This week's Yorkshire appointments

The HSBC Leeds office has announced the appointment two new corporate banking relationship directors, Mark Watson and Jamie McCullough.

Mark and Jamie bring over 35 years of experience and knowledge of the banking sector, having both worked with the West and South Yorkshire business community in their previous roles.

The appointments further strengthen the corporate banking team across West and South Yorkshire, led by Mike Swift, following a period of strong growth.

Jamie and Mark will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of clients, with a particular focus on businesses with turnovers between £50m and £350m.

Mike Swift, HSBC’s area director for West and South Yorkshire, said: “The West and South Yorkshire region is a thriving part of our corporate banking business and we are continuing to see strong growth from new and existing customers.

“As two of the best mid-market bankers in the region, we are delighted that Mark Watson and Jamie McCullough have joined our growing team. Their appointments are a demonstration of our continued desire to invest and develop our full corporate banking proposition in the region.”

Mark Watson, relationship director for West and South Yorkshire, added: “There is a real energy in the business community across Yorkshire so it was an ideal time to join the HSBC team in Leeds.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues to support businesses in the region by helping them achieve their aspirations.”

Jamie McCullough, relationship director for West and South Yorkshire, also commented: “This is an exciting time to be involved with the West and South Yorkshire banking team at HSBC. I was impressed by the team’s growth and ambitious plans for the future, together with their ability to effectively support businesses in the region.”

Dave Clarkson, Langleys

Langleys Solicitors has announced the appointment of business development director Dave Clarkson.

Clarkson joins Langleys from accountancy firm Armstrong Watson where he held a similar position for seven years.

Langleys employs more than 340 people at its offices in York and Lincoln. It has a turnover in excess of £20m and continues to see organic growth in revenue.

Clarkson has more than 20 years’ experience in advertising and marketing, developing national and regional campaigns, before he moved into corporate professional services.

Clarkson, who joins the senior leadership team at Langleys, said: “My role is to articulate the quality, knowledge and experience of Langleys to a wider audience as part of the firm’s business growth strategy and ambition to break through the Top 100.”

David Thompson, managing partner at Langleys, added: “Dave is an experienced communicator and his business development expertise will support positioning Langleys to reflect the strength and depth of our expertise across our range of law disciplines for our clients.”

Gaius Powell, Shoosmiths

Shoosmiths, the national law firm, Shoosmiths, has announced the appointment of new business development director, Gaius Powell, who will be based at its Leeds office.

Gaius brings 20 years’ experience as a marketing professional in the legal industry with previous roles at Nabarro, DLA Piper and Pinsent Masons.

For the last two years, he ran his own professional services consultancy specialising in business development advice and support across the sector.

His new position with Shoosmiths is his third senior legal business development role and sees him heading up the firm’s national Business Development and Marketing directorate.

Paul Stokey, Shoosmiths’ head of office in Leeds, said: “It’s great to welcome Gaius to the Leeds office as we continue to grow our team in the North of England.

“He will be instrumental in the implementation of our national growth strategy of taking a larger share of the domestic market. His extensive experience in the legal industry will be a real asset to the firm.”

Gaius said: “Shoosmiths stands out as a dynamic, forward-thinking law firm with its clear focus on client delivery and quality. It’s a very exciting time to join and I look forward to being part of the team and driving forward the national growth strategy.”

Leanne Wray, Bluestorm Design & Marketing Ltd

East Yorkshire-based Bluestorm Design & Marketing Ltd has promoted company accountant Leanne Wray to financial director.

Leanne, who joined Bluestorm in 2005, previously spent nine years in practice employed by business consultant Melvyn Sadofsky.

Leanne started her accountancy career in 1995 when she completed a HND in Business and Finance, before studying for her degree in Administrative Management. She then went on to gain ACCA qualifications and today has over 20 years of experience under her belt.

Andrew Cawley, managing director at Bluestorm, commented: “Leanne heads up our accounts team and has driven Bluestorm’s financial growth over the years. We are delighted to welcome her onto the board of directors.

“Not only will she continue to efficiently manage our day-to-day finances, but she will also play an important role in steering the business and ensuring we hit our budgets and targets.”

Leanne added: “It’s a privilege to be joining Bluestorm’s board. It’s been great to see the company grow and develop in the time I’ve been here, and I’m excited about this new opportunity to strengthen our position as one of the region’s leading marketing and design agencies.”

Karl Elliott, Beverley Building Society

Beverley Building Society has appointed a former marketing director from within the mutual sector, as its new CEO.

New chief executive, Karl Elliott, comes to Beverley from financial services mutual OneFamily in Brighton, where he spent three years commuting from his home in Yorkshire, having previously worked for Harrogate-based Engage Mutual for 15 years.

He commented: “I am delighted to join the team at Beverley Building Society, it appeared a fantastic opportunity from the start as its values of trust, honesty and empathy for customers are consistent with my own.

“I’m sure we can deliver a healthy combination of commercial success and social good by putting the needs of customers and their families first.

“When looking to return to my roots in Yorkshire, Beverley Building Society was a fantastic fit for me; in good shape and with real potential to have more impact across the East Riding.

