This week's Yorkshire appointments

Helen Mackay, Richard Grafton Interiors

Interior design firm Richard Grafton Interiors has appointed Helen Mackay to its Wetherby team.

Having worked in interior design for nearly nine years, Helen joins from Furnish & Fettle in Wetherby where she spent over four years, and, prior to that, she worked with Richard Grafton at James Brindley in Wetherby for more than four years.

Helen is the fourth interior designer to join the Wetherby team and will work alongside interior design specialists Donna Schofield and Karen Draper who manage the showroom, supported by Rebecca Thomas.

Founder Richard Grafton commented: “Despite having been shut for six months during lockdown, the Wetherby showroom is going from strength to strength and we are already having to recruit a fourth interior design specialist in response to ongoing customer demand.

“Having worked with Helen previously, I have always been impressed by her design flair and I’m really pleased that she’s come full circle to work with us again. The Wetherby showroom is performing strongly and Helen’s arrival will further bolster our talented team here.

“It’s important that we continue to invest in future growth and bring the right people on board in order to deliver outstanding design projects for our customers as well as exploring new opportunities.”

Helen added: “I’m genuinely excited to be working with Richard again and joining such a renowned team.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming customers, old and new, to this beautiful new showroom where they can get inspiration from our stunning room sets as well as being given informed design advice.

“Being able to offer a complete service from concept to project delivery, all under one roof, is proving to be extremely popular.”

Carly Brown and Lucy Poppleton, Clarion

Law firm Clarion has appointed Carly Brown as senior associate and Lucy Poppleton as paralegal.

With seven years’ experience in banking law, Carly joins from the Leeds office of a global law firm where she gained experience of advising both funders and borrowers on a range of banking matters. Her experience includes specialist knowledge of leveraged finance and development and real estate finance.

Lucy joins Clarion’s banking and finance team having worked for a London law firm for the last eight months after completing a Legal Practice Course with Law and Business MSc (distinction) at University of Law, Leeds. In her new role, she will assist the banking and finance team, working with clients such as asset-based lenders, banks and borrowers.

Phil Dine, partner in Clarion’s banking and finance team, commented: “We are pleased to be adding further strength in depth by welcoming Carly, a senior and knowledgeable banking lawyer whose strong track record in leveraged finance will support our offering in this area.

“In addition, Lucy’s appointment is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to bringing on board young talent as we continue to expand our team in order to meet the needs of existing clients as well as having the capacity to advise new clients.

“Not only are many of our clients growing, they are also facing a fast-changing market as CBILs wind down and the recovery loan scheme is put in place. Carly and Lucy will work with our expert team assisting clients as they explore alternative funding positions and help them navigate through the complexities of the funding landscape.”

Carly added: “It’s unusual to see a dedicated banking practice of Clarion’s size and capability within a regional firm. I’m excited to be joining such an experienced team; it’s a great opportunity to use my skills to support its continued growth.”

Brittany Noppe, Abby Simmons, Georgie Smith and Ruth Fogden, ilk

Leeds-based agency ilk has made four new hires to its team.

Brittany Noppe joins the business as PR & social media manager, Abby Simmons has been hired as PR & social media executive, Georgie Smith joins ilk as creative account manager and Ruth Fogden comes onboard as middleweight designer.

Brittany joins ilk from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority where she was communications & marketing officer, and will be responsible for delivering multi-channel campaigns for a range of clients.

Abby, who recently completed an MA in PR and Strategic Communications at Leeds Beckett University, will offer media relations and social media support for clients.

Georgie was previously an account manager within the CGI team at Intermarketing Agency, working with clients and inhouse 3D artists to produce marketing renders and animations in her previous role.

Ruth previously worked as a Creative Designer at marketing agency, Magpie where she worked across a variety of campaigns like the rebranding of University Centre Leeds. Ruth will offer design and creative support for clients.

Nev Ridley, managing director at ilk, added: “Bringing Brittany, Abby, Georgie and Ruth into the business will strengthen our offering across all of our services significantly and comes at a time when our clients’ demands for fully-integrated campaigns continue to grow.

“I’m certain all new appointments will have a really positive impact on the quality of work we deliver for clients across the board.”

