This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Aberfield Communications, a public relations and social media agency, has welcomed a new addition to the team, as it enters its fourth year of business with an expanding client portfolio.

Louise O’Donoghue joins the Leeds-based agency as a Consultant, after completing a public relations and digital communications degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.

With experience working in-house at Swimwear 365 and Fashion Rider, she will support the team in helping to manage client accounts and implementing new campaigns and activities.

Commenting on the appointment, Louise said: “Aberfield’s approach to influencing an audience really appealed to me. They do things a bit differently to other agencies, and I’m delighted to be a part of this. I can’t wait to get stuck in and begin my career.”

Phil Reed, managing director, added: “Louise will support both the growth of new and existing clients, and assist with new business approaches. It’s great to welcome her to the team.

James Bailey, Hammerson

Hammerson announces the appointment of James Bailey as general manager of Victoria Quarter in Leeds.

James joins Hammerson from Land Securities, where he spent seven years, most recently in the role of Centre Director at the White Rose shopping centre in Leeds. Prior to this, James headed up The Centre Livingston, Scotland’s second largest shopping destination.

Before joining Land Securities in 2008, James was Operations Development Manager at Hammerson.

James has over 15 years’ experience in the industry, having begun his career with LaSalle Investment Management in 1999.

Janet Bishopp, head of shopping centre management at Hammerson, said: “We are very pleased to welcome James back to Hammerson and to the team at Victoria Quarter. James will be taking over the role from acting general manager, Nicola Hanson, a longstanding and extremely valuable member of our team and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Nicola for her hard work and leadership in the interim period.

“Victoria Quarter is a landmark destination for shoppers in Leeds and across the North of England, and James brings significant experience to our team as we continue to enhance our luxury retail offering in the Grade II listed Victorian building and look ahead to the opening of Victoria Gate late next year.”

Ian Robinson, Twisted Automotive

Twisted Automotive has supported its growth plans with the appointment of a new finance director.

Ian Robinson will be responsible for supporting the company’s international expansion and launching a range of new services over the next three years.

Mr Robinson joins the business from Insight Healthcare, which has seen significant growth over the last five years. He was previously Group Finance Director of the private equity owned ALcontrol Laboratories, a leading laboratory testing group, during which time he oversaw a major expansion of the business in both the UK and in Europe.

Commenting on the appointment Ian Robinson said: “Twisted is undergoing a rapid expansion and is well placed to leverage the partnership opportunities that are arising at home and overseas. The business has ambitious growth plans and will launch a series of new services over the coming months. I’m joining a driven and entrepreneurial management team.”

Alex Duckett, operations director said: “Attracting the best talent underpins our growth strategy and Ian brings a wealth of experience to the business. He will play a key role in supporting the management team going forward.”

Based in North Yorkshire, Twisted has built an international reputation for quality engineering and a creative approach to tailoring each vehicle to customer needs. It can spend over 800 hours improving everything from simple bolts, to full engine rebuilds and handcrafted interiors.

Matthew Mulqueen, Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Matthew Mulqueen as a partner in its Energy & Natural Resources Practice. Mr. Mulqueen, who will be based in the firm’s Leeds office, was previously at Bracewell & Giuliani in London.

Mr. Mulqueen is a non-contentious construction and engineering lawyer with a focus on major energy and infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally, with particular experience in the renewable energy sector.

He previously spent five years in the construction group at Clifford Chance, specialising in international infrastructure and projects in the energy and resources sectors. He was also seconded to the Olympic Delivery Authority for the London 2012 Olympic Games for a year, during which time he was responsible for the legal aspects of procurement and contract negotiation for the Velodrome, BMX venue and various elements of the Olympic Park logistics and infrastructure.

John Alderton, managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs in Leeds, said: “Our firm has a long-established reputation for its work in the energy sector and Matthew’s expertise adds real strength in depth to our capability in the North, whilst also bolstering our Construction and Engineering Practice.

“We have advised on many of the largest renewable energy projects in the UK across multiple disciplines working across the Pennines with our teams in Leeds and Manchester together with our offices in the Midlands and London. Last month we appointed senior planning lawyer David Hardy in Leeds, who also has considerable experience within the renewable energy sector, and it is exciting to bring on board another lawyer with complementary experience in this field.”

Vidya Thammandra, Matthew Wilson-Wright and Martin Eley, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

Engineering and professional services consultancy WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff in Leeds has welcomed a trio of new senior appointments as part of an ongoing recruitment drive which has seen the business employ 32 new staff since the start of 2015.

This rapid growth is the result of a number of major project wins, regionally and nationally, for the now 270 strong Leeds team.

Vidya Thammandra has joined the group as Associate in WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s highways and bridges team, bringing with him more than 20 years’ expertise in the transport and energy infrastructure sectors.

