This week’s Yorkshire appointments

An experienced corporate finance advisor is joining York and Leeds accountancy practice Garbutt + Elliott to support the firm’s ongoing growth strategy.

Tony Farmer will become part of Garbutt + Elliott’s corporate finance division after 13 years with York and Selby accountants JWP Creers, where he was most recently the firm’s chairman.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds the Institute’s corporate finance qualification. He advises on all corporate finance issues including mergers and acquisitions, business sales and raising bank and equity finance. Upon joining Garbutt + Elliott he will be based in the firm’s York office.

Richard Feltham, Garbutt + Elliott partner and head of corporate finance, said: “Tony is a hugely experienced and highly respected operator.

“His appointment is great news for our corporate finance team. It not only expands our coverage in the region, but also strengthens our position in the market.”

Garbutt + Elliott employs 120 people, including eight partners.

Russell Turner, Garbutt + Elliott’s managing partner, added:“ÂœOur growth strategy is ahead of plan and having Tony on board underlines our ambition and commitment to continuing that growth with high calibre appointments.

“We have every confidence that Tony will play a significant role in the future success of Garbutt + Elliott.”

Susan Seaman, Ali Jones and Paul Lodder, Sagers

Sagars, a Leeds-based independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, has appointed three new partners.

The appointments, all long-standing members of Sagars team, take the number of partners in the firm to eight.

The new partners are Paul Lodder, Susan Seaman and Ali Jones.

Paul Lodder joined Sagars as a trainee accountant, after graduating from York University. He qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and now specialises in providing commercial, strategic, business and tax advice to owner managed businesses and the legal profession.

Paul is spearheading Sagars’™ development of cloud accounting services for its clients, with the firm proving that there’s no need to sacrifice tradition and client service in embracing the latest technology.

Susan Seaman joined Sagars from Mazars in 1998. A Chartered Accountant (FCA) and Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), Susan provides audit, accountancy, taxation and business improvement advice to a varied portfolio of SME business clients with an emphasis on farming, pension schemes, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Susan also plays a particularly important role in heading the firm’s graduate recruitment and professional development programmes.

Ali Jones joined Sagars from PwC, having originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant (FCA) with Ernst & Young. Ali leads Sagars’™ business consulting, corporate finance and governance advisory services, supporting family and owner-managed businesses, professional practices and not-for-profit organisations through periods of growth, challenge, change and succession.

Chris Jones, managing partner, commented: “These promotions to partner are fully deserved. It is unprecedented in Sagars’ history to appoint more than one partner at a time.

“The partnerships are a sign of our continued commitment to long-term client relationships, helping us to strengthen our partner-led service and give our clients the very best advice.

“We now have 90 plus team members with clients across a wide range of sectors. The average length of service at Sagars is more than 12 years, which makes us very proud of our record of team retention.”

Rachael Bacon, Langleys Solicitors

Langleys Solicitors has appointed Rachael Bacon to its commercial property team.

A newly qualified solicitor, Rachael studied law and a Masters in corporate commercial law at the University of York. She completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, York.

Rachael completed her training contract with a Gainsborough law firm before joining Langleys which has offices in Lincoln and York.

Tim Cross, head of commercial at Langleys Solicitors, said: “Ware pleased to welcome Rachael to our commercial property team which continues to perform strongly, providing excellent advice and service to our clients across the East Midlands and Yorkshire.”

Madeline Orme, Milly Rose and Lucy Callaghan, Hatch Communication

Hatch Communication, the Leeds-based PR, social, sponsorship and events agency, has announced the appointment of three new recruits.

The expansion of the agency comes shortly after the independent business relocated to a newly refurbished office space in the Leeds Dock area of city earlier this year.

The new team members joining include Milly Rose and Madeline Orme as senior account executives and Lucy Callaghan as social media manager.

Having previously worked as a senior account executive at Leeds-agency, Brand8 PR, Milly will be supporting the existing public relations teams and will be involved in creating stand-out campaigns with targeted media strategies as well as the day-to-day running of accounts.

