People: Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre; Womble Bond Dickinson; Ceramique Internationale; and more

Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre has appointed a new deputy director to drive forward its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation.

Jason Brannan, a former director of health technology specialist, Medilink, has joined the helm at the research centre dedicated to designing innovations that help people move.

He brings over 20 years of health industry experience to the role.

As chairman of the Sheffield City Region Healthcare Technology Sector Group, the business strategy and public relations and communications specialist will help to harness the multi-disciplinary research and industry expertise within the AWRC.

He will be working to advance its focus on the development and application of new and emerging technologies to help people move and improve health and wellbeing across the population.

Brannan said: “The role is incredibly exciting to me as it maps across my personal passions of health and physical activity, as a way to improve not only life expectancy, but the quality of life in our later years.

“Covid-19 has placed a spotlight on the need for greater focus on prevention and resilience and it’s important businesses and large organisations recognise the opportunity to effect change in the sector by being involved in upstream healthcare.

“Another important aspect of this for me is addressing health inequalities. Someone from South West Sheffield really should not have a vastly different life expectancy or health outcomes than someone from North East Sheffield, and the same applies to other towns and cities across the UK.”

Professor Robert Copeland, director of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, said: “The appointment of Jason Brannan as deputy director is a significant move forwards for the AWRC in realising one of its core ambitions, to lead in research and development for business and industry across the health and wellbeing sector.

“Jason and I have spoken at length since he agreed to join the project and he shares a personal as well as professional commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of residents across the Sheffield City Region.

“I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to work with him in the next phase of development for the centre.”

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Vicky McCombe

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has confirmed a number of senior promotions across its UK offices, including two new partners and three new associates in its Leeds office.

Vicky McCombe and Sam Dixon have both been promoted to partner.

McCombe works in WBD’s construction and engineering team; with over 10 years’ experience she advises developers, local authorities, retailers, manufacturers and many others on transactional construction work.

Dixon works in the restructuring and insolvency team, he is a qualified insolvency practitioner and has particular experience in the education, healthcare and technology sectors.

The new associates include Beth Kalischer, Amy Galloway and Tim Barber who all work in the corporate and commercial team.

Sam Dixon

These developments in Leeds are part of a wider raft of promotions across WBD’s offices in the UK with 31 promotions which include seven partners, four legal directors and 20 associates.

Jonathan Blair, UK managing partner at WBD, said: “Congratulations to all our new partners, legal directors and associates, who have all made fantastic contributions to our business.

“Their hard work, commitment to the firm and first rate legal expertise deserves to be recognised and celebrated.”

“The career development opportunities of our people continues to be a high priority and these promotions signify an important investment in the future of our firm.”

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Cameron Fraser, director of Leeds-based tiles specialist Ceramique Internationale, has been recognised as an honorary member of the Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Nominated by leaders council chairman, Lord Blunkett, Fraser’s membership recognises his position as a leadership figure who has helped keep the country running during the unprecedented pandemic period.

Fraser has more than 35 years of industry experience, sourcing and supplying tiles and mosaics for domestic and high-profile commercial projects throughout the UK.

He is now commercial director at Ceramique Internationale Ltd, a multi-million-pound business, which has its 4,500 sq ft Tiles and Mosaics showroom and warehouse on Royds Lane, Leeds.

The firm distributes wholesale products to hundreds of secondary retailers across the North and Midlands.

Lord Blunkett said: “Keeping an organisation in operation during this period is no small feat and it is our belief that the thousands of leadership figures across the country deserve a greater level of recognition.

“It is inspiring to see so many of them sign our Charter of Principles. We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated leaders in this country and this is our small way of recognising them and the contribution they make.”

Fraser said: “I am delighted to have signed the Leaders Council’s Charter of Principles and am honoured to be recognised for my achievements as an influential leadership figure.

“I look forward to working with The Leaders Council to help inspire the next generation of Great British leaders.”

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Wetherby-based Proactis Holdings, a listed business spend management solution provider, has announced the appointment of Nick Brown to the Board as independent non-executive director, with immediate effect.

Brown has over 27 years’ experience in senior positions within software and technology companies with a strong track record of delivering successful turnaround and growth outcomes internationally.

He is currently group managing director of GB Group plc, an AIM listed software company with international operations that delivers location, identity and fraud software and solutions in high growth markets.

He was recruited to design and deliver a turnaround plan for GB Group plc and is part of the executive team which took the business from a market capitalisation of circa £5m to £1.5bn, growing the business into Europe, USA, Asia and Australasia.

Prior to his current role, where he has worked for 13 years, Brown was general manager, partner programmes and head of mid-market sales at Sage UK.

He has also held senior sales and marketing positions at Microsoft Business Solutions and Fujitsu Services.

 Following his latest appointment, he will become chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.

Alan Aubrey, non-executive chairman, said: “The Board is very pleased to welcome Nick to Proactis.

“He brings with him significant industry and public company experience and I have no doubt his skillset will be a valuable addition to the Board as the company enters the next stage of its growth.”