This week’s Yorkshire appointments

hlw Keeble Hawson has announced the appointment of five new trainee solicitors across its commercial teams.

The new roles, based at the firm’s offices in Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster, brings the total number of trainees appointed by the firm to 12 in the last year.

In Sheffield, Hollie Hemmens is based in the employment team while Syed Islam is working in the litigation and dispute resolution department.

In Leeds, Ashley Kiernan-Firth has joined the insolvency team with Shelley Price appointed to the commercial property department, which has also taken on Holly Langman in the firm’s Doncaster office.

Richard Smith, partner and head of hlw Keeble Hawson’s commercial property team, said: “Recruiting, developing and retaining talent at every level is key to sustaining a high quality of client delivery and we continue to place huge importance on investing in committed, young professionals who can thrive in the fast-moving, complex environments we work in.”

The new additions follow a raft of key appointments in recent months to further bolster hlw Keeble Hawson’s expertise in delivering services to a client base of listed companies, owner managed businesses and SMEs.

Ashley Munroe and Andy Green, Dynamic Networks Group

Dynamic Networks Group, the Leeds-based IT, networks and automation firm, has appointed to two senior sales people to its team.

Networks specialist Ashley Munroe and IT systems and security expert Andy Green have joined the business to drive sales for its networks and IT divisions.

Andy brings a wealth of IT knowledge and sales expertise to the group, gained over 20 years working in the industry with full service IT firms as well as specialist cyber-security service providers.

His experience ranges from enterprise IT to supporting SMEs with managed IT services, and he will head IT sales at Dynamic, working closely with technical director Steve Sutcliffe and the IT support team.

Ashley Munroe joins the group following 15 years in the network cabling, electrical and construction industries.

His experience spans the installation of structured cabling systems through to the costing and delivery of large-scale construction projects, and he will head sales for Dynamic’s network cabling division.

James Baird, Group managing director, said: “We’ve had a fantastic year, and these two new appointments will help us take the business to the next level through 2017.

“Ashley’s extensive experience of delivering student accommodation projects in particular will be a real asset to the group, as will Andy’s cyber-security training and policy development expertise.

“I’m very happy to have them on board, and look forward to exciting times ahead.

Samantha Hazell (pictured) and Sarah Burgman, Gateley Plc

The Leeds office of law firm Gateley Plc has announced the appointment of solicitors Samantha Hazell and Sarah Burgman, who will sit in the firm’s real estate and residential development unit (RDU) teams.

Sarah joins the firm from Walker Morris LLP. Her appointment means Gateley’s RDU team in Leeds has increased from 12 to 18 members this year.

Since September, the team has welcomed six people, including solicitors Cheryl Midgley and Sarah, as well as four support staff.

Samantha’s arrival at Gateley continues the growth of the office’s real estate offering. As well as Samantha’s appointment, the team has recently welcomed a legal secretary and trainee solicitor, growing the team to five.

Earlier this year, Marc Warren joined Gateley’s real estate team as an associate and has helped build up the team’s client roster, which includes Jet2.com, Marlborough Capital and most recently Costcutter.

William Ballmann, partner and head of the Leeds office, said: “Gateley’s flotation on AIM last year opened up more opportunities and the growth these appointments bring is our way of capitalising on these.

“Having started with five people in 2012, we now have more than 50 people in our Leeds office. In the last six months alone the office has grown by 13%. We want to sustain this growth and presence in the region.”

Alistair Wheatley, JRI Orthopaedics

JRI Orthopaedics, the Sheffield-based health care company, has appointed a new UK business manager.

Alistair Wheatley brings a wealth of experience in the medical devices and orthopaedic sector, having worked for most of his career in senior sales positions in UK-based healthcare organisations.

He was previously UK sales director for Biomet and then Zimmer Biomet which followed 10 years with Exactech, helping to build the UK business including several major product launches.

JRI Orthopaedics is based at a manufacturing facility at Chapeltown and has world-class expertise in the design, development and manufacture of orthopaedic implants and surgical instruments.

Its current product portfolio is designed with and for surgeons, to help them deliver the best solutions in joint reconstruction, repair and regeneration.

Alistair said: “This is a brilliant company with great products and a great ethical ethos. The Furlong has always been the best uncemented hip on the market.

“I want us to lead the way in neck of femur fracture management and to have a bigger impact in the orthopaedic market with cutting edge products in wider areas such as orthobiologics and regenerative medicine.”

