This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Sue Streatfield has been appointed as a senior associate in Clarion’s intellectual property (IP) practice, which now has the largest team of specialist IP solicitors within a full service law firm in the region.

With over 14 years’ experience in intellectual property and six years’ earlier experience as a commercial litigator, Sue was previously an associate in Bond Dickson’s IP team having joined Dickinson Dees seven years ago; prior to that she worked for Eversheds and DLA Piper.

Sue has substantial experience of advising clients on all aspects of intellectual property law with a particular emphasis on litigation. She has advised clients across a broad range of sectors including the pharmaceutical, biotech, engineering, IT, university and retail sectors and has worked with all sizes of businesses from small businesses to large international corporations. Legal 500 describes Sue as having “great expertise and an impressive aptitude for complex issues”.

In her new role, Sue will work within the seven-strong Clarion team on all IP matters relating to patents, designs, trade marks and copyright, including litigation and dispute resolution, as well as advising on strategy and registered IP protection, IP agreements and exploitation.

Leigh Martin, lead partner of Clarion’s IP practice, said: “It’s great news that such an excellent IP specialist as Sue, with her wealth of experience and expertise, has chosen to join our growing team at Clarion.

“It makes me proud that our business has become a market leader in the IP field, with one of the largest teams of specialist IP solicitors in the city, and indeed in the region. Our IP offering also has the added benefit, of course, of sitting within a full service law firm, meaning that we are able to bring to our clients whatever resources and other business and legal expertise they may require.”

Michael Cooke, EY

EY has appointed Business Development Director Michael Cooke in Yorkshire to support the firm’s continued growth in the financial services sector across the North of England.

Michael, who joins EY from PwC in London, brings 18 years’ business development and account management experience to the firm, having worked with some of the world’s largest financial institutions.

At EY, Michael will develop new and existing relationships in the regional market to support the firm’s financial services business.

The firm’s Financial Services practice, which includes assurance, tax, advisory and M&A services, now employs 150 people in Yorkshire and 550 across the wider North of England, supporting a range of clients.

Steve Robb, Partner and FS Leader for the North at EY, commented: “Michael has exceptional sector experience and is adept at building lasting client relationships with major financial organisations.

“He will play an important role as we continue to grow in what is an exciting time for our financial services business in Yorkshire and the North of England, as we continue to develop our offering to meet the changing needs of our financial services client base.”

James Hall, Key Capital Partners

Experienced private equity investor James Hall has joined private equity house Key Capital Partners (KCP) as a director based at the firm’s Leeds head office.

James has 16 years’ experience within the sector having held senior positions with a number of private equity houses including Royal Bank Development Capital, ISIS Equity Partners and NorthEdge Capital where he led half of its deals as well as having established and headed up its Leeds office.

He has also acted as a non-executive director for a number of businesses including Fine Organics and Ramsdens Financial; and most recently he worked with Sheffield-based games developer Sumo Digital.

In his new role, James will work with Leeds-based partners Peter Armitage and Owen Trotter to deploy the fund into new investments across the North of England.

James commented: “KCP is a small specialist team with a strong reputation and a great market position. I know from my own experience that there’s still a real lack of funding for SMEs with many PE houses having moved up to make larger investments. The deal flow in the smaller buy-out market is definitely there and I’m very excited about working with one of the most experienced teams in this field to enable fast-growing businesses to realise their potential.”

Peter Armitage, KCP investment partner, said: “James is a perfect fit for our team. His excellent track record of investing and helping to grow businesses along with his strong reputation is just what we need as we seek investment opportunities with entrepreneurial firms throughout Yorkshire, the North East and North West.”

Mike Clarke, Business Growth Fund

BGF (Business Growth Fund) has appointed Mike Clarke to its investment team covering the North of England.

Mike, who will be based in the Leeds office, joins BGF’s 60-strong nationwide team responsible for identifying investment opportunities and managing the deal process from origination through to completion. BGF’s investors also provide support either as board members or observers in the companies they back.

Before BGF, Mike gained over eight years’ experience in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions at BDO in Leeds. During this time, he worked on a number of transactions including, most recently, the sale of nationwide Spanish restaurant chain, La Tasca to Casual Dining Group.

BGF’s team of investors in Leeds recently completed the firm’s first investment in Northern Ireland, backing Derry-based housebuilder, Braidwater.

