People: I’Anson Brothers; The Media Centre; and more

Tony Morris, a salesman for North Yorkshire-based animal feed producer I’Anson Brothers, has retired after a 60-year stint with the firm.

During his six decades with the business, he has worked with three generations of the I’Anson family and is ‘Uncle’ to the current family members, Chris, Sarah and Will, a relationship created when his father – who also worked as a sales rep for I’Anson – married into the family.

Reinforcing the family ethos within the firm, Morris’s son Paul has been with the company for more than 30 years and another son also worked there for a number of years.

He also served for some 30 years as a director of the company and continued to visit long-standing clients until the pandemic outbreak forced him to finally call a halt to his travels.

Morris formally marks his retirement as I’Anson’s embarks on the biggest single investment in its 120 -year history with the £20m plus development of a new feed mill at Dalton New Bridge which will complement its facilities on the outskirts of Masham.

Morris said: “I have enjoyed being part of the business and seeing how it has grown and evolved over all these years.

“The business has always focused on providing great products with excellent customer relationships and I really believe that these attributes have been core to its growth and success”.

“Because of the pandemic restrictions, I have not been able to see many of my long-standing customers to let them know just how much I have enjoyed working with them across the years.

“Personal relationships are such a vital part of our business and when they are so enjoyable that’s a real bonus.”

Managing director, Chris I’Anson, said: “Tony has been an integral part of the business for such a long time and was still visiting some of his long-time clients until the pandemic restrictions meant he could no longer do so.

“He has witnessed many of the pivotal initiatives within the business, including the building of our current mill in Masham so it seems appropriate that he leaves as we begin the development of our new, advanced facility at Dalton New Bridge.

“We do have a history of long-serving colleagues within the business, but Tony’s stint is the longest and we all appreciate his contribution and wish him well in his retirement.”

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The Media Centre, in Huddersfield, is set to undergo significant transformation as part of bold plans laid out by newly appointed CEO Vernon O’Reilly.

Currently finishing his tenure as shopping centre manager for Huddersfield Piazza – and having worked on innovative schemes for Discover Huddersfield and the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) – O’Reilly’s role at The Media Centre officially begins in September 2021.

With over 30 years of professional experience in the commercial property industry his vision for the creative hub is already taking shape, and includes an overhaul of the existing spaces in favour of hotdesking and ‘mini-offices’, as well as the overhaul of Café Ollo – which struggled during the pandemic.

O’Reilly said: “I have a genuine passion for Huddersfield and enjoy facilitating relationships with other likeminded creatives within the area.

“I’m looking forward to working with The Media Centre’s stakeholders and existing tenants to get creative juices flowing and make the space a special environment for collaboration and creative thinking.

“Despite claims that the high street and town centres have seen their day, I see things differently.

“The past 18 months have brought community spirit to the forefront, and I believe it’s now an opportunity to encourage people back to the town and remind them what can really happen when we work together.

“In the post-pandemic landscape, I expect to see more SMEs in search of office spaces from which to grow their organisation.

“I look forward to facilitating these needs in the coming months, exploring the developing market and a shift in demands and needs to provide tenants and visitors every service they need to make them successful.”

Acting CEO, Emma Ebbatson, added: “With bold plans for the centre — including a reimagined café, vacating the large management office in favour of a hotdesking approach, and breaking up some of our larger spaces to create ‘mini-offices’ for new SMEs — we’re looking forward to seeing Vernon’s vision come to life over the coming months.

“This announcement represents a new, exciting chapter for The Media Centre.

“With a prime location in the heart of Huddersfield — and strong links with the community — we are in a great position to harness this power and keep driving forward.”

Providing a home to almost 200 companies – spread across the Northumberland and Lord Street buildings – The Media Centre is a social enterprise that reinvests all profits into nurturing business start-ups and young people, as well as the region’s arts and culture scene.

More than 500 people work within the centre each day, with many more using it for meetings and events.

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Sheffield-based software development and technology consultancy, The Curve, has made an appointment to its senior management team. 

Andrew Sherwin, who boasts more than 18 years’ sector experience, arrives from global decision augmentation company Signal Ai, having previously worked in business growth and client care roles with companies like Barclays, Novartis, RBS Bank, and Panasonic. 

Joining The Curve’s senior management team with immediate effect he will now work alongside business development director Melise Jones, as well as co-founders James and Paul to expand the current national offering to clients in a range of sectors including financial services. 

A results-orientated director with a strong business development background, Sherwin is a strategic hire for The Curve, which has grown five-fold since it was first established in 2019, and has continued to secure both public and private sector contracts throughout the pandemic. 

CEO Paul Ridgway, said: “Despite all of the challenges presented over the past year The Curve has continued to go from strength to strength – securing new clients both here in the UK and abroad, while working on a growing number of innovative projects and ongoing technology related retainer contracts. 

“Andrew’s appointment is in response to this success, but also indicative of the ambitions that we have for the future as we continue to recruit and continue to partner with industry leading organisations to help them implement the technology and software solutions that meet their immediate and longer-term needs. 

“His longstanding business expertise along with his understanding of the financial services arena in particular is impressive, and we are delighted to have him on board.”

Sherwin said: “I am beyond thrilled to be joining The Curve at such a pivotal moment in their journey. 

“The company’s commitment to serving the local community and beyond with their skills and expertise is something I admire; hard work and perseverance always pays off and I can see that resonate within The Curve.” 

Ridgway added: “Andrew’s track record is outstanding, and his experience covers such a range of businesses across industries including the tech field. 

“The growth of our business has meant it is important to find someone to take on the challenges, but also someone who shares our combined ethos.”