This week's Yorkshire appointments

Tracy Toon, Adare SEC

Huddersfield-based integrated communications provider Adare SEC has continued to implement its transformation strategy with the appointment of a people director to its executive team.

Tracy Toon joins the company from multinational commercial bank Santander to drive its colleague engagement strategy and further enhance the company’s customer experience.

With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector, Tracy held many senior HR roles and was chief operating officer for Santander’s retail contact centres. Whilst there she managed the day-to-day operations of 3,500 colleagues across the UK.

In the newly created role, Tracy will work across Adare SEC’s three sites to lead colleague engagement, as well as implement the ‘attract, develop and retain’ strategy, to ensure the company’s client-centric approach is at the core of its transformation strategy.

She said: “As Adare SEC further implements its transformation strategy, it is essential to make sure all colleagues are engaged and informed. This will enable the company to continue to deliver a ‘best in class’ customer service.

“It is my responsibility to ensure Adare SEC’s colleagues feel truly valued as part of the company’s journey, and that it continues to be a great place to work for everyone across our three sites.”

Martin Frost, Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has appointed Martin Frost who joins the regional firm as a partner, strengthening its client offering.

A well-known figure in the region’s corporate finance community, Martin’s appointment follows a record year for the firm and underlines its continued expansion.

Martin, who joins from Lupton Fawcett, said: “I am delighted to be joining a committed team and an ambitious partnership where the client offer has never been stronger.

“I share the firm’s vision of being committed to delivering exceptional services tailored to clients’ specific requirements.”

He added: “Andrew Jackson’s corporate team has an excellent reputation and I look forward to helping to build on this success and working closely with our clients across a wide range of sectors.”

Dean Hewitt, Specialist People Services Group

Bradford-based Specialist People Services Group (SPS) has appointed Dean Hewitt to a new role within the business - director of international development.

Dean’s appointment reflects SPS Group’s ambitions for further international expansion.

Dean Hewitt, who is currently MD of Driver Hire Australia, will take on the new UK-based role in the New Year.

He will continue to have responsibility for the management and development of Driver Hire Australia.

Dean will also work to identify other markets where the Driver Hire model of innovation, outstanding service and rigorous compliance will deliver competitive advantage.

He said: “I am really excited to be taking on this new role within the group. We’ve shown the enormous potential for our business in overseas markets and I believe there are several more that are ripe with opportunity for us.”

Lynsey Underwood, Rougemont Estates

Regional commercial property investment company Rougemont Estates has strengthened its team with the appointment of Lynsey Underwood as investment manager.

Lynsey, who has moved from Avison Young in Newcastle, joins in Rougemont’s 10th anniversary year.

Lynsey ccommented: “I am delighted to join the team at Rougemont Estates.

“It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me to become part of such a highly-regarded growing business, whose exceptional track record over the last 10 years has led to a growing property portfolio of £120m and a long list of loyal investors.”

Leigh Daveran, LDC

LDC has bolstered its team in Yorkshire with the appointment of Leigh Daveran as an investment director.

Leigh will work closely with LDC’s head of Yorkshire and the North East John Garner and the LDC team to drive new investment opportunities across the region’s growing community of medium-sized businesses.

Leigh will also have responsibility for supporting the management teams of LDC’s portfolio businesses across the region.

Prior to joining LDC, Leigh spent eight years as CFO of private equity backed building product manufacturer Synseal Extrusions.

John Garner added: “Leigh’s considerable M&A and board level experience makes him a perfect addition to our team in the Yorkshire region. I’m confident he’ll play an integral role in our efforts to support the management teams of leading local mid-market businesses.”

Fareeha Faheem and Louise Harris, Open Communications

Wakefield-based Open Communications has welcomed junior PR account executive, = Fareeha Faheem and PR administrator, Louise Harris to its growing team.

Following its move to new premises in Wakefield city centre earlier in the year, and thanks to several account wins including Hortor, the strategic resourcing consultants and Opus Trust Communications, the multi-channel communications expert, the appointments come at an exciting time for the business.

Director of Open Communications, Lindsey Davies, said: “This year has certainly been a busy one for Open Comms as we have welcomed new team members, a number of clients and opened the doors to our new offices.

“Fareeha and Louise have both had a great start and we are looking forward to supporting them as they develop their careers in PR.”

Vincent Wai, RWO Associates

Leeds civil and structural engineering specialist RWO Associates has appointed a new civil engineer.

Vincent Wai, 28, has joined the Park Place-based firm in a move that will see him working on highway and drainage design contracts for several of the firm’s clients.

He will also be responsible for mentoring and training junior members as well as providing on-going support to the senior management team.

He brings experience in civil and infrastructure engineering roles to the company having worked on a variety of projects with a national consultancy, including close involvement in several multi-million-pound projects across the residential, retail and commercial sectors.

RWO Associates is targeting the £1.5m turnover mark in the next 12 months while seeing its regional presence grow on the back of new work - part of a strategic development plan.

Managing director Ross Oakley said the firm, which will continue to recruit for engineering roles in Leeds as the volume of work ramps up, is looking to the future with confidence.

He added: “We are investing in the best people to support our ambitions, so it’s great to have Vincent on board.

“He will be a big asset as we go for growth in 2020, while enabling us to provide all our clients with the highest standards of service and added value engineering solutions.”

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