People: Sheffield Forgemasters welcomes new COO; Law firm makes raft of appointments; and more
Engineering firm Sheffield Forgemasters International has appointed a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a newly created role.
Following the appointment of David Bond as CEO and Stephen Hammell as CFO, Paul Cahill joins from Rolls Royce where he worked as transformation executive, taking up the latest position on the board of directors.
Cahill, a chartered engineer, will work with Forgemasters’ existing management to improve the operational and financial performance of the business.
David Bond, CEO of Sheffield Forgemasters International, said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul Cahill onto the board at Forgemasters as we further strengthen the senior management team.
“The role of COO is a new position and places Paul as a key figure, working alongside myself, Stephen Hammell and the existing management to transform the business and create a stable platform for growth.”
Starting out as a student apprentice at Rover Group in 1983, Cahill has more than 30 years of experience in a range of Aerospace and Automotive manufacturing and business leadership roles, including the manufacture of Harrier Jump Jets for BAE Systems.
He joins from Rolls-Royce where his responsibilities were split between managing a group of factories making critical rotating parts – and subsequently leading a worldwide programme to transform the operational footprint of the Civil Aerospace business.
Cahill said: “I’m attracted to Sheffield Forgemasters because it is a truly iconic brand with some very talented and dedicated people, coupled with some globally unique manufacturing capabilities. Its importance to our defence industry and to global civil nuclear markets makes it a very strategic business in which to work.
“I’m looking forward to helping to improve the operational and financial performance of the business and looking further ahead, I want us to grow the business and to ensure that it is in good shape for generations to come.”
:::
Wake Smith Solicitors, the Sheffield-headquartered law firm, has announced five appointments.
Jessica Rowbotham from Kiveton Park has started as Assistant Solicitor in the firm’s Private Client team after completing a training contract at Rotherham’s Walker & Co at the same time as studying for a Masters in Legal Practice at the University of Sheffield.
Holly Abbott-Cragg also joins the Private Client team as a Paralegal and will start a training contract at Wake Smith from September 2019.
Sheffield Hallam University graduate Natasha Lindley takes up a new role of Paralegal in Wake Smith’s Clinical Negligence team to support the solicitors in managing an increasing number of new enquiries.
Sam Bellagha, who completed his undergraduate law degree at Sheffield Hallam University and a postgraduate diploma in legal practice at The University of Sheffield, starts his training contract in Wake Smith’s Company Commercial team after working for a year as a Paralegal in the firm’s Private Client department.
Finally, legal secretary Sue Murray takes up a new position in Wake Smith’s expanding Residential Conveyancing team.
Jo Barnett, Wake Smith HR Manager, said: “We have a strong employer brand across the city and our ambition is to be the employer of choice for the legal profession in Sheffield. It has been exciting to see the quality of applications received and candidates interviewed.
“As well as a very supportive and friendly culture, with fantastic city centre offices and an emphasis on staff well-being, we offer the opportunity to work with high quality clients alongside experienced professionals.
“There is also chance to develop up through the company and we have seen trainees stay with the firm and progress to director level.”
Wake Smith Solicitors has approximately 100 staff, including 20 directors, with more than 44 experienced legal professionals; including solicitors, associates, consultants and chartered legal executives providing legal expertise and practical law advice.
:::
Train operating company Hull Trains has announced the appointment of visitor economy expert Susie Brindley as Commercial and Customer Services Director.
The appointment comes as Hull Trains continues its preparations ahead of the introduction of its new fleet of Hitachi Class 802s in December 2019.
Brindley has over 25 years’ experience within customer-centric industries – working at a senior level on the delivery of tourism and culture initiatives across the North of England.
This includes working on regional and national events and tourism initiatives as well as running her own business, Willow Business Support, which supports businesses operating within the visitor economy to maximise potential and profit.
