People: Four board appointments for Forgemasters; Raft of new starters at law firm; and more

A QUARTET of top-level industrialists have been appointed to the board of directors at Sheffield Forgemasters International.

Janice Munday, David Duggins and Jon Bolton take non-executive roles and James Tate has been appointed as CFO at the engineering specialist, bringing a wealth of collective experience to help chief executive, Dr Graham Honeyman, drive the business forward in challenging markets.

The appointments follow the recent retirement of Peter Birtles as group director who worked with Dr Honeyman and chairman Tony Pedder during and throughout the ten years following the management buyout, initiating much of the change which saw Forgemasters move into high-technology manufacture.

Ms Munday was formerly director of advanced manufacturing and services for the UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills and Mr Bolton brings more than 15 years of board level responsibilities including time as managing director of Corus Engineering Steels and is CEO for Liberty Steel Plates and UK Steel Development and chair of UK Steel, the sector’s trade association.

Mr Duggins is an experienced non-executive director and has held several board positions and leading advisory roles.

Mr Tate has many years experience as CFO within the manufacturing industry, most recently as financial director Sapa Profiles UK Ltd, part of the world’s leading producer of extruded aluminium profiles and previously as Head of Group Finance for CPL Industries.

Dr Honeyman said: “As part of this company’s turnaround plan and forward business strategy, we sought out new directors with very relevant skills and experience to help Sheffield Forgemasters into its next phase of development.

“I am delighted that we have agreed positions for Janice Munday, Jon Bolton, David Duggins and James Tate on the board and look forward to working with them to push Forgemasters into new markets and to build on our existing skills base.”

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A TRIO of new recruits have been welcomed on board the wills, probate and family law teams at Emsleys Solicitors.

Solicitor Joanne Gibson joins the wills team bringing seven years’ specialist experience in wills, powers of attorney, Court of Protection and probate work. 

Legal assistant Danielle Pyper and chartered legal executive Laura Mackfall join the firm’s family law team. Ms Pyper brings a year’s post-graduate experience to her new role.

Ms Mackfall has extensive experience in family law, gained over 26 years in the profession, specialising in financial and children issues.

Head of wills and probate, Helen Gott, who joined Emsleys earlier this year, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Joanne to the department. Her extensive experience in wills & probate with particular focus on the elderly really complements the team.”

Head of family law, Gabbie Clasper, added: “The family law team delivers excellent service to clients, and the addition of two new team members will enable us to continue to do so as we move forward into 2017.”

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RACHEL BACON has been hired by Langleys Solicitors to work in the commercial property team.

A newly qualified solicitor, Ms Bacon studied law and a Masters in corporate commercial law at the University of York. She completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, York.

Ms Bacon completed her training contract with a Gainsborough law firm before joining Langleys which has offices in Lincoln and York.

Tim Cross, head of commercial at Langleys Solicitors, said: “We are pleased to welcome Rachael to our commercial property team which continues to perform strongly, providing excellent advice and service to our clients across the East Midlands and Yorkshire.”