This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Grant Thornton has announced 20 new appointments across Yorkshire, including three senior team hires.

The advisory firm welcomes people across its advisory and audit teams, with senior appointments Richard Oddy, Casper Kaars Sijpesteijn and Rory Goldthorpe joining to expand Grant Thornton’s offering in a number of key growth areas.

Richard Oddy, who is a former senior associate at consulting firm AlixPartners, joins Grant Thornton as associate director, following 10 years in strategic advisory roles within boutique practices.

A specialist in restructuring advice for lenders, Richard’s immediate focus will be co-ordinating Grant Thornton’s asset-based advisory offering across Yorkshire and the North East, working with the wider advisory team.

Casper Kaars Sijpesteijn has also been appointed as associate director, joining the firm from Leeds-based Premier Farnell. The Manchester Business School MBA graduate will add to the strong expertise within the firm’s business consulting team and will work alongside colleagues to support corporates with all aspects of business, operational and finance function options.

Audit senior manager, Rory Goldthorpe leaves Henton and Co LLP to join the firm’s audit practice. With more than 16 years of experience, Rory brings invaluable expertise to the team.

Richard, Casper and Rory are joined by a number of junior and experienced hires. Further recruitment has bolstered the Transaction Advisory Services, Corporate Finance, Wealth Advisory and Forensic Investigation departments.

Andy Wood, managing partner at Grant Thornton Yorkshire, said: “It’s fantastic to see that Grant Thornton has attracted some of the region’s best accounting and advisory talent. Richard, Casper and Rory all bring a set of unique expertise, taking our senior team from strength-to-strength.

“We are delighted to welcome all of our new people to Grant Thornton and look forward to the contribution they will make to the firm. It marks another strategic milestone as we work to help create the vibrant economy that businesses need to grow and prosper, and become the go to firm for growth by 2020.”

Emma Dempsey, Clipper Logistics PLC

Leeds-based Clipper Logistics PLC has appointed a new chief operating officer.

Emma Dempsey, who prior to joining Clipper held roles at Accenture, Marks & Spencer and Unipart, has over 20 years’ experience working in supply chain.

As COO, Emma will be responsible for customer operations projects, IT delivery, quality implementation and the development of operational innovation. Emma’s previous roles in strategic consulting and retail logistics operations, and her vast experience in the industry, position her for the new role.

Tony Mannix, chief executive officer, commented: “Emma brings with her a wealth of experience, both from retailer and service provider perspectives, and her presence within the senior team will help deliver excellence for our growing list of clients.

“We operate in an incredibly fast-paced market where innovation and customer-focus is key, and Emma’s appointment will go a long way towards continuing to deliver these objectives.”

Clipper provides bespoke logistics solutions to some of the biggest names in retail, such as the John Lewis Partnership, ASOS and Superdry. Clipper has helped transform the retail landscape, with their Boomerang returns solution and Clicklink, their recently launched retail focussed Click & Collect service.

Andy Haigh, Tony Chapman and Ann Brown, BHP

BHP, Yorkshire’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants, has announced a hat-trick of new partners - Tony Chapman, Ann Brown and Andy Haigh.

Tony has joined BHP to lead the firm’s Risk Services Practice providing forensic accountancy, fraud and financial risk management, covenant assessment and financial risk assurance activities working with clients and intermediaries across the region and beyond.

He brings more than 30 years’ experience of litigation support, financial investigations, corporate finance and financial risk management activities from previous roles in accounting firms and from within an international law firm.

Ann has worked within the audit and accounts team of BHP’s Bradford office for 21 years. Ann’s client portfolio covers owner-managed businesses operating across all sectors and industries.

Ann’s specialisms cover retail, recruitment agencies and manufacturing. Responsible for the on-going annual compliance of audit and accounts preparation, Ann also helps clients plan for the future, providing sound business advice.

Alongside partner Lesley Kendrew, Ann is responsible for the training and development of staff across all professional qualifications.

Andy Haigh specialises in the areas of mergers, acquisitions and corporate finance. Andy represents a second internal promotion, having joined the Leeds office of BHP five years ago from a national firm and having made a significant contribution to the continued growth of the practice in that time.

John Warner, managing partner at BHP Chartered Accountants, said: “Tony, Ann and Andy all have a vast amount of industry knowledge in their specialist areas, and are well-liked and respected within the business community.

