People: New senior team for stairlift specialist; New associate for Irwin Mitchell; and more

A stairlift company is heralding a new era in its 15-year history as it appoints a new senior team with a combination of 60 years of experience to steer the company into other markets.

Bespoke Stairlifts, which has built its reputation on the engineering of reconditioned curved stairlifts, is now also manufacturing its own range of straight stairlifts to complement its existing curved collection from its Huddersfield headquarters under the guidance of a new sales and marketing director and managers of both UK and export dealer networks.

As around 70% of the UK’s demand is for straight stairlifts, the business has diversified and now supplies all options to the country’s ageing population.

With turnover forecast to double this year and £500,000 invested in new machinery, Bespoke Stairlifts is fast gaining a competitive edge against other big players in the market as it continues to sell directly to the UK and export stairlift dealer networks.

Jules Allen joins the company as sales and marketing director with almost 20 years of management and export experience in the mobility industry having worked previously at Autochair and Acorn Stairlifts. His role will be to extend its presence in the UK and overseas and expand into different markets by enhancing the brand’s image and developing the customer experience.

Tom Smith brings an additional two decades of experience as manager of UK dealer networks, also holding previous positions with big names from the stairlift and mobility aid sectors. He will focus on increasing Bespoke Stairlifts’ UK dealer network.

German-born Raimund Schupp has gained more than 20 years of knowledge from export sales management in manufacturing export businesses. He will concentrate on the company’s links with partners abroad to grow export sales.

Managing director, David Forsyth, said: “Since I joined Bespoke Stairlifts in 2017 we have made a number of changes and these latest three appointments are indicative of the way this business is evolving and growing into a real force to be reckoned with in the industry.

“Bringing Jules, Tom and Raimund into the team has been a calculated move to help us take the next step up and be seen as a serious contender in the stairlift sector. The experience and knowledge they bring with them is going to be transformative for this company and we’re excited about what the future holds for Bespoke stairlifts.”

Bespoke Stairlifts now employs more than 50 people from its base in Huddersfield and produces around 150 tailor-made stairlifts each month to 30 countries across the globe.

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Law firm Irwin Mitchell has recruited a new associate to its growing tax, trusts and estates team in Leeds.

Hollie Marcham joins the firm from Weightmans Solicitors, having qualified as a solicitor in 2013. Her remit extends to preparing wills and lasting powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning and cases involving capacity issues among others.

Marcham is also a fully accredited member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), and is a student member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Estate Practitioners (ACTAPS).

The Leeds tax, trusts and estates team was formed with the arrival of senior associate Andrea Jones in February 2018 and has been growing ever since, expanding to include solicitor Sarah Wintle who joined in December 2018. The addition of Hollie will see the team grow to five fee earners led by Jones.

Paula Myers, national head of the tax, trusts and estates team, said: “I am delighted to announce Hollie’s appointment, which will provide some excellent support to our existing team and client base in Leeds.

“The team has been flying since its inception and Hollie’s arrival reaffirms our commitment to creating and delivering a first-class tax, trusts and estate practice in North Yorkshire, especially our family and owner-managed businesses with their succession planning and other needs for their business.

“Hollie will work closely with Andrea, the Leeds team and the national tax, trusts and estates team, which is one of the largest in the country, to ensure our clients are getting the very best support.”

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Executive search specialist TS Grale has boosted its team with an experienced recruiter of 30 years.

Amanda Riley joins the Leeds based team as it celebrates its third anniversary.  She will work alongside the partners developing the executive search side of the business.

Previously with PENNA, a public sector specialist, Riley has built a career on developing sound relationships with clients and candidates to deliver efficient and successful long-term appointments.

She will boost the executive search team while colleagues focus on executive recruitment at the 12 strong business which focusses on manufacturing, facilities management, industry, food and healthcare sectors.

“Successful recruitment is all about understanding the market, identifying talented candidates and providing good after care to ensure a seamless appointment and integration,” she said.

“Successful recruitment is all about getting to know the people you are dealing with whether they are clients or candidates and building real relationships.”