This week's Yorkshire appointments

Chris Mapledoram and Kevin Hawkes, Sewtec

Robotics specialist Sewtec has appointed two experienced managers as the company continues to experience significant growth both domestically and overseas.

Chris Mapledoram and Kelvin Hawkes have joined the Dewsbury and Wakefield-based company as technical sales manager and senior project manager respectively.

Sewtec designs and manufactures high-technology factory automation systems for global blue-chip clients in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and tobacco industries.

In 2018, the company stated its intention to double turnover to £32m by 2022, following a record £25m order book in August 2018.

Commenting on the appointments, Sewtec managing director, Mark Cook, said: “It’s great to be able to welcome more than 40 combined years’ of engineering experience and knowledge to our team as we undergo transformational growth.

“Chris and Kelvin both have significant roles to play in further enabling our expansion whilst contributing directly to our culture of continuous improvement in all that we do.”

Gillian Venning, Majestic Hotel

An experienced sales and marketing director has joined the senior management team at a Harrogate hotel as it nears the completion of its £15m transformation.

Gillian Venning, who worked at her family’s hotel in the Yorkshire Dales after completing catering college, has experience working in the hospitality sectors, will run the Majestic Hotel’s sales and marketing operations.

Prior to working at the Majestic, Gillian worked at the Coniston Hotel, on the outskirts of Skipton, where she was head of sales and marketing. During her time there the hotel won a number of awards for its marketing promotions.

Gillian said: “Growing up in a family of hoteliers, the Majestic in Harrogate was well-known to me from a very early age, and was always a byword for elegance, style and quality.

“Thanks to the £15m investment by the current owners, The Cairn Group, it will very again become a must-visit destination and the town’s finest establishment.

“I’m delighted to be joining the team at the Majestic at what is one of the most exciting times in its history, and to help promote its new features, menus and facilities to those looking for an exceptional experience, whatever the occasion.”

Louise Jackson, The Coalfields Regeneration Trust

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has appointed community employment and skills coach Louise Jackson to the team.

Having worked in the third sector for more than a decade, Louise initially joined the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in April 2018 and was tasked with providing employment and skills support to residents in the Dearne Valley.

Throughout the past year, she has supported individuals that are out of work to overcome barriers to employment and worked to help them realise their aspirations and where possible secure jobs or volunteering positions.

Louise will be keeping a keen eye on the regeneration plans for the former Maltby Colliery site as this has the potential to provide opportunities for local residents.

Louise said: “After working for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for just over a year, I am more than confident that we can meet with the needs of those living in Maltby.

“From my time in Dearne Valley, I have a greater appreciation for the importance of networking with council members, local residents and the providers in each area.

“It’s about identifying what is available, who wants what and how to engage with the people. I am extremely proud of the results that we achieved in the last 12 months and am sure we can replicate this.”

Reza Zaher and Mark Stevenson, ITI Network Services

ITI Network Services has appointed Reza Zaher as client director and Mark Stevenson as senior project manager.

Reza Zaher, 54, joins ITI with significant experience working for network providers, spending the past after seven years with O2 (Telefónica UK) and 11 years prior to that with TMobile.

An electronic RF (radio frequency) engineer by trade, he has designed mobile phones, receivers, transmitters and networks and brings extensive expertise of cellular network optimisation and planning.

Reha said: “It’s truly exciting to join ITI at a point where the business is developing so fast, just like the industry.

“New technology including the 5G rollout, astonishing increases in network speed and latency and the uptake of the Internet of Things will be game-changing for the telecoms industry and our customers.

“The industry depends on dynamic and trustworthy suppliers and I’m thrilled to bring my knowledge to such an agile firm with a superb reputation and client portfolio.”

Victoria Crutchley, FRP Advisory LLP

Specialist business advisory firm FRP Advisory LLP has appointed Victoria Crutchley to director as it reflects on a year of significant investment in the firm’s people and services.

With more than 18 years’ experience in the restructuring sector, Victoria has spent her career supporting businesses that are facing financial and operational challenges.

She will now work closely with partners Phil Pierce and Paul Whitwam to support the 14-strong team as they deliver corporate restructuring solutions to businesses across Yorkshire and the North East.

Paul Whitwam, partner at FRP Advisory in Leeds, said: “Victoria’s in-depth knowledge of the local market means that she’s ideally placed to support firms across the region, and in the two years that she has been at FRP Advisory she has had a marked impact on both our team and the clients that we support.

“She has an excellent reputation across the business community, is committed to delivering the highest quality service and is an excellent role model for her team.

“I’d like to congratulate her on this new role and look forward to supporting the next phase of her career with FRP Advisory.”