Madeline Orme re-located from London earlier this month to join the team as senior account executive, bringing with her a wealth of experience gained across the fashion and lifestyle sectors, working with clients such as Farah, Quay Australia and Stance.

Rounding off the trio is Lucy Callaghan, who joins the team as social media manager from CreativeRace, and will work with head of social media, Matthew Balmforth, to develop the agencies social media offering including social strategy, advertising, creative and integrated campaigns.

Jason Madeley, managing director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Milly, Madeline and Lucy to the team. We’ve had a fantastic 12 months at Hatch and we’re really proud of the thriving business we’ve developed.

“We have some exciting new clients in the pipeline that match our ambitious expansion plans as we round off 2016 and push into 2017.”

Janice Munday CBE, David Duggins, Jon Bolton and James Tate, Sheffield Forgemasters

A quartet of industrialists have been appointed to the board of directors at Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd.

Janice Munday CBE, David Duggins and Jon Bolton take non-executive roles and James Tate has been appointed as CFO.

Janice was formerly director of advanced manufacturing and services for the UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills and Jon brings more than 15 years of board level.

Responsibilities including time as managing director of Corus Engineering Steels and is CEO for Liberty Steel Plates and UK Steel Development and chair of UK Steel, the sector’s trade association.

David Duggins is an experienced non executive director and has held several board positions and leading advisory roles.

James has many years experience as CFO within the manufacturing industry, most recently as head of group finance for CPL Industries and previously as UK and Europe finance manager for Nord Anglia.

Dr Graham Honeyman, chief executive at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “As part of this company’s turnaround plan and forward business strategy, we sought out new directors with very relevant skills and experience to help Sheffield Forgemasters into its next phase of development.

“I am delighted that we have agreed positions for Janice Munday, Jon Bolton, David Duggins and James Tate on the board and look forward to working with them to push Forgemasters into new markets and to build on our existing skills base.

“Each appointment brings a different element to our operations. Janice has a long history of working with manufacturing businesses from a government level and will help in the work we do on defence and research projects but also as we increasingly offer services to other countries.

“Jon Bolton has vast experience of working at the highest level in the steels and engineering industries and will be a great asset. And James Tate takes the role of chief financial officer after a long search to find someone with the correct understanding of a multi-faceted engineering business.

“David Duggins is extremely well versed in the directorial side of large businesses and brings a vast amount of insight and a new approach to achieving operational efficiencies for a company of this size.”

The group board is now made up of Dr Graham Honeyman, chief executive, Tony Pedder, chairman, John Lovell, company secretary, James Tate, chief financial officer, Janice Munday, non executive director and Jon Bolton, non executive director and David Duggins, non-executive director.

Joanne Gibson, Danielle Pyper and Laura Mackfall, Emsleys Solicitors

Leeds-based Emsleys Solicitors has announced the appointment of three new team members in wills & probate and family law.

Solicitor Joanne Gibson joins the wills team; bringing seven years’™ specialist experience in wills, powers of attorney, court of protection and probate work.

Legal assistant Danielle Pyper and chartered legal executive Laura Mackfall join the firm’s family law team.

Danielle brings a year’s post-graduate experience to her new role. Laura has experience in family law, gained over 26 years in the profession, specialising in financial and children issues.

Helen Gott, head of wills & probate, who joined Emsleys earlier this year, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Joanne to the department. Her extensive experience in wills & probate with particular focus on the elderly really complements the team.”

Gabbie Clasper, head of family law, added: “The family law team delivers excellent service to clients, and the addition of two new team members will enable us to continue to do so as we move forward into 2017.”

Director Andrew commented: “The 100% client satisfaction results confirm Emsleys’ commitment to client care and an all-round excellent experience.

“Additionally, our new head office in Colton will provide both the wills & probate and family law departments with great new facilities in which to meet the needs of clients.”

Kevin Judge, The Dining Club Group

Huddersfield-based The Dining Club Group, owner of the UK’s largest dining clubs, tastecard, Gourmet Society and Hi-life, has announced that Kevin Judge has been appointed as the group’s new chief technical officer.

