This week's Yorkshire appointments

Matheau Frith, Future Life Wealth Management

Sheffield based Future Life Wealth Management has appointed Matheau Frith as a paraplanner.

Matheau, who joins the firm from 1825 Financial Planning in Sheffield, is level 4 diploma qualified in regulated financial planning and is working towards achieving the chartered financial planner qualification.

Before working at 1825 Financial Planning, Matheau worked at Grant Thornton, first as an administrator and then as a paraplanner.

In his new role, Matheau will be responsible for assisting the financial planners in their research and analysis of products, and producing advice and suitability reports.

Matheau commented: “It is fantastic to be joining such a brilliant team. I have already seen how dedicated everyone is to the clients and seen the really high quality of service, even in these strange times. I am really looking forward to helping to do my bit to continue to improve the service Future Life offers.”

Managing director Jillian Thomas, who is also past president of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, added: “We are in unprecedented times and we have been working hard to be there even more for our clients to ensure they make the best decisions for their futures.

“Having Matheau join the team will really help; but not just in the short term. He is a very talented paraplanner and a great addition to the team for the longer term.”

Debra Jackson, Jones Myers

Family law firm Jones Myers has appointed family lawyer Debra Jackson.

Debra’s experience across eleven years spans divorce, financial settlements, pre and post nuptial agreements as well as inheritances and trusts.

A specialist in cases involving unmarried couples, Debra has gained specialist accreditation from Resolution in cohabitation.

Jones Myers partner and director Richard Peaker commented: “Debra’s strong track record complements and enhances the expertise of our family lawyers and we wish her every success.

Debra added: “Jones Myers has an outstanding reputation and it’s tremendous to join the firm at this formative period in its development.

“I thrive on the challenges of complicated cases and am looking forward to helping clients achieve creative solutions tailored to their individual circumstances and needs.”

Sarah Laughey, Ison Harrison

Law firm Ison Harrison has appointed Sarah Laughey as head of private family.

Sarah originally joined the firm’s family law service in February 2017 and headed up the firm’s family law service at the Ilkley, Otley and Guiseley branches, before being made a partner in January 2019.

Sarah brings 14 years of family law experience to her new role, specialising in relationship and marital breakdowns with a focus on upon divorce work and associated financial asset disputes for high net worth clients. Sarah also deals with child arrangement related disputes and some domestic violence related work.

Sarah commented: “Becoming head of private family law represents an exciting development and I’m looking forward to further expanding the firm’s expert offering and building on its sector reputation.

“Ison Harrison is a progressive firm and continues to affirm its position as one of the outstanding family law firms in the region. The chance to work with so many talented teams across our network of offices will help us to provide an even more comprehensive family offering to clients across Yorkshire.”

Commenting on the appointment, managing partner Jonathan Wearing, added: “Sarah’s much deserved promotion highlights our ongoing commitment to growing the business in 2020, building on the progress achieved last year.

“With Sarah heading up our private client family law offering, our aim is to fully harness the expertise that our dedicated team across our network of regional offices can provide.

“Sarah brings a wealth of experience across a wide range of complex family law disciplines and her appointment is a major step forward for our strategic growth plan, which through working closely with other individual partners and divisional heads, adds a further dimension to the overall service offering.”

Najinder Singh Devgun, Sheards Financial Management

Financial advisory firm Sheards Financial Management has appointed Najinder Singh Devgun as wills and estates planner.

Najinder, who having previously qualified as a solicitor and spent a number of years working in private practice, brings a range of experience to the role.

A member of the Society of Wills Writers, Najinder will also undertake qualifications with Sheards Financial Management to enable him to become a qualified financial adviser alongside his responsibilities.

Mark Stewart, director of Sheards Financial Management, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Najinder to the team.

“His experience and his commitment to further learning and development will enable us to provide a holistic service to our clients when it comes to supporting them with financial planning needs”.