David Walker, ITI Network Services

ITI Network Services, the Sheffield-based telecoms, wireless and infrastructure specialist, has taken on telecoms specialist David Walker as a new director.

Walker has over 25 years of experience within the telecoms market including senior roles within BT Group, O2 UK and Kcom.

Jason Denmark, managing director of ITI Network Services said: “David will add a significant commercial and operational advantage to the group’s strategic plans.

“He will assist the board in a number of areas in which ITI are looking to grow, especially within the public sector, in which we already have a successful track record of project delivery.”

David Walker added: “ITI is a fantastic company with a strong leadership team, highly capable staff and an excellent portfolio of blue-chip, international clients.

“I’m excited to join the business and look forward to providing strategic support, analysis and specific business development to further enable the business’ growth plans.”

ITI’s customers include various areas of BT Group inclusive of BT Super Connected Cities, BT Sport and BT Wi-Fi, Ask 4, O2 / Telefonica, Fujitsu Telecom, Talk Talk, and Merlin Entertainment.

Nicola McQuaid and Greg Holmes, NorthEdge Capital

Private equity firm NorthEdge Capital has appointed Nicola McQuaid as investment manager and Greg Holmes as investment executive.

A qualified chartered accountant, Nicola spent 10 years working at PwC in the firm’s corporate finance division before joining JLA, an HgCapital backed business, where she was corporate development director for three years, specialising in M&A.

At NorthEdge, Nicola will work alongside John Rastrick, partner and head of Yorkshire & North East, at the firm’s Leeds office.

Greg joins NorthEdge after five years at PwC, where he advised buyers and sellers on a number of significant private equity transactions across a range of sectors, including retail and consumer, business services and financial services.

Based at NorthEdge’s Manchester office, Greg will work alongside Jon Pickering, head of Manchester, to support the firm’s business development team.

John Rastrick, partner and head of Yorkshire and North East at NorthEdge, said: “We are delighted to have Nicola and Greg on board as we explore new investment opportunities across the North.

“The region’s businesses continue to display enormous potential for growth, helping us to deliver a fantastic 12 months where we have raised our second fund, invested over £90m in seven business across the North, achieved two exits with the AIM flotation of tissue paper converter Accrol Group Holdings and the sale of video game developer Sumo Digital and recruited some top talent across our Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham offices.

“Nicola and Greg have both been involved in a number of standout deals and I am certain they will add tremendous value to the high-quality management teams that we work with.”

Maurice Deegan (pictured) and Eliot Damon, Azzure IT

Sheffield-based tech firm Azzure IT has announced the introduction of two new members of staff.

Joining the team are Maurice Deegan, who will manage new business sales and Eliot Damon who will act as marketing manager.

Maurice brings 10 years’ experience of selling niche software systems, including SAGE and Microsoft products to various sectors including manufacturing, distribution and professional service companies.

Eliot brings a wealth of experience in marketing, working both with clients and agencies, for brands such as HP, BT, Capita and Experian.

Craig Such, managing director at Azzure IT said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Maurice and Eliot to the Azzure IT team.

“Azzure has experienced high levels of growth in the past few years and these new appointments will enable us to continue this momentum.

“I know that Eliot and Maurice will play important roles in the continued growth of the company going forward and the wealth of experience they bring will be invaluable.”

Megan West, KC Communications

KC Communications, the Huddersfield-based marketing communications agency, has expanded its team with the appointment of a new marketing executive.

Megan West has joined KC Communications in response to its growing client base. Megan’s role will be to support the account management team and will see her undertaking a wide range of activities from social media management, to PR and marketing.

A graduate from Leeds Trinity University, Megan has a First Class Honours in Media and Marketing along with a wealth of experience gained from two placement roles whilst at university and 10-months experience within an in-house marketing role for a Leeds based online reputation agency.

Megan commented: “I am excited to be part of such a welcoming team who clearly have great relationships both with their clients and within the office.

“I’m really looking forward to expanding my knowledge within the marketing industry through the varying sectors our clients are within.”

Katrina Cliffe, managing director of KC Communications, added: “I am delighted to welcome Megan to the team.

“Her enthusiasm to the industry and her understanding of processes and techniques shone through during the interview process and we are already seeing exceptional results.

“Megan will play a key role within our client services department to ensure we continue to deliver outstanding levels of service”.