“It’s also great to see the Society working so closely within the community and supporting activities and charities that matter to our members.”

Brian Young, dhair of Beverley Building Society, added: “This announcement concludes the Board’s thorough process to recruit Karl as our new leader.

“His skills and experience will very much complement our executive team, which includes deputy chief executive, Janet Bedford with a background as finance director and Mark Marsden as risk director. We are ideally positioned for the challenges that lie ahead.

“In addition to his professional background, Karl is also keenly interested in the social and economic challenges of the community and the role our Society can play in supporting families across the region, something that sets us apart from many of the national institutions.”

Nadia Sumner and Kate Dickens, Dacre, Son & Hartley

Two new letting managers have been appointed by Dacre, Son & Hartley, as the firm’s lettings division continues to expand.

Nadia Sumner and Kate Dickens will work across the Ripon and Thirsk branches, and report into the new head of lettings Emma Kerrywood, who joined Dacres this summer.

Nadia has 17 years’ experience and joins from Reeds Rains, where she worked as a lettings manager, covering 40 northern branches.

Kate has almost five years’ property experience, and has worked as a lettings negotiator for both Linley & Simpson and Hunters.

Emma Kerrywood, head of lettings, said: “Both Nadia and Kate have the relevant experience and skill-sets required to manage our ever growing property portfolio for our landlords. They will be the first point of contact for both landlords and tenants.

“A typical day will see them carrying out viewings, drawing up and processing tenancy agreements, liaising with credit reference companies and solicitors, and making sure all of our landlords and tenants are happy with our service.”

Nadia and Kate’s appointments mean the firm now has a team of 12 lettings professionals, who manage a portfolio of well over 1,000 properties.

David Leversha, Sweco

Sweco, the Leeds-based engineering, environment and design consultancy, has appointed David Leversha as structural director of its UK buildings division.

Joining from BuroHappold, David brings 21 years of experience to the business.

For the past decade he has led multi-disciplinary teams working on UK construction projects, including the Lowry Centre in Salford, Manchester’s 2 St. Peter’s Square office development, the new Science & Health Building at Coventry University and SnOasis, the proposed indoor winter sports resort in Suffolk.

In his new position, David will build the current 30-strong team of structural engineers to boost Sweco’s pipeline of architecturally-led work across the UK.

Geoffrey Palmer, Sweco UK’s operations director for buildings, said: “David will further enhance our integrated engineering, planning and consultancy capability, complementing our excellent track record of providing building services in both the public and private sectors.

“His appointment will help us to capitalise on recent framework wins and continue to deliver a more diverse portfolio of high value construction work across the UK.

“His experience of completing award-winning projects for a broad range of clients makes him a strong asset for the team.”

Michael Goodwin, Miller Homes

Miller Homes has announced the appointment of Michael Goodwin as the new further sales manager.

Michael has been appointed as a sales manager with the housebuilder and will assume responsibility for a number of developments across the region.

Michael commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the most respected housebuilders in the UK and in particular in Yorkshire. I am looking forward to playing a pivotal part in generating sales as our developments continue to increase in the coming years.”

Michael, who has worked for other housebuilders in a similar role, will have a varied role which will include managing sales, recruiting staff and working with interior designers to create inspiring show homes.

Sarah Whinfrey, regional sales manager Miller Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michael to the team and he has already settled in well maintaining our service levels and driving forward our initiatives and campaigns in a variety of ways.

“To deliver our planned growth by 2020 it is imperative that we have a strong team in place and with Michael joining myself, Jan Hanaby and Natalie Moore I feel that we are in a fantastic place to do so.”

Michael’s current portfolio includes Honeywell Grange, Barnsley; Sherwood Croft, Thorpe Willoughby; City Fields in Wakefield and Brompton Fold in Apperley Bridge.

Sarah Darbyshire, MacComms

A West Yorkshire-based PR agency has announced the appointment of its third director.

MacComms has appointed Sarah Darbyshire from HR Solutions Yorkshire to support the business’s team and recruitment requirements as outsourced HR director.

Sarah joins founder and managing director of MacComms, Ellie MacDonald, alongside fellow outsourced finance director, Martin Mellor of Mellor Financial Management, to MacComms’ board of directors.

Sarah joins the team after setting up her business 18 months ago, following a 20-year career managing HR in the private sector.

She has worked as head of HR in a range of organisations from SMEs employing less than 20 people up to an international business with a workforce of 4000.

Sarah will support MacComms with all aspects of people management including HR strategy and projects, recruitment and selection, learning and development, performance management, reward and benefits, and managing and motivating employees.

Ellie MacDonald, founder and managing director of MacComms commented: “Sarah’s philosophy of HR is about helping businesses to manage, motivate and develop their employees whilst staying within the law. Given our phenomenal growth in a short space of time, Sarah has come on board to support our growing number of employees.

“I am pleased that Sarah shares our values of treating people fairly and properly so I am confident we will continue to thrive and grow even further with her support.”

Sarah Darbyshire added: “I am proud to working with a like-minded young and growing company like MacComms. Both Ellie and I are Yorkshire born and bred, keen to collaborate and work together to get the most from the MacComms team.”