Vanda Murray OBE, Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water has appointed Vanda Murray OBE to its board as non-executive director and chair designate.

Vanda is non-executive director and chair of Yorkshire-based Marshalls plc and is also senior independent director and chair of the Remuneration Committee at Bunzl plc. She is a non-executive director at Manchester Airports Group, where she chairs the Remuneration and Corporate and Social Responsibility Committees.

In addition, Vanda was also a non-executive director and Chair of Fenner PLC until May 2018, non-executive director of Redrow PLC until November 2020 and non-executive director of Aptitude Software Group PLC until July 2016.

Commenting on Vanda Murray’s appointment, Anthony Rabin said: “We are delighted that Vanda is joining Yorkshire Water as an independent non-executive director and will succeed me as the independent Chair of Yorkshire Water.

“Vanda brings extensive experience of business leadership in a number of different sectors and was an outstanding candidate. She will join us at this critical time, when we are starting to assemble our strategy and plans for the next ten years.

Vanda added: “This is an important time to be joining Yorkshire Water as we start work with other Yorkshire anchor institutions and with our customers to respond to the challenges of climate change and build region wide resilience.

“I’m looking forward to working with colleagues throughout the company as we develop our long-term plans.”

Jasmine Campbell and Ellis Hall, The Institute of Directors (IoD)

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed two ambassadors to its North Yorkshire branch.

Jasmine Campbell has been appointed as student graduate ambassador, while Ellis Hall has been appointed as environment and sustainability ambassador.

Jasmine has a first-class degree in business and management from the University of York, where she is continuing her studies with an MSc in human resource management.

In addition, Jasmine is an officer cadet with the Royal Air Force University Air Squadron, where she has developed leadership skills in challenging environments and learned to fly single engine fixed wing aircraft.

Jasmine commented: “I’m passionate about learning and development and want to share my enthusiasm for business with other students and recent graduates who aspire to be great directors and leaders.”

Ellis is head of wholesale and partners at Harrogate-based CNG, an independent provider of gas, energy and services to UK SMEs. He joined CNG in 2016 and is responsible for innovation and new product development. Ellis is also leading CNG’s programme to help SMEs transition to net zero carbon emissions.

In addition to his role at CNG, Ellis is studying part-time for an Executive MBA. Ellis commented: “Net zero is a world leading target and businesses are fundamental in the decarbonisation transition. It is a pleasure to join the IoD to boost engagement, share knowledge and support regional directors on their journey to net zero”.

Caroline Pullich, chair of the North Yorkshire branch, added: “Jasmine and Ellis join our strong and experienced team of ambassadors who together provide breadth of experience and skills to support our wider membership particularly as we recover from the pandemic and rebuild.

“Our ambassadors also ensure that the voice of North Yorkshire directors is represented within the IoD’s influential lobbying voice.”

Nick Hussey, Rise at Seven

Search-first creative agency Rise at Seven has appointed Nick Hussey as operations director.

Formerly the COO at creative agency Forever Beta, Creative Operations at Mcann and Jaywing, and a Mother at Mother agency, Nick joins the team with a range of experience in running and managing operations for global agencies.

Nick commented: “I’m really proud to be joining the team at Rise, it reminded me so much of what Mother was doing when I joined them at the beginning of their successful journey, the disruptive energy, their distinctive way of doing things, the strength of conviction there’s a better way of doing things.

“I cannot wait to bring my experience to help shape the next stages of Rise’s growth. Carrie and Stephen’s vision for the company was hard to resist.”

Carrie Rose, chief executive of Rise at Seven, added: “I am thrilled to welcome Nick to the Rise at Seven team as our Operations Director. Nick will be working right alongside myself to help us scale globally. “Nick is bringing years of experience to Rise and has been at the best in the business including a number of years at Mother and holding the role of creative operations director at McCann as well as COO at Forever Beta.

“As we grow our digital search first creative offering globally, Nick’s experience will be hugely valuable to disrupting that space and bringing a fresh way of delivering creative campaigns and content marketing executions in the industry.

“Nick has been at the top of the game in countless agencies and will be taking us to the next level in our operations. There is not a single person in the industry who is as good as Nick. We are privileged to have him join the team.”