People: Blades get new COO; Harrogate Water board expands; Blacks and Clarion make appointments

Sheffield United have grown their off-the-field management team with the appointment of a new chief operating officer.

Andrew Birks is joining the Blades, after working for three years as Northern Europe commercial director for Regus Office Solutions.

He will be a key figure in an experienced senior management team featuring chief executive Stephen Bettis, Paul Reeves (commercial) and Dave McCarthy (operations).

Birks said: “With my Dad, I have had a season ticket in the John Street stand and the Platinum Suite. I have followed the Blades since I was four, I was a mascot at seven and spent my work experience from school when I was 15 at Bramall Lane.”

“I have never lost the desire for the Blades even if work and business has taken me elsewhere. It has meant I have seen a lot of games as an away fan including fixtures at Crawley, Gillingham, Peterborough, Watford and Stevenage.”

Co-owner Kevin McCabe said: “We welcome Andrew to the Blades family where he will play a key role in leading our off-the field team at Bramall Lane. Our Championship status provides additional opportunities which Andrew, with his background will help oversee.”

Co-owner HRH Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad said: “We are delighted to have Andrew on board at a time when the club is entering into an exciting new era in the Championship.”

CEO Steve Bettis said: “Due to my business commitments overseas, I welcome the appointment of Andrew to Sheffield United as Chief Operating Officer I look forward to working with him to ensure that the off-the-field operations continue to improve in line with the great work achieved on field last season.”

Harrogate Water has appointed two new members to its board.

Head of finance Damien Wilkinson joins after being hired at the company a year ago from the Wolseley Group. He previously spent 12 years with Pace, and before that, a decade with KPMG.

Operations manager Simon Knagg has been with the business four years and began his career with an apprenticeship at David Brown before moving on to Coca Cola, then Macaw and Cott Beverages.

Managing director James Cain said: “These are key additions to our board and provide us with a great, all-encompassing skillset. Over the last year, Damien has been instrumental in developing our investment strategy for the next stage in our business growth.

“As operations manager, Simon has played a critical role in meeting new business demands, overseen the deployment of state-of-the-art technology and established Harrogate Water as a centre of technical excellence.”

They join James, chairman and business founder Tony Cain, sales and marketing director Rob Pickering and non-executive director Paul Dickinson.

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Four solicitors have been promoted at Leeds law firm Clarion.

John Mackle becomes a legal director, whilst Gina Rhodes, Sue Fox and Dan Carlton have become senior associates.

Mackle joined in 1999 and was promoted to senior associate level in the firm’s dispute resolution practice in 2001.

Rhodes joined Clarion in 2015 and has experience in commercial property, whilst Foz has worked as a legal costs professional for more than 20 years and Carlton leads the firm’s debt recovery team.

Ryan Millmore, joint managing partner at Clarion, commented: “These four people are talented professionals who regularly go the extra mile for their clients and for the firm. John is recognised for his strategic importance to the business in delivering our professional indemnity and regulatory expertise while Gina has an exceptional amount of property experience and technical strength.

“Sue has become an integral part of our successful costs team, heading up the costs budgeting specialism; and Dan has helped build our debt recovery department over the last seven years, providing quality work and supporting many of the firm’s wider client base. We appreciate their hard work, technical knowledge and loyalty to the firm.”

An English cricketer has joined the ranks at law firm Blacks in its sports law department.

Lauren Winfield, Yorkshire women’s captain and England cricketer has joined to act as its latest sport consultant.

The twenty-six year old Wicketkeeper-Batsman joins to support to its Sports Law team members. These include Yorkshire CCC coach Andrew Gale, former Leeds United footballer Brian Deane and Batley Bulldogs coach Matt Diskin.

Winfield commented: “I am really pleased to have joined Blacks Solicitors as they provide fantastic support for women’s sport. I can’t wait to host my seminar after what will hopefully be a very successful World Cup!”

Chris Allen, managing partner at Blacks added: “I am delighted to welcome Lauren into our Sports Law team. Her knowledge and passion for cricket will be a huge asset to our professional team and we are all thrilled to have her on board.

“Grassroots sport for women is very important to us at Blacks Solicitors. The popularity of women’s sport is on the rise and we can’t wait to cheer on Lauren after she bounces back from her current injury. We are proud sponsors of Guiseley Vixens and are now really excited to be able to support Yorkshire Women’s cricket as well.”

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