Following his appointment, Kevin is now tasked with building a new IT team and system, with international expansion and new products in mind. He will be responsible for everything IT related; from business systems, infrastructure and equipment, to customer-facing websites and mobile apps.

Kevin brings a wealth of experience to the role, after previously holding similar positions at Hermes Parcelnet, Asda Walmart and Jet2.com.

While head of business systems at Jet2.com, Kevin was responsible for rebuilding the company’s consumer website and the successful launch of the first ever Jet2Holidays mobile app.

Matt Turner, CEO of The Dining Club Group, said: “As part of our expansion and growth plans it is vital that our IT infrastructure and processes are up to scratch and able to facilitate our business needs.

“We appointed Kevin as CTO as his experience puts him in a great position to lead the team and enable us to move forward as a business.”

Helen Boston, George F. White

Planning consultant Helen Boston has joined land, property and business consultancy George F. White in a key recruitment move for the firm’s Bedale office.

Helen has over five years’™ experience in planning, specifically in local authorities, which will bring an added dimension to the thriving team. She particularly specialises in enforcement which will help George F. White to attract and manage more complex planning projects.

Previous to her role at George F. White, Helen worked for a number of local councils including the Lake District National Park as a graduate planner, Hambleton District Council, where she worked in the planning enforcement department, and Ryedale District Council where she spent the last couple of years as a planning officer.

Richard Garland, head of planning and development at George F. White, said: “We’re delighted to expand our planning team, with provides services from Scotland to Lincolnshire, as we continue to take on more and more clients in the planning and development field.

“Helen’s skills and experiences perfectly complement our niche offering of the highest quality planning advice aligned to the delivery of value to property owning clients on a range of schemes including residential and commercial development.

“Helen’s ability to clearly advise our range of private, corporate and institutional clients about developments of all scales was a key reason for her recruitment.”

Phil Kerr, Acumen Waste Services

Knottingley-based Acumen Waste Services has announced the appointment of Phil Kerr as group commercial manager for its UK operation.

Phil joins Acumen with a wealth of experience having spent the last 18 years working within the industry, where Phil delivered large scale, routine and complex projects.

Acumen specialises in industrial site services and waste management.

Leon Kirk, Acumens managing director, said: “Phil’s knowledge and experience has already made him a valued addition to the Acumen team.

“Our long-term business strategy made us look to appoint an experienced Group Commercial Manager who will help lead the company to the forefront of the market and provide solutions that sustainably add value within our market places.

“Acumen provide Industrial Site services and Waste Management Solutions and with the current growth we are experiencing and the growing customer base that goes hand in hand with that, it’s never been more important to ensure we can offer our customers compelling solutions.”

Acumen continues to develop solutions that provide a range of benefits from waste elimination, re-use, and waste minimisation, recycling and industrial services such as on-site treatment works, decontaminating, decommissioning and tank cleaning.

David Farnell, Shoosmiths

Law firm Shoosmiths has appointed dispute resolution and asset finance expert David Farnell to the firm’s new office in Leeds as a partner in its recoveries services group (RSG).

Joining from Addleshaw Goddard, David has over 20 years’ experience as a finance litigator and works with a number of UK banks and financial institutions on all manner of disputes.

Specialising in asset finance and banking disputes, he has particular expertise in consumer credit, corporate recovery, enforcement of securities and fraud.

Roger Potgieter, a partner in the asset finance team at Shoosmiths, commented: “We are pleased to welcome David into the asset finance team in Leeds as part of the strategic development of the team nationally.

“David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in asset finance and banking litigation that will serve to grow key relationships nationally and in the Leeds market as well as supporting the asset finance team’s ambitions in the North of England.”

David added: “œShoosmiths’ RSG team has had a phenomenal year. I am thrilled to be joining such a successful and ambitious asset finance team.

“There are numerous opportunities in the North of England and I am excited to help Shoosmiths grow the RSG practice in this region.”

Shoosmiths’ recoveries services group provides a complete range of debt recovery services utilising cutting edge technology and with specialists dealing with different debt types, all operating under a centralised management structure and within a national conduct risk and operating framework.

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