This week's Yorkshire appointments

Belinda Eldridge, Giggleswick School

Giggleswick School has appointed a former director of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Belinda Eldridge, to the new post of development and commercial director.

The northern independent school is looking to expand its commercial activities to maximise opportunities from more widespread use of its 270 acre site and the new director position is seen as key to achieving this ambition.

Belinda joins the school from the post of development and commercial director at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where she was instrumental in boosting visitor numbers from 350,000 to 500,000 a year in five years and taking turnover to £7.6m.

Said Belinda: “I’m thrilled to have joined the team at Giggleswick. I am looking forward to getting stuck into the role as there is so much potential here.

“We have such a beautiful site and we hope the public will have more access, whether it is for a wellbeing, yoga or mindfulness retreat, conferencing or corporate activities, enjoying the great outdoors through Giggleswick Outdoor Pursuits or even getting married here.

“We also have plans to expand the summer courses and international summer schools for which Giggleswick is becoming increasingly well known.”

Belinda is also responsible for fundraising and with an ambitious multi million pound capital building strategy to refurbish the school’s boarding accommodation, music school and languages school recently underway, she is hitting the ground running.

Craig Hatto, Continuum Attractions

Continuum Attractions has appointed Craig Hatto as director of Design & Creative Experience.

Continuum Attractions develops and commercially operates attractions and experiences. The group portfolio is conceived, created and operated within the UK.

Hatto’s national role will drive design and creativity across all elements of the business and ensure the company is at the cutting edge of developments.

Craig Hatto has joined Continuum from Historic Royal Palaces and comes with over 25 years of experience, working globally within both the commercial and cultural attractions industries.

He said: “It’s a privilege to work with such a farsighted organisation, and a company that is open to new ideas to challenge perceptions of what visitors with diverse interests want from a day out.

“At our heart, the daily visitors’ experience remains core, but options for alternative opportunities to maximise their time on site and add value to their visit is key.

“We want to attract new and diverse visitors and demographics, sustain and engage existing members by engendering loyalty and above all, remaining true to our cause; delivering innovative, entertaining and fun experiences that touch the heart and create experiences that are personal and memorable.

“I look forward to thinking unique, thinking big and thinking business.”

Claire Ryder and Emily Vint, Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson has appointed Claire Ryder and Emily Vint who join the firm’s property team, strengthening its offering and adding further value to the client offer across its regional offices.

Paul Barker, partner and head of the property team, said: “I am delighted to welcome Claire and Emily to the team.

“Claire brings several years’ extensive experience across all domestic property-related transactions, with a clear focus on providing the best possible levels of service to her clients.

“Emily is also a great fit for the team and will be providing assistance across a broad range of commercial property transactions.”

Kirsty Barsby, Zoe Lang and Sarah Temple, Lupton Fawcett

Lupton Fawcett has promoted Kirsty Barsby, Zoe Lang and Sarah Temple to partners.

The three property lawyers have each worked with the Yorkshire law firm, which has offices in Leeds, York and Sheffield, for more than 11 years.

Kirsty Barsby, who is based at the firm’s York office, has experience in property work, including retail, offices, leisure and industrial.

Zoe Lang is part of the commercial property team within the Leeds office and has worked for a wide range of clients, advising in the office, retail and industrial sectors.

Sarah Temple, who is also part of the Leeds commercial property team, has developed expertise in a range of areas, including buying, selling and property management work for investment properties, schools and care homes.

Lupton Fawcett’s head of commercial property, David Whitaker, said: “Over the last decade, Kirsty, Zoe and Sarah have built up an excellent reputation within the sector for providing advice and service to our clients across all aspects of commercial property issues.

“As such, they have become a huge asset to the department and their promotion is very well deserved.”

Richard Robinson, Shulmans LLP

Richard Robinson, a partner at Leeds law firm Shulmans LLP has been named as the new chairman of the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) Northern Next Gen Committee.

Formerly a vice-chair of the committee, Robinson, who is part of Shulmans’ property litigation team, will be responsible for bringing together key stakeholders in the property sector to promote and support young talent in the North.

The BCO is a national organisation that aims to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector.

Robinson said: “During my time as vice-chair of the committee, I have had the pleasure of helping to showcase major northern office developments such as Kirkstall Forge and Platform in Leeds.

“I am delighted to have been made chairman and look forward to continuing to promote the best that the North has to offer.”

John Ashworth, Rollits

Hull and York law firm Rollits has appointed John Ashworth as a solicitor who successfully completed his training contract with the firm in September.

A former student at Hymers College and a University of Hull law graduate, John joined Rollits as a trainee solicitor in September 2016.

His ‘Period of Recognised Training’ included a secondment to Hull 2017 City of Culture for seven months during which time he got valuable experience of legal work within the culture and creative arts sector.

Based in the Hull office, John will specialise in commercial dispute resolution work including disputed debt claims, property disputes and breach of contract claims.

George Coyle, dispute resolution partner at Rollits, added: “We are delighted that John has joined our highly regarded Dispute Resolution team.

“Over the last two years he has proved himself to be a valued member of the Rollits team and I look forward to working with him and see him develop into the top class lawyer I know he will become.”

Sara James, Lake Legal

Leeds-based law firm Lake Legal has appointed one of the region’s most experienced family law practitioners.

With over 25 years’ experience, Sara James has joined the firm as a specialist in all aspects of private family law, both financial and child-related.

Sara has vast experience in dealing with complex and often financial settlements arising from divorce and separation, negotiation of pre and post-marital agreements and cohabitation disputes.

Lyn Ayrton, head of Lake Legal, said: “Sara is one of the most experienced all-round family lawyers in the region. Her clients appreciate her commitment and support from start to finish.

“She is highly regarded in the business community as someone who strives to find a solution even when none appears obvious.”

Aisling Corbett and Tony Shepherd, Stada Video

Stada Video, a content marketing company based in Wakefield, has recruited Tony Shepherd in graphic design, and Aisling Corbett in digital marketing.

As part of its plans, Stada is sticking closely to its policy of recruiting local talent wherever possible with 80 per cent of its team living in the Wakefield district.

Tony has over 30 years of experience and heads up the design department and will be responsible for creating design content for digital, video, animation, print and branding for our clients.

Aisling is a recent university graduate wanting to build on her digital marketing skills by looking after internal and external social media, copy, blogging and PR.

Danny Lacey, CEO and founder of Stada Video, said: “Finding the best local talent is one of the hardest things in growing a business. Tony and Aisling will play an important part in our expansion plans in the coming years.”