This week's Yorkshire appointments: Sheffield’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Xpand, Efficient Building Solutions & Wharf

This week’s round up of Yorkshire appointments includes Sheffield’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Xpand, Efficient Building Solutions & Wharfedale Homes. Read on to find out more.

Dr Anna Lowe, Sheffield’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine

A new director has been appointed to lead the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), based at Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre.

Dr Anna Lowe, a chartered physiotherapist and specialist in physical activity and healthy ageing, has been promoted to director, following three years as programme manager of the centre.

The appointment comes as Professor Rob Copeland and Sir Andrew Cash move on after 10 years at the helm of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield. The centre was established with Department for Health funding following the London 2012 Olympic Games, with one of its three hubs located in Sheffield.

Dr Anna Lowe said: “I am delighted to be director of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. This partnership is an Olympic legacy initiative that brings 14 partner organisations together with the aim of making Sheffield a more active city.

“In my new role as director, I will be overseeing the co-location of NHS services at three community leisure centres, leading Sheffield’s whole systems approach to increasing physical activity and contributing to related research projects. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and delighted to be working with such great partner organisations across Sheffield.”

Danni Johnson & Simon Patchett, Xpand

Two senior team members at full service digital marketing agency, Xpand, have been promoted to heads of department. Danni Johnson, previously digital marketing manager at the Saltaire agency has been promoted to head of digital marketing, whilst Simon Patchett, previously operations manager, has been promoted to head of operations.

Commenting on her appointment, Danni said: “A lot has happened in such a short space of time, including a global pandemic kicking off during my 5th month of working at Xpand. But, I’ve learnt so much because regardless of the circumstances, Jag has continued to support our development.

Simon added: “During my time at Xpand, I’ve been fortunate to lead projects that have directly impacted how the business works from both a systems and a people perspective. As head of operations, I’m looking forward to further developing how we operate as a business and making sure we are creating an impact for clients, as efficiently as possible. It’s an exciting time for Xpand and I can’t wait to get started.”

Founder and director Jag Panesar said the promotions were the right thing to do to reward the team members for their efforts and provide progression opportunities to less senior team members.

“These promotions were not only the next step in their career, but also a reward for their efforts at Xpand. They also signal to other employees that we are committed to helping them develop and progress through the ranks.”

Mark Watford, Efficient Building Solutions

Clean-tech business Efficient Building Solutions (EBS) has appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO) to drive growth across its three companies Green Building Renewables, Green Building Store and QODA Consulting.

Mark Watford joins the York-based business as its first CFO. He arrives at a time of rapid development, particularly for EBS’s fast-growing company Green Building Renewables (GBR), which in the last 18 months has increased its turnover from £3m to £26m following six acquisitions across the country.

As new CFO, Mark brings a wealth of financial experience to EBS, having worked for twelve years at Hull-based advanced wound management and surgical devices manufacturer Smith and Nephew PLC.

Mark Watford said, “Efficient Building Solutions and its business have a real opportunity to transform buildings in the UK. The energy and climate crises are driving ethical investment into purpose driven companies like EBS, and this is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation at a time when we can help make a real difference in people’s homes.”

Philip Fellowes-Prynne, CEO of Efficient Building Solutions, added, “Mark’s extensive experience and strategic understanding of implementing change and driving growth at businesses like EBS will be invaluable. Mark will guide the business and the board in essential financial and business decisions as we continue our ambition to radically improve the UK’s buildings through our thinking, leadership and actions.”

Matthew Gibson, Wharfedale Homes

Leading bespoke housebuilder Wharfedale Homes has promoted Matthew Gibson to Land and Planning Director to drive the business forward as it looks to expand across Yorkshire. A chartered town planner, Matthew joined the firm in 2021 and has been promoted from Land Manager. Previously he has worked with leading listed property companies Barratt Homes, Avant Homes and McCarthy and Stone.

Wharfedale Homes has a track record of delivering new homes throughout North and West Yorkshire and is currently onsite in Whitby and Burton Leonard, with a number of other sites in the pipeline. Wharfedale Homes founding director, Chris Patmore has also retired, and his business partner since 2008 Mike Brown is now the sole owner of the business.

John Edwards managing director of Wharfedale Homes commented: “Since he joined us, Matt has been integral to our continued growth and it is testament to his hard work that he has earnt this promotion. His new role will help us grow our pipeline of sites and increase the number of completed homes we deliver each year.”

Matthew Gibson added: “I’m really excited to head up the land and planning function and provide strategic input as the company successfully navigates through the ever changing political and planning environment.”

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