Commenting on his appointment, Najinder added: “Having cross-referred work to each other for a number of years, it made sense to bring our skills and resources together to help us both achieve our goals and to support its clients to achieve their financial aspirations.”

Sharon Webb and Mark Bardwell, Sutton McGrath Hartley (SMH)

Chartered accountants Sutton McGrath Hartley (SMH) has appointed Sharon Webb and Mark Bardwell as directors.

Following the firm’s merger with Rotherham-based Haywood & Co in Spring 2019, Sharon Webb has been promoted to director having been with the firm for 15 years.

Mark Bardwell, a senior manager in the head office in Sheffield has also been awarded a Directorship having played an active role in the development of the firm since 2007.

Jonathon Dickens, partner at SMH, commented: “Having gone through a significant growth phase over recent years, and with this looking set to continue into the new decade, it is important that we have the right infrastructure in place to take us forward.

“We have offered Sharon and Mark their directorships because of their commitment and drive to making sure SMH clients are serviced in the best possible manner, and their focus on staff development – all key traits of a successful business that align with our vision for the future.”

Commenting on her appointment, Sharon Webb commented: “I’m delighted to become the first female director to join the board at SMH.

“This is something that has been in the pipeline at Haywood & Co since before the merger with SMH took place, and I’m really pleased Jonathon Dickens and James Hartley (managing director at SMH) have continued to progress this as part of the succession planning for this office.

“Having spent the best part of my career with Haywood & Co, I have always been an active manager with some long standing clients. Following a merger, it is always reassuring for clients have familiarity with staff and processes and this is something I can play a key part in going forward.”

Mark added: “Having joined SMH as a trainee in 2007 and qualifying in 2015 I have spent most of my career with the firm, so it’s a big honour to be asked to become a director.

“I have always played an active role in client management and have probably had a hand in helping most of the Sheffield client base at some point over the course of my career at SMH.

“My focus for the future is to ensure clients receive the best service we can possibly give, providing the best advice when it comes to tax planning and managing the transition to cloud technologies, and using my experience to help with staff transition for the future benefit of the firm.”

Dean Battersby, PCL

PCL has appointed Dean Battersby as operations director.

Having worked for multinational companies servicing the automotive, aerospace and rail industries, Dean has over 22 years of executive experience in manufacturing, operations, procurement, logistics and product management.

Dean holds an BEng (Hons) degree in engineering and business, and joins the firm following two years at the mechanical and pneumatic conveying systems company Schenck Process UK Ltd.

Dean commented: “I’m very passionate about keeping manufacturing in Sheffield and want to do what I can to maintain that. I’ve known about PCL ever since I started work.

“They have a good pedigree and a good name, not only for the quality products and processes, and the desire to continually improve products and innovation – but also for the company’s culture and how it treats its people.”

Finance director Roz Shepherd added: “We are excited to have someone of Dean’s calibre join us on the board of directors and as part of the PCL family and wider team.

“He has an incredible breadth of experience which we are confident will help take us forward into a new and successful chapter of development for both PCL and our customers.”

Rick Butterfield, Ellis Patents

Cable cleat manufacturer and exporter Ellis Patents has appointed Rick Butterfield as operations manager.

Rick Butterfield has joined the firm from Dale Power Solutions, and has taken direct responsibility for everything from production planning and project costing to building and plant maintenance and repairs; continuous improvement initiatives to the management of all stores, warehousing and despatch.

Commenting on his appointment, Rick said: “As well as a glowing global reputation, Ellis is extremely well respected in North Yorkshire; being seen as one of the best employers in the region.

“When I saw this job opportunity I didn’t hesitate to apply, despite the fact I’d spent nearly 20 years with my previous employer.”

Ellis’ technical director, Stephen Walton, added: “Our British made products are tried, tested and trusted; and our innovative approach to product development really does differentiate us from the competition.

“But underpinning all of this is the day-to-day operation of the manufacturing and distribution side of the business, which goes to show just how important an appointment this is.

“Rick impressed us all from the moment we first met him, and we all look forward to working closely with him for many years to come.”