This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Vantage Motor Group, founded in Harrogate in 2003, has appointed Caroline Boothroyd to the newly-created role of Group Head of People and Development.

Caroline brings extensive experience in HR to the role having worked for major brands in the fashion, construction and retail sectors, including Arcadia Group, Asda and Taylor Wimpey, where she was Learning and Development Manager for the UK.

Caroline’s priority is to work in partnership with Vantage’s leadership teams to develop and deliver a sustainable people and development strategy, ensuring that the right infrastructure, HR processes, systems and resources are in place to sustain future business growth.

Mark Robinson, Vantage Motor Group Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to appoint Caroline as Group Head of People and Development.

“We operate in a fast paced, competitive industry and we want to be the best at what we do. From a people perspective, that means we need to continue to focus on attracting, recruiting and developing the right individuals, with the right skills and capabilities.

“Caroline fully embodies Vantage’s ‘one team’ ethos and I am sure that she will be an asset to the company.”

Vantage Motor Grou now has over 500 employees and 21 dealerships across Northern England and the West Midlands representing Toyota, Kia, Citroen, Honda, Hyundai, ŠKODA, and Lexus. Turnover to the end of 2014 was £174m.

Giles Taylor, KPMG

Corporate Financier Giles Taylor is KPMG’s newest Leeds-based Partner.

The promotion sees Taylor become a Corporate Finance and Enterprise partner. KPMG Enterprise is the firm’s investment in its offering to mid-market businesses, advising entrepreneurial companies of all sizes from family owned to private equity funded; from large, well established private companies to smaller fast growing ones.

He also becomes KPMG’s head of property, construction and building products across the North, after securing significant deal advisory credentials in this sector. These include acting on the recent separate sales of two contractors, Redhall Engineering Solutions and Motherwell Bridge both to Cape plc, advising Elysian on its acquisition of specialist plant hire business, Access Hire as well as supporting major independent housebuilder, Strata Group.

Giles has advised on several of the region’s largest transactions in recent years including Victoria Plumb, Woodleigh Healthcare and the flotation of Safestyle. He also advised Key Capital on their sales of both Neville Johnson and TSC.

Chris Hearld, KPMG’s Leeds office senior partner and North region chair, said: “Throughout his 15 years’ at KPMG, helping businesses to achieve their M&A ambitions, Giles has demonstrated commitment to, and passion for, client service. He’s teamed this with an entrepreneurial approach to business that I’m delighted to see rewarded with an invitation to join the KPMG partnership, where he will be a valuable asset.”

Katie Bartram, Bridon International Ltd

Bridon International Ltd, a global technology leader in the manufacture of wire and fibre rope, has appointed a new marketing analyst.

Katie Bartram has taken on the new post to work for the Bridon Group, based in Doncaster.

Katie joina Bridon after working as marketing and sales analyst at fence manufacturer Betafence, where she was in charge of the firm’s marketing for all of the UK and Ireland.

Her main duties at Bridon will include assisting the marketing team to develop internal tools to drive commercial efficiency, as well as providing analysis to assist with strategic decision making.

Gavin Turner, Bridon Global Sector marketing manager, said: “Katie joins us at an exciting time for the company as we have recently developed phase two of our customer focused service, following the successful launch of ‘My Bridon’ last year.

“I’m sure her industry knowledge and marketing skills will be a very valuable asset to the team.

“Katie will play an instrumental role in developing our total cost of ownership campaign which will see us further collaborate with our customers to help them reduce their operational costs.”

Ellie Milner, Mills & Reeve

The Leeds office of leading national law firm Mills & Reeve is expanding its private client team with the appointment of Ellie Milner as a senior associate.

Ellie joins from Langleys Solicitors in York where she was a private client solicitor.

At Mills & Reeve, Ellie will be part of the growing Leeds office and a member of its well-respected private client team led by partner, Julia Rangecroft.

This past year, Mills & Reeve private client team have been named Private Client Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2015 and Regional Firm of the Year at the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards.

Julia said: “We are delighted to welcome Ellie on board. She will be a valuable addition to our nationally recognised private client team in Leeds.”

Jon Craven, Richard Hunter and Mike Gibbin, Hobson & Porter

Construction firm Hobson & Porter has appointed three new directors to its board as its looks to continue rapid growth.

Following one of the company’s most successful months – Hobson & Porter secured £18m worth of work in May, it has welcomed Jon Craven as Minor Works Director, Richard Hunter as Commercial Director and Mike Gibbin as Financial Director.

Mr Craven and Mr Hunter have been appointed to the board having held previous positions within the company; eight months and two years respectively. Mr Gibbin will join Hobson & Porter in July.

Graham Beal, managing director at Hobson & Porter, said: “I am delighted that Jon, Richard and Mike will be taking on director roles within the business. Our continued growth and very positive performance of late has allowed us to strengthen the board as we look to maintain that momentum. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all three of them on their appointments.”

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