Vidya, who is originally from India, started his career working for the Indian Railway Service of Engineers, before moving to the UK in 2001 where he worked on a number of projects involving the design of bridges and offshore structures.

The development team has welcomed two new appointments to its water services arm to help capitalise on the growing number of Northern contracts in this field. Associate, Matthew Wilson-Wright and Principal Engineer, Martin Eley, join the business following five years at Yorkshire Water as part of a BarhaleWSP joint venture for the £60 million AMP5 framework to upgrade the utility company’s water and sewerage network across the region.

Andy Smith, Muse Developments

Muse Developments, the national developer and urban regeneration specialist, has expanded its Leeds office with the appointment of Andy Smith as Senior Project Manager.

Andy has more than 20 years’ experience in the property sector, including delivering major multi-million pound mixed use projects for Ask Property Developments, Select Property Group, HBOS plc, Christal Management and CJ Smith, his own specialist project management consultancy.

He will support Muse’s Leeds office in the delivery of an increasing portfolio of projects across Yorkshire, North East and East Midlands.

David Wells, Muse’s regional director for Yorkshire, North East and East Midlands, said: “It’s an extremely busy time for us, with a number of major projects underway across the region. Andy brings with him a wealth of experience and skills, which will play a vital role in delivering some of our key schemes.”

Andy added: “I’m delighted to have joined such a dynamic company as Muse. I’m really looking forward to working with the team and applying my experience and knowledge in the progression and delivery of major development projects for the business.”

Alison Mansfield, Ben Bailey Homes

Wakefield-based housebuilder Ben Bailey Homes has appointed Alison Mansfield to the role of area sales manager.

Alison will oversee sales at several Ben Bailey Homes’ developments across West Yorkshire, including Meadowgate Park in Crossgates, Moor Croft in Mirfield and Apperley Green in Apperley Bridge.

Alison brings 23 years of sales experience to her new role, having previously been employed as head of sales and marketing at Radleigh Homes and as a sales manager for Taylor Wimpey.

Commenting on her new position, Alison said: “Ben Bailey Homes has a reputation for providing excellent customer service and satisfaction, and I am excited to be joining such a strong team. It’s particularly exciting to be overseeing sales at such aspirational developments, where Ben Bailey Homes’ innovative new properties are being built.

“My aim is to help the company exceed its projected sales rate for the year, and to ensure that my team is happy as well as successful. Given the quality of the properties we are selling, I’m confident that we will achieve these goals.”

Mark Mitchell, Ben Bailey Homes’ managing director, added: “I am delighted to welcome Alison to her new role, which will see her have input into all sites in the region. Her enthusiasm, coupled with her experience in the industry, will make her an invaluable asset to the team.”

Giles Cressey, Physio Med

Yorkshire-based Physio Med, an occupational physiotherapy provider, has welcomed Giles Cressey to the team as Financial Controller.

In a newly created role, Giles will work within the finance department to oversee the implementation of a new finance software solution which will improve existing processes and systems, allowing Physio Med to streamline the finance function and assist the board with real time management information.

With more than 22 years of experience in finance and accounts, in both practice and the construction industry and recently at Redsky IT Limited, Giles’ expertise will be a strong addition to the team.

Giles said: “Physio Med is a renowned physiotherapy provider, and I’m looking forward to this exciting change in direction. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with the board of directors to continue improving the great service Physio Med provides, as well as assisting the business achieve its goals.”

Phil Clayton, managing director of Physio Med, added: “We’re pleased to have an experienced, dedicated professional such as Giles working with us to help us reach the next stage in our development. Implementing software to provide real time management information will free up management time and improve business growth – a great step forward for Physio Med.”

Danny Francis and Vicky Wilson, Clarke’s Environmental Ltd

North Yorkshire asbestos removal firm Clarke’s Environmental Ltd, has made two senior appointments to further bolster the company’s expertise.

The Northallerton business, whose services also include transport and disposal and full surveying and accreditation, has promoted Danny Francis to operations director.

Vicky Wilson, the current FD of Clarke’s Environmental sister company HCS Mechanical Services, has been appointed FD of Clarke’s Environmental - and will also play a strategic role in achieving the company’s vision.

Danny, who joined the business in 2008, said: “As operations director I’m delighted to be working alongside Vicky and being instrumental in taking Clarke’s Environmental to the next level in line with our longer term growth strategy.”

Vicky commented: “We are firmly focussed on growing our reputation as a leading national specialist in asbestos removal, and I am excited to be working closely with Danny at this formative period.”

Richard Clarke, managing director of Clarke’s Environmental, added: “Danny and Vicky bring a combined breadth and depth of expertise to their respective roles and we wish them continued success as we realise our growth plans which have recently seen us expand into Scotland.”

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