire and continue to provide the best possible service to our clients.”

JWPCreers, Alastair Byrne

Taxation specialist Alastair Byrne has been appointed partner at Yorkshire accountants and business advisers, JWPCreers, in the firm’s second promotion to its senior team in four months.

Alastair Byrne, the firm’s head of tax planning, qualified as a chartered accountant in London in 1987 and the following year moved to Leeds where he worked with national practices before joining JWPCreers as a senior manager in 2008.

Alastair Byrne says “I am excited by my new role and the challenges it brings. My appointment emphasises JWPCreers’ commitment to innovation and supporting new creative businesses which started with our move to York Science Park four years ago.”

JWPCreers managing partner, Nigel Clemit, says: “Alastair Byrne’s partnership promotion, which follows that of Jill Campbell, and our expansion into more office space and recruitment of several staff this summer, is further evidence of our strength in depth as we face growing demand for our services from a wide range of local businesses.”

Express Data

Local communications and network infrastructure specialist Express Data has strengthened its business with the appointment of three new executive directors to its board to aid its next phase of growth and expansion.

Joining managing director and founder of Express Data Positive Networks, Simon Wilson, is John O’Neil as chairman, Andrew Metcalf as sales director and Simon Hersh as financial director.

The business which has seen year on year growth over the last five years, has a current turnover of £3.1 million which it aims to triple by 2018.

Simon Wilson, managing director commented, “This is a really exciting time for the business. These appointments provide a rich mix of board and senior-level experience which will be invaluable in helping to grow the business as we move forward.

“We have had a really successful 2014 and have once again seen growth.”

York’s CHOCOLATE Story, Alicia McSweeney

Visitor attraction York’s CHOCOLATE Story has announced the appointment of new groups, corporate and education Sales executive Alicia McSweeney.

Alicia joins the team with experience from events and travel specialists NYS Corporate and tourism industry knowledge from York’s Castle Museum.

Alicia McSweeney said: “York’s CHOCOLATE Story has a fantastic groups, corporate and education offer, delivered by a brilliant team. I look forward to working with them to drive sales and maintain and develop relationships with our portfolio of clients across Yorkshire.”

Nikki Jacobs, general manager at York’s CHOCOLATE Story said:“It’s a pleasure to have Alicia on board. She is already proving to be a great asset within the team.”

Ison Harrison Solicitors, Sean Gallagher

Leeds law firm, Ison Harrison Solicitors has extended its Commercial Property operation by appointing Sean Gallagher to swell the existing team to six.

Jonathan Wearing, managing partner, Ison Harrison, said: “We strongly believe that our team delivers just what businesses, families, individuals and are looking for.

“We act for a broader base of clients than any other firm in Leeds, including commercial clients who need corporate advice and support, criminal and family clients eligible for legal aid and private individuals who are moving home or are planning for the future. I am very happy to welcome Sean to our legal world.”

SM Commercial, Matthew Walsh

Leeds-based law firm SM Commercial is aiming to grow its commercial and residential property development practice with the appointment of Matthew Walsh as an associate.

Deborah Powell, Head of SM Commercial adds: “Matthew is well known in the market here in Yorkshire and will be a valuable addition to our team.

“He has a great reputation developed over 15 years in the business and will contribute to our continued growth advising on transactions for corporate clients and professional service firms.”

Doncaster Chamber, Phil Harris

Doncaster Chamber is welcoming a new CEO from January next year, following the upcoming planned retirement of current CEO Phil Harris.

Current deputy CEO Dan Fell has been unanimously appointed to the position of chief executive by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Dan commented: “I am delighted to be taking on the CEO post at Doncaster Chamber. For many years I have had a passion for Doncaster and its economy and I am delighted that I will be able to continue playing an integral role to the town’s further development.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .