This week's Yorkshire appointments

Jonathan Raynor, Dacre, Son & Hartley

Estate agency Dacre, Son & Hartley has appointed Jonathan Raynor to head up its Baildon office.

Yorkshire native Jonathan ran his own estate agency business, specialising in both sales and lettings, in Manchester city centre.

After a decade of trading Jonathan sold the firm, and has now returned to Yorkshire where he will take up the new role.

Commenting on his appointment, Jonathan said: “After previously working in Manchester city centre, mainly selling and letting apartments, it’s great to return home and have the opportunity to work in a different side of the property market.

“Baildon has always been a highly sought-after area, with stunning moorland and countryside on the doorstep, good rail links, a bustling high street and a vast range of property, from first time buyer homes through to large country houses.

“When this is combined with Dacre, Son & Hartley’s prestige and heritage, it makes this a fantastic career move at an exciting time for the property market, which no longer faces the distractions of the election and Brexit uncertainty.”

Steven Potts, Dacre, Son & Hartley’s area director, added: “Our Baildon office is always busy and sits in the heart of the village, where it has been selling and letting homes for more than 20 years.

“Jonathan has great local knowledge and plenty of estate agency experience, which made him the ideal candidate to head up the office and we’re delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Ben Coltman, Integral IT

Harrogate-based IT services provider Integral IT has appointed Ben Coltman as technical manager.

With eight years’ experience in IT roles, Ben joins from Stowe Family Law in Harrogate where he worked as an IT support technician.

Prior to that, Ben spent over six years with managed service provider Vital Technology Group, most recently as technical account manager.

Jonathan Edwards, managing director of Integral IT, commented: “We’ve seen a raft of new contract wins in recent months with increasing numbers of small businesses coming to us as they seek a friendly, knowledgeable technical team they can trust to take care of all of their IT needs.

“Customer service is at the heart of what we do, so it is vital that we continue to invest in the team to ensure we are able to provide the swift, expert advice our clients expect. With his solid track record in IT support, Ben will be a valuable addition to the team.”

Ben added: “Having worked both in-house and for an IT consultancy, I understand only too well the frustration when IT problems occur and clients’ need for a quick solution.

“Integral IT is building a reputation as a reputable, cost-effective IT company which is able to provide the benefits of a personalised service, manned by an expert team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a part in the business’ continued growth.”

Steena Nasapen-Watson, The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, Yorkshire and Humber

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in the North East and Yorkshire and Humber has appointed Steena Nasapen-Watson as regional director - engagement.

Steena has 12 years’ experience in the water sector predominantly in flood risk management, programme management and most recently in partnership working with a number of organisations championing the implementation of sustainable drainage.

Steena has also been an active member of the Institution as part of the Regional Advisory Board, before joining the team in a job share with Penny Marshall.

Steena commented: “I am delighted to have joined the team in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber.

“Having been previously involved in the water sector, I am keen to reach out to other civil engineering disciplines and really understand how our regional teams can support our members in addressing collective challenges and champion civil engineering at different levels.

“I feel that this is an exciting time to get involved and very much look forward to being part of the team.”

Penny Marshall added: “I think this is an excellent appointment for the ICE and Steena will be a great asset to the team.

“She brings with her a wealth of experience and together we will be able to provide a first-class service for the institution across both regions.”

Frances Revel, ResearchBods

Customer data and intelligence agency ResearchBods has appointed Frances Revel as head of media research.

Frances has 10 years’ experience within research, working in insight roles at MediaCom and OMD UK, and most recently at the7stars where she held the position of insight team lead.

As Head of Media Research Frances will work directly with key media clients and support the business in developing and rolling out ResearchBods media solutions offering.

Robin Hilton, co-founder & director at ResearchBods, commented: “We’re finding that our clients are requiring us to provide wider skill sets outside the traditional market research talent pool.

“The position of Head of Media Research is a new role within ResearchBods and reflects our increasing focus on this area.

“Frances’ experience and knowledge will help us to improve our offering to existing clients, as well as make use of emerging technologies and methods to provide new solutions across the business.”

Kirsty Carter, Solutionize Global

Cloud and technology professional and managed service provider Solutionize Global has appointed Kirsty Carter as chief of staff.

First joining Solutionize Global as executive assistant in 2019, Kirsty has worked predominantly in a sales environment for 12 years after graduating from the University of Leeds with an arts and education degree.

In this newly created role, Kirsty will lead on evolving the team’s in-house training, hiring, professional development and performance management structures as well as act as an advisor to the firm’s CEO David Bentley.

Speaking about her promotion, Kirsty said: “Solutionize Global puts people at the heart of everything it does and I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with colleagues who truly care about future-proofing their in-house learning and development, company culture and internal communications.

“Engaging a workforce isn’t an optional activity – it’s essential. By creating this new role, Solutionize Global has demonstrated a commitment to employee relations, which is a dream position for me.”

David Bentley, CEO of Solutionize Global, added: “Kirsty has demonstrated a passion for all people-centred activities including onboarding, people strategy and personal development.

“I’ve absolute confidence in Kirsty’s ability to put colleagues first and maintain the high standards we set ourselves in the business.”

Rick Lyon, Meehan Media & Comms

PR consultancy Meehan Media & Comms has appointed Rick Lyon as communications director.

Rick joins the firm from Bishop Burton College, where he was marketing director and a member of the strategic leadership group.

A former journalist, Rick spent 14 years at the Hull Daily Mail, holding positions including chief reporter and news editor.

Rick will work closely with managing director and founder John Meehan to accelerate the company’s growth. In addition to his new role, Rick will continue as owner and editor of independent publication The Hull Story.

John, a former Editor of the Hull Daily Mail, commented: “We’re delighted to bring Rick on board.

“His experience and skills add considerably to our already unrivalled expertise within the Hull and Humber region to deliver highly effective PR and communications activity and campaigns.

“Rick’s appointment provides the additional capacity and capability to build on our success and grow further.”

Rick added: “This is a great opportunity for me to join a PR and communications consultancy with an outstanding track record and unrivalled client roster.

“Hull and the Humber is enjoying unprecedented and ongoing investment and Meehan Media & Comms has played a positive and important role as the area’s leading PR and communications provider.

“I’m really excited by the opportunities we have to work with existing and new clients who are leaders within the region and in their industries.”

Chloe Ellis, Mazars

Accountancy and advisory firm Mazars has appointed Chloe Ellis as partner at its Leeds office.

Chloe joins from RSM, where she led the corporate tax practice in Leeds and was also the national head of transactions tax.

With over 15 years’ experience in providing guidance to owner-managed businesses and to large corporate groups, Chloe will focus on providing bespoke advice to companies and their shareholders, whilst developing the tax team in Leeds.

Oliver Hoffman, office managing partner, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Chloe to both the Leeds office and the partnership.

“Her breadth of experience and strong leadership will be a huge asset in developing our expertise in the tax market, ensuring we offer a dedicated and bespoke service to our clients.”

Lesley Gradwell, River

Telecoms and green energy firm River has appointed Lesley Gradwell as business development manager.

Lesley joins the firm after a career working in preventative health care, insurance and transport.

Commenting on her appointment, Lesley said: “River’s work is a completely new area for me, which is always good and it’s a competitive sector. It’s good to see how the company is progressing already having only launched three years ago.

“It gives me confidence that I’m going somewhere that’s stable and progressive. The more ideas a business has the more I have something to sink my teeth into.”

Ashley Hunter, managing director of River, added: “Lesley’s appointment was driven by a hole in the business. We are very good at front end sales and our portfolio is solid and compelling but… we still remain one of the area’s best-kept secrets.

“Because of the calibre of clients we have started to secure we can now shout a bit more.

“Lesley will also help us to improve our account management. We have run very fast to get where we are but we don’t want to be seen as just a new business company. The technology that drives our services evolves incredibly quickly and we are committed to looking after our existing clients and taking them with us.”