People: Armstrong Watson; Print-Leeds Ltd; Inprotec; and more

Armstrong Watson LLP has confirmed the most recent promotion within its Yorkshire audit team – Rhys Davies has been appointed audit and assurance director.

Davies plays an integral part in the smooth operational running of the Yorkshire audit and assurance team.

He is responsible for complex audits and over the past two-and-a-half years has helped deliver extensive growth in the Yorkshire area.

Davies, 30, started as a 21-year-old trainee with the firm in Skipton in 2011 and became an audit senior in 2015.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in 2016 and was then promoted to audit manager.

Two years later he became audit senior manager, making his latest move to audit director his fourth promotion in five years.

He said: “I am grateful for the significant time and investment Armstrong Watson has put into my continued progression and development.

“The evolution in the audit market means we have experienced continued growth across Yorkshire through a more pro-active, collaborative, and commercial approach.

“As director, I want to ensure we continue to capitalise on further opportunities, develop and progress the talent in our great team; and maintain our existing relationships with owner-managed and SME businesses across the region.”

Rohan Day, audit partner and head of Armstrong Watson’s Skipton Office, said: “Recognising and nurturing the talent we have within the firm is integral to our growth.

“Rhys is an outstanding example of home-grown talent, having started with Armstrong Watson as a trainee and moving up to become audit director within 10 years.

“His achievements are a testament to his ambition and strong attributes of team coaching and development, client handling and exceptional service, as well as his ability to bring new clients on board.”

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A specialist print house based in Leeds, Print-Leeds Ltd, has made five new appointments during the pandemic.

Mark Cutts has joined as a No 1 printer, Ryan Webster and Peter Richardson as print assistants, Jake Forrester as an apprentice printer and Dawn Rawnsley as a client service representative.

The appointments have been made to strengthen the team, as label production has ramped up since the first lockdown in March 2020.

Print-Leeds is the sole supplier of labels to brewing giant Marston’s which recently merged with Carlsberg UK.

The company also prints labels for other household drinks brands such as Fentimans, cider producer Aston Manor and The Black Sheep Brewery.

Rod Fisher, managing director, said: “Covid has brought with it all sorts of challenges.  Parts of the business have steadied whilst others are still trying to get back on their feet.

“As well as printing labels for the food and drinks industries we also produce print for retail, travel companies, events and exhibitions which has not recovered and won’t until the whole economy returns to some sort of normal.

“We’ve been open and producing the whole way though. At the beginning of the March lockdown we did furlough a third of the staff but over the summer everyone returned to work.

“We have been operating using the Government’s health and safety guidelines with strict social distancing.

“On the labels side we’ve been lucky to get more work and employ some highly skilled people from the industry.

“And then we’ve been able to take on another apprentice – it’s great to bring young people into the business straight from school.

“Jake is a real asset – he loves machinery and engineering and with us he is able to work on the latest Heidelberg machines and learn the technology.”

Print-Leeds acquired a label printing company seven years ago which trebled its turnover.

In 2008 it acquired a digital printing company and now houses a large format digital printing division producing visual graphics suitable for any sector.

Fisher also has plans to move into the self-adhesive label market.

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The boss of a Wakefield company that designs and supplies plant used to recover non-ferrous and precious metals has been appointed to the board of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Mining Technology Division (MTD).

The division is part of IOM3, a major UK science and engineering institution, and exists to support the mining and extractive industries worldwide.

In his new role Chris Oldroyd, of Inprotec, will act as a key voice for professionals operating within the mining and extractive industries, exchanging ideas and information on key matters with a broad spectrum of organisations and policy advisors and creators in the UK and abroad.

Oldroyd already sits on the board of the IOM3 Sustainable Development Group (SDG), which serves as a global centre of expertise on sustainability and the environment.

The role sees him act as the representative for the Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy division, ensuring governments and senior decision makers within industry remain informed with the most up-to-date, forward-thinking intelligence possible when it comes to sustainability matters.

He said: “The Mining Technology division of the IOM3 is internationally known and respected and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape the future of this enormously important and influential group.

“In particular, I’m looking forward to contributing towards the division’s efforts to provide educational literature on the mining and extractive metallurgy processes and contributing in general to the promotion of the need to introduce process innovations to meet future industrial and environmental challenges.”

Vice president of IOM3 and chair of the Mining Technology Division, Christine Blackmore, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris onto the MTD Board.

“Chris’s expertise in the field of extractive metallurgy is extensive and we are looking forward to working with him on our initiatives and the challenges facing the mining and metallurgical industry.”

Last year, Oldroyd was made a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in recognition of his contribution in a senior management role to the metals and process equipment industry.

His company, Inprotec, is focused on developing innovative processes and technologies to keep rare and precious metals, often found in e-waste, within the circular economy.

It recently completed a seven-figure project to support the creation of the world’s first ‘clean plant’ antimony and gold processing facility in Sohar, Oman.

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The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Suzanne Withrington to the role of education and skills ambassador for Yorkshire and the North East.

She is principal lecturer for enterprise and business engagement at Teesside University Business School.

As education and skills ambassador, she will connect directors with education providers and provide a regional voice to the IoD’s work with colleges and universities.

Withrington has gained a wealth of career experience through engagement with public, private and third sector organisations, helping to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies. She now helps to equip students to become the directors of the future.

She is also vice-chair of the IoD North East (South) branch.

She said: “Businesses and education providers are facing very challenging times in which we must come together and identify the skills needed to rebuild the economy while at the same time providing young people with the confidence and opportunities to forge their careers and play a key role in our future.”

Natalie Sykes, the IoD’s head of English branches, said: “I’m delighted Suzanne is taking on this important role as businesses across the region look to rebuild and recover from the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

“Connecting businesses with education providers remains key to ensuring they can build a skilled workforce for the future.”

The IoD is also seeking ambassadors to champion its Chartered Director programme and diversity and inclusion in Yorkshire and the North East.