People: Chief operating officer appointed at Leeds Building Society; Newly qualified associates at global law firm; and more

Leeds Building Society has appointed a new chief operating officer – Rob Howse.

He takes up the position after 10 years in senior technology, operations and transformation roles within the financial services sector, including at Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland.

He brings with him extensive experience of helping businesses make effective use of technology and respond to the rapidly-evolving needs of consumers. He will be focused on helping the society deliver change more quickly, making the most of opportunities technology offers while remaining operationally safe.

Howse said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Leeds Building Society. I’ve admired this great Yorkshire success story for a while. Financially sound, it has enjoyed strong growth, satisfied members and engaged and committed colleagues.

“As it now faces the future of a rapidly changing financial services industry, it is investing record amounts in its technology and operations. I’m looking forward to helping the society continue to be the best place for its members to save and have the home they want.”

Welcoming him to the society, chief executive officer Richard Fearon, said: “Rob is an experienced operator with a strong track record of delivering business transformation throughout his career in financial services.

“Rob will enhance the skills and experience within the society’s senior leadership team. I’m excited to work with him to support our ambitious change agenda as we look to the future and the next stage of our development.”

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Global law firm DLA Piper has recently recruited seven newly qualified associates within its Leeds office.

Anna Dempsey (Corporate), Hannah MacIntosh (Finance, Projects and Restructuring), Megan Pettinger (Litigation and Regulatory), Emily Scrowston (Corporate), Alexandra Smyllie (Finance, Projects and Restructuring), Rebecca Walker (Intellectual Property and Technology) and Natalie Webb (Finance, Projects and Restructuring) successfully completed their training contracts with the firm and are now embarking on their new legal career.

In addition, the firm welcomes a new wave of trainee solicitors to DLA Piper Leeds. Elinor Cavil, Lydia Demnitz-King, Ciar Donnelly, Lauren Leitch, Suki-Bella Newsome, Lorlor Osborn, Benjamin Payne, Victor Sampson, Peter Sequeira, Anna Ward, Laura West, Megan Williams, and Adam Zaman all joined the office in September.

They will spend two years training at the firm, spending six months per seat, each in a different practice area. This training provides insight and understanding of all legal disciplines, after which the trainees select their area of focus.

Allison Page, office managing partner for the Leeds office, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues into the Leeds office. Our commitment to the Leeds City Region is further strengthened by their appointment and our desire to support the next generation of talent.”

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Georgios Kosma has been appointed centre manager at The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park, in Nab Wood near Shipley.

As part of the role, he has also become procurement manager for Czajka Care Group, which owns and operates the private members club.

The Clubhouse offers members across all age groups full use of its facilities which include swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, gym, restaurant, bar, bowling green, snooker table, putting green, boardroom facilities and private function suite.

Kosma is responsible for managing The Clubhouse’s team who handle bookings, liaise with monthly members and oversee day to day operations. In addition, the team organise and host a wide range of events including birthday celebrations, christenings, funerals and parties.

Kosma is also now managing procurement for Czajka Care Group which owns and operates Currergate Nursing Home in Steeton and Beanlands Nursing Home in Cross Hills, as well as Fairmount Nursing Home, Brookfield Care Home and Staveley Birk Leas Nursing Home, which are all in Nab Wood.

This involves negotiating and agreeing contracts with suppliers of a range of products from food and drink through to clinical supplies and equipment.

Kosma brings a wealth of experience to the role after previously working in the hospitality industry and managing restaurants in central London for more than 10 years.

He said: “After relocating to Yorkshire from London, I considered various opportunities but managing The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park stood out because it offers such a varied role. It already has a loyal membership base and a great reputation locally and I’m relishing the challenge of helping to take it to the next level.

“Working in the procurement side of the wider care group also appealed because this is an area that I have a lot of experience in, and I’m thoroughly enjoying sourcing the best suppliers that can provide the same high standards and service that Czajka Care Group is renowned for.”

Konrad Czajka, managing director of Czajka Care Group, said: “Since opening The Clubhouse at Fairmount Park in 1993, thousands of visitors have enjoyed its facilities and it has an unrivalled reputation with members, as well as local businesses and individuals that hire it for events.

“Georgios comes from a rich hospitality background which is already further enhancing the level of service we provide. His procurement experience is another strong attribute that’s immediately having a positive impact for the wider group.”