“Bringing them into the business is a reflection of their success and hard work, and all three are much-valued members of our team.”

Claire Ward, Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has strengthened its family law team with the promotion of Claire Ward to associate.

Having practiced family law exclusively for over 15 years, Claire has developed a wealth of experience and is able to advise clients across a broad range of family law matters.

Claire’s family practice focuses on guiding clients through financial matters arising out of divorce and separation. In addition, she has particular expertise in dealing with cohabitees’ claims and property disputes, and she works closely with the firm’s property department advising on declarations of trust.

Claire also advises clients on pre and post-nuptial agreements, together with private children law disputes including residence and relocation cases.

Richard Hoare, partner and head of private client services at the firm, said: “Claire is a very talented lawyer who demonstrates high levels of service, commitment and sensitivity to her clients.

“Having joined Andrew Jackson over 20 years ago, it’s particularly satisfying to see Claire developing her expertise and progressing through the firm, and for her achievements and valuable contribution to be recognised.”

Richard added: “Our family law team is consistently top ranked in the region by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, the ‘industry bibles’ to the UK’s leading law firms, whose research is largely based on client feedback.

“By harnessing the talents of committed and experienced lawyers like Claire, we will continue to deliver the high levels of client care that we aim for right across the firm.”

Laura Masheder, Garbutt + Elliot

Garbutt + Elliot, the Yorkshire accountancy practice, has announced the promotion of Laura Masheder to a director role.

Laura, a specialist in the charities and not-for-profit accountancy sector, joined the firm’s York office in 2003 as a trainee. During her time at the practice Laura also received the Diploma in Charity Accounting (DChA).

In her new role, Laura will utilise her experience gained from working closely with charities to further expand the firm’s offering together with partners Alan Sidebottom and Nigel Shaw.

Russell Turner, managing partner of Garbutt + Elliott, said: “Laura is passionate about working with charities and delivering excellent service.

“She has contributed greatly to Garbutt + Elliott’s growth in this sector and I’m delighted that we are now recognised as charity specialists within the region.

“Promoting Laura to director is also testament to our continued dedication to support the career progression of our staff.

“We are committed to promoting individuals that demonstrate the values and culture of the business and Laura is a prime example of this, having trained at the firm and consistently delivered exceptional service to her clients.

“Our firm focuses as much on creating the best attitude and behaviours as it does on technical expertise so there are great opportunities for people like Laura to progress their careers.”

Garbutt + Elliott currently provides accountancy services to over 120 charity and not-for-profit clients, advising on tax issues, charity and company registration, grant applications, payroll and business plans.

Peter Morris (pictured left), Shoosmiths

National law firm Shoosmiths has appointed Peter Morris to head up the Leeds family team, having launched in the city in December 2016.

Peter joins Shoosmiths as a partner from Simpson Millar where he was national head of family law. Previous to this, he held partner roles at Irwin Mitchell and Langleys.

As a family lawyer and trained mediator, Peter provides legal advice and practical solutions in respect of all areas of relationship breakdown and pre marriage financial planning.

Peter specialises in both matrimonial finance and children cases. Areas of specialism include dealing with complex business assets, pensions and international elements, such as overseas assets, choices of jurisdiction and parents looking to relocate with their children.

Neil Hobden, national head of family law at Shoosmiths, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Peter into the family team at Shoosmiths. His appointment as head of the Leeds family team is further evidence of our commitment as a national practice to provide our clients with the best possible legal service.

“Having operated as a partner in the region for the majority of his career Peter has extensive knowledge of the regional legal market and is a perfect fit to head the launch of our team in the region.”

Peter added: “I am very pleased to be heading up the launch of Shoosmiths’ family team in Leeds. Shoosmiths’ family team has a great reputation and I am excited to be establishing the firm’s national family offering here.”

Following the opening of its Leeds office last year, Shoosmiths will be moving to Bruntwood’s Platform redevelopment later in the year.

Nicola Carey, CreativeRace

CreativeRace, the Leeds-based integrated communications agency, hires Nicola Carey as strategy director, expanding the agency’s strategic offering.

Nicola Carey joined CreativeRace at the beginning of April, where she will develop, enhance and implement the strategies for clients including ASDA, Greggs, DFS and Pets at Home.

Nicola will also help to develop the agency’s own strategic offering, with particular emphasis on growing CreativeRace’s digital capabilities.

