People: Senior education appointment announced; New faces at tax and consulting firm; Recruitment expert taken on; and more

Barnsley-born Josh Greaves has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Wellspring Academy Trust at the age of just 29.

Penistone Grammar-educated Greaves was previously Chief Operating Officer of the Barnsley-based Trust, which now counts 25 academies among its number, including Greenacre and Springwell Schools.

Wellspring is among the largest 20 school trusts in England, employing more than 50 staff at its headquarters at the Digital Media Centre.

CEO Mark Wilson said of Greaves’ appointment: “Age is no barrier to excellence. Josh is an exceptional professional who makes a huge contribution to our organisation and to the education system as a whole.”

Among his achievements so far, Greaves has overseen the building of eight new schools around the region at a cost of around £60m. He also oversees the operation of a school estate with a total value of more than £100m.

Greaves said: “Wellspring is a thriving, ambitious organisation which is a pleasure to be part of. We have bold targets for expanding our inclusive, compassionate approach to education and I’m proud to be taking on this crucial role in helping to achieve those.”

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Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has strengthened its Hull team with two senior appointments.

At partner level, Pete Adams has joined RSM’s audit team. He joins from Smailes Goldie where he was a partner. Prior to that role, he worked at PwC for 16 years.

He has over 18 years’ audit and assurance experience, working with owner-managed businesses, listed companies, international groups, charities, and PE backed businesses. Adams brings particular expertise in IFRS, UK GAAP and US GAAP.

In his new role, Adams will work closely with audit partner Andy Capes and the rest of the growing team to support ambitious businesses in the region.

Aysha Marley has also joined RSM as a tax director in Hull. She joins from PwC with over 12 years’ experience of working with private clients and personal tax issues for business leaders across Hull and East Yorkshire.

A specialist in tax planning, succession issues, inheritance tax and sales and capital gains advice, she brings a wealth of experience to the role to work alongside tax partners Gwyneth Barber and Jackie Hall.

Andy Capes, RSM’s office managing partner, said: “It’s great to welcome Aysha and Pete to the team. Both strategic appointments reinforce our commitment to the market while strengthening our capability to ensure we are the go-to firm for owner-managed, PLCs and international businesses operating in Hull.”

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Ben Johnson Recruitment has announced the appointment of Nikki Davies, as Principal Consultant within the Finance Division, working alongside Director Gemma Stirrup.

Davies will apply her recruitment expertise to work with clients across the Yorkshire and Humber region and find talent for their finance vacancies.

Ben Johnson Recruitment is a York-based company, with additional bases in Sheffield, Hull and London, specialising in financial and facilities roles throughout the UK. It is part of the York company Ben Johnson Ltd, which comprises Ben Johnson Interiors as well as Ben Johnson Recruitment.

Davies was born in Lincolnshire but has spent the past 11 years working in Yorkshire, managing the Hull, Leeds and Grimsby offices of national recruitment business Randstad. Here she led teams of consultants while also being one of the top performing employees in the UK.

After her second child arrived in 2010, she wanted to be closer to home and took the opportunity to manage a team of 10 consultants at a recruitment business in Hull.

She said: “Being a genuine person and sincerely wanting the best outcome for all parties, has allowed me to grow long-standing relationships.

“I am happy that over the years, clients return to me for support not only for recruitment but also as a sounding board in regard to anything from salary bench-marking to advertising, interview questions and templates to help with processes.”

 Now home-based with Ben Johnson Recruitment, Davies said she has a great work life balance, with the flexibility that the demands of recruitment and family life require.

Director of Ben Johnson Recruitment, Gemma Stirrup, said: “I’m so pleased that Nikki Davies has joined us. Having held several senior positions, she is a highly regarded Recruitment Manager and is well known and respected within the recruitment profession.

“Nikki approaches every task with warmth and enthusiasm, and her proactive, positive outlook will undoubtedly make her a huge asset to our business.”

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Morses Club PLC, the UK’s second largest home collected credit lender, has appointed Gary Marshall as Chief Operating Officer of its fully owned subsidiary Shelby Finance.

Marshall will be responsible for leading the integration and development of the digital product offering for Shelby Finance to deliver a range of products, based on customer demand.  

This will include the continued consolidation of the recent acquisitions of CURO Transatlantic and U Holdings.

Marshall was most recently Interim COO of Sainsbury’s Bank, a role he held for almost two years, with a focus on IT, information security, operations and business change. Prior to this, he held roles at Aviva, including Interim COO of Aviva Ireland and Interim Managing Director of Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland.

He has wide ranging financial services experience, having worked at senior levels in organisations including Egg, GE Capital, Aon, Abbey National and Northern Rock. He has expertise in developing and delivering digitised product offerings, with significant customer-focused experience often in challenging regulatory and market conditions.

Paul Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Morses Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gary to his role at Shelby Finance.

“Gary’s vast operational experience across the financial services industry and his expertise in the digitalisation of businesses and the customer journey will be invaluable in helping us to maximise our digital offering for customers.  

“I look forward to working with Gary as we pursue our plans of expanding our product offering to suit customers across the broad non-standard credit market.”

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Two aspiring lawyers have landed training contracts with Williamsons Solicitors.

Rachael Scott and Maisie Collier, both in their twenties, were awarded the roles with the East Yorkshire-based firm and are now working towards being fully qualified.

Scott, took a degree in law at the University of York before completing her Legal Practice Course and Masters in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Law, Leeds. She has also had experience working at another firm.

Collier took her degree in law at Liverpool John Moores University, her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, Leeds, and is currently studying for a Masters in Law at Leeds Beckett University alongside her work with Williamsons.

Scott, who has started her contract working in the Wills and Probate Department, said: “I like to assist people when they are having a difficult time in their lives and it’s rewarding when you know the work you do has a positive impact.”

Collier said her experience to date working in the firm’s family department has led her to consider specialising in this field after qualifying. She said: “It’s fascinating, and each day and case is different. While there can be some upsetting cases, it’s good to feel that you are able to help.”

Bill Waddington, head of the criminal law department and a director at the firm, said both trainees were an asset to Williamsons.

“We warmly welcome both of them and look forward to taking them on the journey to becoming fully-fledged solicitors,” he said.

“Training contracts are in short supply around the UK, but we believe they are vital to both the future of the profession and of our firm. It is our policy to continue to offer them.”

Collier and Scott are both working from Williamsons’ Hull office.