This week's Yorkshire appointments

Allan Dunn, Ardenton Capital

Ardenton Capital, the private equity investment firm, has appointed Doncaster-based Allan Dunn as its head of strategic development.

At Ardenton, Allan will help drive quality, enhance performance, boost operational efficiency and overcome obstacles to long-term sustainable growth.

He will also build the firm’s UK strategic and operational teams.

Ardenton director Mike Bradbury said: “We’re very pleased to have Allan join the growing Ardenton family in the UK. He is a critical hire for us as we aim to bring more than just pound notes to our investments.

“Allan’s experience growing and improving businesses to ensure their long term success is fundamental to the Ardenton model and we’re incredibly excited about the value he has already brought to both our first investment and the Ardenton organisation.”

Amy Symon, Logistics Hub UK

Logistics Hub UK, a membership group developing and promoting the Sheffield City Region’s logistics sector, has appointed a new head.

In her new role, Amy Symon will work alongside group members to identify the challenges and opportunities facing the local logistics sector.

She has over 10 years’ experience in events and membership groups.

Amy, who is also membership and business services executive for the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, commented: “I’m thrilled to take the helm of the Logistics Hub UK group.

“Over the last 12 months the group has gained real traction, with frequent events taking place across the city region to discuss areas including fleet management, education and training, and transport connectivity.”

Alice Chaplin, Matt Sammon and Kathryn Leake, Kempner & Partners

Leeds-based intellectual property law firm Kempner & Partners has announced three appointments – including a partner from the biggest firm of patent and trade mark attorneys in the UK.

Matt Sammon, who previously worked as head of UK trade marks at Marks & Clerk, is tasked with protecting intellectual property rights for some of the largest organisations in the UK and overseas.

Kempner & Partners also appointed qualified solicitor Alice Chaplin and paralegal Kathryn Leake.

Matt Sammon said of his appointment: “I was attracted to Kempner & Partners because of their ever-growing list of stellar clients and straightforward approach, which is based on a desire to innovate and push to deliver a better and more rounded service, at a price that makes sense; and this matches my own ethos.

“Kempner & Partners do things differently and I am excited to become part of such a forward-thinking firm.”

Managing partner Jason Dainty commented: “To maintain the very best levels of service and advice, we were very keen to ensure that we recruited a leader in the field and with a wealth of experience to match our own, in looking after of some of the best-known brands in the UK and the world.

“Matt is that guy and what struck us about him is that he shares our total enthusiasm for making a real difference to our clients’ businesses.”

He continued: “Alice and Kathryn compliment this growing team and are an excellent addition to junior staff who, with Matt, take our complement of legal professionals to 13. We’ve enjoyed excellent growth in a year of recession and a stagnant market and are set to continue to buck the trend in the years to come.”

Phill Dixon, Leeds Trinity University

Leeds Trinity University has taken on Phill Dixon as its new chief operating officer.

The university said Phill will work closely with vice-chancellor Prof. Margaret A House to ensure it “continues to provide outstanding, student-centred higher education” in today’s “challenging higher education environment”.

Phill previously worked for 15 years at Sheffield Hallam University, where he helped shape strategic direction and took on substantive change projects across professional service and academic areas.

At Leeds Trinity, Phill will be responsible for HR, estates and facilities, marketing, recruitment and admissions, IT and library and information services.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Leeds Trinity University and I have been very impressed with the University’s recent performance.

“Being ranked sixth nationally and top in Yorkshire for teaching quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, as well as being top in Yorkshire for employability and overall student satisfaction are fantastic achievements.”

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