People: Law firm expands family division; Senior hires at kitchen manufacturer; and more

Niche law firm Consilia Legal has expanded its family department in Leeds with the appointment of Melanie Webb.

Webb, an experienced family solicitor, joins from Simpson Millar where she was an associate solicitor specialising in complex matrimonial finance and private children’s cases.

Sally Clark, director of Consilia Legal in Leeds and Consilia Mediation in Harrogate, said Webb’s appointment would support the ongoing development of Consilia’s family law practice in Leeds.

She said: “Melanie’s personality and the dynamic approach to her work will be a perfect fit within our team and we are very excited about the potential that Melanie’s offering will bring to the expansion of our firm.

“We are delighted to have the benefit of Melanie’s creative and pragmatic approach to all areas of relationship breakdown and pre-marriage financial planning.”

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Yorkshire furniture and kitchen manufacturer Treske has strengthened its team with two senior appointments.

Karen Storey and Beth Elson join Thirsk-based Treske from Oakstone Designs in Darlington and Yorkshire Design Associates in Harrogate respectively.

Justin Bartlett, owner and managing director of Treske, said: “These are significant appointments for our kitchen design team.

“Karen and Beth’s arrival coincides with the revamping of our showrooms, which now showcase our kitchens to great effect. Their appointments reflect the growing demand for our products across Yorkshire and the North East, underlining our confidence in the future, which is driven by the improving economic climate and the skills and commitment of our staff.

“Specifically we are looking to expand our kitchens’ operation. We have established a strong reputation as a designer and manufacturer of kitchens in Yorkshire and the North East, which we want to build on. At the same time, we are looking for customers further afield, across the UK. Karen and Beth will play an important role this campaign.”

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Telematics firm The Floow has appointed human resources expert Michelle Futter to take on the role of HR leader amidst a period of growth for the business which is on track to double its workforce in the months ahead following a recent £13m equity investment.

Futter has more than 12 years’ HR experience having worked with a wide range of high-profile companies including Odeon & UCI Cinemas, Halfords, Marks & Spencer and Focus DIY.

The move sees her join The Floow’s team at its Sheffield headquarters where she will be responsible for helping to devise HR strategies, developing the existing team’s leadership capabilities, and defining the firm’s culture.

She said: “Having grown at pace since its foundation in 2012 – from an initial team of just three to more than 70 at the end of the last financial year – it is increasingly important that considered policies and HR processes are in place as the company goes from strength to strength.

“The firm has an innovative and forward thinking approach to recruitment and people management, as well as an impassioned commitment to nurturing and developing its team which it considers to be fundamental to its success, and I am delighted to be joining at this time.”

The appointment comes as The Floow – which is dedicated to making individual mobility safer and cheaper for all, as well as providing unique insights from vehicle telematics and external data to allow for active management of air pollution and integrated traffic management within a smart city context – launches a major recruitment drive to double its technical workforce and fill a number of administrative and creative roles.

David James, chief operations officer at The Floow, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Michelle to the team in her capacity as HR Leader.
“As a business we continue to strive to attract talented individuals that are committed to helping us grow and expand our operations, and as we embark on yet another period of rapid growth – recruiting upwards of 70 candidates with a diverse mix of skills including technical capabilities, marketing expertise and administrative experience – Michelle’s experience will be instrumental in ensuring that we reach our goals.”