People: Operations director appointed; Car auction firm makes raft of senior hires; and more

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First West Yorkshire has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of a new Operations Director.

Tom Bridge has joined the bus operator in a new position of West Yorkshire Operations Director having held a similar role for Stagecoach in the South of England and most recently as Managing Director of Stagecoach Scotland West.

Bridge will be supported by Head of Operations Will Pearson and will provide strategic leadership to the operations function across the region, supporting the senior team to deliver a reliable bus service for customers.

Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “I’m proud to welcome Tom on board and I’m confident that he will be able to bring new ideas and a fresh way of thinking to help the business to continue to move forwards. I’m proud to lead such a strong team in West Yorkshire and I look forward to continuing our work with stakeholders to transform bus travel across the region.”

Bridge, added: “I am delighted to be joining First Bus at such an exciting time, particularly in West Yorkshire and look forward to working with the team to improve the operational performance of our bus services across the region.”

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G3 Remarketing, the Leeds-based independent car auction firm, has embarked upon a recruitment drive across every department in the business.

Roger Evans was recently hired as sales and marketing director, and joins existing directors Amanda Holtby and Matt Dale.

With over 25 years’ motor industry expertise, Roger brings with him a wealth of experience from management positions at HPI, BCA, The AA, Avis and Europcar.

The sales team has also strengthened with two further hires – business development manager Michael Lowe and Jack Hobson as business development coordinator. They will target the fleet and finance house markets with new product and service propositions.

In addition, Gareth Jones is coming on board as digital marketing manager. He has 10 years’ experience in his field having previously worked for one of the UK’s biggest digital marketing agencies.

Some of his responsibilities involve updating customers on forthcoming sales, improving and cementing the G3 brand within the industry, and building upon buyers’ experience with G3.

The firm has sought to further boost the customer support functions with two new account managers Kerry Scott and Leanne Briggs.

Karl Clews and Sophie Johnson have also joined to enhance G3’s front-of-house, with the primary aim of ensuring the smooth running of every single auction and capturing all of the details for vehicles to be sold.

Finally, James Fellows has joined the G3 finance team to ensure the fastest payments to all of its vendors and suppliers.

Matt Dale, G3’s co-founder, said: “Vehicle remarketing is a new area for Gareth, but he has thrown himself into our industry very quickly. His vast experience and wealth of marketing knowledge will allow us to communicate with our buyers in the most successful way.

“Roger’s motor expertise will also help Gareth to optimise the data available and boost the effectiveness of future campaigns.”

Dale said: “We aim to be at the forefront of the fast-moving motor industry, so we are constantly thinking of new innovations and ways to ensure we retain that edge.

“We have a 93% customer retention rate, but that doesn’t mean we don’t look at ways to improve the experience. Collectively these new team members will help us to retain our high standards, develop our relationships with vendors and buyers, and really drive business growth through the remainder of 2018 and beyond.”

 

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Social Communications, the PR and public affairs agency, has announced a senior appointment.

Julian Pearce joins as a Senior Consultant with ten years’ experience in Leeds as a communications professional, working across both public relations and public affairs in industries such as tech, property, construction, retail and energy.

He will work alongside existing clients, as well as helping to develop new partnerships and opportunities.

The agency’s Yorkshire team, which is now seven-strong, has moved into offices in Platform in the city centre.

Social Communications has had a presence in Leeds for two years, having been founded in Manchester in 2013..

Peter Wrathmell, Group Director and head of Leeds office, said: “The past two years have been quite a journey for Social Communications – both in the Yorkshire region and more widely across the group.

“Our ongoing growth in Leeds, along with a string of new business wins have made the decision to upsize a necessity rather than a ‘nice to have’ and Platform provides a fantastic creative base for our expanding offer.

“Welcoming Julian onto the team, with his extensive knowledge from across corporate PR and public consultation will help aid our future growth and adds to an already strong team.”

Julian Pearce added: “I’ve followed the great work Social Communications have done since they opened their Leeds office, and having prior experience in both PR and stakeholder communications, the decision to join was one that I jumped at.

“Their client mix, aligned with the growth of the business and their refreshing attitude, means that I’m delighted to be joining the team at an exciting point in the life of the business.”

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North Yorkshire Law has announced the appointment of Shelley Langan to the Records Department with Laura Young, former Records Assistant, moving to the Family Department.

The Family Department has recently seen the promotion with Joana Barros graduating from Coventry University where she studied Law and Practice. Previously a Litigation Assistant, Barros takes up the position of Family Law Trainee.

Langan has a background in banking, joining North Yorkshire Law from Barclays and taking up the position of Records Assistant in the Records Department.

Young moves to the Family Department. Laura, who is also entering the third year of her Law degree at Coventry University, will commence work as a Litigation Assistant.

Joana has graduated from Coventry University with a degree in Law and Practice. She takes up a training contract in the Family Department and will work as a Family Law Trainee following on from her position of Legal Assistant.

Richard Boyd, Partner at North Yorkshire Law, said: “Laura’s promotion to our Family and Litigation Department confirms our commitment to provide a full service for all our clients. Laura and Joana further strengthen our team following a 15% increase in case load.

“The business has seen a series of exciting new hires recently. It’s fantastic to see it continue to expand.”

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