People: Regional ambassador appointed by banking group; New operations manager at stately home attraction; and more

Lloyds Banking Group has appointed Catherine Rutter as the Group’s ambassador for Yorkshire and The Humber to help support social and economic prosperity in the region.

She takes on the new role alongside her current position as the Group’s Managing Director for Connect, with responsibility for leading a national team of approximately 7,500 colleagues who support customers across telephony and operational channels for personal banking and mortgage queries.

With a career at Lloyds Banking Group spanning nearly 35 years, Rutter has held a variety of senior roles including chief operating officer for Community Banking.

She takes over the role from Russell Galley, managing director for Halifax Bank who has been ambassador since 2015.  As the Group’s ambassador, Rutter will head a team of senior colleagues committed to tackling issues faced by the region’s businesses and local communities.

She said: “I’ve lived and worked in Yorkshire for more than 20 years, so it’s a real honour to be taking on the role of ambassador for Lloyds Banking Group in the region.

“Yorkshire’s business scene is incredibly diverse – home to both traditional industries like agriculture and manufacturing as well as some of the country’s fastest growing technology firms.

“Yorkshire is in an exciting position to develop best practice, grow home-grown talent and improve productivity across the region. I’m looking forward to working with local communities, businesses and policy makers to help the region prosper.”

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A new post has been created at one of England’s greatest stately homes as it aims to become a leading UK visitor attraction.

The Preservation Trust restoring Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham has appointed Ian Taylor as its first operations manager.

He joined the trust as a management assistant in May 2019 and so impressed the team, within six months he was promoted to the crucial role, which sees him hands-on in the day-to-day running of the stately home and its growing events programme.

Taylor began his career with the UK’s largest conservation charity the National Trust, organising events at Clumber Park, where he helped to run large-scale music and outdoor events and designed and delivered the annual events programme.

He then returned to education to study for a degree in Events Management at the University of Derby and later gained a Level 5 Diploma in Event Safety Management,before moving to Nostell in Wakefield.

Taylor, 28, worked within Nostell’s visitor experience team, driving revenue to fund conservation work at what is one of the National Trust’s greatest “Treasure Houses”.

He said: “I am living and breathing heritage in my role as Operations Manager at Wentworth Woodhouse. I feel privileged to be part of the team increasing the visitor experience and ensuring we deliver excellence in everything we do.”

“There are many challenges. Managing operations of a site which has large-scale events, weddings and film crews on site alongside day-to-day visitor, catering and retail is all in a day’s work.

“But it doesn’t end there. My most unusual tasks so far include risk-assessing and delivering our very popular rooftop tour, where visitors can see repairs being carried out 18 metres from the ground, and dressing as a Regency dandy for a photo shoot to promote our first-ever period dance.”

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Emilda Morgans, a private client lawyer based in Sheffield, has joined national, new-model firm Excello Law.

She has practised in the city since qualifying in 1993 and has worked as a partner at Wake Smith, HLW Keeble Hawsons and Wosskow Brown. Prior to joining Excello Law, she was head of the Sheffield private client team at Co-op Legal Services.

Morgans is experienced in estate administration, preparation of wills, tax advice – including inheritance tax (IHT) planning, capital gains tax and income tax for trusts and estates – the creation and administration of trusts (including personal injury trusts), Court of Protection issues and enduring/lasting powers of attorney, asset preservation and general elderly care advice.

She is also a registered estates and trusts practitioner (STEP).

She was an associate lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, lecturing on Equity & Trusts for Graduate Diploma of Law students and was awarded Professional Businesswoman of the Year in 2015 by Women in Business.

Morgans said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me to join a well respected firm who are here to support me in delivering good client service in this area as well as providing me with the ability to develop my own client base.”

Joanne Losty, director at Excello Law, said: “Emilda joins our growing private client team and brings significant expertise to our legal offering across Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region. We’re delighted she’s joined the firm.”

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Andrew Padgett

Bradford accountancy firm Watson Buckle has announced the appointment of Gillian Craven and Andrew Padgett as its latest directors.

Padgett has been with the firm since 2015 having joined from a top 30 accountancy practice. He provides advice and support with audit and accounts preparation, business advisory, and strategic planning.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining the team of Directors at Watson Buckle. The firm has come so far in such a short time and I am sure we can achieve even greater things in future.”

Craven started her career at Watson Buckle in 2005 as a graduate trainee.  After attaining the ACA qualification, she was promoted to audit manager in 2010. Her focus has been on audit and accounting, tax, and business advisory.

She leads audits for a wide variety of clients, including pension schemes and FCA-regulated businesses – always ensuring they receive a consistently high-quality service.

Gillian Craven

She said: “It has been a challenging but enjoyable journey getting to where I am today and I am very excited to be taking on my new role as director.  As a firm, we offer so much to our clients and I am excited to be guiding the firm in the years to come.”

The appointment of Andrew and Gillian coincides with the retirement of the firm’s joint managing director, Susan Sedgwick, who retires at the end of 2019.

During her 40 years at the practice, she has played a key role in the development of Watson Buckle and has been a significant influence in its growth and drive for innovation.

Mark Wilcock, managing director at Watson Buckle, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Susan. She has worked incredibly hard alongside our other directors to make our firm what it is today. She will be missed, but we hope she enjoys a very long and happy retirement.

“It is exciting to have Andrew and Gillian as newly appointed directors. I am sure they will inject plenty of new energy and ideas into the direction and success of our firm.”

 

 

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