This week's Yorkshire appointments

Three new staff have been appointed by Seventy Financial Planning, the Harrogate-based boutique financial planning company which has seen assets under management soar to £40m.

An independent financial planner and two para-planners have joined the firm which was founded by director, Chris Riley, after leaving an international bank in 2012.

Joining the team are financial planner, Andrew Brierley, bringing ten years of financial services experience along with trainee paraplanner, Joshua Wrigley, who is studying for a certificate in para-planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute and Eileen Riley, Chris’ mother, a newly-qualified paraplanner, following a career as a book-keeper in the charities sector.

Chris Riley, a chartered financial planner, said: “These appointments will enable us to continue to give the best possible service and advice to private and corporate clients and ensure we have the right frontline skills and background support as we continue to grow, largely through personal recommendation.

“We are part of a new wave of financial planning firms which combine our expertise with industry-leading software to enable clients to understand, plan and manage their financial futures as effectively as possible.

“When done properly, planning helps people anticipate how their lives may look in the future using a range of potential scenarios and wider economic forecasts. Coupled with this, and based on the clients’ agreed requirements, we also provide traditional wealth management services such as investments and pensions.

“There is a shortage of younger people in financial services and our new approach, which follows tighter controls introduced after the financial crisis, replaces one based more on selling products than helping clients make key decisions with a greater understanding of their medium and long-term needs.

“We believe we can create long-term partnerships and support clients as their careers and lives progress. The response to how we work has been overwhelming. Combining traditional banking with modern planning methods seems to have struck a chord with our client base.”

The company, which supports clients throughout the north, with a strong focus on Harrogate, York and Leeds, moved from Leeds to Harrogate in 2015.

Siobhan Newton, Langleys Solicitors

York-based Langleys Solicitors has strengthened its family law unit with the appointment of Siobhan Newton.

Siobhan is a newly-qualified solicitor and joins the unit from Harrowells. She will focus on family law including divorce, the financial aspects of separation and children matters.

In addition, the family law unit has promoted Natalie Wiles to senior paralegal while Leigh Hannam has joined as a paralegal.

Mark Day, partner in family law and head of Langleys’ private law division, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Siobhan at the same time as our family unit receives the highest recognition in the new edition of Chambers UK.

“The top ranking demonstrates the strength and breadth of the advice and services we provide to clients which includes offering genuine specialism in traditional representation, litigation, mediation and collaborative law matters.”

Several members of the family unit are Resolution accredited specialists.

Eleanor Tunnicliffe and Ruth Griffiths, Hill Dickinson

Hill Dickinson, the international commercial law firm, has appointed legal director Eleanor Tunnicliffe and senior associate Ruth Griffiths to its health practice.

Eleanor joins from DAC Beachcroft where she spent more than 14 years working in the healthcare, regulatory and public law team. Eleanor specialises in information law (data protection, freedom of information and patient confidentiality), judicial review and equalities obligations.

Ruth has expertise advising on new care models in the NHS and has advised on innovative contracting structures and corporate joint ventures for both commissioners and providers (primary, secondary and third sector). She joins the team from Capsticks.

Eleanor and Ruth will be based in the firm’s Leeds office, working with legal director Esther Venning and partner Rob McGough, who jointly heads the Leeds office with health litigation partner Mike McKenna.

Rob said: “Eleanor and Ruth will bring their extensive combined experience and talent to the team and play integral parts in driving the growth of our Leeds office.”

Sarah Brooke, partner and head of commercial healthcare at Hill Dickinson, added: “These latest appointments mark further investment in our expanding commercial healthcare team, as well as the wider health practice as we continue to extend our geographical footprint, particularly in the North, South East and London.”

Tristine Hargreaves, Michelle Topham, Ros Dawson, Victoria Benn and Rachel Lund, AKA PR

Aire Valley-based AKA PR has made five new appointments to handle its portfolio of clients.

Established for more than 20 years, the PR agency has welcomed Tristine Hargreaves, Michelle Topham, Ros Dawson, Victoria Benn and Rachel Lund to its team.

The consultancy, which has a country-wide client base and also runs the National Bed Federation (NBF) from its Skipton offices, is now a 13-strong team.

Joining as a specialist technical advisor for the NBF is Tristine Hargreaves, who brings over 25 years’ experience in quality assurance and compliance. A key part of Tristine’s role will be to provide advice to NBF members as well as alerting and informing them about changes in standards and legislation.

Other new team appointments include Ros Dawson, who joins the agency with over 25 years of PR and journalism behind her; Michelle Topham who returns to the agency with 10 years’ experience of the interiors sector; and author Victoria Benn who brings a wealth of knowledge about the local area and its businesses.

Rachel Lund from Barnoldswick is the newly appointed administration assistant, a role she will fulfil while studying for a level three qualification at Craven College.

Her employment follows the recent promotion of the agency’s first ever business and administration apprentice, Davina Consoli, who is now a senior account executive, following the achievement of a CIPR Foundation Degree.

Jan Turner, director of AKA PR, said: “It has been an exciting few months which has resulted in a lot of new business for the agency. We are delighted with our new appointments who further enhance the skills profile of our growing team of PR professionals.”

Fletcher Adamowicz (left), BDO LLP

BDO LLP, the accountancy and business advisory firm, has announced a senior hire at its Leeds office.

Fletcher Adamowicz joins BDO as a director following seven years with Grant Thornton, bringing with him experience of working with mid-sized businesses, management teams and shareholders of fast-growing owner-managed and private equity-backed businesses

In his new role, Fletcher will also be working closely with the region’s private equity market, further developing BDO’s transactional tax services.

