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This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Gordons, Amraj Boparai

Amraj Boparai has joined Gordons from Bradford law firm McManus Seddon Runhams. He has 12 years’ experience as a qualified commercial property lawyer, gained after his training with Cheshire practice Mosshaselhurst.

Mr Boparai is now based at Gordons’ offices in Duke Street, Bradford, where he is becoming involved in all aspects of the firm’s comprehensive commercial property service.

Mr Bopari said: “I was attracted by the type of clients I’d be dealing with and the kind of job I’d be doing for them.

“The firm, its commercial property team, its clients and the nature of the work here are all on a higher level than I’ve experienced previously.

“I’m now part of a team with all the experience and capacity needed to deal with complex, large-scale transactions quickly and without fuss, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of proving myself in my new environment.”

Hentons, Richard Gandy

Accountancy and business advisory firm Hentons has appointed Richard Gandy as business development manager to support the growth of its offices in Leeds and Sheffield.

Richard Gandy joins the firm after over 25 years in commercial and corporate banking with the Co-operative Bank, where he led the organisation’s new business activity in the region, with a specialism in property and SME sectors as well as corporate finance.

Nadeem Ahmed, managing partner at Hentons said: “Richard brings a great deal of experience in the SME sector in the region.

“He is focused on developing our vision of building a leading accountancy and business advisory firm in Yorkshire.”

Hentons has a team of over 50 who work with a wide range of businesses from medical professionals and property investors, to manufacturers, academies and charities.

Search Laboratory

Leeds-based Search Laboratory has made four key appointments as it bolsters its PR, content and social media offer.

Account director Chris Woolford and SEO account manager Rory Mason have moved from Wolfstar, while multilingual search marketing manager Lauren Turner has joined from Turn Key.

The three, whom will be based in Search Laboratory’s new West Park, Leeds office, have a combined 20 years’ experience in PR and social media.

Ian Harris, CEO at Search Laboratory, said: “PR and Social are essential elements of SEO and online marketing in general and at Search Laboratory we have some excellent PR case studies that build huge SEO value.

“I’m delighted to welcome Chris, Rory and Lauren into the fold so that they can share their extensive communications expertise with the 150-strong team here at Search Laboratory.

“Together with the promotion of Joe, this key group will further strengthen our PR and social media offer to our current and prospective clients.”

Brass, Stephen Dudley

Brass has announced that head of Print and Digital Publishing Stephen Dudley has been promoted to the position of board director.

Stephen joined Brass in January 2013, to head up the Print and Digital Publishing team from his previous role at St Ives, where he held the position of business development director.

Chief executive John Morgan said: “Stephen’s promotion to board director is very well deserved, in his two years at Brass he has been responsible for delivering significant growth on both existing and new business and has played an instrumental part in adding a stronger sales focus to Brass”.

Stephen said: “I’m thrilled to join the board here at Brass, we produce really creative and effective work for both new and existing clients, I am both excited and up for the challenges ahead.”

neaco, Peter Melia

Malton-based building products manufacturer, neaco, has appointed Peter Melia as UK business development manager overseeing the company’s nationwide sales and marketing operation.

Peter joined neaco in 2012 as business development executive and the promotion reflects his success in driving sales.

neaco’s managing director, Alan Green, said: “Since joining neaco Peter has been a major asset to our sales force and his promotion is richly deserved.

“Peter has an in-depth understanding of the design and specification process, the dynamics of the construction market and the specific needs of architects and contractors.

“He will be passing this experience on to our team of regional business development managers.”

The Ridings Shopping Centre Wakefield, Sara Hassan

A new marketing manager has been appointed at The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield.

Sara Hassan, joins the shopping centre’s team from Castlegate Shopping Centre and will manage all aspects of marketing, events and communications for The Ridings.

Eileen Holroyd, centre manager, adds: “Sara is a fantastic addition to the team and is joining at a really exciting team.

“We have a jam packed schedule of events for the forthcoming year and we are also awaiting the opening of a larger Primark store.

