Appointments: Communications agency welcomes head of social media; Buying group recruits procurement expert; and more

LEEDS-based PR, social, sponsorship and events agency, Hatch Communications has appointed Matthew Balmforth as head of social media.

Joining the agency on the back of its recent relocation to the city’s Leeds Dock area, the business said Mr Balmforth’s appointment is an integral part of its wider strategic development and growth plans.

Mr Balmforth joins the agency from Umpf, where he spent three years working across a range of national and international clients, including campaigns for Park Inn by Radisson and Virgin Trains East Coast.

He said: “I’m really excited by the opportunity at Hatch, the agency has a great reputation, so I’m confident I can bring my experience to the table and help achieve our strong growth ambitions. Social works hand-in-hand with PR, so we’re looking to develop our offering to give clients an even greater integrated approach which delivers above and beyond.”

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YPO, the UK’s largest publicly owned buying organisation, has strengthened its team in Wakefield with the appointment of head of procurement services, Gillian Askew.  

Ms Askew brings with her 21 years of experience in procurement services across a number of sectors, having previously worked as head of procurement at Nottingham Trent University and supply chain director for critical and mobile assets at Babcock International Group.

She  will spearhead YPO’s procurement function, helping procurement teams and organisations across the UK achieve their commercial and service-led goals.

YPO specialises in providing legally compliant procurement services to the public sector and has been catering to local authorities and schools for over 40 years.

Ms Askew’s role will further build upon the success of YPO as an established brand and provider of procurement services in the education and local authority sectors, with a view to actively support the social value agenda, and ensure that customers are able to obtain the best value for their money.

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HOLIDAY home manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes has appointed industry expert Gary Corlyon as its director of operations.

Mr Corlyon brings more than 30 years’ experience to the role after starting on the shop floor and working his way through the ranks at some of Hull and East Yorkshire’s biggest caravan makers.

Victory says the hire puts the Gilberdyke-based company in an optimum position for the coming show season, where orders for its 2017 models are expected to be high.

Managing director Peter Nevitt said Mr Corlyon completed a management team which was well place to drive the business forward.

“Gary is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable guy who has spent the majority of his career in the caravan industry,” he said.

“He has learned the ropes from the bottom up yet is always innovating, always looking for ways of improving production and making the whole operation more efficient.

“I feel this is a fantastic appointment for Victory Leisure Homes and it is one that is already yielding results.”