Appointments: Elitetele.com ; Mitchell Charlesworth & more

LANCASHIRE-based Elitetele.com has hired former Daisy Group executive Russell Horton, as its first chief operations officer.

Mr Horton, who has a track record in starting, building and leading technology and telecoms businesses, said: “I am very excited to be joining the board as COO. My aim is to ensure Elite continues to deliver excellent service to its clients as we grow the business and expand the range of products and solutions on offer.
 
“Elite’s recent acquisitions bring complementary services for our client base, for example we have great expertise in depth in mobile now, so we are working on the best strategy to deliver these services alongside our historic portfolio to the benefit of our customers.”

As well as Daisy he has worked for Vodafone, and several telecoms resellers. He was also the founder of a mobile phone staff benefits business. He will be splitting his time between Elite’s Chorley and London offices.

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ROB Hall, a partner at North West accountants Mitchell Charlesworth, has elected chairman of the proctice.

He succeeds long-serving colleague Clive Plummer who held the post for more than two decades.

Mr Hall joined Mitchell Charlesworth as partner in 2006. He has more than 20 years’ experience in dealing with owner managed businesses. He is also a specialist in professional practices and acts for a number of firms of solicitors, barristers and barristers’ chambers.

He said: “This is a very proud moment in my career. I am particularly honoured to be following in the footsteps of Clive who has been a loyal, dedicated and well respected chairman for many years.

“With this role comes great responsibility to ensure the distinctive character and ethos of our practice is maintained.”

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YORKSHIRE Bank has strengthened its support for the region’s rural businesses with the appointment of Jane Green as a new business relationship manager based in Preston.

Born in Whalley, Lancashire, Ms Green is a banker with more than 20 years’ experience and joins from Barclays, where for the last eight years she has handled a portfolio of around 350 clients within the agri-business sector.

Ian Hardman, head of Yorkshire Bank’s business and private banking centre in Preston, said: “As the economy shows signs of recovery it is important that the resources are available to help businesses in Preston and the Ribble Valley make the most of growth opportunities. Having Jane in place will help us achieve that.”