This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Simpson Millar, the consumer law firm, has hired two senior lawyers to lead its family and private client departments.

Peter Morris has joined Simpson Millar as its new head of family, with Erika Sinclair joining as national head of private client. Both will be based at the firm’s head office in Leeds.

Peter joins as a partner from Irwin Mitchell and takes over from Emma Pearmaine who will focus on her broader role as director of family services.

Erika Sinclair qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and spent the first ten years of her career in commercial litigation, including as in-house legal counsel at a number of FTSE 100 companies.

After a career break, Erika moved into private client work initially with Lupton Fawcett Denison Till in Leeds, followed by Andrew Jacksons.

Emma Pearmaine, director of family services at Simpson Millar, said: “I am hugely excited about Erika and Peter joining Simpson Millar. Both have a forward-thinking approach to legal services and the drive to push their teams onward in exciting directions.

“Erika is extremely capable with the right mix of natural leadership, business development and client handling skills. She has been tasked with developing our range of private client services and processes nationally.

“Aside from being highly recommended as a family lawyer, Peter understands what clients want and how to tailor services to match the demands of a market that has changed beyond recognition.”

Richard Royal, Vivergo Fuels

Vivergo Fuels, the Hull-based producer of bioethanol and high protein animal feed, has appointed Richard Royal as its head of government affairs.

The role will see Richard working with politicians and media to raise awareness of the role Vivergo Fuels is playing in boosting the UK economy by sustaining a market for domestic animal feed grade wheat, supporting UK farmers and creating UK jobs throughout its supply chain.

Richard will spearhead the company’s ongoing call to government for the rollout of E10 petrol – a greener fuel containing 10% bioethanol – in 2017.

Its introduction would deliver a carbon reduction equivalent of taking 700,000 cars off the roads in the UK, helping the government to achieve greener transport and support economic growth.

Richard, who was also a Parliamentary Candidate at the 2015 General Election, brings more than 15 years’ experience in public affairs to Vivergo Fuels, gained through senior-level roles with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Food and Drink Federation, Britvic and Ladbrokes.

Mark Chesworth, managing director at Vivergo Fuels, said: “It is a crucial time for E10 and we’re delighted to welcome Richard to the company.

“His expertise and extensive political knowledge will be vital as we continue to call on the government for the swift, coordinated rollout of E10 to benefit both the environment and the economy.”

Richard added: “Vivergo Fuels is a great British company which is passionate about creating a greener future, providing a sustainable market for UK farmers, and supporting the economy through job creation in the north of England.

“I’m excited to be back in Yorkshire and to be working alongside Mark and the team to raise awareness of Vivergo Fuels as a business and to secure the introduction of E10 in the UK.”

Ian Fowles, Langleys Solicitors

Langleys Solicitors has appointed Ian Fowles as its IT director.

Ian joins York and Lincoln-based Langleys from Irwin Mitchell and previously worked at npower.

In his new role, Ian will ensure that Langleys benefits from the delivery of processes and technology that support the overall business strategy.

David Thompson, managing partner at Langleys, said: “Ian is an expert in many different areas of information technology.

“His experience and knowledge will support our staff and further enhance the service we offer to our clients.”

Ian added: “Langleys is committed to its people, innovation, corporate and social responsibility and above all its clients. Technology and transformational change is the foundation of this.

“I’m excited to join the team and look forward to delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions while embracing changes in technology and the industry that further improve our offering.”

Langleys employs 330 people at its offices in York and Lincoln.

Karen Stockdill, Companion Stairlifts

Companion Stairlifts has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Karen Stockdill to the newly created position of senior office sales manager.

Companion supplies stairlifts and bathing products to both private individuals and large organisations such as independent mobility shops across the UK.

The team is split between a contact centre at its head office in Guiseley, West Yorkshire and a mobile team of professional surveyors covering the whole of the UK.

Karen has over 18 years’ experience in the industry and joins the companion team to provide coaching and mentoring to the sales team as the company embarks on a drive to grow its share of the market.

Clare Brophy, managing director, said: “These are exciting times for Companion and I’m delighted to welcome Karen to our team.

“She is perfect for the organisation and her appointment will help us take the business to the next level.”

Karen added: “I’m looking forward to working with this very ambitious and professional young team to further improve the sales journey for its customers.”

Simon Dixon and Steve Kerridge, BHP Consulting

BHP Consulting has grown its team with the appointment of two new consultants Simon Dixon and Steve Kerridge.

