This week's Yorkshire appointments

Stephen Walton, Ellis

Stephen Walton has been promoted to the role of technical director at cable cleat manufacturer, Ellis.

Stephen, a chartered mechanical engineer with over two decades of industry experience, joined Ellis in 2015 and has since played a key role in the development of a large number of new and improved products.

Richard Shaw, managing director of Ellis, said: “Over the last couple of years, the cable cleat market has become increasingly competitive and Stephen has played a vital role in establishing a service that really does differentiate us from the rest of the market.”

Kate Lax and Laura Sanderson, Wake Smith Solicitors

Sheffield-based Wake Smith Solicitors has announced two internal associate promotions.

Clinical negligence solicitor Kate Lax and commercial property solicitor Laura Sanderson have been promoted to associate solicitor level.

Kate has specialised in clinical negligence claims at Wake Smith since qualifying in 2013 and has seen her caseload develop with many significant successes in the past year.

Laura joined Wake Smith in 2016 and has brought significant experience in retail and landlord and tenant work, acquisitions, disposals and lease work to the firm’s busy and progressive commercial property department.

Nick Lambert, chairman at Wake Smith, said: “It is great to see our employees progressing up through the ranks.

“We’re very keen on nurturing and developing talent to enable people to grow within themselves, which is why we have such a high staff retention rate.

“Both have worked hard to achieve this promotion and received consistent positive feedback from clients based on their approachable, yet professional manner.”

Tracey Townsend, Future Life Wealth Management

Sheffield’s Future Life Wealth Management has appointed a new financial planning administrator.

Tracey Townsend joins Future Life from a Derby-based financial management company, where she was HR and accounts administrator.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Tracey now lives in Chesterfield. She has also worked for the Institute for Actuaries and has diplomas in HR management and as a legal secretary.

Future Life’s managing director, Jillian Thomas, said: “Tracey is a fantastic addition to the team and will help us continue to give a great service to our clients. Her appointment is all part of our growth plan, which has seen our turnover increase by more than 40 per cent in the last year.”

Robyn Thompson, Lupton Fawcett

Robyn Thompson has joined Lupton Fawcett’s corporate finance team in York to assist with the growing number of instructions being received by the department.

Robyn will be working alongside partner, Martin Frost, and provide assistance across a variety of corporate matters, including the acquisition and disposal of companies, drafting of shareholders’ agreements and articles of association, share buy-backs, reductions of capital, incorporations and group re-organisations.

Speaking about her appointment, Robyn said: “When the position became available, I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to work with a high-profile law firm with an excellent reputation in the area.

“Martin is very well-known and respected in York and I am delighted to be joining his team.”

Jan Coskun, Oulton Hall

Oulton Hall, a four-star hotel near Leeds, has appointed Jan Coskun as its director of operations.

Jan brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the hospitality industry internationally for over 20 years.

He joins the hotel following two years as deputy general manager at Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor and was previously food and beverage manager at the Waldorf Astoria, in Edinburgh.

Jan will oversee the operational running of Oulton Hall. He said: “Oulton Hall already has a magnificent reputation in the hospitality industry.

“I want to bring my experience within food and beverage operations to really drive sales and service levels ensuring Oulton Hall is the hotel destination in Yorkshire for any event.

“The team are energetic and full of passion for the property which is infectious. I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Jamie Deboo, Ring

Leeds-based Ring has appointed Jamie Deboo as key account manager, supporting the business’s continued growth.

Prior to joining Ring, Jamie held the position of business development manager for Hella Ltd, where he secured over £900k of new business within a two-year period.

Commenting on his new appointment, Jamie said: “I am really pleased to take up the position of key account manager at Ring, the flexible nature of the role really appealed to me.

“I believe the professionalism of the entire staff is what makes Ring the market leader it has become. I am really looking forward to working with the team and to building on the great work that is already going on.”