People: Garbutt + Elliott; Bradford Chamber of Commerce; OVO Spaces; and more

Leeds and York accountancy, advisory and audit firm, Garbutt + Elliott, has continued to invest in its team with the promotion of Jessica Lawrence from senior manager to director in the Audit team.

Her promotion comes at a pivotal time for the firm, which has been working hard to support customers during the challenges of the pandemic.

The Audit team consists of 44 staff members and now seven partners and directors following Lawrence’s promotion. This month the team has also welcomed five graduate trainees.

Lawrence has worked in accountancy for 21 years, of which she has spent nearly 12 years at Garbutt + Elliott.

She said: “I am delighted to achieve this next step up in my career.

“In my new role I will continue to provide my clients with a hands on approach and really get under the skin of their business so I can be the person on the end of the phone whenever needed.

“Getting to know clients and their businesses in detail and understanding the individual ‘personalities’ of the business is what I enjoy the most and I am excited to build further client relationships as my role develops.”

Chris Butt, partner at Garbutt + Elliott, added: “Jessica is a great team player and I’m really pleased that we have been able to recognise her hard work and commitment with this promotion.

“The Leeds office has been growing rapidly and Jessica’s promotion demonstrates that we are committed to developing our internal talent and investing in the future success of our firm.

“This combined with recent external recruits is fuelling our impressive growth.”

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Alex Miles

Bradford Chamber of Commerce has two new members on its Leadership Group.

Alex Miles of West Yorkshire Learning Providers (WYLP) joins as a new face, while David Spicer replaces Liam Sutton from the University of Bradford.

Leadership Groups are the main policy development bodies in each of the three geographical areas served by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce – Bradford, Leeds and York & North Yorkshire.

Miles has already worked with local chamber members to raise awareness of apprenticeships, the levy and how best to implement a high quality apprenticeship programme to support workforce development.

She said: “I am delighted to join the group and help enhance the voice of FE and skills, which is critical to the future recovery, productivity and employability of businesses and local communities.

“I look forward to working with members and providing key updates across the post-16 education landscape to help provide an enhanced relationship locally between employers and other stakeholders.”

David Spicer

Spicer has extensive experience in developing collaborative projects between business and universities.

His research includes looking at strategic development and organizational resilience in SMES and he is currently focusing on developing support for small business and entrepreneurship in Bradford and the region.

He said: “I hope to continue strengthening the links between the Chamber and university and building new partnerships.”

Miles is managing director of WYLP, a network of training organisations, representing providers, schools and the HE/FE sector.

Spicer is the university’s director of business engagement. He returned to Bradford last year following three years as Dean of Salford Business School.

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Sheffield commercial interior design and fit-out specialist OVO Spaces has appointed a new business development executive.

Chris Wood, 26, who lives in Sheffield, joins the OVO team at the company’s headquarters in Victoria Quays.

Before taking up his post with OVO, he was an apprentice in sales, marketing and social media with The Wow Academy and then spent several years working as a valuer and agent for the Doncaster offices of estate agents Reeds Rains.

OVO director Rebecca Knight said: “Chris has spent a number of years in the residential property market, giving him a good grounding for moving into our area of business.

“As well as a detailed knowledge and understanding of properties and the needs of our clients, he also has the sort of outgoing personality that makes him an ideal addition to the team as we look forward to further growth in the year ahead.”

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The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Poonam Kaur as acting chair of its West Yorkshire branch.

Kaur is managing director of corporate finance firm fds, based in Wakefield. She was formerly vice-chair of the branch and an IoD Ambassador, representing the M&A sector.

She succeeds Dr Richard Smith, chief operating officer of 2M Holdings, who has reached the end of his three-year term.

She will work alongside a branch team to ensure the views of West Yorkshire businesses are represented within the IoD’s influential, national policy voice.

Kaur said: “I’m excited and honoured to lead this important and vibrant branch, which is home to so many talented directors and businesses.

“These are incredibly challenging times for all types of organisations so we’ll be continuing to offer knowledge, connections and professional development online while ensuring that members’ voices are heard by decision makers so they can get the support they need.”

Natalie Sykes, IoD regional director for Yorkshire and North East, said: “Poonam is a fantastic asset to our team and thoroughly deserves this opportunity to lead our branch team and become the leading voice for West Yorkshire business.

“She will promote the profile of the IoD across our region by engaging with local businesses and other stakeholders including local authorities and universities.”