People: M Wasley Chapman & Co; Frenchgate; Glu Recruit; and more

North East and Yorkshire accountants, M Wasley Chapman & Co, have appointed one of the youngest partners in the firm’s 102-year history.

Ross Meadows, who is 28, joined the firm in 2010. Originally from Saltburn, Meadows attended Huntcliff School there, before going to Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough where he studied accountancy, maths, business and law.

After college, he started as an apprentice with Wasley Chapman, where he gained both his AAT and ICAEW qualifications. In 2017 he became a manager, before being promoted to partner this year.

He explained: “I am excited for the future and grateful for the opportunity to become a partner. I look forward to progressing at Wasley Chapman, seeing clients through this tricky period and helping them to grow in better times ahead.”

Fellow partner, Mark Porritt, said: “It is with great pride and tremendous gratitude for his years of loyalty and hard work for the firm that we announce Ross’s promotion to partner.

“The relationships he develops with his colleagues and the firm’s clients are deep and meaningful relationships for life.

“Ross is a star within our firm, and we are overjoyed to have him join our firm’s leadership team.”

Meadows added: “Whilst some of our clients still opt for us to carry out compliance work only, more and more these days we are developing relationships where our focus is very much on the declared personal goals of the owners of the business.

“Whether these are to sell the business, pass the business onto family members, take a back seat, or simply ‘get through the current economic climate’ in one piece, I am here to help.”

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Frenchgate Shopping Centre, in Doncaster, has appointed a new general manager who will be taking the helm of the 800,000 sq ft retail and leisure destination.

Karen Staniforth, who was previously assistant general manager, has been promoted to general manager following five successful years at Frenchgate.

After joining the team as marketing manager in 2015, she was promoted to assistant general manager just two years later.

Her new role will see her welcoming high-profile new food and beverage brand, Elephant and Castle, as well as working alongside retailers in navigating the continuing unprecedented times facing the industry.

With a wealth of experience in marketing, retail and construction, Staniforth – who has a post-graduate diploma in business management – has previously devised award-winning creative campaigns for Frenchgate, alongside overseeing a range of innovative cultural events and exhibitions.

She said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as general manager. It is a role I am very familiar with and it is a fantastic opportunity.

“I am incredibly passionate about ensuring Frenchgate offers our loyal customers the best possible shopping and leisure experience.

“It is well documented that the retail sector has been hit particularly hard over the last year due to the pandemic and it is important we work with retailers to ensure they prosper over the forthcoming weeks and months.

“The stores within Frenchgate collectively make the centre a significant employer within Doncaster and a huge contributor to the local economy. It is an important aspect of my role that I continue to work with a number of key stakeholders’ to ensure its future success.”

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Glu Recruit, a specialist recruitment consultancy, has added three new members to its team as it plans for further growth in 2021.

The Rotherham-headquartered business predicts an increase in confidence amongst local businesses as lockdown restrictions start to ease.

The now nine-strong team welcomes a new strategic partnerships manager, a recruitment consultant, and an apprentice recruitment administrator, as client demand continues to rise.

Rob Shaw, managing director, said: “We always try to do things differently at Glu Recruit, and whilst many businesses across the region have tightened their budgets as they plan their way out of the pandemic, we have decided the best way for us to tackle things is to focus on growth from within.

“As demand from clients continues to grow strong, we want to make sure we have the infrastructure in place to be able to manage this effectively, as well as seek out new opportunities.

“So, whilst we have added to our recruitment team, we have also created a new role that focuses purely on business development and new client partnerships.

“We’re delighted to bring in an experienced sales manager in Danny Johnson as our new strategic partnerships manager, to focus on enhancing our existing client relationships, as well as developing new ones with businesses across the Sheffield City Region.

“Danny ticks many boxes for us; he has developed a successful career as a recruiter, as well as being an experienced sales professional, so this all round experience will help take Glu Recruit to the next level.”

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Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District) has appointed Matthew Chapman as its new manager.

Chapman, who has spent the last six years promoting two major Yorkshire town and city centres and is the current Huddersfield manager, will start his new position on 1 May.

His first role with a BID came in 2016, when he was appointed Leeds BID operations manager. This saw him overseeing the day-to day management of the organisation and supervising its street rangers, welcome ambassadors and evening ambassadors.

In November 2019, he was appointed Huddersfield’s BID manager, where he led on the organisation’s four key aims to increase footfall in the town.

This included introducing a dedicated town centre app, interactive trails, street art project and a new destination website.

Harrogate BID chair, Sara Ferguson, said: “Matthew was the standout candidate in our recent recruitment drive for a new manager.

“He brings with him experience of working with two major Yorkshire BIDS.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Matthew as Harrogate comes back to life from COVID-19 lockdown number three.

“He has some fantastic ideas for promoting Harrogate as a must-visit destination.

“I’d also like to say a big thank you to Simon Kent, who stood in as our interim manager at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown a year ago.

“He has done a great job in promoting the town and supporting the businesses within it, and we are incredibly grateful to him for all he has done.”

Chapman said: “Harrogate is a fantastic town with so much to offer, and coming here as a regular visitor since my childhood, I know it well.

“Thanks to my roles with both Leeds BID and Huddersfield BID, I’ve gained a great deal of experience working with businesses, councils, tourism bodies and the police. Building teams and working with wider teams is a core strength of mine.

“I’m really looking forward to starting my new job helping to promote Harrogate as a wonderful  destination to shop, eat and drink, and to ensure the town centre is clean, safe and welcoming to all.”