People: Gent Visick; Hentons; Bigvits; and more

Rupert Visick has retired from Leeds-based niche property consultancy, Gent Visick, where he held the role of managing director.

Gent Visick’s directors, Andrew Gent, Garry Howes, Paul Mack, Gavin Ritchie and Kathryn Hodgson, will continue to run the company and lead its 14-strong team, across its Leeds and London offices.

Andrew Gent said: “Rupert has been a fantastic colleague to work alongside, who made a genuine difference in the property industry, and we wish him all the best for the future.

“Gent Visick is Yorkshire’s only specialist industrial property consultancy, which is a USP that is still as relevant today as when the company launched in 2003.

“We’re now looking forward to building on this ethos and capitalising on future growth opportunities at an exciting time, as the industrial and logistics sectors continue to outperform most other areas of the property industry.”

Gent Visick offers a range of specialist services, with core divisions spanning industrial agency, investment, project management, building surveying and strategic consultancy.

In 2018 the company launched a London office, to capitalise on opportunities wherever they arise in the UK.

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A Leeds-headquartered chartered accountancy and business advisory firm has made a key senior appointment and three internal promotions following a 13% growth in turnover over the last 12 months.

Hentons has appointed experienced chartered accountant, Mark Bain, as a partner.

With over 20 years’ experience, he has moved from New Zealand to head the 45-strong audit and accounts team in Leeds.

Bain has worked in the UK and New Zealand as a chartered accountant, business advisor and chief financial officer.

He joins from McCulloch + Partners, which is part of the Baker Tilly network, where he was managing partner.

He said: “Following my relocation back to the UK, I wanted a new professional challenge that would utilise the diverse experience and skills that I have developed during my successful practice career.

“Hentons stood out as one of the country’s leading independent accountancy practices, with an impressive growth trajectory, an inspiring team, and a broad client base.”

Managing director at Hentons, Peter Watson, said: “Mark was right on point for our business. He is the ideal person to lead our team in Leeds and we were particularly impressed with his professional reputation and approachable character.

“Mark will build on the strong, positive team culture and innovative client service we currently provide.

“His experience in change management, delivering organic growth and ability to foster a strong cross selling culture, along with his commitment to supporting staff engagement and retention, all really impressed us.”

In addition to Bain’s appointment, Mark Knowlson, Jess Haunch and Mike Werbowy, who work at Hentons’ York, Leeds and London offices respectively, have all been promoted to director level.

Watson added: “Over the last three years we have embarked on an exciting acquisition strategy, which included York firm Forster Stott.

“Mark has been instrumental in supporting the integration of its team and clients into Hentons.

“He has driven the development of the workflow system, the digitalisation of the office and the migration of client relationships to the new management team. He has also taken an active role in business development.

“Jess, who heads the payroll team, joined our business from school and is a fantastic example of the career progression opportunities at Hentons.

“Over the last eight years she has made an outstanding contribution to the firm.

“Recently, her work providing clients with vital job retention scheme advice and guidance throughout Covid-19 has been impeccable and has been a guiding light for many businesses at a very difficult time.

“Mike is part of our live music, sports and entertainment department in London, providing business management and accounting services to musicians that include Headie One, Disclosure, Twin Atlantic, Tom Misch and Mullaly.

“Mike is renowned for delivering a bespoke service that is always tailored to the best interests and individual needs of his talented clients.”

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Bigvits, an East Yorkshire-based online supplements retailer, is taking on four new team members after unprecedented growth this year.

The company has grown turnover by 82% in 2020, with the trend for wellbeing supplements booming online.

Andrew Hirst joins Bigvits as head of finance, while Laura Gunderson joins as head of commercial, where she will oversee the company’s business relationships in the UK and Europe.

The business has also strengthened its customer services team with two new hires.

Will Brennand, joint managing director, said: “This year has been a pivotal time of expansion for Bigvits.

“The number of customers interested in buying wellbeing supplements and vitamins has understandably been growing at a phenomenal pace.

“With Brexit nearly here, we have a number of plans in place to ensure our trade and consumer customers across Europe aren’t adversely affected.

“It’s an exciting time for Bigvits with forecast growth of 50% for 2021 and the new team members will be instrumental in helping us to achieve that.”

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An East Yorkshire poultry business has promoted from within to fill a new hygiene role.

Middleton-on-the-Wolds-based Soanes Poultry has promoted Indré Lee to the new position of trainee manager, Night Hygiene.

Lee joined Soanes Poultry in 2011 and worked as a night hygiene supervisor before her latest move.

Soanes Poultry’s operations manager, Simon Rodgers, said: “Indré’s well deserved promotion is part of our people development plan that identifies members of the team with the potential to progress within the business.

“She  is a great member of the team with the right attitude and commitment and we’re delighted to invest in a 12 month training programme to help her to become a fully-fledged manager.”

Lee said: “I’m very excited about my new role that gives me responsibility for a cleaning team and for hygiene compliance.

“Everyone at Soanes Poultry is so helpful and supportive and I’m really looking forward to making the step up to manager. I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity.”

Soanes Poultry is a family owned business which has been rearing and preparing chicken for over 70 years.

It employs 120 people and sells its chicken to butchers and independent retailers in Yorkshire and to wholesalers nationwide.