This week’s Yorkshire appointments

This week’s round up of Yorkshire appointments includes Ison Harrison, Winch & Co and Engage. Read on to find out more.

Faris Dean, Ison Harrison

Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison has appointed a new partner to its corporate law division.

Faris Dean will be based at Ison Harrison’s Leeds City Centre office. He joins the firm’s expanding regional team having previously headed up the corporate and commercial department at Berkeley Rowe Solicitors in London.

Faris said: “I am delighted to be joining the firm with its strong foundations and I look forward to supporting and building the expert corporate offering, further enhancing the excellent reputation already established in this sector.”

  With over 17 years’ legal experience gained in the corporate and commercial arena, Faris is accustomed to working with SMEs as well as large multinationals, both within the UK and internationally.

  Faris specialises in acting for clients across a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial matters ranging from business or share sales to commercial contracts and financing in various sectors including IT, manufacturing, professional services and the airline industry.  

  In his new position, Faris will work closely with Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate services. Richard added, “We are delighted to welcome Faris to the firm. As our commercial and corporate offering continues to grow, Faris represents another strong strategic recruit to further expand the wealth of knowledge and experience offered by the team.”

Debra Hart, Winch & Co

Yorkshire private equity firm, Winch & Co, has appointed a new commercial director as it seeks to increase the number of businesses in its logistics portfolio.     Debra Hart, who has worked alongside a number of transport industry heavyweights including former Dragon Den’s investor, Hilary Devey, will report directly to managing partner Nathan Winch and operations director Shaun Swinburn.

Debra Hart said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Nathan, Shaun and the wider Winch & Co team as it looks to grow the logistics side of the business.

  Winch & Co has set its sights on acquiring five transport companies. Last October, Midlands based Eclipse Distribution Solutions, became its first, followed last month by Dedicated Transport Solutions, which is located in Cramlington, County Durham.  

Winch & Co was founded by South Yorkshire entrepreneur Nathan Winch, who sold his first business in 2017. The business, which is based in the centre of Leeds and which has 100 full-time employees, invests in UK companies operating in FMCG, industrial and service-based industries, as well as deploying dynamic growth capital.  

Nathan Winch said: “We are proud to welcome Debra Hart as our new commercial director. She is a driven, dynamic manager with demonstrable experience in a range of industries and will work closely with the sales functions across the Winch & Co portfolio.”

Ade Lingard, Engage

Digital agency Engage has appointed Ade Lingard to the board as non-executive director. 

The role will see Ade provide support and an independent perspective to the board, identify and close down any risks, and advise on any opportunities that will further strengthen the business.

Commenting on his appointment, Ade said: “Engage has been on a strong growth path for the past few years and I’m excited to support the board in furthering their ambitions for the agency.”

Ade brings significant experience to the agency having worked at a number of senior roles including COO of marketing agency Jaywing, and director of a number of subsidiaries working in the sector. He is currently a NED for Hatmill, and an advisor to two further professional services organisations. 

Alex Willcocks, managing director at Engage, added: “We already have a strong and effective board, but felt there was an opportunity to strengthen the team even further with the appointment of the right non-executive director.

“Ade fills this space perfectly and his PLC and relevant agency experience will be invaluable in our next phase of growth.”

** Minhaz Abedin, Opera North**

Opera North today announces the appointment to its Board of its youngest ever Trustee, the Leeds-born charity CEO Minhaz Abedin.

Minhaz’s passionate advocacy for the visibility of young people began at the age of 11, when he lobbied his MP for improved youth service funding. He was elected a Member of the UK Youth Parliament at 13, spoke in the House of Commons three times, and addressed the United Nations General Assembly as the UK’s Youth Delegate.

In 2019 Minhaz was appointed as the CEO of Future Talent by HRH The Duchess of Kent. Having overseen remarkable growth for the charity, he moved onto its Advisory Board earlier this year.

Minhaz recently took up the position of Executive Director at the global charity Heroic Goals, and he is also Marketing Director of WeAreTheCity, a network supporting women’s careers.

One of the largest arts organisations outside London, Opera North’s work extends far beyond its award-winning mainstage operas. From its newly redeveloped base in central Leeds, the Company programmes gigs, films, talks and family events.

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