This week's Yorkshire appointments

Lee Milligan, Hentons

An experienced audit manager has been appointed at Yorkshire based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm, Hentons.

Lee Milligan has over 25 years’ industry experience and will be managing a team of auditing professionals who are based across the firm’s Leeds, London, Sheffield, Thirsk and York offices.

After completing a BA Hons degree in Accountancy and Business Studies, Lee started his career in Stoke-on-Trent before moving to a firm in Manchester. He has recently been working as the audit and accounts manager at Paylings Ltd in Wakefield. Lee is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Highly experienced in providing auditing services across all industries, including manufacturing, retail, financial services, telecommunications and not for profit sector, Lee is renowned for building excellent client relationships.

Lee said: “A well-run audit gives management and third parties assurance in the published financial figures and highlights any weaknesses in client systems, errors and potential fraud.

“It also makes meaningful unbiased recommendations to improve performance in the future. I pride myself on adding value to clients by providing excellent service and ideas that play a vital role in driving businesses forward.

“I wanted to join Hentons, as the firm has an excellent reputation for its audit and accountancy services, as well as offering corporate finance and legal services, and there are plenty of opportunities to build on its impressive client base.”

Partner, Mark Bain, from Hentons, said: “All the audits we carry out are unique to the specific operational, financial and regulatory risks faced by each business.

“Our highly experienced team identify areas that can improve a company’s tax position, whilst also providing assurances and financial guidance to support future growth. Lee is the ideal fit for Hentons, and our team and clients will benefit from his experience and dedication.”

Niall Conlon, Andrew Robertson, Fresh Thinking Capital

Fresh Thinking Capital gears up for the new year with two promotions.

Fresh Thinking Capital starts the new year with the promotion of Niall Conlon and Andrew Robertson to relationship managers.

Niall joined the company over three years ago from the retail sector, and Andrew had a background in digital marketing before joining the business.

Commenting on the promotions, Mel Hird, founder and director of Fresh Thinking Capital, said: “Niall and Andrew encapsulate what Fresh Thinking Capital is all about.

“They have a laser focus on the customer and work collaboratively with all stakeholders, ensuring clients get access to the funding they need to grow their business seamlessly.”

Fresh Thinking Capital recently relocated its headquarters to Park Square in Leeds. The move followed the launch of a £25m fund to support entrepreneurs across the region.

The company provides a range of funding options to entrepreneurs and businesses, along with access to a trusted network of professional advisors.

Fresh Thinking Capital is backed by the founders and Foresight, an award-winning listed infrastructure and private equity investment manager with over £7bn of Assets Under Management.

Will Woodhall, Gent Visick

Property consultancy, Gent Visick (GV), has appointed a new surveyor, following a sustained period of growth over the last 12 months.

Will Woodhall, will work across the Leeds based company’s agency, investment and lease advisory divisions, whilst also studying part-time to complete a degree in real estate.

Will said: “GV is the most active industrial property agent in Yorkshire and the Humber, and I was keen to join a dynamic, independent firm with a friendly, experienced team.

“The agency team has been involved with several notable deals in 2021, and I’m looking forward to learning from directors Andrew Gent and Paul Mack, as well as working in the investment and lease advisory teams.

“Property has always been an industry that has interested me and the fact I will be able to work across several divisions at GV really appealed and this sets it apart from many other property companies.”

Paul Mack, director at GV, said: “Our team have been involved in an array of deals ranging from small-scale trade counters on the edge of city centres, to vast distribution centres spanning more than 500,000 sq ft throughout 2021.

“As demand for commercial property, and in particular large scale logistics buildings, grows at an extraordinary pace, our team have never been so busy. We are pleased to welcome Will to the business and look forward to supporting him with his studies and career in commercial property.”

Paul Wainwright, The FSE Group

The FSE Group has welcomed Paul Wainwright as its new Head of Funds, Yorkshire.

The appointment follows the announcement in December that FSE has been appointed to manage Finance Yorkshire’s two new Business Loan funds. Paul joins FSE following a period supporting businesses across the UK as a Director of the government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme at the British Business Bank.

Prior to this Paul enjoyed a 24-year career with Yorkshire Bank, which saw him in a number of positions across a variety of operations before becoming Head of Customer Banking for the Sheffield City Region.

In this newly established role at The FSE Group, Paul will be responsible for managing the delivery of business loans between £25k and £250k and micro-loans between £5k and £25k to SMEs across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Paul commented: “The FSE Group has been supporting ambitious, high-growth SMEs for almost 20 years and I am thrilled to be heading up their expansion into the north of England.

“As a community interest company, FSEs really puts its customers at the heart of what it does and I look forward to adding my own 30 years of experience to this fantastic team.”

Julie Silvester, head of commercial at The FSE Group, added: “With his extensive knowledge of the region and long career encompassing small business finance, Paul is a great addition to the FSE team.

“We look forward to working with him to provide alternative finance options to high growth SMEs that have ambitions to expand, create jobs and improve productivity across Yorkshire and the Humber.”

Alex McWhirter, chief executive at Finance Yorkshire said: “Paul Wainwright being selected to lead the FY Loan Funds is a great appointment. I look forward to working with Paul to successfully deliver FY’s new Loan Funds across the region.”

The micro and business loans form part of a wider, sustainable fund from Finance Yorkshire that also offers Seedcorn and Growth Fund investments. The fund is expected to invest more than £50m over the next five years.

Sophie Holmes, 360 Chartered Accountants

360 Chartered Accountants is delighted to announce the appointment of Sophie Holmes as client services director.

Sophie joined the firm 10 years ago as 360’s first apprentice. During that time, she developed her specialist skills and knowledge covering all aspects of accountancy, becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant in 2017.

Having dealt with a range of clients across various sectors and as a result of her work, she was named 360’s charities specialist before becoming corporate portfolio manager.

Andy Steele, Director of 360, based in Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “We are so proud of Sophie and we couldn’t be happier to appoint her as Client Services Director. She has been a shining light throughout her accountancy career so far.

“A strong team player and well respected by her peers and contemporaries, she has also played a key role in helping our new apprentices settle into 360 and start on their own career path in accountancy.

“Her promotion is a testament to the hard work and dedication she has shown and reflects her wide-ranging expertise and record of delivering a first-class experience to our clients. “

Sophie will now lead 360’s team of accountants, trainees and apprentices, providing invaluable experience and knowledge to them whilst ensuring continued excellence in client service which is the cornerstone of 360’s unique offering in the marketplace.

Sophie Holmes commented: “I am very proud to have been offered the role as Client Services Director. I have been with 360 for ten years and I have seen the company grow and evolve over this time. I work with a great team and I am looking forward to getting started in my new role and helping to take the company forward.”

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