People: Harris+Co; Yorkshire Water; Switalskis; and more

Barnsley-based chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers, Harris+Co, has appointed of two new associate partners with the promotion of Tom Garner and Elspeth Fielding.

Harris+Co partner Steve Watson said: “Despite the challenges of the last couple of years that have impacted on many businesses, we have seen good progress with an active and growing client-base.

“We are planning for further growth and Elspeth and Tom’s promotion reflects our confidence in the future. It is great news for Yorkshire businesses and for the local economy.

“These promotions build on our significant investment in recent years in training, development and recruitment, with further recruitment also currently underway.”

Fielding joined Harris+Co as an apprentice in 2010 before subsequently qualifying as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser.

She is a business and personal tax specialist and will work with head of tax Nichola Hawden in growing the firm’s tax advisory practice.

Garner trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with a Big 4 firm before joining Harris+Co in 2018 and also subsequently qualifying as a chartered tax adviser.

He is an audit and assurance specialist and will work with head of audit Paul Hinchliffe in growing the firm’s audit and assurance client-base.

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Yorkshire Water has confirmed that after nearly 12 years with the company – nine as CFO and close to three years as CEO – Liz Barber is to retire with effect from May 6.

Nicola Shaw, most recently UK executive director for National Grid, has been appointed as CEO to succeed Barber and joins the company on May 9. She was previously CEO of High Speed 1 and a director of First Group and is currently a non-executive director of International Airlines Group.

Barber first joined Yorkshire Water in November 2010 as group director of finance and regulation, having previously been a senior partner at Ernst & Young where she led the firm’s national water team. She later became CFO and was appointed CEO in September 2019.

Yorkshire Water chair, Vanda Murray, said: “Liz has made a huge contribution to the company in both her leadership roles.

“As CFO, she did a great deal to improve financial resilience and also set the pace for increased transparency in the water sector.

“Her time as CEO has led us through the pandemic and dealt very effectively with the challenges this caused for both our staff and customers. During this period the business was also hit by at least six named storm events and Liz’s leadership ensured that we remained resilient throughout.”

Commenting on Shaw’s appointment, Murray added: “She brings extensive experience in regulated infrastructure businesses with a high public profile and has an excellent track record in driving efficient delivery whilst also improving customer service and staff engagement.

“She recognises the importance of environmental performance and the criticality of climate resilience and adaptation.”

Shaw said: “I recognise the importance of the service Yorkshire Water provides to the communities we serve and look forward to delivering for them and becoming part of the community in Yorkshire.”

Barber said: “I have had nearly 12 great years at Yorkshire Water and it has been a privilege to be play a part in providing an essential service by an organisation which is a part of the fabric of Yorkshire.

“I am particularly proud of what we have done to ensure that the organisation has sustainability at its heart and is resilient, both financially and operationally.

“My colleagues, on the board, in the leadership team and throughout the company have been a huge support throughout my time at the company and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with them.”

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Switalskis Solicitors has appointed experienced solicitor, Ryan Dhinsa, to bolster the firm’s commercial property department.

He joins the firm’s growing team from his previous position at Raworths LLP in Harrogate. Bringing four years’ experience to the role, he represents landlords and tenants in sectors including industrial, manufacturing, retail, office and leisure.

Dhinsa will work with the department’s two senior figures – head of Switalskis’ commercial property department, Claire Murphy, and senior solicitor, Andrew Lawson.

He will be responsible for providing customers with representation in areas including negotiating commercial leases; acting for landlords in estate management deals; and acquiring and disposing of commercial land.

He will also maintain his valued relationships with brokers, accountants, and agents.

Dhinsa said: “I have worked with Andrew Lawson in a previous role and admire his approach, so I am very much looking forward to working with him again and with the rest of the experienced Switalskis’ team.

“I wanted to work at a larger firm that has a portfolio of high calibre clients whilst retaining a personal level of service and Switalskis ticks all the boxes for me.”

Department head Claire Murphy added: “Ryan is well-regarded in the Yorkshire commercial property market and will no doubt help us achieve our growth ambitions.

“Ryan has an eye for detail and brings fresh ideas and enthusiasm to our team, which will prove invaluable as we develop our business further.”

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Simon Foxall has been appointed area sales manager to cover Central England for Sheffield-based tyre inflation and compressed air equipment manufacturer PCL.

Bringing expertise in driving sales through existing accounts and identifying new business opportunities and distribution gaps, Foxall most recently managed key accounts for a wholesaler and manufacturer of industrial hardware products.

He plans to use his expertise in retail to develop PCL’s Partner+ initiative, which is aimed at growing the brand’s market share by supporting distributors to flourish, with a range of incentives including product display stands.

Foxall said: “I will be checking floor space at customer outlets – a stand that is well stocked with the right products can increase sales by over 30% per month.

“Partner+ is an attractive proposition for customers; it helps them to increase sales and improve their visibility on the market, whilst providing them with access to product discounts in the process.

“I’m looking forward to meeting customers, showing them where they may have gaps in their product range and how we can help them to grow their business in the long-term.”

PCL’s sales & marketing director, Lee Wright, said: “Simon’s experience in sales and business development, coupled with his knowledge in retail and distribution, makes him the ideal candidate for the area sales manager’s position for Central England, where there is so much scope to develop the market and our Partner+ programme.

“Simon has the passion, drive and commitment required to help our customers’ businesses to flourish and we are pleased to welcome him to the team.”