“I’m sure Sara will build strong relationships with our retailers and shoppers and will be an asset to the centre.”

Carter Jonas, James Robinson

Property consultancy Carter Jonas continues to expand its Yorkshire-based energy division with the appointment of James Robinson as senior energy specialist at its Harrogate office.

Charles Hardcastle, Carter Jonas’ energy and marine partner, said: “We are very pleased to add James to the expanding energy team.

“He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will further strengthen our expertise in renewable energy and enable us to deliver an even more focused service across the north.”

York Professionals

New directors join the York Professionals board of directors to further strengthen the vision to champion enterprise and drive economic growth in the city.

York Professionals welcomes three new board directors, namely Marie Johnstone, Barclays; Adrian Widdowson, Garbutt & Elliott and Julia Massey, City of York Council.

Chair of York Professionals, Rachel Goddard commented on the recent appointments: “We have a really strong team of board directors and very much rely on their goodwill as each plays a strong role in delivering the core objectives of York Professionals.

“All our directors are professionals in their own right, which is our strength, and so juggle the day job with the commitments of being a Board Director.”

Capital B Media, Sally Brown

Sally Brown has joined South Yorkshire media training and PR consultancy, Capital B Media, as an account manager.

Sally is a former head of Communications for Arts Council England’s Yorkshire HQ and has worked as a freelance PR Consultant, fundraiser and project manager for the past 12 years.

Capital B Media, which is based near Penistone, has clients in the public, private and third sector. They include South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire fire services; South Yorkshire and Derbyshire police; Magna Science Adventure Centre; Enterprising Barnsley; Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK; Acorn Brewery and Cornerstones Education.

Capital B Media director, Kate Betts, said: “It’s great to have someone of Sally’s expertise on board as the company grows. We are taking on new clients all the time and want to continue providing a high quality service to them all.”

Provide Education, Zoe Griffin

Yorkshire-based specialist recruitment agency has taken on an additional member of staff to help meet growing demand for its services.

Provide Education has appointed Zoe Griffin to the new post of company resourcer.

Director of Provide Education Katie Buckle said: “Zoe is an experienced resourcer and will play a vital role in helping us to sign up more high-quality job candidates to the company’s books.

“We have created this new post in response to growing demand for our services as we handle an increasing number of enquiries from schools.

“We need to plan ahead to ensure we continue to deliver the high level of service our schools expect from us and are able to place high quality staff whenever and wherever required.”

Joe Manby Ltd, Ruairi Docherty and Andy Frew

Ruairi Docherty joins the Harrogate-based company fresh from the Falkland Islands where he undertook a one year joinery contract with the RAF. Previously Ruairi was a self-employed joiner based in Leeds.

Andy Frew has joined Joe Manby Limited after working as a shop fitter in Leeds, where he was in charge of a warehouse for seven years.

Ruairi said: “My role at Joe Manby Limited will be completely different to what I am used to. Working in the Falklands was a great experience but I came back seeking a more stable job closer to home. My role here will certainly be a learning curve but I am working with an experienced team and I am ready for a new challenge. I hope to be running my own events over the next few months.”

Landwood Group, Michael Fitzpatrick

Landwood Group, a leading northern chartered surveyors, asset managers and auctioneers have appointed Michael Fitzpatrick as a senior surveyor. Michael who joins Landwood Group from ES Group, will specialise in property valuation, management and disposal. He will be based at Landwood’s Manchester office. Michael has been a surveyor for more than seven years. His initial role was as a graduate surveyor at Edward Symmons LLP, now the ES Group, in the Valuation and Corporate Recovery Department, before becoming a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in April 2010 and being promoted to a senior surveyor in April 2012.

NatWest (South Yorkshire), Craig Gray and William Islip

NatWest has appointed Craig Gray as director of Commercial Banking South Yorkshire and William Islip as senior relationship manager.

Craig said: “I am delighted to join the team in South Yorkshire. The business communities in the region have an important role in supporting the local economy and there are a diverse range of opportunities for businesses within the SME market to grow throughout the local area.”

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