This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Grant Thornton has announced a further senior addition to its Yorkshire practice with the appointment of finance transformation specialist Simon Davidson.

Simon previously spent 13 years with Deloitte in London, New Zealand, Edinburgh and Leeds.

As a director based in Leeds, Simon will be responsible for leading Grant Thornton’s Finance Transformation Team across the North of England.

A new venture for the firm’s regional practice, the offering focuses on assessing and improving the performance of finance functions at businesses across all industries, ownership types and revenue size, with the mid-market being a particular focus.

Andy Wood, practice leader for Grant Thornton in Leeds: “As part of our leadership team in the North, Simon will ensure that we build and leverage our Finance Transformation capability, adding value to existing relationships, and improving our ability to win new ones.

“This is a hugely exciting time for Grant Thornton as we continue to establish ourselves as a category-of-one firm with a differentiated offer from others in our sector.

“We’re extremely pleased at having someone of Simon’s calibre join Grant Thornton as we continue on our journey and his appointment is another strategic piece of our jigsaw as we work to help create the vibrant economy that businesses need to grow and prosper.”

Ben Snow, LDC

The Leeds office of mid-market private equity house LDC has announced the appointment of Investment Director Ben Snow.

With more than 10 years’ experience in advisory, restructuring and private equity, Ben joins the Yorkshire and North East team from LDC in Birmingham, where he played a pivotal role in a number of investments.

This includes supporting the £42m management buyout of leading manufacturer Eley Group; leading the management buyout of premium UK based shower brand Aqualisa and the secondary buyout of leading holiday park owner and operator Away Resorts.

Prior to joining LDC, Ben worked for RBS in the Strategic Investment Group, where he led a number of high-profile, pan-European deals. He also spent time in corporate development with Sainsbury’s, and with PwC, where he advised corporate and private equity clients on mergers and acquisitions in the transaction services team.

Commenting on the move, Ben said: “Having been born and bred in Yorkshire, it is great to be making the move back to the region, particularly at a time when such positive levels of investment are being seen and with a high number of management teams looking to deliver strong growth over the coming years. LDC has shown first-hand how private equity can have a transformative impact and I’m looking forward to working closely with businesses from across the region as they embark on their plans for expansion.”

LDC’s current portfolio in Yorkshire and the North East comprises 11 businesses from across the region and boasts an aggregate turnover of £493m, while also supporting more than 5,000 jobs.

This includes Bradford-based recruitment group Specialist People Services – the company behind Driver Hire, Harrogate-based oil and environmental services business Adler and Allan, and Gateshead-based Express Engineering, one of the UK’s largest precision engineering companies.

Dale Baker, Vantage Motor Group

Yorkshire motor retailer, Vantage Motor Group has announced the appointment of Dale Baker to the newly-created role of Group After Sales Director.

Dale rejoins the Vantage team after leaving his position as After Sales Manager at Vantage Toyota York in 2013. Dale will now work to support Vantage’s continued growth following the Group’s acquisition of three dealerships across Yorkshire at the beginning of the year.

Dale first joined Vantage in 2010 and ran one of the company’s largest After Sales departments. At the time, the Group had just seven centres comprising two marques.

Vantage now operating across 25 sites and representing eight marques.

Dale brings with him an extensive array of motor industry experience, working within the sector for over 21 years after taking his first career steps as an apprentice at Hartwell Banbury as a 16 year-old. He will be responsible for service, parts and body shop performance across all 25 UK sites.

Mark Robinson, managing director of Vantage Motor Group, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Dale back onboard. He has expert insight within the industry and his knowledge base of Vantage is already there.

“I believe this will be a seamless transition for Dale and we are looking forward to the innovative solutions and professional service he will bring with him.”

Megan Morgan, Cream

PR and marketing communications agency Cream has appointed account executive Megan Morgan.

Megan has recently gained an MA in Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University.

She joins the Barnsley-based agency as it enters a period of growth following a number of recent client wins.

Elizabeth Hudson, Cream director, said: “Megan’s journalism training and excellent social media skills are a great asset to the agency. She has worked hard during internships at media organisations across the UK and we are very pleased she’s joined the team.”

Megan added: “I’m really excited to have joined Cream and I’m looking forward to meeting the agency’s wide range of clients and helping them increase their profile.”

Cream works across a range of sectors, including manufacturing, visitor attractions, retail, financial, digital and lifestyle sectors to help businesses increase profile, strengthen reputation and add brand value.

Clients include UTC Leeds, travel management company Redfern and Taco Bell.

Dawn Williamson, Ellis

Yorkshire cable cleat manufacturer, Ellis has appointed Dawn Williamson as its new UK sales manager.

