People: Huddersfield Unlimited; 4D pharma; Ware & Kay; and more

Business and innovation mentor, Charles Maltby, is the new programme director of Huddersfield Unlimited, an organisation made up of local business and community leaders championing the economy of Huddersfield.

He has been appointed to drive and deliver the group’s ambitious plans for 2022 across areas including infrastructure, transport, inward investment and business growth following a series of director appointments, including Sue Cooke, CEO of the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre and Liz Towns-Andrews, Professor of Innovation at the University of Huddersfield.

With health tech identified as one of the potential growth sectors in the town, Cooke and Towns-Andrews were keen to join the Huddersfield Unlimited Health and Med Tech Working Group, given their interest and experience in health innovation.

To support and boost the town’s local economy and attract inward investment, Maltby aims to co-ordinate and support multiple initiatives across the Transport, Health Tech and Property Working Groups.

Chair Sir John Harman said: “Charles’ enthusiasm for our aims has impressed the Board, and we are looking forward to working with him.

“Our current projects include transport improvements, opportunities for investing in sites in and around the centre of town, and supporting the growth opportunities around the University’s Health Innovation Campus plans, and Charles will enable us to raise the pace in all these areas.

“With a background in innovation, technology and engineering at executive level in various sectors, Charles has a wealth of experience to bring to Huddersfield Unlimited when it comes to dealing with people, running programmes and business, and building relationships.”

Maltby added: “Having moved from a single full-time executive role to a portfolio career, my ambition is to give more back to local businesses and the wider community.

“Whilst Huddersfield Unlimited has to some extent been a ‘best-kept secret’ until now, it is wonderful to be part of its future as programme director to help drive a number of the key initiatives.

“In my view, I believe Huddersfield can and should be the location of choice in West Yorkshire to build and grow innovative businesses.

“Desirability will significantly increase with multiple initiatives backed by the council and university and additional private investment into local business and property development opportunities.

“As one of the largest towns in the UK, Huddersfield could be knocking on the door to become a city.”

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Leeds-based 4D pharma, a listed pharmaceutical company developing Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs), has appointed John Doyle as chief financial officer and member of the firm’s management team.

He brings over 15 years of experience leading and developing the financial operations, strategy, and investor relations functions at public healthcare companies.  

Duncan Peyton, chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome John to 4D pharma at this exciting stage of the company’s growth, following our NASDAQ listing in 2021.

“John’s extensive financial experience in diverse healthcare organisations and transformational events will be invaluable as 4D pharma continues  to make progress in the clinic on multiple fronts with our Live Biotherapeutic programs.”

Doyle said: “I am honoured to join a company that is committed to deliver a revolutionary class of medicines by harnessing bacteria from the microbiome.

“The 4D pharma team has built an impressive pipeline across key areas of high unmet need and I am excited for the opportunity to execute on the company’s growth strategy and financial goals.”

He arrives at 4D pharma after serving as CFO at Chiasma Inc, a biopharmaceutical company acquired by Amryt Pharma in 2021.

Prior to Chiasma, he was vice president of finance and investor relations at Verastem Inc, also a biopharmaceutical company.

Prior to joining Verastem in February 2018, he served as head of financial planning & analysis at SimpliVity Corp, a software company that was acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprises in February 2017.

Before that, Doyle was director of business unit financial planning & analysis, early phase division, at PAREXEL, a publicly traded pharmaceutical contract research organization.

Earlier in his career, he served in increasingly senior financial planning and analysis roles at Hologic, Inc, a provider of medical diagnostic, surgical and imaging products.

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Law firm Ware & Kay Solicitors, which has offices in York, Wetherby and Malton, has confirmed the promotion of Sian Foster, Holly Stevens and Philip Taylor to its Board of Directors.

Foster, head of wills & probate and Holly Stevens, head of residential property, have been promoted to directors at the York office.

Meanwhile Philip Taylor, head of residential property in Malton, has been promoted to director at the Malton office (Pearsons & Ward).

In their new roles, the trio will each offer strategic direction, leadership and support to their respective teams and in joining the board they will provide further impetus to the firm’s senior management.

Managing director, David Hyams, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Sian, Holly and Philip on their fully deserved promotions as directors and welcome them to the Board.

“Not only are they experts in their respective fields of law, but they have demonstrated their ability to consistently deliver the high levels of client care that we aim for right across the firm.

“We see them all making valuable contributions to the future of the firm – actively participating in business planning sessions, being strong leaders and role models, and helping with the development of the staff.”

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Ilkley-headquartered independent engineering and services business, NG Bailey, has appointed Martin Pitt as its new group commercial director.

Pitt has enjoyed a successful career in the construction industry, having most recently undertaken the role of commercial director for the Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture on HS2.

Prior to his work at Balfour Beatty, he spent a considerable amount of time as group commercial director for both Sir Robert McAlpine and Morgan Sindall.

He said: “I’m looking forward to starting the new year with NG Bailey and playing a part in the continued development of the business.”

This appointment supports NG Bailey’s growth strategy as it delivers a series of large-scale innovative projects across diverse sectors including infrastructure, technology and decarbonisation.

Chief executive David Hurcomb said: “We’re really pleased to be welcoming Martin to the business. We have a lot to look forward to in the New Year and having Martin on board from January will ensure we get off to a great start.

“Martin will bring valuable experience along with a wealth of knowledge to his role and will play a key part in cementing our market leading position.”