People: Influential business body appointment for finance company boss; String of promotions at law firm; and more

Finance company boss Alex Beardsley has been elected to serve on the CBI’s Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Council.

Beardsley is joint managing director of ABL Business, commercial finance brokers in Cleckheaton. She was elected in a ballot of CBI members across the region and will serve on the council for the next three years.

The role enables council members to share their expertise and to input ideas and opinions from the business communities they represent, helping to steer the influential organisation’s policies and campaigns.

The 12 Regional and National Councils of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) meet quarterly to discuss key issues of the day affecting businesses across the country. They then feed back to the CBI Chairs’ Committee which steers and sets the organisation’s policies. Information and data gathered by the Regional Councils is used to calibrate the CBI’s work and messaging to ensure it represents the views of businesses across the whole of the UK.

Beardsley said: “The work of the CBI empowers business owners to directly affect those major decisions that impact on us all – this year we are committed to making sure The North’s voice is heard throughout the corridors of power.

“I’ve personally experienced the struggles that women can face when starting out in business and I’m keen to give a voice to female entrepreneurs as well as to Northern businesses as a whole.

“One of the most rewarding elements of working in the finance sector is seeing clients’ companies go on to thrive and grow. Now, by working within an influential organisation like the CBI, I’ll be in a position to build on this and hopefully make an even more meaningful contribution to the prosperity of our region.”

Beardsley started her own company, Talk Direct Marketing, at the age of 26 when she was pregnant with her second child, and won a number of Young Entrepreneur awards.

In 2013 she joined forces with a client, finance broker Andy Redman, to form ABL Business, providing commercial finance consultancy services to businesses across the UK.

CBI regional director, Beckie Hart, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alex onto the Regional Council and we warmly welcome her to the role. Her experience, of both leading an SME business and working with them, will help the CBI continue to represent the views of these businesses to policy makers on a wide range of issues.”

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Leeds-based law firm Blacks Solicitors is marking the start of the new year with the promotion of 13 team members.

Six teams across the firm have had employees with all levels of experience promoted. Commercial Property has seen Anushka Nicholas promoted to Solicitor Partner, with Marcus Kaye, Charlotte Hart and Claudia Willard promoted to Associate.

David Ward and Euan Lawrence (Employment) are now Solicitor Partners, alongside Lewis Goodwin (Corporate & Commercial) and Aimee Hutchinson (Commercial Dispute Resolution).

Charlotte Gannon (Family), Samantha Bell (Commercial Dispute Resolution), Perdip Bhachu (Blacks Direct) and Emma Garfitt (Blacks Direct) have all been promoted to Associate Solicitor while Shamaila Khan (Blacks Direct) is now an Associate Licensed Conveyancer.

Commenting on her promotion, Anushka Nicholas said: “2019 was an extremely busy year, and it means a lot that the hard work of so many people across the firm has been recognised.

“We’re really pleased to be starting the new year refreshed and in a strong position to carry on servicing our clients at the level Blacks is renowned for.”

Managing Partner, Chris Allen, added: “Each year I am astounded at the dedication and commitment shown by every team member in the firm. Everyone promoted thoroughly deserves to be rewarded after their continued contributions to our significant successes last year.

“The whole team has proven themselves through their hard work and ability, and we are thrilled to reward them.”

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Sheffield solicitors, Taylor & Emmet, has appointed a new chief executive to help the firm meet its strategic objectives for 2020 and beyond.

Steve Hinshelwood will have responsibility for running Taylor & Emmet’s non-legal operations, taking over from predecessor, Anthony Long, who retired last year.

Having worked as a consultant to the conveyancing and probate teams since May, Hinshelwood is well placed to drive the firm forward and find innovative ways to meet clients’ changing expectations.

Neil Riley, a member of Taylor & Emmet’s management board, said: “In his time with us so far, Steve has already identified opportunities for growth and we are confident his enormous amount of leadership experience will be a real asset to the firm.

“He is well known and respected across Sheffield and the wider region and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and contacts that will give him an excellent strategic overview of our operations.”

Hinshelwood has more than 30 years’ experience in the estate agency and financial services industries, most recently as managing director of Blundells.

He added: “I am really pleased to be joining Taylor & Emmet on a permanent basis and eager to meet the teams I have yet to work alongside. The firm enjoys an excellent reputation for client care and it is my aim to retain our position at the forefront of the region’s legal sector, during changing times for the profession.”

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Yorkshire property and development company, S Harrison has appointed Paul Holcroft as a key member of its front end development team.

His broad-ranging experience will further strengthen the York-based business which is expected to report excellent profits for 2019 following a record year in 2018.

Harrison’s forward pipeline includes a range of major schemes in Manchester, Edinburgh, West and North Yorkshire.

Holcroft joins Harrison from Scarborough Group where he was part of the team responsible for delivering the successful expansion of the 1.4m sq ft Thorpe Park office, retail and leisure park.

With a BSc in business and a Masters degree in property appraisal and management from Sheffield Hallam University, Holcroft started his property career with DTZ in Leeds before moving to industrial investor Hansteen PLC as an investment and asset manager, heading its Newcastle office.

He spent two years with PWC as part of its restructuring operation, based in Leeds, before joining Scarborough Group in 2017.

S Harrison’s managing director, Ann Scott, said: “Paul brings a wealth of experience to an already strong Harrison team.

“His impressive track record demonstrates a real understanding of all the key elements of successful property development – identifying opportunities, appraising their viability, sourcing funding then assembling the skills to deliver and ultimately letting or selling the completed scheme. We are delighted to have him on board.”

Holcroft said: “Property development is a complex and long-term process but I relish the transactional element and the scope to apply my expertise to add real value to the business, working as part of a first class team with an impressive track record of delivery.”

 

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