People: Estate agent office head announced; Four solicitors promoted; New director appointed at Hull Trains; and more

Dacre, Son & Hartley has promoted experienced estate agent Mark Kane to head its Skipton office, which is based in the heart of the town on Sheep Street.

Kane has been with Dacres for the last seven years and was promoted to senior associate within the firm just 12 months ago.

He said: “Our Skipton office has been an integral part of the town since the mid-60s and has successfully sold and let many thousands of homes throughout the area over the decades.

“I’m really looking forward to building on over fifty years of success, as well as ensuring we continue to play an important part in the community, sponsoring and supporting lots of local events, sports teams and charity initiatives.

“The office also plays a key position in our twenty branch network acting as a linchpin between the adjoining offices of Settle, Keighley, Pateley Bridge and Ilkley.

“It’s a landmark office that has recently been refurbished and boasts a five-strong team of hard-working property professionals. Everyone is highly committed to letting and selling a huge range of property from town centre apartments and traditional terraced homes to large country houses in the Yorkshire Dales. I will also oversee the mortgage and survey services we offer our clients.

“Acting for home owners, landlords and tenants throughout Skipton, The Yorkshire Dales and East Lancashire, the towns and villages where our for sale and to let boards are most prominent include Gargrave, Grassington, Hetton and surrounding areas, as well as in Kettlewell and Malham.

“We’re also busy to the south of Skipton with properties in Silsden, Crosshills, Bradley and Carleton. In East Lancashire we operate in Barnoldswick, Earby, Colne and Salterforth and we plan to extend our geographical reach over the next few years on the back of our extremely competitive fees and market expertise.”

Head of residential, Patrick McCutcheon, said: “Mark is a highly capable estate agent who is both personable and knowledgeable.

“He understands new development work very well, as well as our company’s desire to deliver competitive and effective property marketing with a high degree of professionalism and personal service.”

:::

Yorkshire law firm Berwins has announced the promotion of four solicitors to support further growth in its Life and Business teams.

Natasha Guest (Dispute Resolution) and Kathy Varley (Life) are promoted to Senior Associate, while Dan Snedden (Court of Protection) and Sam Crich (Commercial) become Associates.

The promotions come at the end of an exciting year for Berwins which has seen the launch of a new brand and identity as part of a strategic growth plan.

Commenting on the announcement, managing director Sarah Smith, said: “We’re delighted to have made these appointments and to see the careers of these talented individuals blossom.

“Since joining the firm, each has proved themselves to be exemplary professionals, committed not only to delivering the highest levels of client care and legal advice but also to taking a proactive approach to business growth.”

Newly appointed Senior Associate Guest has played an instrumental role in the growth of Berwins’ Dispute Resolution team which has acted in raft of complex cases – including those in the Court of Appeal – over the past 12 months.

Varley – a qualified accountant as well as solicitor – offers families planning for the future with a fresh perspective on matters around wills and trusts.

As part of his Court of Protection work, Snedden focuses on assisting people with capacity issues, helping their families with support where it is needed and empowering independence wherever possible.

Crich specialises in advising IT and technology companies on issues relating to commercial agreements and data protection matters.

:::

Hull Trains has boosted its senior team with the appointment of a new director who has more than 25 years’ experience in customer experience innovation.

Anne Somers, commercial and customer experience director, is responsible for listening and responding to all customer insight to help shape services around their needs, while maintaining competitive ticket prices for travellers.

She joins Hull Trains at a pivotal time in the organisation’s history as the team prepares for the imminent arrival of its £60m state-of-the-art Hitachi Rail fleet.

Having gained a wealth of experience utilising customer feedback to influence the development of award-winning products in the financial services industry and helping to double the size of a national debt charity, she is passionate about engaging customers and building brands through customer-led marketing strategies.

Somers said: “Hull Trains is a unique organisation which I’m proud to join, especially as we are rolling out our new Paragon fleet of class 802s which will create 5,500 additional seats a week for passengers, once all five trains are in service.

“It’s a very exciting time for the organisation and the city of Hull and I’m proud to use my experience to help improve and enhance our customer experience.

“Throughout my career I’ve specialised in helping businesses, such as Yorkshire Building Society and national charity Step Change, really understand what their customers value, using intelligence and insight to better connect with customers.

“Hull Trains has an opportunity to stand out in the market once these new trains are in service and I’m excited to help strengthen the fantastic offering this business already has.”

Louise Cheeseman, managing director for Hull Trains, said: “Anne’s experience is invaluable to Hull Trains, as we focus on successfully rolling out our new fleet of trains.

“She brings an alternative perspective to the senior team which complements the expert operational and rail experience of the executive board.

“We’re aiming to be the first choice for people when they travel from Hull to London. I’m confident our new trains will signal a significant new beginning, not only for the people in Hull travelling with us, but for the wider business. I’m very excited about the future of Hull Trains and what the future holds.”

:::

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which supports 5.7m people living in former mining communities throughout the UK, has appointed Mikayla Harper as community employment and skills Coach.

Focusing on Doncaster, Harper will support individuals that are out of work to overcome any barriers they have to new employment and training opportunities, while also helping them to increase their overall skillset and aspirations.

In order to maximise their employment prospects, she will identify volunteering and work placement vacancies, and establish connections with councils, training providers and employers within the region.

Harper brings relevant experience from her previous position at Doncaster West Development Trust, when she worked as a project manager responsible for a lottery funded training café. She was then appointed employment coach on the Talent Match contract, which supported 18-24-year-olds back into employment, education or training.

She said: “Having worked within the welfare to work sector for many years on several different contracts, I had always been aware of the positive changes the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has made within the communities.

“I have seen first-hand how working on the ground in the communities and offering outreach services is the most direct and beneficial approach as it breaks down many barriers and encourages local engagement.

“I am looking forward to getting out into the communities to create strong networks that should enable me to make positive change where needed. I also look forward to watching those I work with develop their confidence and skillset, which will not only prepare them for employment, but also give them the chance to have a much better quality of life longer-term.”

Andy Lock, head of operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “If we are to significantly improve the social and economic prospects of the UK’s former coalmining communities, we must have people on the ground working with residents face-to-face.

“They need to know we are here to help and with the support of local stakeholders we can make a positive difference.

“As many of these communities sit within the 30 per cent most deprived in the UK, we know increasing employment opportunities will act as a major catalyst for change.

“As Mikayla already brings with her a wealth of experience working in disadvantaged areas, we are confident she can make an immediate connection with people and help them to work towards building a better future.”

 

 

Close