This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has appointed audit specialist Natasha Tomlinson as a partner based at its Hull office.

Natasha Tomlinson joins RSM from EY where she was an executive director, following almost 17 years with the firm after joining as a trainee.

She has a wealth of experience with a specific focus on advising global businesses, large corporates with US-subsidiaries, PLCs and AIM listed organisations. In addition, Natasha brings a range of specialist expertise in the power, oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.

In her new role, Natasha will provide regulatory, advisory and transactional support to a large portfolio of clients and will help to grow RSM’s audit practice in Hull.

Andy Capes, office managing partner at RSM in Hull, said: “It’s great to have Natasha onboard. As a prominent professional in the market she brings a wealth of experience, specialist technical and sector expertise that will further enhance our audit offering in Hull.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining RSM, as we continue to grow our reach in the UK and internationally, and I am delighted to welcome her to our Hull team, where I know she will be a real asset to the firm.”

Alison Eldridge and Jon Dibble, Gale and Phillipson

North Yorkshire financial planners Gale and Phillipson has expanded the firm’s senior team with the appointment of two new business managers, Alison Eldridge and Jon Dibble.

Adviser support operations manager, Alison Eldridge, joins the Richmond office with over 20 years’ experience within operational management, primarily within the financial sector.

Compliance and money laundering reporting officer, Jon Dibble, joins the firm with over 25 years’ experience within the financial services industry working in the direct sales intermediary space, the majority of which has given primary focus towards regulatory risk management.

Jon holds accreditations for Diplomas with both the Chartered Insurance Institute and Personal Finance Society and is a member of the Professional Body. He has also achieved a professional vocational qualification with the Institute of Leadership & Management.

Phil Morris, head of acquisitions and distribution, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alison and Jon to the team. Each of them brings an extensive level of experience in their chosen field, which will no doubt serve to further strengthen what we have to offer to our clients and IFAs. They’ve both hit the ground running and it’s great to have them on board.”

Gale and Phillipson provides independent advice and a range of wealth management services. These include financial planning advice, discretionary investment management, advisory investment management, mortgage advice, corporate financial advice and the industry-leading cash management service Dynamic Cash Management.

Darren Brookes and James Broughton, Town Centre Securities

Town Centre Securities has made two new appointments to the Merrion Centre’s management team with the recruitment of Darren Brookes as operations manager and James Broughton as marketing manager.

Darren Brookes will head up a team of 28 and is responsible for the daily operation of the Leeds shopping centre.

Mr Brookes has almost 20 years’ experience in the property industry, and joins from ECO Facilities Management where he was responsible for the delivery of operations nationally for a mixed range of properties including commercial, retail and residential.

James Broughton will lead on all marketing, PR and promotional activity for the Merrion Centre and has been tasked with working closely with tenants to attract new customers and enhance the overall visitor experience.

With over 10 years’ senior marketing experience, Mr Broughton joins the Centre from Leeds Bradford Airport, and will be devising and implementing marketing activity to support its business partners in driving footfall and sales.

Helen Green, associate director at TCS, said: “Darren and James’s appointments reflect our strategy of growing a strong team of specialists. The Centre is currently part way through a comprehensive investment programme with work underway on the New Merrion House and Merrion Hotel.

“Darren’s experience will help ensure the smooth operation of the Centre during the delivery of these key projects while managing its daily operation, whereas James’s experience will be crucial in allowing us to shout about and showcase these projects, as well working with new and existing tenants to help them thrive through high calibre marketing and promotional activity.”

Cristian Fontanelli and Matthew Holmes, Azzure IT

Sheffield tech firm Azzure IT, has appointed two new members to its team.

Joining the team are digital marketing executive Cristian Fontanelli and account manager Matthew Holmes.

Cristian Fontanelli is a University of Lancaster MSc Management graduate with an international background in digital marketing, conversions optimisation, and leads generation.

Matthew Holmes will bring over 15 years’ experience to the firm from a diverse background in account managing, sales, software consultancy and accountancy.

Craig Such, director of Azzure IT, said: “Azzure’s growth over the past year has been nothing short of phenomenal and these new appointments will enable us to continue this momentum.

“Together, Matthew and Cristian bring a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to the team and I’m confident they will play key roles in the future success of the company.”

Jessica Cumming, Gordons

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has expanded with the appointment of a new solicitor, Jessica Cumming.

Jessica, has particular experience in the education, charities, public and private sectors and will support partner Andy Brian in the continued growth of Gordons’ commercial contracts practice and partner Philip Paget in the development of an education team.

Joining the firm from legal practice Wrigleys Solicitors, where she worked as a commercial solicitor for two and half years and before this as a commercial solicitor at Walker Morris, Jessica brings with her a working knowledge of commercial contracts, governance and regulatory issues.

Andy Brian, Gordons partner, said: “Jessica brings with her a wealth of experience and I am very pleased to be welcoming her to the firm. The expansion of the team is further evidence of our commitment to further growing and developing our commercial practice.

“Jessica’s ability to forge good client relationships quickly, and assimilate seamlessly into the team is invaluable in such a fast moving area, and I’m confident that she will play a vital role in our future success.”

Ismael Saez Cruz, Vital Online Studio

Wetherby digital agency Vital Online Studio has expanded its website team with the arrival of a new developer who has arrived in Britain from Spain via Argentina.

Ismael Saez Cruz has been working in the UK for the six months as a freelance web developer and now lives in Harrogate.

Born and brought up in Alicante, on Spain’s Costa Blanca coast, Ismael had previously been in Buenos Aries, Argentina, before joining his brother in Harrogate, who works as an architect.

Andy Topps, sales director at Vital Online Studio, which is part of Vital Technology Group said: “Ismael is a highly skilled developer and a welcome recruit to our expanding team, and he arrives on the back of our relocation from Knaresborough to Wetherby in earlier this year.”

Ismael commented: “I’m really happy to have joined Vital because I wanted to work with a big team where I could share and work on big projects.”

Yana Byelova and Helen Lord, Williamsons solicitors

Williamsons Solicitors has appointed two new members to its personal injury team.

Yana Byelova is one of two litigation executives the Hull law firm has recruited to its personal injury department to work alongside three full-time solicitors, a chartered legal executive and three paralegals.

Moving to Hull from the Ukrainian capital Kiev when she was a child, Ms Byelova has a law degree from the University of Hull and a legal practice certificate from the University of Law, Leeds.

Having gained experience in other practices in Hull and York, she said that Williamsons offered job security and the chance to develop her career further. She specialises in employers’ liability and public and occupiers’ liability claims

Ms Byelova, who is a former volunteer at Hull Citizens’ Advice Bureau, is an accomplished dancer and teacher, having competed all over England as well as organising Strictly-style competitions.

Joining her in the Williamsons team is former Cottingham High School pupil Helen Lord, who has settled back in East Yorkshire after spending six years in Crete in the hospitality industry and a year in Bulgaria running a property agency in Varna.

She has gained experience in all types of personal injury claims with two other law firms.

Bill Waddington, Williamsons’ director, said: “Helen and Yana will be a perfect fit. They will help us offer excellent customer service with a friendly and approachable manner while always striving to achieve the best possible outcome in each claim.”