Brindley said: “Hull Trains was founded on strong customer-focused principles which remain as part of the core values today. The team is dedicated and passionate about the business and that resonates through the work that they do.
“The business has gone a long way to establish strong connections within the communities in which it operates, and I want to build on that and further enhance what we do. I’m excited to introduce initiatives that have been used in the tourism and culture industries and create a level of customer service that is rarely seen in the rail industry.”
Joining the executive board, Brindley is part of one of the most diverse teams in the rail industry with more than 50% of Hull Trains employees being female.
She added: “Hull Trains is always a company I’ve admired – every time I have worked with the team I’ve always been encouraged by the attitudes that resonate throughout it. It has won a number of customer service awards in the last few years and it’s a team I’m delighted to be a part of.”
:::
Jay Rutter has joined Ryden’s Leeds-based property management team as associate.
Rutter joins from Broadgate Estates, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Land where he managed a portfolio of regional retail and shopping parks across the north of England.
Prior to this, Rutter was employed by Eddisons as head of commercial property management in Leeds for five years.
His team was responsible for a portfolio of property across West Yorkshire and the North.
Rutter’s career spans 20 years, including a long spell in London working for organisations including NB Real Estate, Jones Lang LaSalle and MJ Mapp.
Following this new appointment, Ryden’s Property Management Team in Leeds now extends to 11 people.
Tim Pike, Head of Asset Management in Leeds, said:“Jay is a seasoned asset management professional and will be a valued member of our already strong property management team here at Ryden.
“His experience and contacts will support further growth in the coming months and years as well as working with our existing, long standing client base.”
:::
Mechan, the rail depot equipment specialist, has announced new appointments to its board of directors.
The Sheffield-based manufacturer has promoted Martin Berry to engineering director, whilst Andrew Mott and Jean Gourp from the firm’s parent companies complete the new line-up.
Berry has worked for Mechan for 15 years, overseeing the design and production of its renowned lifting and handling equipment and brings a wealth of technical experience to the management team.
Qualified mechanical engineer, Andrew Mott, has been appointed as Mechan’s managing director. This will expand his current remit for parent company, CIM Group, which includes overseeing subsidiaries in Canada, Tanzania and Singapore, as well as commercial activities in English speaking African markets.
Jean Gourp is vice president of umbrella organisation, CMI Services and is based at its headquarters in Belgium.
He will coordinate Mechan’s activities with other group companies, helping them work together and utilise their collective expertise.
Alain Lovambac, chairman of France’s CIM Group, said: “We believe these changes to Mechan’s board of directors gives the firm a stronger structure, whilst keeping management costs to a minimum.
“This strategy has worked well in other CIM subsidiaries, enabling profitability to be maximised.”
Mechan’s day to day operations will continue to be overseen by financial director, Zahir Altaf.
:::
Leeds-based Clarion’s corporate recovery and restructuring team has announced the appointment of Richard Colebourn as an associate.
Colebourn has six years’ experience in corporate recovery and restructuring having worked for international law firm Taylor Wessing LLP in London, where he acted for a wide range of stakeholders in companies that were in, or anticipating, financial difficulty.
Prior to that, he trained with SJ Berwin LLP after completing a Law Degree at the University of Nottingham.
Colebourn was also nominated for the Rising Star Award at the Turnaround, Restructuring and Insolvency Awards 2016.
Ryan Millmore, head of Clarion’s corporate recovery and restructuring practice, said: “Having established a reputation as one of the most commercially savvy corporate recovery and restructuring teams in the region, we are continuing to grow and invest in young talent as demand for our services increases.
“Richard has great experience in dealing with complex corporate recovery and restructuring matters having dealt with many high value and complex matters. He is a great addition to the team and will further enhance our already strong offering.”
Richard added: “Clarion has a strong reputation for its expertise in this specialist area and fits well with my own approach which is very much about finding pragmatic solutions for clients and responding swiftly to their needs. I’m excited to be joining such an experienced and renowned team.”
