People: Accountancy firm adds to corporate finance team; Counter Context appoints senior energy specialist; and more

CORPORATE finance advisor Tony Farmer, the chairman of JWP Creers, is joining York and Leeds accountancy practice Garbutt + Elliott.

Mr Farmer will become part of Garbutt + Elliott’s corporate finance division after 13 years with York and Selby-based JWP Creers.

He advises on all corporate finance issues including mergers and acquisitions, business sales and raising bank and equity finance. Upon joining Garbutt + Elliott he will be based in the firm’s York office.

He said: “Garbutt + Elliott has an excellent reputation throughout Yorkshire for the quality and experience of its corporate finance team. The firm prides itself on the strength of the client relationships it develops through its values, excellent service and great ideas to help businesses succeed. I’m looking forward to joining the team to further grow the corporate finance offering across Yorkshire.”

Welcoming Mr Farmer to the firm, Garbutt + Elliott partner and head of corporate finance, Richard Feltham, said: “Tony is a hugely experienced and highly respected operator. His appointment is great news for our corporate finance team. It not only expands our coverage in the region, but also strengthens our position in the market.”

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COUNTER CONTEXT is looking to increase its foothold in the renewable energy industries after appointing a leading senior stakeholder and communications specialist.

Emily Marshall joins the Sheffield and Manchester-based communications company as associate director.

She is an experienced stakeholder and communications manager having worked in-house at off-shore wind specialists DONG Energy and SunEdison, the world’s largest renewable energy company.

Through her role at DONG Energy, Ms Marshall led the stakeholder management and consultation for some of the world’s largest off-shore wind farms. Following a move to the solar energy sector, she led Sun Edison’s UK communications programme and public affairs strategy.

Ms Marshall will be applying her wealth of experience to helping shape business development plans at Counter Context and expanding the company’s presence in the south of the UK.

Alexis Krachai, managing director of Counter Context, said: “Emily is already proving to be a real asset to our team. She brings industry knowledge, expertise and contacts, as well as a unique perspective as somebody who was once a client of Counter Context. This gives us a distinct and interesting advantage.

“We have some exciting plans for 2017 and I am delighted that Emily has joined us at such a significant time when her input will be integral to the future of the company.”

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AN employee from Doncaster-based DB Cargo has been nominated to co-lead the Yorkshire branch of Women in Rail (WR).   

The voluntary role will see Dr Amy Pressland, international HR projects manager at DB Cargo, join Jennie Pitt from Virgin Trains East Coast to head up the group, which aims to empower women in rail across the region through training, networking events and other activities.

WR encourages organisations and stakeholders to improve diversity and adopt it as a business strategy.  

Dr Pressland said: “Women in Rail supports diversity in a range of different ways. With a recent report from WR showing that only 15% of the workforce in rail are female, it is incredibly important to continue this work at both a regional and national level.   

“I am eager to begin working with Jennie to provide opportunities for women throughout the county – watch this space for the next Yorkshire event.”