Dawn, who joined Ellis in 1998, had held the position of UK sales administrator for the past 17 years.

Richard Shaw, managing director, said: “What Dawn doesn’t know about cable cleats she could write on the back of a postage stamp.

“She also knows Ellis inside out and back to front; has long-established relationships across every industry sector we operate in; already works well with all of our UK distributors; has great ideas about how to expand UK sales; and to top it all off – she was able to step into the new role without even changing desks.”

Ellis’ UK sales currently account for close to 50% of the company’s annual £7m turnover. The company works closely with a number of key distributors, including ETS Cable Components and MacLean Electrical, and has an active CPD programme that is opening doors with both consulting engineers and EPC contractors.

Dawn added: “It’s an exciting time to be handed the reins to UK sales. There’s development wherever you look – from wind power farms and proposed nuclear projects through to HS2, and that’s before you even take into account offshore projects, such as the Shetland Gas Plant that we recently finished supplying.

“And the one thing all these developments have in common? They all need cable cleats, so I’ll not be short of potential specification targets for a long time to come.”

Jan-Willem Ridt, Beaston Clark

Rotherham-based glass manufacturer Beatson Clark has appointed packaging professional Jan-Willem Ridt as Export Manager.

Based in The Netherlands, Jan-Willem previously worked in sales for Beatson Clark’s sister company Pont Europe. In his new role he will be managing all Beatson Clark’s export accounts as well as taking a lead on winning new business overseas.

Beatson Clark has a growing portfolio of customers in the brewing sector and Jan-Willem will be focusing on the booming craft beer market both in Europe and worldwide.

Lynn Sidebottom, Sales and Marketing Director at Beatson Clark, said: “The appointment of Jan-Willem to this important role is fantastic news for Beatson Clark.

“He has lots of experience with our team, our products and our facilities and has been involved in packaging sales in Europe for 15 years, so he really is the perfect fit for this job.

“This at a very busy time for export; we are seeing more and more brands, particularly breweries, looking for smaller volumes of premium bespoke glass packaging.

“Jan-Willem will be pursuing these opportunities as well as looking after our existing export customer base and attending major trade shows that we are exhibiting at such as BrewExpo in the United States and BrauBeviale in Germany.”

Cara Dixon, PURE

Leeds-based integrated marketing agency, PURE has expanded its PR division with the appointment of Cara Dixon.

Cara Dixon joins PURE’s PR team, which was set up at the end of 2014, after a number of new business wins, along with increased demand from existing clients.

Bringing with her more than six years’ experience, Cara Dixon has joined PURE’s PR department as an Account Manager, following stints at other Leeds-based agencies, including Beattie Communications and Brand8.

As a consumer PR specialist, Cara will work directly with PURE’s PR Director, Leanne Bayston, to service existing clients, as well as growing and developing both the B2C and B2B PR offering.

Leanne Bayston, PR Director at PURE, said: “The agency as a whole is experiencing rapid growth at the moment, and the PR department in particular is expanding at a profound rate. The PR department was set up in response to demand from our existing clients but it has become a successful entity in itself.

“Cara brings a wealth of experience with her and will be an important part of helping us to grow the PR department within 2016. Our turnover in 2015 exceeded our expectations and we have ambitious plans to double this in 2016.”

Storme Lockwood, Moorhouse’s Brewery

Moorhouse’s Brewery has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Storme Lockwood in Yorkshire.

With several years’ sales experience in the catering and drinks sector, Storme joins the Lancashire brewery as sales executive, complementing the sales operation in the Yorkshire Pennines and Dales. She will handle York, Leeds, Huddersfield, Dewsbury and South Yorkshire.

Formerly account manager with Associated Waste Management covering Bradford/ Halifax and Huddersfield, Storme’s previous posts also include city development manager with Hungryhouse in Leeds, business development consultant for Bradford with JUST EAT and sales account manager at Carlsberg UK.

Storme’s appointment will bolster Moorhouse’s plans to grow sales in Yorkshire for the ‘Pendle Witches’ brands - including Black Cat, Pride of Pendle, Blond Witch and Pendle Witches Brew.

David Grant, Moorhouse’s managing director, said: “Cask ale is the beer sector in growth as consumers seek quality and provenance. Cask drinkers often choose venues for mixed drinking group and pubs can increase their profits by selling quality cask.

“We are aiming to increase sales in Yorkshire with our award winning core brands and innovative seasonal brews. Storme’s enthusiasm and experience with retail outlets will be a great asset in helping many pubs and clubs across Yorkshire benefit from cask sales.”