The two join a team of four consultants and support staff based across offices in Leeds, Cleckheaton, Sheffield, Chesterfield, and York.

BHP Consulting, which is a division of BHP Chartered Accountants, helps businesses of all sizes from across the region identify and deliver growth potential.

David Mitchell, partner at BHP Consulting, said: “Simon Dixon has 20 years’ experience working in industry on supply chain and operations issues.

“He began his career on Asda’s logistics graduate scheme, where he opened new distribution centres, worked on performance improvement projects and latterly managed a high throughput distribution centre.

“He is the former head of PwC’s logistics consulting practice, where he led and worked on performance improvement projects with Blue Chip clients across Europe.”

David added: “Steve Kerridge also brings a wealth of experience to the team. He has a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Sheffield, and a career that spans the UK, Europe and Australasia at both SME and multinational organisations, with a particular emphasis towards technology based businesses.

“With previous roles in procurement, logistics, treasury management, consulting, private equity and technology, he has a strong track record for building value and has been CEO of two software companies, growing one of these from an early stage venture with a team of six into a successful and profitable business with 60 staff.

“These collaborations have allowed us to expand our offering across a wide range of industries and complement our existing team and their collective experience.

“We already offer owners of expanding businesses a full range of consulting services, and Simon and Steve’s involvement has added to the breadth of knowledge and advice we can provide.”

Yasmin Fenton and Rachael Scott, Andrew Jackson

Law firm Andrew Jackson has welcomed paralegals Yasmin Fenton and Rachael Scott to its team.

Yasmin, who joins Andrew Jackson’s property department from another Hull practice, has specialised in property law since graduating with a first class law degree from the University of Hull.

She will assist the partners across a full range of freehold and leasehold commercial property matters.

Rachael gained a distinction in the Legal Practice Course at Leeds’ University of Law and, prior to joining Andrew Jackson’s private client team, helped develop a smartphone app aimed at entertaining and informing young people about the law.

In her new role she will assist with the preparation of wills, the administration of estates and the team’s rapidly increasing Court of Protection work.

Mark Pearson-Kendall, managing partner at Andrew Jackson said: “Delivering legal services specifically tailored to meet clients’ needs is our key focus at Andrew Jackson.

“As demand for our property and private client services continues to grow I’m very pleased to welcome Yasmin and Rachael to the firm.

“It’s been a great year for Andrew Jackson, with strong national recognition across our departments, most recently in the 2016 Legal 500 rankings, so I’m very proud to see this continue with the expansion of our teams across our three regional offices.

“I’m confident Yasmin and Rachael will both play a key role in helping us to maintain the high levels of client service that we aim to deliver across the firm.”

Andrew Aitken, JM Finn & Co

Andrew Aitken has joined JM Finn & Co as head of the Yorkshire office.

Andrew, who has spent the last nine years at UBS Wealth Management, has worked in the investment management industry since 1997 both in London and Yorkshire.

He will take over the regional management responsibilities from David Barstow whilst supporting the firm’s business development efforts.

Andrew commented: “JM Finn’s approach to investment management, which focuses on offering a very personal service, is in huge demand from private clients and professional intermediaries alike, and I look forward to helping JM Finn & Co continue their work in becoming the investment manager of choice for private clients in Yorkshire.”

David Barstow, investment director, commented: “I am delighted that Andrew has joined the business.

“His experience and enthusiasm will help us enormously and allow me, after 11 happy years as Head of the office, to focus solely on managing my clients’ investment portfolios.”

JM Finn & Co has had a presence in Yorkshire since 2002 and currently has eight investment managers, with nearly £500m of client funds under management and administration.

Sarah Tipton Walker, Switalskis Solicitors

Switalskis Solicitors has appointed specialist claims solicitor Sarah Tipton Walker as a director of the firm.

Sarah is the twentieth director to be appointed at Switalskis, joining a leadership team comprising of 19 other directors drawn from the wide range of legal departments at the firm.

Sarah sits within the Clinical Negligence department, which is based at Switalskis Huddersfield office, where she leads a team of expert lawyers.

Suzanne Munroe, head of Clinical Negligence at Switalskis, said: “Sarah is a lawyer who always puts her clients first. She is truly brilliant at finding a way through the most difficult of cases to ensure her clients get a result and a real chance at improving their quality of life.

“She is a true asset to the business and I am thrilled to have her at my side to lead this excellent team of specialist lawyers.”

