This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Knight frank, the commercial property agency, has appointed Peter Whiteley as head of the Sheffield office and promoted Ben White to associate in its South Yorkshire team.

Partner Peter, who has been with Knight Frank since 1990, takes over running the Sheffield office from Stephen Hodgson who retired earlier this year after 28 years in charge in the city and as group regional commercial head.

Peter started as a graduate surveyor moving up the ranks to partner in 2000 where he became head of agency and now head of office.

Peter has previously been involved in several major schemes including Victoria Quays/Canal Basin, delivering 140,000 sq ft of offices which attracted occupiers Nabarro, Nathanson, Parexel and Lloyds; and the redevelopment of the former Whitbread Brewery Site, known now as Riverside Exchange – delivering 375,000 sq ft of offices and attracting occupiers including Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and The Home Office.

He also worked on the landmark Heart of the City project – St Pauls Place, comprising 220,000 sq ft of offices overlooking the Peace Gardens with occupiers including DLA Piper, Barclays, RBS, PWC, Department of Education and Skills, and most recently Arup; the 200-acre development at Sheffield Business Park with occupiers including South Yorkshire Police, The University of Sheffield, HSBC and SIG Group plc to; and secured 1,100,000 sq ft of distribution warehouses for Next at Brookfields Park, Dearne Valley.

Ben joined Knight Frank in July 2014 as a senior surveyor to work alongside clients and developers across the Sheffield City Region. He had previously held roles at CRBE in Leeds, East Yorkshire’s PPH Commercial and Foxtons in London.

His involvement has secured major deals in the region including Tommy Tucker’s 42,000 sq ft occupation at Target Park, Dinnington. He also acted on behalf of KPMG in its recent acquisition of a new office in Sheffield City Centre at The Balance and the disposal of a 152,000 sq ft industrial unit purchased by TGB on Chesterton Road, Rotherham.

David Dionas, Yvonne Dale and Radu Trancau, Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers

Leeds-based Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers has appointed two structural engineers and an administrator.

Structural engineer and building information modelling (BIM) coordinator David Dionas and structural engineer Radu Trancau are both originally from Romania. The pair bring 12 years of combined experience to their new roles.

David is an engineer who has extensive experience of designing and detailing both steel and concrete structures. He graduated top of his class at University before working at a Romanian engineering firm and moving to Darlington to work for a steel detailing firm.

Structural engineer Radu, who has four years industry experience, has worked as a design engineer, BIM coordinator and project engineer on a range of large scale projects in Sweden, Canada, England, and Romania.

He has experience across a number of industries and been involved with the design of the €200m People’s Salvation Cathedral which is currently being constructed in Romania and will be tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world.

Both David and Radu will be working for all of Adept’s clients including projects for historical buildings, and those operating in the commercial, education, healthcare, housing, residential care, industrial and retail sectors.

David will also be responsible for coordinating Adept’s advanced BIM capabilities.

Administrator Yvonne Dale has worked for over 30 years in a wide range of customer service, supervisor and coordinator roles. She will be supporting the team of 30 at Adept.

Erol Erturan, managing director at Adept, said: “We have appointed David, Radu and Yvonne in response to several new contract wins.

“Their experience and skill-sets will no doubt benefit our business as we continue to expand and grow our market share.”

Noel Haverly, Ultimate Finance

Ultimate Finance has announced that Noel Haverly has been appointed head of sales with responsibility for the teams operating across Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.

Noel will continue to be based in the company’s Leeds office, which he joined as a regional director from Aldermore Bank 18 months ago.

He previously spent 17 years in the asset-based lending market, working in a number of different roles including credit, audit, survey, client management and sales.

Richard Waldman, group sales director, Richard Waldman, said: “Noel has been operating in sales for the last five years and has proved to be a solid performer year after year, having built a strong network of introducers in the Yorkshire area.

“He is well-respected within the Ultimate Finance Group and his combination of sales and management skills will be of enormous benefit to the whole team.”

Mark Reed, Affecto

A Sheffield-based tech recruitment agency has made the latest in a series of new appointments this year.

Mark Reed - formerly of Elevation Recruitment - joins Affecto, a multi-division technology recruitment agency, as a senior technology recruiter.

Mark brings with him more than 10 years’ experience working within the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Affecto MD, Daniel Koseoglu, said the hire was a “strategic step in the right direction” for the business, which was established in 2014.

He said: “The technology sector is unrecognisable from where it was 10 years ago, both here in Yorkshire and across the globe.

“To that end, there are very few recruitment consultants that have more than a few years under their belt specialising solely in filling roles in the industry; and even fewer agencies!

“What Mark brings to the business is a decade of experience working in a similarly specialist area, and one that has led the way in terms of embracing technology to help it advance and improve operations.

“We’re delighted to have him on board. His contribution to helping continue to build the brand and establish Affecto as a leading agency focused on supporting clients and candidates within the sector is already having a positive impact.”

Mark Reed, who joins Affecto following two and a half years with Elevation Recruitment, added: “Affecto has enjoyed considerable success since it was established two years ago, and the team now works with some of the biggest and most recognisable brands in the technology sector, as well as some very exciting start-ups on the cusp of growth and expansion.