Terry Jones, partner and head of BDO in Leeds, said: “I’m delighted with our latest hires and promotions within our team.

“The experience and expertise means that we’re able to add significant value to any scale of business or individual. Fletcher’s experience with fast-growth businesses and private wealth expertise will allow us to develop this area of our business out further.”

Andrew Walker, Kerry Martin, Richard Shaw and Andy Hirst, Mace

Mace has announced the appointment of four new associate directors to its Leeds office.

Andy Hirst joins Mace as northern manufacturing lead and will head up the industrial, logistics and manufacturing portfolio in the North of England and Scotland.

Andy has over 23 years’ experience delivering projects across the UK, primarily within the manufacturing and food and beverage industry, for brands such as Coca-Cola Enterprises, Princes and Nestle.

Andy will work with companies within both the traditional and advanced manufacturing sector with a particular focus on supporting businesses source, develop and run key sites and facilities.

Kerry Martin has been appointed as Mace’s public sector lead in the region, bringing a wide range of expertise in the delivery of public sector projects across the asset lifecycle. Kerry will work with Mace’s education and other public sector clients, further developing the company’s portfolio of work within the sector.

Andrew Walker, who been at Mace for 13 years, working across the UK and in the Middle East, has recently returned to Yorkshire and transferred into the regional business. He brings with him a wealth of expertise in the delivery of large and complex projects across a range of sectors including residential, manufacturing and commercial development.

Completing the new senior appointments, chartered quantity surveyor Gary Allen joins Mace with project experience in a wide range of market sectors, with particular expertise in the health sector.

In his new role as national health sector lead, Gary will be responsible for delivering high quality, innovative consultancy to Mace’s current and future health sector clients across the UK.

Richard Shaw, operations director for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “This investment in our team is a sign of Mace’s commitment to growth across Yorkshire and the North.

“The North is home to world leading companies and organisations that have ambitions to innovate, expand and create the conditions for future growth. We are investing in the skills, experience and expertise to support the growth of these companies and initiatives particularly across the manufacturing, health and public sectors.

“I am delighted to welcome Andy, Kerry, Andrew and Gary to the team. As the government launches its industrial strategy this week, the expertise and experience that each of our new appointments bring will enable Mace to offer an enhanced service to our clients and meet the challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.”

Lucy Phipps, Harrowells

A new head of family law has been appointed by North and East Yorkshire law firm, Harrowells.

Lucy Phipps, who has specialised in family law for ten years, joins as a partner from a national family law firm and will be based mainly at Harrowells office in St Saviourgate, York.

She will lead Harrowells Family Law Department which has three solicitors covering the firm’s office network.

After studying at BPP University School of Law in Leeds, Lucy trained with a regional family law practice in Yorkshire before spending five years with a specialist national firm where she became a partner in her second year.

Described as ‘first rate’ by industry guide The Legal 500, Lucy Phipps advises in divorces and financial claims and has a special interest in both domestic and international child law.

She said: “Being able to lead and grow the Family Law Department of a highly-regarded firm with such strong roots in North and East Yorkshire is just the challenge I have been looking for.

“Family law is immensely interesting. No two people are the same and every case creates a different challenge.

“The work varies with social trends. Many cases now stem from couples living together rather than marrying and the international context of people forming relationships in other countries or with those of a different nationality.”

Harrowells Solicitors offers a wide range of legal services to commercial, farming and private clients. The firm has three offices in York and others in Thirsk, Easingwold and Pocklington.

Simon Lunt, Beal Homes

Housebuilder Beal Homes has appointed senior solicitor and businessman Simon Lunt as a non-executive director.

Mr Lunt, senior partner at Hull-based Gosschalks Solicitors, will bring his legal and commercial expertise to the Beal Board.

Mr Lunt joined Gosschalks in 1976 and became partner in 1978. Specialising in company law and corporate work, Mr Lunt was appointed senior partner in 2000 and regularly assists and advises clients on their commercial strategy.

Mr Lunt is also a director of his own group of property businesses and holds various other Board positions, including as chairman of Hull-based contact centre business ResQ and as a non-executive director of Hessle-based plastic components manufacturer Bridgewood and Hull-based construction company Houlton.

In addition, Mr Lunt is a member of the Council of the University of Hull and Chair of the university’s Audit Committee.

Richard Beal, chairman and managing director of Beal Homes, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Simon to the Board. His vast experience and legal and commercial expertise will be a major asset and complement our exceptionally strong executive and non-executive line-up.”

Beal’s non-executive directors are led by John Beal, non-executive chairman and joint founder of the business along with his brother Raymond, who passed away in 2003.

The other non-executive directors are Wayne Bowser, a former North of England regional director for HSBC, and Catherine Salkeld, a founding partner of Yorkshire Financial Management.

Zoe Lunn, Sheards Accountants

Sheards Accountants, the Huddersfield-based accountancy practice, has announced the appointment of a senior accountant.

Zoe Lunn has joined from a small firm based in Westvale. As an AAT qualified accountant with over 10 years’ experience, Zoe will be responsible for year-end accounts and management accounts for limited company clients at Sheards.

Zoe Lunn said: “I am delighted to be joining such a reputable and well-established firm of accountants.

“I’m really looking forward to utilising my skills and expertise at Sheards, while working towards my ACCA qualification.”

Kevin Winterburn, director at Sheards Accountants, commented: “Zoe joins us at a really exciting time, having recently announced our Platinum Partnership with leading cloud accountancy provider QuickBooks UK and with a number a recent new business wins and more potential accounts in our sales pipeline.

“We’re really pleased to have Zoe on board and feel she is a great fit for our business to further enhance the quality and skills of our team as we continue to grow.”

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