People: Partner promotion at property consultancy; Head of wills and probate team announced; New CFO at strategy group; Drax and Persimmon add non-execs; and more

Property consultancy firm Allsop has announced that Matthew Emmerson has been promoted to partner in the Leeds office.

Emmerson, who joined Allsop in 2006 and was promoted to Associate in 2013, previously worked for property consultants Sanderson Weatherall. His experience at Allsop spans residential valuations for banks and property institutions with a particular focus on loan security work involving residential investments, ground rent portfolios, social housing, and country houses. His clients include retail and private banks, including Coutts and Aldermore, housing associations and property investment companie

Allsop has announced 25 promotions across the company this spring following a successful financial year, marked by steady levels of growth across the firm’s business divisions.

Scott Tyler, Senior Partner, commented: “We are delighted to reward our ambitious and highly qualified members of the Allsop team with well-deserved promotions in recognition of their contribution to the business and their clients. Being able to draw on senior in-house expertise is an important factor in the success and growth of the Allsop business, which is why investing in the development of our employees and nurturing our talent is so important to us. Congratulations, all.”

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Law Firm Ware & Kay Solicitors has announced that Sian Foster has been promoted to Head of its Wills & Probate Team at its York office. This promotion is part of the firm’s ongoing strategy for the future.

Foster is a Solicitor with over 12 years’ experience specialising in private client work. She advises both private and corporate clients in a broad range of legal issues including making Wills, estate administration, inheritance tax planning, trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney.  She is also a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner (STEP) and a Dementia Friend.

Foster said:  “I am thrilled at the appointment and very excited at having the opportunity to lead the Wills & Probate team at Ware & Kay.  I look forward to developing the private client team and relish the opportunity to build on the existing work which has taken place over the years with the strong team around me by offering exceptional service to all clients, whether individual or corporate.”

Ian Fisher will step down from his role as Head of Wills & Probate and become a Consultant continuing to work in the York office.

David Hyams, Director, said: “We congratulate Sian on her new role as Head of Wills & Probate and look forward to supporting her in developing the department going forward. Our Wills & Probate department has developed an outstanding reputation and we are looking forward to Sian’s new ideas, initiatives and fresh approach as she takes on this important and active role in the management and success of the firm in the years ahead. ”

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Leeds-based ‘data driven strategy’ group STRAT7 – which brings together specialist agencies ResearchBods, Bonamy Finch and LiFE – has appointed Alex Knight as Chief Financial Officer.

Previously CFO at ICM Research and Walnut Unlimited, he began his early career at PwC and Omnicom and has built up over 15 years’ experience working in the media and technology sector across public, private and start-up companies.

In his new role, Knight will support the groups M&A activity and plans for International expansion, as well as taking the commercial lead on launching new technology inspired data solutions.

Barrie Brien, CEO, STRAT7 said: “Having worked with Alex before on the buy and build phase of Creston plc I’m confident he will implement the commercial and financial platforms instrumental for the growth and success of STRAT7. His experience in launching data solutions using video, neuroscience and eye tracking technology make him a great fit for the group and will help to extend our specialisms further.”

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Housebuilding giant Persimmon has added Claire Thomas to its board as an independent non-executive director.

She will join from 1 August 2019 and has also been appointed as a member of the Company’s Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Claire Thomas has been senior vice president, HR at pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline for more than 10 years. She has more than 28 years’ experience of operating in a complex, global HR environment and has a wide range of experience including advising boards of directors, supporting remuneration and nomination committees, succession planning, strategic planning and corporate restructuring.

Ms. Thomas was also a non-executive director for the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Roger Devlin, chairman of Persimmon, said: “We are building a new Persimmon with progressive changes being made to our customer care, governance and remuneration.
“As part of that plan, we are further strengthening our board and remuneration committee with the appointment of a new, forward-thinking independent director with a strong track record in a highly respected global organisation.  I am pleased to welcome Claire to Persimmon’s board.”

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Drax Group, owners of the Selby power station, have announced that John Baxter, CBE, FREng, FRSE is to be appointed as a non-executive director.

This will come into effect from the AGM on 17 April 2019. He will also be a member of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Mr. Baxter worked for more than 45 years across nuclear, electricity and latterly oil and gas sectors. Between 2004 and 2015 John was at BP plc, most recently as group head of Engineering & Process Safety, prior to which he worked at the UK utility Powergen plc as group engineering director.

He is visiting Professor of Nuclear Engineering at The University of Strathclyde and is a non-Eeecutive Director of Sellafield Ltd, the nuclear site management company based in Cumbria. He also chairs the Sellafield Board Committee on Environment, Health, Safety & Security.

Philip Cox, chair of Drax, said:  “I am delighted that John is joining the Board. His extensive experience gained in the energy sectors, focussed on critical operational services at both multi-national and UK based businesses, will strengthen our Board and support Drax as we continue to focus on both growing our capabilities and continuing to deliver operational excellence.”

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