“I’m looking forward to contributing as the business continues to grow and specialising in this fast-paced industry, as well as championing the opportunities that are open to candidates across the region.”

Terry Davies and Linda Glen, Driver Hire

Driver Hire, the Bradford-based specialist transport and logistics recruitment company, has announced the appointments of two new area development Managers, one for Scotland and one for its South West region.

Linda Glen will be responsible for all 16 Driver Hire offices in Scotland and the North East.

Before joining Driver Hire, Linda worked for a number of multi-national companies, developing extensive experience in sales and business development. She most recently worked in sales for skills and training supplier, Learndirect.

Meanwhile, Terry Davies, will have responsibility for Driver Hire’s 18 offices in the South West.

Before joining Driver Hire, he worked as a national sales manager in the insurance industry. Prior to that, his career path was in road transport. He holds a goods vehicle driving licence and has extensive experience of the industry.

Lee Devenish, Driver Hire’s network development director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Linda and Terry to Driver Hire’s franchise support team

“The high levels of support we offer all our franchisees is almost unparalleled within the franchise industry both in terms of quality and number. I’m sure that Linda and Terry will help us maintain this position.”

Rebecca Southworth, Robertson Yorkshire and East Midlands

Robertson Yorkshire and East Midlands, part of the £300m turnover infrastructure group Robertson, has promoted Rebecca Southworth to the role of commercial director.

With 18 years of experience in a range of national construction contractors, Rebecca will be tasked with reaching the growth targets of the newest business in the Robertson Group.

Robertson Yorkshire and East Midlands, based at Thorncliffe Business Park, Sheffield, has already secured 85% of the revenues it needs to hit its targets for 2016/2017.

Rebecca said: “I am delighted to have this new challenge within such a dynamic business. We are very confident we can achieve the goal of being a £55m turnover business in five years.

“Together with the team we intend to achieve ‘Contractor of Choice’ status for our clients through understanding their businesses and exceeding their expectations.

“It’s only with this partnership approach to our client engagement that we deliver above and beyond, and build our reputation within the industry.”

A number of new projects have contributed to the businesses fast growth, including the 444 bed £20m student accommodation at Talbot House, Nottingham and 115 bed £6m student accommodation at Lawrence St, York.

Paul Turner, regional managing director of Robertson Yorkshire and East Midlands, commented: “I am extremely confident Rebecca will flourish in her new role.

“We have a clear five year plan for the business, and now Rebecca will play a substantial role in delivering that plan and meeting our associated financial targets.”

Kevin Vyse-Peacock, Pigeon Corporation

Pigeon Corporation, the Japan-based breastfeeding, baby and maternity product manufacturer, has appointed chief executive officer of global breastfeeding brand Lansinoh Laboratories Inc., Kevin Vyse-Peacock, to its main board of directors as an executive officer.

Lansinoh Laboratories Inc. is a supplier of breastfeeding and baby products in over 40 countries. The business’ UK head office is located in Horsforth, where Mr Vyse-Peacock is also based.

Shigeru Yamashita, Pigeon Corporation’s president and chief operating officer, said: “Kevin’s broad range of experience and vital role in establishing and growing the Lansinoh brand in Europe makes him a valuable addition to the Pigeon Corporation board.

“His appointment demonstrates our commitment to the European and UK markets, and will give allow Pigeon Corporation to work more closely with Lansinoh Laboratories Inc. to the benefit of both organisations.”

Kevin began his career working for speciality chemical manufacturer Croda International, where he spent 12 years working in several disciplines including the chemical division, research and development, export and foreign sales and as healthcare director.

This role introduced him to then US-only breastfeeding brand Lansinoh and its HPA Lanolin product, an ultra-purified grade of lanolin, refined using a process to make it the world’s purest lanolin with only one ingredient. In 2001, Kevin set up Lansinoh in the UK, initially marketing the product through healthcare professionals and listing HPA Lanolin with pharmacies.

By 2003, Waitrose and Mothercare were keen to list the product, with sales continuing to rise by over double digit growth year on year over the next 13 years. By 2009, Kevin had set up a European export business and additional sister companies and international offices in Germany and Turkey.

Nick Smith, Reward Finance Group

Reward Finance Group, the Leeds-based alternative business lender, has appointed Nick Smith as group sales and marketing director on the back of record trading figures.

Recently released year end results to February 2016, confirm Reward saw a 27% increase in fee and interest income to £6.6m in what was only its fourth full trading year.

Smith brings with him a wealth of experience having spent 20 years in financial services covering a range of disciplines, including Asset Based Lending, Invoice Finance and International Trade Finance.

He joins Reward from Ultimate Finance where he was group sales director. Prior to that Smith was Regional managing director for Aldermore’s Invoice Finance business across its three northern offices.

David Jones, joint managing director at Reward Finance Group, said: “We are delighted that Nick has joined the business. He will play a key role in the development of the Group, he is a great addition to the team and further strengthens our offering across our core northern markets.”

Nick Smith commented: “Reward has gone from strength to strength over recent years and I am delighted to be joining such an innovative and forward thinking business at a crucial time in the SME funding marketplace.

“Creative structures, lateral thinking, speed and flexibility, are all critical in supporting local business people with their funding needs in the current economic environment. These are all strong attributes of the Reward offering.”