Nicola began her career in London working in brand consulting, and leading insight and strategy projects for clients such as Red Bull, Diageo and EE.

She then relocated from London to take up the role of head of strategy and planning for the Jaywing Brand Comms team in Sheffield, before moving into a Jaywing group role in Leeds. This saw her work as client strategy director across both Jaywing and Epiphany, helping to consolidate the group’s brand and performance marketing teams.

At Jaywing, Nicola was responsible for defining the brand and creative strategy for the Hull 2017 UK City of Culture campaign, as well as First Direct and E.ON.

Gordon Bethell, chairman of CreativeRace, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Nicola to the team.

“She brings with her an outstanding level of strategy development experience, and we’re looking forward to seeing this knowledge and insight applied to our own client campaigns.”

Dean Evans, Southerns Group

Leeds-headquartered Southerns Group has appointed Dean Evans as group head of strategic internal projects, working closely with the firm’s senior management team.

Southerns is a £45m group made up of six businesses, employing 250 staff in Leeds, Bolton, Macclesfield, Manchester and London.

Dean graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BSc (Hons) in Project Management and brings to the role a wealth of experience gained from a variety of positions with NHS England, Npower and West North West Homes.

Dean had also worked for the Southerns Group as operations manager some years ago. His new role involves business development, supply-chain management, governance and process development, as well as heading the Group’s ISO accreditation work planned for later this year.

Andrew Kendall-Jones, CEO of the Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back such an experienced project management professional to the Southerns team, on the back of a period of real growth for the firm, and a very strong year overall for the companies within the Group.

“As we continue to expand, Dean’s expertise in driving and delivering transformational strategic and operational projects from an internal perspective will be key.”

Dean, who lives in Woodlesford, Leeds said: “I’m very happy to be returning to the Southerns Group at such an exciting time.

“The firm has a long-established reputation for excellence yet is continually looking for ways to improve.

“I am deeply impressed by the Group’s commitment to delivering the best quality products and services to its clients, and I believe my ability to translate complex business requirements into tangible project deliverables will support that commitment.”

Phil Morrison and Jayne Smiles, Shulmans LLP

Shulmans LLP, the Leeds-based corporate law firm, is strengthening its construction team with internal promotions and the creation of two new roles.

Phil Morrison, who joined the firm in 2013, has been promoted to partner after being head of construction at the firm for four years. Morrison boasts over 25 years of experience in the sector, advising both large private and public sector bodies on the delivery of infrastructure projects.

Working on contentious and non-contentious matters, his specific expertise spans adjudications, High Court and County Court proceedings, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration and residential building disputes.

Joining Shulmans in 2015 and with over ten years’ experience in the construction sector, Jayne Smiles has been promoted to the position of associate. Smiles’ work incorporates varied and complex issues for leading clients in the developer, contractor, investment fund, banking, retail, engineering, commercial and housebuilder sectors.

Her expertise lies in bespoke forms of construction procurement documents, in particular negotiating and advising on contracts for complex projects, security packages, and documenting project bank and escrow accounts.

In addition to the internal promotions, two new job roles are to be created to expand the team, to include a new solicitor and a specialist construction law trainee solicitor.

Tim Halstead, managing partner at Shulmans LLP, said: “We are delighted to have promoted two excellent members of the Shulmans’ team and lay out our plans for expansion in the sector.

“We continue to do ground-breaking work in construction and are expanding to meet the needs of our clients at an exciting time in Shulmans’ development as a whole.”

Amanda Phillips, The Moor Sheffield

The Moor Sheffield has appointed Amanda Phillips as its new centre manager.

Amanda has over 30 years retail management experience working for brands and shopping centres in London, the East of England and Yorkshire.

She joins The Moor from Castle Mall in Norwich, where she has been centre manager for over two years.

In her new role, Amanda will be working closely with the team at UK Aberdeen Asset Management, the owners of The Moor, to help with the current redevelopment programme and ensure customers continue to enjoy their shopping and leisure experience.

Phil Huby, head of retail asset management, UK Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We are delighted to welcome Amanda. She is an ideal candidate to lead through the future development.

“It is important that long standing tenants reap the benefit of the development, that our new tenants feel integrated, and that visitors can increasingly see and experience the positive changes.

“This is a great time as footfall is increasing month by month, with recent figure showing an increase of 21.2% compared to the same period last year.”