People: Property forum appoints new chair; New non-exec joins global games developer; and more

Bradford Chamber of Commerce Property Forum has a new chair. Marianne McCallum has taken over from Allan Booth, the chair of the last two years.

McCallum, Planning Director with WYG Group, will now lead the property network up to 2021.   

The Property Forum has regular networking meetings, but also contributes to the Chamber’s lobbying and representation activities with the support of its specialist businesses.

The Chamber’s 2018 report, ‘Creating Space for Future Success’, saw Bradford Council appoint consultants to update the District’s Employment Land Review, last published in 2011. McCallum contributed significantly to the writing of that report, its subsequent promotion, and reference to it in lobbying activities.

McCallum said: “I’m pleased to be heading up BPF for the next two years. The Forum does a lot of good work, spear-headed by the Steering Group, and I thank them for their contributions.  Allan Booth also needs to be mentioned, as he’s done a great job and I’m pleased that he’s staying with us on the group.

“Bradford is making good strides but I’m confident that we can push that progress further and faster, so I’m up for the challenge.”

McCallum joined WYG in 2018; she had previously been with Turley for 11 years.

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Team17, the Wakefield-headquartered global games developer, has announced the appointment of Jennifer Lawrence as a Non-Executive Director.

Lawrence joins from Costcutter Supermarkets Group where she has held the role of HR Director since August 2016, working with the executive team responsible for the financial and operational running of the business.

With over 900 people employed nationwide, Lawrence is responsible for ensuring the employment base is aligned with delivering strategic objectives.

Prior to joining Costcutter, she served as HR Director at TDX Group, overseeing its integration into the core Equifax Business, and spent four years at Boots, the last two of which as Head of HR for Boots Opticians.

Jennifer will chair Team17’s remuneration committee.

Debbie Bestwick, Chief Executive of Team17, said: “We are very pleased to be welcoming Jennifer to the Board of Team17 and look forward to benefitting from her expertise as Team17 continues to deliver on its strategic objectives.”

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Composite Prime, the eco-friendly composite decking company, has appointed Tom Marshall as National Customer Support Manager.

Marshall joins the Ilkley-based company to support its expanding customer base.

His previous role as Caravan Sales Manager at Flamingo Land sees him bring expertise in areas such as marketing, customer service and aftersales management to his new role at Composite Prime.

Marshall brings with him six years’ experience across both the holiday home sector and the decking industry.

He said: “I’m thrilled to join such an exciting and innovative business like Composite Prime. With prior experience of the market, I’m looking forward to helping build upon what is already a strong business and work with stockists to bring our products to market in an effective way.

“Composite Prime’s products are really changing the dynamic of the decking industry and are bringing eco-awareness to the masses. It’s exciting to think that as a business we are making consumers think differently about how the choices they make can positively alter the environment for the better.”

Domenic Harrison, Managing Director of Composite Prime, added: “We’re excited to bring Tom on board, with 2019 set to be a big year for our business.

“We know that with his previous experience, he can help us to achieve further growth and support our current and prospective stockists over the course of the year and beyond.”

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Harrogate Family Law has appointed law graduate, Laura Mounsey, as a solicitor at the firm.

Mounsey has been working as a trainee solicitor, and prior to that as a paralegal, at the North Yorkshire law firm since graduating from Durham University.

She has previously received a distinction at law school and an award for her pro bono work.

Andrew Meehan, founder and managing director of Harrogate Family Law, said: “Laura is a dedicated and talented lawyer who has assisted partners at the firm with complex cases.

“We are delighted to be able to offer her a position as a solicitor following on from the successful completion of her training contract with the firm and look forward to supporting her as her career progresses.”

Mounsey added: “I am delighted to be starting my career as a solicitor with such a prestigious and well-regarded firm. I have been fortunate to have opportunity to work on interesting and complex cases alongside a fantastic team of lawyers at Harrogate Family Law and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”

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Ethos Asset Finance has further strengthened its team with the addition of a new Account Executive.

Ben Kaye has joined the Harrogate-based company, which is aiming to be one of the UK’s leading independent providers of finance to a host of businesses and individuals across numerous sectors.

Kaye’s background is in the motor industry, having worked for both national and independent dealer groups over a 13-year period.

Chris Brown, who set up Ethos Asset Finance in 2007, said: “We are really looking forward to Ben getting into the swing of things and becoming a key part of our team.

“Ben is the latest in a number of appointments over the last 12 months as we continue to grow in both markets where we are established and, in new ones.”

Kaye added: “I have spent many years working in the car industry in sales & business manager positions. I am therefore aware of Ethos and its position in the industry, so I look forward to joining a company that is recognised as a leader in its field.

“I will be using my experience and the contacts I have made over the years to help Ethos maintain and grow its own business and maintain its position as one of the country’s leading independent providers of finance.”