This week's Yorkshire appointments

Natalie Saunders, Clarion

Law firm Clarion has appointed Natalie Saunders as director of HR consulting.

Natalie has held a number of senior positions in HR, most recently with Leeds Beckett University where she was people director.

Natalie’s specialisms include culture change, HR transformation and complex, sensitive people problems. She also has knowledge in highly regulated sectors, in risk, compliance and governance.

Richard Moran, senior partner and head of Clarion’s corporate team, commented: “Our strategic plan is to broaden out our services so that we can provide a holistic approach, for example, managing an entire change management project from design to implementation as well as providing the necessary legal advice.

“With her unusual blend of law and HR skills, Natalie is just the person to help us do this, taking on an outward-facing role and providing the strategic input and hands-on help that our clients need.

“We are fortunate to have found someone at such a senior level to lead this new offering which will extend our services, while building on Clarion’s reputation and our understanding of clients’ businesses.”

Natalie added: “Clarion’s passion is to help clients thrive and my team’s contribution to that mission is creating the conditions for our clients’ people to perform at their best. Engaged, high-performing individuals and teams are crucial to business success and we can diagnose and resolve issues that are holding them back.

“Whether owner managed businesses with limited internal HR expertise require additional support, or overstretched HR directors of larger corporates need senior-level resource to assist with strategy development, programmes of change or to improve employee engagement, we are here to help.”

Petra Kdr, Soanes Poultry

East Yorkshire poultry supplier Soanes Poultry has promoted Petra Kdr to continuous improvement officer.

Joining Soanes Poultry in 2012, Petra has worked in a range of quality improvement and primary processing roles before moving into the newly created role.

Petra commented: “My experience in operations from slaughter to packing will be very useful in this new role as I support the senior management team in their bid for continuous quality improvement.”

Soanes Poultry’s MD, Nigel Upson, added: “Petra has been a valued member of the Soanes team for nearly a decade and her well deserved promotion comes as we enter the final phase of a two year expansion plan that will increase production by 20 per cent and create 15 new jobs.

“Petra will be working on new product development, project management and efficiency studies as we continue to grow our business.”

Mike Clarke, YFM Equity Partners (YFM)

Private equity firm YFM Equity Partners (YFM) has promoted Mike Clarke to partner.

Mike has 12 years’ experience in corporate finance and joined the Leeds office as investment director in January 2019.

Over the last 18 months, Mike has been involved in a number of high-profile deals, including the £4.5m Series A investment into Leeds-based data visualisation, reporting and analytics software developer Panintelligence.

As well as representing YFM on the board of Panintelligence, Mike is responsible for sourcing and transacting the firm’s new investment opportunities across Yorkshire and North East, and has a particular focus on technology investments where the firm has a fast-growing portfolio.

Ian Waterfield, YFM partner and head of new investments in the North, commented: “Since joining YFM, Mike has made a valuable contribution to the firm and this is well deserved recognition of his hard work and talent.

“With his strong track record in corporate finance, both in M&A and as an investor, he has the skillset to identify dynamic businesses which need the right funding and strategic insight to realise their potential.”

Mike added: “It’s great to be part of such an experienced team which shares a passion for supporting management teams.

“Despite the immense challenges that we are all adapting to both at work and home, there are businesses who are innovating through the use of technology to demonstrate their resilience and take new opportunities to pivot their business models.

“It’s exciting to be part of a firm that takes a long-term strategic view and remains very much open for business.”

Jane Stone, Westward Care

Westward Care has appointed Jane Stone as general manager also responsible for business development at its Southlands Retirement Apartment complex.

Having started her career as a Care Assistant at the age of 19, Jane went on to work across a range of Leeds City Council care homes over a period of 28 years. In 2013 Jane moved into working for private care providers across the Yorkshire region. She now joins Westward Care from her last role at Donisthorpe Hall.

Jane will oversee the running of the 28 apartments (plus 2 respite/guest suites) and take responsibility for a team of 26 staff.

