People: Experienced solicitor appointed; chief financial officer taken on; City Region business leader to retire; and more

Halifax-based law firm Rahman Ravelli has boosted its corporate and business crime team by appointing solicitor Niall Hearty.

He arrives at the firm at a time when it is expanding to meet increasing client demand from the UK and abroad.

The business said it had selected Hearty for his in-depth corporate crime expertise.

Rahman Ravelli’s founder, Aziz Rahman, said he was impressed by Hearty’s experience and achievements.

He added: “Niall comes to us having run a City firm’s business crime and fraud section.

“His experience of complex and multi-jurisdictional investigations and his expertise in money laundering, proceeds of crime and fraud cases make him a great fit for Rahman Ravelli.

“At a time when the firm is both expanding and gaining greater international recognition, taking on someone with the track record and ability that Niall has makes perfect sense.

“He is the type of solicitor who always looks at each and every avenue in order to achieve the very best outcome for a client. His approach is in tune with the way Rahman Ravelli works on behalf of all those we represent.

“We look forward to him complementing what is already an exceptionally strong team when we are actively taking steps to meet rising demand for our services.’’

Last month, Rahman Ravelli appointed three senior associate solicitors – Nicola Sharp, Syedur Rahman and Neil Williams – as legal directors.

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Sheffield-based Fulcrum Group, the multi-utility infrastructure and services provider, has appointed Daren Harris as its new Chief Financial Officer.

He brings significant experience to Fulcrum, gained from senior financial roles in the construction, mechanical and electrical engineering, defence and energy services sectors. He also joins the Board of the Group.

His most recent role was as Group Finance Officer and primary Board member of The Byrne Group.

During his tenure, the construction services provider, which works across a range of public and private sectors, achieved a turnover in excess of £300m.

Previously, Harris held the position of Group Finance Director at independent engineering and services business, NG Bailey.

He also spent four years in Switzerland as Vice President of Finance for utilities provider TXU Europe and was CFO for both Serco (Defence and Aerospace) and Raytheon Systems Limited.

In taking on his new role at Fulcrum, Harris succeeds Hazel Griffiths who has played an instrumental role in the performance and expansion of the business across the utility infrastructure market.

Harris said: “I’m very proud to join Fulcrum and am focused on supporting the implementation of its growth strategy, which is enabling the company to build upon its already considerable achievements by exploring new opportunities in a sustainable manner.

“With the drive towards low-emission and low-carbon energy this is a pivotal time for the utilities infrastructure sector and an agile company like Fulcrum is well-placed to support the evolving needs of both commercial and residential developments.”

Martin Harrison, Chief Executive of Fulcrum, said: “We are delighted that Daren has joined the business.

“His financial experience and expertise gained across several complementary sectors will be invaluable as we continue to develop and expand our operations across new and existing markets.

“I’d also like to express our thanks to Hazel Griffiths for the contribution she has made to Fulcrum during a period of growth, which helped establish the business as a dynamic group of companies.”

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After 41 years, one of Sheffield City Region’s high-profile business leaders, B Braun Medical Chairman and Group Chief Executive Hans Hux, is stepping into a non-executive Group Chairman role as part of a planned retirement process.

On Hux’s retirement, David Oates, former Managing Director for sales and marketing at B Braun will become the firm’s UK Group Managing Director.

Hux will remain in the non-executive role until the end of January 2020 and will retire after more than 40 years – 27 of which saw him as head of the company’s UK operations.

One of the sectors’ longest serving company heads, Hux moved to Sheffield in 1993 following eight years setting up Aesculap B Braun in Japan.

Initially Managing Director of Aesculap, when the company merged with B Braun Medical, Hux became Chairman and Group Chief Executive of the expanded organisation.

He said: “To have the chance as a relatively young man to become Managing Director, to come to Sheffield with the task of re-engineering an organisation that was going nowhere and then to amalgamate two companies to launch B Braun Medical was just extraordinary.

“In 1993 we more or less relied on very few products but through an evolutionary process of innovation and diversification we have substantially increased the breadth and range of our product portfolio and developed new businesses and services which have really enabled us to establish B Braun in the UK as a leading healthcare provider.”

Based at Thorncliffe Park, the company operates in 18 therapy areas and during Hux’s tenure has developed a range of innovative technologies and services including safe infusion technology, homecare patient services, high-end endoscopy, 3D visualisation for surgeons, computer navigated implantology in Orthopaedics and home haemodialysis services.

Hux is Life Vice President of the Sheffield Sharks, as well as a former Sheffield Chamber of Commerce president and was inducted into the Chamber’s Hall of Fame in 2018 for his ‘exemplary dedication to staff welfare, research and development and ongoing investment’.

In the same year he was elected a ‘Guardian’ by Sheffield Assay Office thanks to his ‘unrivalled industry expertise’.

He has seen B Braun Medical awarded the coveted Investors in People (IiP) Gold status three consecutive times, while Aesculap Academia UK, the educational arm of the business, was awarded a prestigious quality mark by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Most recently, Braun officially opened its £multi-million, state-of-the-art Compounding Aseptic Production Service (CAPS) Unit which is growing the firm’s city region base to meet increasing demand for life-saving medicines across the UK.

On his retirement Hux said: “It is the right decision and the right time. This is a succession which safeguards the continuity of the business.”

New Managing Director David Oates joined the company in 2001 and during his time at the firm was regional head of sales for the company’s Hospital Care Division which included Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands and the UK, and also the Director of the Hospital Care Division UK.

He said: “It is an exciting time but also very challenging. Healthcare is a very competitive market and we have to work very hard on prices, and make sure our products, services and support are of the highest possible quality.

“I would like us to be seen as one of the leading four or five health technology companies operating in the UK who are clearly seen as partners to the NHS and who are actively engaged in ensuring that British patients are getting access to the best possible care and treatment.

“To be able to have this opportunity is absolutely fantastic. It is a wonderful chance to continue the work that Hans has done in the UK while at the same time helping the organisation to evolve and develop and meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

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IT support firm Dolphin ICT has added a new apprentice to its ranks.

Harry Whitehead, 20, from Selby, has joined the Doncaster-based Dolphin team as an apprentice IT technician.

In his new role, Whitehead will undertake a number of duties including being first point of call for clients on the helpdesk, dealing with desktop issues, setting up new PCs and assisting engineers on client sites or client projects.

Whitehead said: “Throughout school and college, my passion has always been IT so I am so pleased to secure this apprenticeship with Dolphin ICT.

“From an early age I’ve always been really curious about everything technological and, as such, I’ve gone on to build my own hardware and have a natural instinct for gaming. This has really driven me forward into starting a career in this sector.

“I love every part of my job so far. The people I work with are friendly and make the working atmosphere in the office amazing.

“Since I have started working for Dolphin ICT it makes me want to get up in the morning and come to work as I know I’m going to enjoy my day and learn something new that can expand my skill set.”

Russell Till, Managing Director of Dolphin ICT, said: “Harry is a great example of a young man with a real drive, passion and dedication to his chosen career path. He is a credit to the Dolphin team and we are thrilled he has joined us on this apprenticeship.

“We are confident he will go a long way in the IT industry.”