This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Lupton Fawcett Denison Till, the York, Leeds and Sheffield-based commercial law firm, has announced the appointment of Will Portch to its corporate team in York.

Will joins from a Leeds-based law firm and specialises in acquisitions, disposals, re-organisations and commercial agreements across a wide range of industry sectors.

He also has particular experience of legal issues facing the travel and leisure sector, having worked closely with a number of travel company clients and spent invaluable time on secondment with a large airline/holiday company.

Martin Frost, York-based corporate finance director, said: “Over the past eighteen months, the workload in our corporate department has steadily risen.

“We have been supporting many businesses through mergers and acquisitions, and have advised on a number of transactions across a variety of sectors, including the food and drink, manufacturing, printing and hotel and leisure sectors.

“Looking to the future, as businesses capitalise on a recovering economy and put in place their growth and expansion plans, we remain committed to supporting them. The appointments we have made recently and the skills and experience they bring to the team will help us achieve this.

“As always, we continue to seek lateral hires from those with a real understanding of the North Yorkshire market.”

Cathy Cook, LCF Law

Law firm LCF Law has expanded its corporate division with the appointment of Associate Cathy Cook.

Cathy, who has over 20 years legal experience with a strong emphasis on retail, will based at the firm’s Sovereign Street office in central Leeds.

Cathy previously worked for International law firm Addleshaw Goddard and was the head of company and commercial law at regional firm Jordans, as well as working in-house at Leeds based Callcredit.

Susan Clark, who heads up LCF Law’s corporate team, said: “We generate 20 per cent of the firm’s turnover and are a very busy, professional corporate and commercial team that is well-known in Bradford, Leeds, Ilkley and more recently Harrogate, having merged with Barber Titleys.

“Cathy’s appointment will strengthen our team to five highly respected solicitors, and her knowledge of the retail sector will be a welcome addition to the services our thriving department provides.”

As well as working for clients in the Leeds area, Cathy will also be responsible for business development South of Leeds.

Cathy added: “I am very much looking forward to my new role at LCF Law whichunderstands law inside out. Although situations can often be complicated and confusing, LCF Law ensures that the legal advice doesn’t have to be, and that’s a great ethos.”

Chris McGarry, Nexus Vehicle Rental

Nexus Vehicle Rental, the Pudsey-based corporate vehicle rental provider, has appointed Chris McGarry as IT director.

With over twenty years’ IT experience, Chris has amassed a wealth of knowledge, building and expanding IT teams and infrastructure in various business sectors to support commercial objectives.

Chris was formerly head of IT at holiday price comparison site Icelolly where he restructured the IT department and implemented processes to resolve performance and stability issues, ultimately contributing to the sale of the company for £17m.

He began his career at healthcare software and services provider EMIS Group where he was responsible for establishing IT teams and developing infrastructure, including the building and running of data centres holding NHS patient records.

Chris’s appointment enables current IT director Simon Hodgson to move into a role with a total focus on new product development for Nexus.

David Brennan, Nexus CEO, said: “This is a strategic appointment that will enable Simon Hodgson, our current IT director, to concentrate his time on faster product development for our clients.

“To bring someone onboard with Chris’s calibre and breadth of experience shows we are investing in the right people to grow our business. Chris’s experience of building IT teams and infrastructure coupled with Simon’s development expertise means we are perfectly placed to build and white label more products and services at a faster rate, to the benefit of our existing clients and the wider industry.

“This is an exciting time for Nexus as we seek to grow the business and cement our reputation as an industry-leading technology-led company within the daily rental sector and the expansion of our IT offer is crucial to fulfilling these objectives.”

Chris Dixon, Affecto

A Sheffield-based recruitment firm has announced another new appointment to its growing team of Recruiters.

Chris Dixon joins Affecto, a multi-division technology recruitment agency, from Alpha Recruitment.

He will be based at Affecto’s Sheffield office where he will work within the company’s Software & Web development division, focussing on sourcing talented Software Engineers and Web Developers for clients across the region.

Daniel Koseoglu, the founder of Affecto, said: “In order to meet the growing demand from a whole host of businesses that are looking for talent with particularly niche skill sets, we have also found ourselves embarking on a recruitment drive of our own, and we are delighted to welcome Chris to the team.

“His appointment comes at a time when we are seeing particular demand for experienced developers with five or more years under their belts.”

Chris added: “This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing business that has such a strong commitment to supporting the tech-sector across the region.

