People: Senior recruit at recyclable materials firm; Partner taken on for real estate practice; Two appointments at creative agency; and more

Harrogate-based recyclable materials exporter Clearpoint Recycling has bolstered its workforce with the appointment of a new head of paper, Andrew Perkins.

Perkins will be leading the firm’s expanding fibre operation.

Bringing with him over 25 years’ experience in the industry, he has worked for a number of waste management, recycling and paper manufacturing companies – in both operational and commercial roles.

Prior to joining the Clearpoint Recycling team, he was most recently commercial director at global paper-based packaging firm Smurfit Kappa Recycling, where he was responsible for all supply into the firm’s UK mills, as well as trading on surplus fibre to its continental operation and third-party mills in Europe and the Far East.

Commenting on the appointment, Clearpoint Recycling’s CEO and founder, William Lee, said: “With the current economic and political uncertainty, it’s a turbulent time for the recovered paper market. However, it’s amid these industry challenges that we can demonstrate our faith in the industry and remain resilient – fighting to keep our stakeholders’ materials moving smoothly.

“Andrew’s wealth of experience plays an important role in sustaining our strong and ethical offering to our clients.”

The firm’s managing director, Duncan Oakes, added: “We have a very successful polymer material recycling operation at Clearpoint, but over the past 12 months, paper for recycling (PfR) has proven to be an increasingly important part of the business.

“Having Andrew on board to help us further evolve this area ensures we’re enhancing our knowledge of the fibre market both in the UK and overseas.”

To continue developing the paper expertise within the business, a dedicated fibre buyer – Paul Clarke – was also appointed in August this year. The firm also hired an overseas-based European sales manager in 2018 – Martijn Janssen – who has been investigating expert recycling facilities within the fibre market and driving paper sales for the past 12 months.

Clearpoint has dedicated teams that focus on the key stages of recyclable commodities handling – buying, selling and compliance – ensuring the right quality, quantity and value of materials go to reprocessors by matching suppliers with appropriate and compliant end destinations.

On joining the team, Perkins said: “I’m delighted to be part of an operation that is refreshingly different, has confidence in the future of PfR and is willing to invest in it.

“The organisation has a great depth of experience in recyclable materials – which serves the market well at all points in the business cycle – and I’m looking forward to further developing its paper division.”

The news comes at a time when the materials broker has also recorded its biggest year-on-year increase in workforce numbers – employing 24 new colleagues in the last 12 months, making a 43-strong team overall.

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The Leeds office of Gateley Legal has appointed James Sargent as a partner in its Real Estate practice in the city.

Sargent joins from Weightmans, where he worked on a mixture of national and international redevelopment projects, asset management, development and investment transactions. Prior to this, he formed part of the core Real Estate department at DLA Piper.

On joining Gateley Legal, Sargent said: “One of the things that attracted me to Gateley Legal is that everyone within the business can have a stake in it which I believe is very important in attracting and retaining the very best talent in today’s society.

“I’m delighted to join the Real Estate team here in Leeds because I’m passionate about Yorkshire and want to continue to encourage and help facilitate investment and development here.

“The growth of the Leeds office shows how successful Gateley Legal has been in the region and has the strength and depth to be able to meet clients’ expectations. The main differentiator with our competitors is our ability to draw on a wealth of expertise from not only the legal side of the business, but also from the wider group to deliver the best possible service for clients.”

Phillip Gregory, partner and head of the Real Estate team in Gateley Legal’s Leeds office, said: “I’m really happy to welcome James to the team. His wide range of experience will complement and build on our existing offering to ensure our clients have easy access to the very best legal expertise.

“Gateley is a forward-thinking business that advises some of the biggest names in Real Estate. James has advised clients involved in everything from the construction of solar farms through to the purchase of land for large retail warehouses to suit our ever-changing shopping habits.

“I am sure he will quickly make a positive impact here at Gateley and will continue to encourage further investment and growth in the region.”

The Real Estate department at Gateley Legal’s Leeds office boasts key client relationships with Lidl and construction and development business, Peveril Securities.

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Creative agency, Rascal, has made a series of new appointments, continuing their ambitious growth plans.

Ryan Gains takes up the role of business development, having previously held the same position at Sheffield’s Quba Digital.

He will be responsible for Rascal’s new business strategy and all new client contact within the agency.

The Leeds and London-based company has also appointed Farrah Hussain, formerly of Hatch PR, who takes up the role of project manager.

Farrah will be managing projects through Rascal, overseeing the preparation, creation and delivery process.

Joe Costandi, co-founder at Rascal said: “Our client base is getting evermore exciting with clients such as global tech brand, Hewlett Packard, and high street favourite, Next. Alongside our collaborative work with other national agencies executing, TV, print, and content, it’s a really exciting time for us.

“Ryan and Farrah have brought exactly the expertise and enthusiasm we need to continue our growth.”

The agency has recently outgrown its Avenue HQ base, moving offices to Spaces, Park Row in Leeds earlier this month.

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Tom Murdoch

National law firm Stone King has welcomed Sam Dowgill to its Charity and Social Enterprise Team at the firm’s Leeds office in One Park Row.

Dowgill has joined the firm from the Leeds Community Foundation, where he was responsible for managing various regional and national grant programmes.

Prior to this he worked for several charitable organisations including the Shelter Centre in Switzerland. He completed his training contract at 3volution Ltd.

Partner Tom Murdoch, who leads the firm’s Charity & Social Enterprise work in Leeds, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sam to Stone King, he will be a valuable addition to the team here in Leeds.

“He will focus on serving local and national clients, and continuing to build Stone King’s local and national profile from our Yorkshire office.”