People: The Technology Group; Dow Schofield Watts; and more

The Technology Group has reinforced its focus on long-term growth with the board-level promotion of a chief operating officer.

Michelle Atkinson, who has been working at the Leeds headquartered Unified Communications specialist for the last two years as Service Director, takes the role of COO with immediate effect.

Atkinson said: “We anticipate big expansion as businesses increase demand for greater flexible working and reshape their operations post-Coronavirus.”

Her new role will see her working alongside the firm’s five-strong board of directors to ensure robust structures and procedures are in place to drive The Technology Group’s ambitious growth plans, which include hitting £15m turnover by 2022 through a combination of organic growth and acquisition.

She will also be responsible for developing business systems to ensure customers continue to receive the best possible service and support as the business grows.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to take on the role of chief operating officer at a company I have thoroughly enjoyed working at for the last two years.

“The growth in the business has been tremendous since I joined, which is a trend we aim to continue.

“My focus is to make sure we have the infrastructure we need to see new acquisitions dovetail into our existing business as well as helping us to maintain strong, consistent growth and deliver best-in-class service.

“A lot of businesses are suffering at the moment but we are taking steps now to ensure The Technology Group comes out of this period stronger and even better at what we do.”

CEO Jonathan Marsden added: “We are super proud of Michelle for all she has done already, and I know there is still a lot that she wants to do and ideas to action that will make the business the very best it can be.”

The Technology Group has 42 staff and also has offices in York, London and Welwyn Garden City. Its diverse client base includes Oxford College, Rugby School, the NHS and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

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Advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts has appointed Jonathan Steed as Partner in its transaction services team in Leeds.

Steed, who joins from KPMG, has over 20 years’ experience providing financial due diligence to clients in Yorkshire.

During that time he has advised private equity firms, lenders and businesses ranging from family firms to many of Yorkshire’s best-known companies, and worked on deals across a wide variety of sectors.

At Dow Schofield Watts he will work alongside Sophie Colloby, who leads the transaction services team in Yorkshire.

Steed said: “Dow Schofield Watts is differentiated by its strong partner-led approach.

“I am looking forward to playing a hands-on role and will be involved proactively at every stage of my clients’ deals.

“This helps us to really tailor our work to meet the client requirements and can also bring meaningful efficiencies to deal processes.”

Colloby added: “I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services.

“Robust due diligence will be even more important in the wake of the current crisis as purchasers and lenders want to get to grips with business fundamentals.

“Jonathan’s considerable deals experience – which includes working through previous economic cycles – will be invaluable to our clients.

“His arrival builds on our years of significant growth in Yorkshire and further increases our bandwidth.”

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Wakefield Business Improvement District (BID), the not-for-profit organisation established to transform Wakefield City Centre into a must-visit destination, has appointed Christine Armstrong as BID director.

Responsible for creating a high quality, vibrant and unique experience in the City of Wakefield, Armstrong will serve as a vital driving force for the company.

Previously a manager at Harrogate BID, she has also held senior positions across the region, including owning and managing the MET club, a high-level networking organisation that operated throughout Yorkshire, Nottingham, Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Armstrong said: “I am really pleased to be joining Wakefield BID and look forward to leading the team in delivering new ideas and initiatives that help build a stronger city centre.

“We cannot deny that we are all in challenging times and that the next few months will command a great deal of resilience, compassion and sheer hard work as we bring our city centres back to being vibrant, engaging environments to visit, live and work in.

“Whilst I cannot wave a magic wand, I can promise our levy payers and partners that they have my passion and commitment to support our city as we work together to tackle each and every challenge head-on.”

Graham Howarth, Wakefield BID chairman, said: “We are all really excited to welcome Christine onboard.

“Christine brings with her a great deal of experience and knowledge, which we know will be critical as we tackle COVID-19, and the many challenges that this brings our way.

“Importantly we also know she will maximise the opportunities and success that we will embrace and celebrate in the coming months.”