“Over the coming months I’ll be looking to establish relationships with Affecto’s existing client base, with additional focus on building new contacts across the ever-expanding number of technology companies establishing themselves in the North.”

Lindsay Whiteley, TaxAssist Accountants

Barnsley-based small business champion, TaxAssist Accountants, has expanded its team with the appointment of accounts assistant, Lindsay Whiteley.

Lindsay, who is a member of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technician’s) and working towards becoming a qualified member of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), joins from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service where she spent 13 years working within the local community.

Nick Brook, who owns TaxAssist Accountants in Barnsley, said: “Since opening our new office in the Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre last year we’ve seen our business go from strength to strength now working with over 430 small businesses in the area.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay to our six strong team, especially at a time when we are seeing increasing demand for our services and plan to recruit further this summer.”

Lindsay added: “I am grateful that Nick has given me the opportunity to join TaxAssist Accountants.

“Despite completing a law degree, I decided I wanted to train to be an accountant after assisting a local start up business with their bookkeeping, I am now working towards becoming a full member of the AAT and ACCA and look forward to supporting small businesses in the community.”

TaxAssist Accountants in the BBIC on Innovation Way, Barnsley is a small business itself, providing tax and accountancy advice and services purely to small businesses.

James Reeve, Building Interiors

Leeds-based office fit-out, design and refurbishment specialist, Building Interiors has announced the appointment of James Reeve as commercial director.

James will be responsible for developing key commercial opportunities for the business as well as overseeing delivery on client projects from concept design and estimation through to full delivery and completion.

Having worked in the design and refurbishment sector throughout Yorkshire for over 20 years, James has a vast knowledge of how businesses, staff, clients and their offices can and should work together.

James graduated from Huddersfield University with a Bachelors in Degree in Electronic design before spending 7 years in a national shopfitting company

Ian Brough, Building Interiors managing director, said: “It’s as significant as a company merger, I have known James for over 12 years, as a competitor and also on a personal basis and have no doubt James will only add to the great name that Building Interiors holds in the design and refurbishment market place.

“James is very well respected within the commercial property sector and has proven to be an honest, reliable individual who delivers results, I am very pleased he is on board and look forward to watching him grow with the company.”

James added: “I am thrilled to be part of Building Interiors, it’s a great opportunity for all parties. Ian, has built a very successful business, he is surrounded by such an enthusiastic, dedicated and reliable delivery team, I look forward to joining them all.”

Glenn Parkin, Steph Wilkins and Steve Denman, We Are Boutique

Media communications agency, We Are Boutique has announced three new appointments in its Leeds office.

Joining from the home furnishings industry where he led a team as e-commerce marketing director, Glenn Parkin has a total of nine years’ experience working online, including a stint in insurance lead generation as search marketing manager.

He joins Boutique as head of digital operations.

Boutique has also welcomed new additions to its media and new business teams. Steph Wilkins has joined from an international stint at Intermarketing Australia to help widen the broadcast media offering, as well as servicing existing clients across all media and communications.

Steve Denman has been welcomed from Fish4Jobs and will head up the digital arm of the new business team.

Simon Bollon, managing director of We Are Boutique, said: “Our drive towards becoming the most famous agency outside of London is only possible with the collective brilliance of creative minds.

“Our continued growth is testament to our excellent team and the addition of Glenn, Steph and Steve is very much welcomed across the board.”

Joanne Kennedy, High Definition

High Definition has appointed Joanne Kennedy as managing director.

Following the company’s recent office move to Rose Wharf Leeds, Kennedy has been promoted from her existing High Definition role as finance and operations manager in a bid to ensure the brand is appropriately resourced to handle its on-going progression, while still nurturing current business relationships.

Kennedy joined the firm in 2013 with a vast array of expertise in business and financial management, thanks to roles with major UK brands including Acorn Mobility Services Ltd, Gamma Illumination and Evans of Leeds Plc; where she achieved a 10% gross profit through detailed reporting and improved processing for a subsidiary that was previously making a loss.

The new managing director’s focus will be on the implementation and delivery of a strategic agenda for further growth, which will enable the business to focus on adding value for its customers and extend the reach of the brand in the UK and internationally.

Joanne Kennedy commented: “I am excited and enthused by the professional challenges that lie ahead and look forward to continuing my career with one of the most highly respected organisations in the beauty industry.

“We are focused on delivering world-class education, products and services. We have plans to grow internationally and will continue to work closely with our salon network and implementing salon franchises, as well as remaining a leader in our field through education and innovation.”