Sarah is ranked as a leading individual in the Legal 500 UK guide to the legal profession for Clinical Negligence in Yorkshire, and is praised for ‘really fighting for her clients’.

Whilst Sarah deals with a wide variety of Clinical Negligence cases, she has a particular interest in nerve injury and brain injury claims.

Sarah has been a member of Switalskis Clinical Negligence team since February 2010. With more than 15 years’ experience in personal injury, Sarah has a long and consistent track record of successfully representing clients in complex and high value clinical negligence cases.

John Ward, SALT.agency

Leeds-based technical marketing agency SALT.agency has appointed John Ward as a new director.

Ward, who has over a decade’s experience in the online marketing industry, joins to take over responsibilities in operations and strategic business expansion.

SALT, which is run by co-directors Martin Woods and Reza Moaianadin, has expanded its office twice in the past year to accommodate growth.

Woods said: “We are excited to welcome John to the SALT.agency. John’s vast experience working in digital sector for the past 11 years and will complement our existing consultancy offering.”

“I am very pleased to be joining team SALT at a very exciting time in the market. Things are changing and business is starting to reject the traditional cookie cut agency approach.

“I am also especially proud that it’s happening here in the digital bubble of Leeds and to be included in this journey.”

Paula Van Bloor, Provide Education

Provide Education, the Barnsley-based specialist recruitment agency, has appointed a new consultant.

Paula Van Bloor has joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and will work with schools and job candidates across South Yorkshire.

Paula initially approached Provide Education for help in finding a teaching post – but after attending a candidate interview, decided to apply to become part of its head office team instead.

She has nine years of experience in education working as a further education teacher at a college in Oldham, and her most recent post was with a private training company in Liverpool.

Provide Education has its head office in Barugh Green, Barnsley and three other branch offices in West Yorkshire and the East Midlands. It opened a new branch office in Teesside in August, and has recently expanded its services into Greater Manchester too.

Established for ten years, the organisation now has over 3000 teachers on its books and works with a continually increasing number of schools. It employs 23 staff across the four offices.

Katie Buckle, director of Provide Education, said: “Paula has joined us at a very busy time, and we’re delighted to have her on board as we move further into the new academic year.

“It’s been a great 2016 so far, with lots of new schools and job candidates signing up for our services, and our strong team of staff is key to our current and future success.”

James Kennedy, DS.Emotion

DS.Emotion, the Leeds-based creative agency, has appointed a new lead video producer.

James Kennedy brings over ten years’ experience in creating and managing the production of high quality video and design content for both online and broadcast television audiences.

His expertise includes producing online video and television commercials for corporate clients as well as short film and music videos that have featured on shows including MTV, Channel 4, Kerrang! and The Box.

James previously worked for a Fast Track 100 company where he led a team of six creatives in producing high quantities of video and TV commercial content. He has also worked the brands including NPower and Yamaha,

At DS.Emotion, James will be taking lead responsibility for the production of video content for online, broadcast, social media and events for clients including Hilton, The Big Word, Civica and Moda and destinations including the Met Quarter, The Albert Estate and Silverstone.

Angus Armitage, director and Co-Founder of DS.Emotion, said: “Film remains a major platform for bringing brands to life across all accessible platforms and we are experiencing a significant increase in this type of work for clients.

“It is fantastic that we have been able to attract someone of James’ calibre to lead our video production team as we continue to expand nationally.”

Sadie Brook and Zoe Roberts, Clarion

Two trainee solicitors at Leeds law firm Clarion have been given permanent positions as associates with the firm.

Sadie Brook and Zoe Roberts have both completed their two year training contract with Clarion during which time they gained experience in at least four departments.

Sadie, now part of Clarion’s commercial team, graduated from University of Nottingham with BA (Hons) in History and then attended College of Law, York, to gain a Graduate Diploma in Law before completing a Legal Practice Course (LPC) with distinction at BPP Leeds Law School.

Zoe, who has joined the employment practice, read English and Communication Studies at Liverpool University, undertook a PG Diploma in Law at Leeds Met University and completed her LPC (Distinction) at BPP Leeds Law School.

Roger Hutton, joint managing partner, sai: “Both Sadie and Zoe have been excellent trainees over the last two years and having invested in their development, we are pleased to be able to see them become permanent members of the Clarion team and continue to nurture their careers.

“As a firm, we are committed to bringing young talent into the legal profession and recognise the huge contribution they make to our continued success.”

Clarion has a 126 -strong team, including 21 partners, based at its Elizabeth House offices on Queen Street.

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