People: Yorkshire Water; Towngate PLC; Institute of Directors; and more

Yorkshire Water has appointed Vanda Murray to its board as non-executive director and chair designate.

She will join the board with effect from 1 July and will take up the role of chair following a handover in the next few months.

She will succeed Anthony Rabin who has been chair since September 2016 and will also become chair of Kelda Holdings Ltd and Kelda Eurobond Co Ltd.

Murray is non-executive director and chair of Yorkshire-based Marshalls plc and is also senior independent director and chair of the Remuneration Committee at Bunzl plc.

She is a non-executive director at Manchester Airports Group, where she chairs the Remuneration and Corporate and Social Responsibility Committees.

Rabin first joined the board in 2013, becoming chair in 2016. He had previously been an executive director of Balfour Beatty plc serving as chief financial officer and deputy chief executive.

He said: “We are delighted Vanda is joining Yorkshire Water as an independent non-executive director and will succeed me as the independent chair of Yorkshire Water.

“Vanda brings extensive experience of business leadership in a number of different sectors and was an outstanding candidate.

“She will join us at this critical time, when we are starting to assemble our strategy and plans for the next ten years.”

Ray O’Toole, senior independent director, said: “On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank Anthony for his leadership, guidance and wisdom through a period which has had some significant political and regulatory challenges and he has helped us to emerge from that period much stronger and with a clear sense of our purpose.”

Murray said: “This is an important time to be joining Yorkshire Water as we start work with other Yorkshire anchor institutions and with our customers to respond to the challenges of climate change and build region wide resilience.

“I’m looking forward to working with colleagues throughout the company as we develop our long-term plans.”

In addition, Vanda was also a non-executive director and chair of Fenner PLC until May 2018, non-executive director of Redrow PLC until November 2020 and non-executive director of Aptitude Software Group PLC until July 2016.

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Robin Gallagher, former deputy chairman, assistant managing director, and consultant for commercial and industrial lettings specialist, Towngate PLC, is set to retire this month.

Having worked for the Brighouse-based company for over 30 years, he has helped to build its portfolio of industrial property lets across Yorkshire and the North West.

His notable triumphs during his service have included establishing and developing business strategies, subsequently aiding company growth, the early mentoring of a number of company personnel, and relationship building with key members of the financial community — both regionally and nationally.

Gallagher recently completed a two-year part-time MA course in creative writing at York St John University, where he graduated with a Merit.

He is now finishing up his first year of a PhD degree and penning his fledgling novel.

The firm’s chairman, David Smith, said: “Robin has played such an important and valuable part in the organisation’s journey.

“His calm, professional, and patient nature have made him a fantastic member of the team. We would like to wish him a long, healthy, and happy retirement.”

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Jasmine Campbell

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed two ambassadors to its North Yorkshire branch.

IoD ambassadors drive greater connectivity with members, support learning and development and give a local voice to the Institute, while ensuring that IoD national policy reflects local issues.

Jasmine Campbell has been appointed student graduate ambassador.

She has a first-class degree in business and management from the University of York, where she is continuing her studies with an MSc in human resource management.

She is an officer cadet with the Royal Air Force University Air Squadron, where she has developed leadership skills in challenging environments and learned to fly single engine fixed wing aircraft.

Campbell said: “I’m passionate about learning and development and want to share my enthusiasm for business with other students and recent graduates who aspire to be great directors and leaders.”

Ellis Hall has been made environment and sustainability ambassador. He is head of wholesale and partners at Harrogate-based CNG, an independent provider of gas, energy and services to UK SMEs.

Ellis Hall

He joined CNG in 2016 and is responsible for innovation and new product development. Hall is also leading CNG’s programme to help SMEs transition to net zero carbon emissions.

In addition to his role at CNG, he is studying part-time for an Executive MBA.

Hall said: “Net zero is a world leading target and businesses are fundamental in the decarbonisation transition. It is a pleasure to join the IoD to boost engagement, share knowledge and support regional directors on their journey to net zero.”

Caroline Pullich, chair of the North Yorkshire branch, said: “Jasmine and Ellis join our strong and experienced team of ambassadors who together provide breadth of experience and skills to support our wider membership particularly as we recover from the pandemic and rebuild.

“Our ambassadors also ensure the voice of North Yorkshire directors is represented within the IoD’s lobbying voice.”

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Leeds-based integrated agency, ilk, has made four new additions across its PR and social media, creative account management and design teams as the business continues to grow.

Brittany Noppe joins the business as PR & social media manager and will be responsible for delivering multi-channel campaigns for a variety of clients including Leeds Corn Exchange.

She joins ilk from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where she was communications & marketing officer.

Also joining the PR and social media team is Abby Simmons, who has been hired as PR & social media executive.

Having recently completed an MA in PR and strategic communications at Leeds Beckett University, Simmons will offer media relations and social media support for clients including Visit Leeds.

Georgie Smith joins as creative account manager and was previously an account manager within the CGI team at Intermarketing Agency.

Having worked closely with clients and inhouse 3D artists to produce marketing renders and animations in her previous role, she will be managing the provision of a raft of creative for a variety of clients including digital infrastructure provider, CityFibre.

Also joining ilk as a middleweight designer is Ruth Fogden.

Fogden was previously a creative designer at marketing agency, Magpie, where she worked across a variety of campaigns like the rebranding of University Centre Leeds.

She will offer design and creative support for clients including food processor, ABP.

The four new recruits follow a string of new client wins for ilk, including multi Academy Award®-winning independent studio, Aardman; children’s ergonomic cutlery brand, doddl; Leeds City Council’s Destination Management Organisation, Visit Leeds.

Nev Ridley, managing director at the agency, said: “Bringing Brittany, Abby, Georgie and Ruth into the business will strengthen our offering across all of our services significantly and comes at a time when our clients’ demands for fully-integrated campaigns continue to grow.

“I’m certain all new appointments will have a really positive impact on the quality of work we deliver for clients across the board.”