This week's Yorkshire appointments

The Yorkshire Mafia (YM) has promoted Kate Hutchinson to general manager, appointed Alice Marsh as commercial events manager and welcomed back Tara Halfpenny to the team.

Having worked for the company for nine-months, and most recently taking a lead role in the organising and coordinating of the Buy Yorkshire Conference, Kate will now take responsibility for the schedule of events that the YM hosts every year.

She commented: “There is no other business like the YM. Things change every single day and no two days are ever the same. I’m the kind of person that needs a challenge, so taking on the position of General Manager is absolutely perfect for me.

“I very much believe in the philosophy behind the YM, which is that we are all stronger together. Creating and managing an ever-evolving events programme, which not only rivals all others but encourages thousands of people to meet and to do business, makes this job even more exciting.”

Providing further infrastructure and resource for the team will be Alice Marsh and Tara Halfpenny.

Alice previously worked for the company for 18-months. Tara will join Alice as the duo facilitate planned activities and engage with some of the most prolific entrepreneurs and recognised brands in the world.

Alice said: “Working for an organisation like the YM, everything happens at a million miles an hour which keeps us all on our toes and means that every day brings with it a different challenge! The best thing about my new role is that I have been able to build on my previous experience and so to do what I enjoy and be a part of the Yorkshire Mafia is really exciting!”

Tara added: “It feels good to be back. We are a real family at the YM and when we get our heads together we know that we can make great things happen. I’m very much looking forward to working on the programme that we have in place and to making it even bigger and better next year.”

The Yorkshire Mafia launched in 2008 as a LinkedIn Group by Geoff Shepherd.

Almost ten years on, the Group now has more than 22,000 senior business representatives as pre-approved members. The Buy Yorkshire Conference attracts some 5,000 delegates each year.

Alison Ogley, Walker Morris

Walker Morris has expanded its specialist planning and environment legal team with the appointment of Alison Ogley as partner.

Alison rejoins Walker Morris having previously worked in the firm’s planning and environment team before moving to Kings Chambers to practice as a barrister.

As a former barrister, Alison is able to provide combined advocacy and litigation services in High Court cases, including judicial review and section 288 challenges.

With over ten years’ of experience Alison specialises in advising clients in all areas of planning and environment law from the inception of projects, through to securing permissions for developments at appeal and, thereafter, representing clients in any subsequent High Court proceedings.

Alison brings specialist expertise in wildlife and biodiversity matters having obtained a Masters in environmental law and advising on the first case to obtain Secretary of State approval for the use of biodiversity offsetting (to mitigate development impacts on wildlife).

She also has specialist expertise in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) having acted on the first Development Consent Order to be subjected to a hearing and acted as a Parliamentary Agent in NSIP related special parliamentary proceedings.

Richard Sagar, partner in the Walker Morris planning and environmental team at Walker Morris, commented: “Alison’s experience as both a solicitor and a barrister reinforces the Team’s existing substantial advocacy expertise and is an excellent fit with the Team.

“Our ability to represent clients in the courts is hugely beneficial to our clients as it simplifies the whole process and gives them continuity of representation and background knowledge of a case.

“Having worked with Alison for many years at the start of her career we are delighted to welcome her back to the team and to expand our resources in this specialist practice area.”

Nicola Ech-Channa and Jean-Paul Levahn, Synergy Automotive

Synergy Automotive, the Harrogate-based vehicle leasing and finance credit broker, has ramped up its growth strategy with two further board appointments.

Nicola Ech-Channa has been promoted from marketing and communications manager to director. Commercial data analyst, Jean-Paul Levahn, has been made director of IT and technical services.

The new board members have been instrumental in driving IT and digital improvements as part of a £150k investment programme aimed at further enhancing customer service and delivery.

The six strong board is led by MD, Paul Parkinson, who launched Synergy in 2006. Andrew Cope, who played a key role in the success of vehicle leasing giant, Zenith, is also a board member along with Synergy’s client services director, Gemma Manning and company secretary, Martina Parkinson.

