People: Engagement team strengthened at innovation hub; Promotions at law practice; and more

Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, has strengthened its engagement team with the appointment of a relationship officer who will work with Yorkshire entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs.

Dennis Dokter, a Maastricht University graduate, has worked in the research and funding landscape for the past four years.

He joins Nexus from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), where he worked as grant development manager, advising on how to use new data science methods and AI on existing and new data sources across multiple sectors.

He will work alongside Dr Harrison Evans, Nexus’ collaboration manager.

Dokter’s role will see him providing Nexus members with seamless access to the academic expertise, talent and facilities across the university.

And he will work closely with members to understand their business needs and connect them to the right partners, both within the university and externally within the wider Leeds City Region.

Dokter says: “I’m incredibly passionate about research and innovation so it’s very exciting to be joining a team that plays such an active role in supporting emerging businesses.

“Nexus sits at the heart of where research meets practice, and I’m really looking forward to supporting on cutting-edge cross-discipline projects, connecting members with the renowned world-class expertise at the University of Leeds.”

Dr Evans added: “Dennis is a perfect fit for the Nexus team and his expertise aligns really well with our ambitions.

“He has spent much of his career to date advising on research strategy and funding, and has made many connections between private companies and academics to nurture research and development (R&D). We’re delighted to welcome Dennis to the team.”

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Yorkshire-based law firm Schofield Sweeney has confirmed five new promotions.

Craig Burman, Simon Glazebook and Laura Salvati have been promoted to Partner. Daniel Bisby has been promoted to Associate and Susan Ram is now a Director.

Burman heads the Environmental & Regulatory team. Previously a prosecutor at the Environmental Agency, he joined Schofield Sweeney in 2015.

He advises public and private sector clients on contentious and non-contentious environmental matters, health and safety offences, flooding and drainage, food hygiene and regulatory compliance.

He said: “I am delighted to be part of Schofield Sweeney’s expansion of specialist legal services. It is an exciting time to be advising on the environment as the country prepares to leave the EU and the focus is more than ever on climate change related issues.”

Salvati joined Schofield Sweeney in 2012, shortly after qualification, and now heads the Property Litigation team in Leeds. She acts for a broad range of clients including developers, national retailers, shopping centres and owner managed businesses.

She said: “I joined Schofield Sweeney as a junior lawyer. Throughout my time here I have steadily progressed, had excellent development opportunities and exposure to challenging and exciting work.

“The firm continues to go from strength to strength and I am delighted to be part of one of the leading law firms in Yorkshire.”

Glazebrook has been promoted to Partner in the Private Client team and heads the firm’s Leeds offering.

Ram was promoted to Director in the Residential Conveyancing team in Bradford.

Bisby’s promotion to Associate in the firm’s Corporate team is in recognition of his continued development within the team and follows another successful year which saw him take the lead on a multitude of transactions.

He has particular expertise in dealing with acquisitions and disposals within the financial services sector.

Bisby said: “I am really pleased to have been promoted within a great team at Schofield Sweeney, a firm who clearly recognise hard work and look after their employees.”

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Wakefield-based listed manufacturer Carclo Group has said that Matt Durkin-Jones has been appointed as interim chief financial officer and director of the board with immediate effect.

Durkin-Jones is a chartered management accountant with extensive financial experience of manufacturing companies in Europe, Asia and North America.

His most recent role was as director of financial planning and analysis for a major subsidiary of Boeing and previously as director of finance for a North American subsidiary of Erickson.

His appointment is for an initial six-month term, with the appointment able to be extended thereafter with the agreement of both parties.

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The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Business Development Board has welcomed eight new members.

The newcomers, all prominent figures in the Humber’s business community, will take a role in shaping the LEP’s priorities in how best to support the region’s many companies – 98% of which are small and medium sized enterprises.

The Business Development Board leads the Humber LEP’s work on one of its three key ambitions: to support businesses to thrive in the Humber. The board supports the development of key business sectors and the co-ordination of business support, and leads the business engagement strategy.

Formed in 2014, the Board is chaired by Dr Paul Sewell, chaiman of Sewell Group, and meets on a bi-monthly basis.

It oversees key business sectors, as well as the co-ordination of business information and financial support to meet the needs of SMEs. The LEP offers grants, loans and specialist advice to support business growth.

Dr Sewell said: “I am delighted to welcome our new members to the Business Development Board.

“This varied group of talented individuals bring to the board a breadth of experience, expertise and skills and are an asset to the Humber’s business community.

“It is a privilege to have an influence in this community and provide a voice for businesses and I hope our new members enjoy their roles.”

The new members include:

Richard Askam – a professional speaker and trainer who formerly operated in the wine industry and marketing

Phil Benson – co-founder of Xing Smoothies and an entrepreneur

Samantha Cook – sales manager, Hampton by Hilton Humberside Airport

Jason Lee – R&D director, Luxinar (formerly Rofin Sinar), Bridgehead

Robin Pegden – director of Envirogen

Joseph Richardson – MD, Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd

Andy Rouse – president/CEO of Fusion Interactive Corporation

Katy Swaby – director and co-founder, Enviromail