Andy Gregory, BGF’s regional director for the North said: “In the last 12 months, the Leeds team has completed five new investments, follow-on funding transactions and the partial exit of York Mailing, making this our most active year in Yorkshire and the North East to date.

“To support the growing portfolio, we are focused on bringing on to team the highest calibre professionals, across a range of finance and investment backgrounds.”

Mike Clarke said: “BGF’s Leeds office is transacting a growing number of interesting deals, and is gaining a solid reputation in the market. I am delighted to be joining the team at an exciting time and contributing to a different but increasingly proven way of investing.”

Stuart Ridley, Sheffield City Trust

Leisure charity Sheffield City Trust (SCT) has appointed Stuart Ridley as its new head of marketing and communications.

Stuart, who has more than 15 years industry experience working for major national brands including Thorntons, Stanley Black and Decker, McCain Foods and Heinz, joins from The Kings Foundation where he was head of marketing.

He will be responsible for the implementation of new marketing strategies, customer relationship management, digital marketing, brand communications and social media across the SCT group.

Stuart, who has a degree in marketing from Northumbria University and a Postgraduate Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma, said: “The opportunity to work for one of the biggest and most renowned names in the leisure industry is very exciting. Managing some of the city’s landmark venues and facilities that are integral to their local communities is hugely rewarding.

“With such a vast and varied portfolio of sport, leisure and entertainment activities, my role will focus on encouraging more people in Sheffield to lead healthier lives.”

Steve Brailey MBE, chief executive of SCT, added: “Stuart is a hugely experienced and talented marketer and someone who is able to bring knowledge and skills gained from a career working with top national brands to SCT, so we’re delighted he has joined our team.”

Neal Lomax, FriPura

Hull-based kitchen oil filter manufacturers FriPura has appointed Neal Lomax in the new role of sales account manager.

Neal will manage the North West region for the company supporting on business development and advising existing companies on best practice for reducing oil consumption.

Neal’s early career was spent as a professional golfer competing in golf tournaments across the World before moving into the hospitality sector. He became director at Teas ‘n’ Greens based at Eastham Lodge Golf Club near Birkenhead. He successfully grew the club by implementing a business improvement programme as well as managing the kitchen, designing and developing menus and training all staff.

Neal then went on to run the kitchen at award-winning The Tee Room in West Kirby.

The FriPura filter makes fried food healthier and extends the life of oil* – generating significant savings on the consumption of oil, as well as cutting the volume and environmental impact of oil sent for waste. Neal is responsible for selling the filter to target markets which include major UK pub and restaurant chains.

Sam Wilbraham, executive chef and marketing director at FriPura, said: “We are delighted to have Neal as a part of the FriPura team. Neal’s skills in business development, sales and experience of working and managing a kitchen combined and his knowledge of the North West region will lend themselves well to the role.

“This is a perfect time for Neal to join us as we look to expand the business in Liverpool and Manchester.”

Matthew Castle, DoubleTree

Matthew Castle has been appointed head chef at DoubleTree by Hilton - Leeds City Centre.

Matthew was encouraged to pursue a career in kitchens by his brother, also a head chef in Birmingham, having discovered cooking whilst completing a GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualifications).

Following a decade as chef de partie and cooking in over 9 establishments across the country, Matthew was appointed to his first head chef role at the age of 24. Matthew’s career has seen him work for catering companies boasting a £1.7million turn over, to cooking under the security staff for Prince Edward at the ballet.

Holmfirth-born Matthew comments: “My career has been varied, I’ve cooked in restaurants, hotels and catering companies. A real turning point for me was when my old boss really took me under his wing and taught me about being a strong head chef. As a mentor he taught me about respect and how to get the best out of the team around you. It’s only when you have a well-oiled team around you that the kitchen will run at its best and you can create delicious dishes.”

Matthew now heads up the DoubleTree kitchen, a 22 strong team and has already promoted a number of staff including Andy Kelly. Previous junior sous chef, Andy has cooked for award-winning restaurants for over 7 years and has now been appointed senior sous chef.

Matthew added: “I see a great deal of potential in Andy and I would like to promote from within where possible. I had 4 years as sous chef under my mentor and it allowed me the time to see how directing a kitchen and team could be done. I hope to give Andy the same opportunities here.”

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