Paul Parkinson said: “Nicola and Jean-Paul are key to maintaining our position at the forefront of a fast-moving and growing market in which we differentiate ourselves by consistently delivering an excellent vehicle leasing experience to all our customers.

“Their board appointments recognise their valuable contribution as we continue to innovate, expand and recruit.”

Alexandra Chlistalla and Darren Noyland (pictured), The Grand Hotel & Spa, York

The Rise, the latest venture from The Grand Hotel & Spa, York, has welcomed a brand-new bars manager and restaurant manager to oversee the 130 cover restaurant.

New bars manager, Alexandra Chlistalla, is joining The Rise from the 5-star hotel, Shangri-La at The Shard in London.

Alexandra began her hospitality career in Munich, Germany undertaking an internship with Marriot.

Alexandra said: “I love to create unique experiences for my customers. It’s very important for our guests to walk into a beautiful building and to be greeted with equally beautiful food and drink.

“I’m always experimenting with new food and beverage trends and I’m thrilled the team at The Rise share this vision. It’s a privilege to be working with such a dedicated and hard-working team.”

Darren Noyland joins The Rise as restaurant manager with twenty-three years of industry experience spanning across restaurants such as Smoke, Las Iguanas, and Brewhouse & Kitchen.

Darren commented: “I love the sharing style of the food at The Rise, it’s something I’m truly passionate about and I believe our Executive Chef, Craig Atchinson, has created a fantastically unique menu for our guests to enjoy.

“I’m also passionate about people. I love to help and develop individuals, watching people grow and learning the tricks of the trade.”

Philip Bolson, general manager of The Grand Hotel & Spa, York, said: “We’re thrilled to have appointed both Alexandra and Darren. We believe they will generate brilliant results for The Rise driven by their dedication and passion for great food and drink, and creating unique, high-end experiences”.

The Grand Hotel & Spa, York is currently undertaking a £15m revamp, with The Rise at the heart of its plans. The expansion project will also see the addition of 101 bedrooms when a new accommodation wing opens later this year.

When complete, the development will double the number of five-star rooms in York, from 107 to 208, generating an additional £1.7m of annual visitor expenditure for the local economy.

Faye Walker, Williamsons Solicitors

Faye Walker has returned to East Yorkshire to join Williamsons Solicitors’ family and childcare department after eight years in the south.

Faye started her legal career as an immigration caseworker with the London-based national practice Duncan Lewis, helping vulnerable people secure their legal rights.

She moved into family law at Streeter Marshall in Croydon, where she qualified in 2013 after being awarded a training contract.

Faye managed a varied caseload and also gained experience as a volunteer legal adviser at a community centre at Purley for more than three years before coming back to East Yorkshire.

Sarah Clubley, head of department, said: “We are delighted to welcome Faye into our firm.”

Faye’s route to the law was via the University of Hull and the University of Law in York where she gained a distinction in the Legal Practice Course.

She is working at Williamsons’ Hull head office. The firm has branches in Beverley, Bridlington and Driffield.

Emily Docherty, MacComms

A Leeds based PR agency has appointed an account executive to support the company’s expansion since its inception in April 2015.

MacComms has appointed Emily Docherty to support the business’s growing client base.

The appointment comes after the firm secured two new contract wins, including vehicle-hire company, Arrow Self-Drive and men’s fashion brand, Vanacci.

Emily joins the team after graduating with a first in advertising and marketing communications at The University of Huddersfield.

Emily will be responsible for supporting the management team in handling a number of key accounts, whilst also providing overall support to business growth and development.

Formed in April 2015, MacComms is founded and run by West Yorkshire businesswoman Ellie MacDonald, who almost has decade PR and marketing experience.

Ellie, founder and managing director, said: “From the moment I interviewed Emily I knew she would be the perfect addition to my growing team.

“She represents the values I am proud to have built MacComms upon and Emily has made a great start. I’m sure she has a long and bright future ahead of her with us.”

Emily Docherty, account executive, added: “I’m incredibly excited to join such a passionate and hardworking team. I’m looking forward to being part of the business’s growth plans and being able to support their expanding client base.”