People: Garbutt+Elliott Wealth Management; Morrisons; Blacks Solicitors; and more

Garbutt + Elliott Wealth Management, based in Leeds and York, has appointed Jerry Sisk as a financial planner.

The wealth management team has developed significantly over the last three years and Sisk’s arrival brings its total headcount to 22.

He joins G+E Wealth Management from TPO where he was a financial adviser. Prior to this he was at Barclays Wealth & Investment Management where he was a private banker, working with the Corporate Bank and heading the Charity team.

He has also previously worked at Chase de Vere Investments. With over 24 years in the industry, Sisk brings extensive experience to the business. He started his career in the Army – in the Royal Engineers.

Rob Simpson, managing director for G+E Wealth Management, said: “Jerry is the latest addition to the G+E Wealth adviser team which has seen its overall headcount double over the last 18 months.

“Jerry has an impressive background and over his career he has advised some of Yorkshire’s wealthiest families. I am delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Sisk added: “G+E  Wealth Management has an enviable reputation and I am very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues to assist our clients with bespoke planning strategies in these extraordinary times.”

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Bradford-headquartered Morrison Supermarkets has announced the appointment of Susanne Given and Lyssa McGowan as non-executive directors of the company with immediate effect.

They will also be appointed to the Audit, Corporate Compliance & Responsibility, Nomination, and Remuneration Committees.

Given is currently chairman of Made.com Ltd and Outfittery GmbH.

She is also a non-executive director of Tritax Big Box REIT PLC, Trent Holdings Ltd and Al-Tayer Insignia.

She was previously a non-executive director of Deloitte NSE, Eurostar International Ltd and chairman of Push Doctor Ltd.

Between 2012 and 2015, she was chief operating officer at Superdry PLC and was group director of Fashion & Beauty for John Lewis & Partners between 2011 and 2012.

McGowan is currently chief consumer officer at Sky UK, responsible for the TV, Broadband and Mobile categories.

She has held various other senior roles at Sky since joining them in 2010. Prior to that, she was at McKinsey & Company and Telewest, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Andrew Higginson, chairman, said: “I am delighted to welcome Susanne and Lyssa as non-executive directors, and I am confident that they will both make an important contribution to Morrisons’ continued growth and development.

“Susanne has deep retail experience, across a variety of channels, and particularly in the clothing and homeware categories.

“Lyssa will provide us with further insight into digital transformation and brand building within large consumer facing businesses.”

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Leeds-based Blacks Solicitors is marking a successful year for its Commercial Dispute Resolution team with a number of new hires and promotions.

The 15-strong team has experienced significant success over the past year, leading to the recruitment of three new team members.

Paula Moses has been appointed as senior associate, Andrew Morgan as a solicitor and Georgina Beavis as a paralegal.

The team is also set to welcome Fiona Barber who is qualifying in September after completing her training contract with the firm.

It has expanded in order to ensure the ongoing service of clients through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Luke Patel, solicitor partner and head of dispute resolution, said: “We’ve continued to see a strong demand for litigation and support services increased by the economic uncertainty, market forces, political factors and the pandemic.

“This has resulted in accelerating our expansion plans so that we maintain the efficient and timely delivery of legal services demanded by our current and growing client base.

“The team is unique in size, scale and specialism and often works in conjunction with other commercial departments within the firm to deliver a complete service.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how Andrew, Paula Georgina and Fiona settle in and the impact that their expertise will have on our client offering.”

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Leeds Cares has announced three new trustees to the charity’s board with the appointments of Dean Hoyle, the founder of Card Factory; Heather Jackson, the founder of Believe Corporate Relations – the home of Balanced Business; and Jasbir Singh Athwal, a business consultant and property developer.

The independently appointed trustees bring a wealth of experience from the retail, commercial and business sectors thus supporting the charity’s strategic, operation and financial management moving forwards.

Leeds Cares, the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, fundraises for Leeds General Infirmary; Leeds Children’s Hospital; Leeds Cancer Centre; St James’s University Hospital; Chapel Allerton Hospital; Seacroft Hospital; Wharfedale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.

It provides £5m every year, thanks to fundraising from corporates, businesses and individuals.

Hoyle said: “In 2018, I spent a period of time at St James’s Hospital. The quality of care I received was fantastic and as a result I feel indebted to Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

“I’m therefore delighted to be joining Leeds Cares so that I can support the hospitals and really give something back.”

Jackson said: “My son was a frequent patient at St James’s and so I have always worked to support the NHS.

“However, the last few months have highlighted more than ever the importance of our NHS and that now really is the right time to get behind our hospitals.

“We all need to do our bit in making our hospitals the best they can be – otherwise it’s like having a great football team without a kit! I’m privileged to be part of the Leeds Cares Board of Trustees and delighted to be working alongside the inspirational team.”

Athwal said: “I’ve had a long association with the Leeds hospitals as my wife was a senior sister on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“I’m looking forward to getting started with Leeds Cares as now is a brilliant time to be giving something back to our hospitals by raising the profile of the charity and the fantastic work it does.”

Chairman of the trustees, Edward Ziff, said: “We are incredibly privileged to be welcoming three such eminent trustees to the Board at Leeds Cares. Their experience and expertise will undoubtedly guide and steer Leeds Cares in our work to support  so many within our region.

“We are excited about the next era for the charity and look forward to working with the new team of trustees and the opportunities that this will bring.”