Jane commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Westward Care team and taking the lead at Southlands Retirement Apartments”

“I have always been aware of the company’s offer and commitment to providing a variety of care options in later life.

“The Southlands Apartments truly offer people the opportunity to remain as independent as possible in later life and I’m excited about supporting the team to attract interest in our retirement care and support model and widen our community connections. It’s important that people start to realise that a care home is not the only option in later life.”

Peter Hodkinson, managing director of Westward Care added: “We are delighted to be able to appoint Jane to the team. Her passion for care and her extensive experience in supporting people in later life makes her an incredible asset to our team.

“She has an impressive track record for quality standards and business development, and I know she will live our values of quality, respect, integrity and service every day.”

Mark Amos, Pricecheck

FMCG wholesaler, Pricecheck has promoted Mark Amos to operations director.

Formerly head of operations at the Sheffield-based business, Mark has been promoted to director level.

Since joining the business in 2001 as warehouse manager, Mark has supported the growth of the warehouse team from six to more than 170.

Debbie Harrison, joint managing director (trading), commented: “Mark has been such an important figure in Pricecheck’s growth over the past 19 years and we are really grateful for his knowledge and commitment.

“It’s a very exciting time for Pricecheck and we’re glad that Mark will be joining our team of directors to help steer us forward.”

Mark added: “It has been a crucial time for Pricecheck as we have played a key part in keeping the supply chain moving and I’m proud to have been able to play my part alongside our very talented and dedicated team.

“As a company, we have so many exciting ideas and projects in the pipeline and I’m hugely proud to be a part of the team of directors guiding us towards our ambitious targets.”

Ryan Hill, UXG

Digital solutions provider UXG has appointed Ryan Hill as product design manager.

Ryan brings a range of experience and knowledge to the team, having worked for five years as a designer at flat pack furniture supplier Decorative Panels.

In his new role, Ryan will be responsible for taking client briefs and internal instructions and creating 2D AutoCAD layouts and 3D models to assist in the manufacturing process.

Ryan will also lead on the creation of Bill of Materials, providing a comprehensive inventory of the raw materials, assemblies, subassemblies, parts and components, as well as the quantities of each, needed to manufacture each product.

Commenting on Ryan’s appointment, UXG director Alistair Wright said: “These are exciting times at UXG, with our growing team working on a series of pioneering new projects and products.

“We’re confident that in Ryan we have someone who can take our design capabilities to the next level and wow clients with his creative thinking.”

Ryan added: “I’m proud to have joined such a talented and driven team. UXG is renowned for its industry-leading capabilities and products, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping the company to reach new heights of success.”

Jessica Lawrence, Garbutt + Elliott

Accountancy and advisory firm Garbutt + Elliott has promoted Jessica Lawrence to director in the Audit team.

Jessica’s promotion comes at a pivotal time for the firm, which has been working to support customers during the challenges of the pandemic.

Jessica has worked in accountancy for 21 years, of which she has spent nearly 12 years at Garbutt + Elliott.

Jessica explained: “I am delighted to achieve this next step up in my career. My promotion to director highlights the experience I have gained at Garbutt + Elliott and I am really pleased to be furthering my career with a forward thinking and growing business.

“In my new role I will continue to provide my clients with a hands on approach and really get under the skin of their business so I can be the person on the end of the phone whenever needed.

“Getting to know clients and their businesses in detail and understanding the individual ‘personalities’ of the business is what I enjoy the most and I am excited to build further client relationships as my role develops.”

Chris Butt, partner at Garbutt + Elliott, added: “Jessica is a great team player and I’m really pleased that we have been able to recognise her hard work and commitment with this promotion.

“The Leeds office has been growing rapidly and Jessica’s promotion demonstrates that we are committed to developing our internal talent and investing in the future success of our firm. This combined with recent external recruits is fuelling our impressive growth.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →