People: John Good Group; Sagars; Institute of directors; and more

Hull-based John Good Group has appointed Rupen Shah, former finance and investor relations director at Britvic PLC, as non-executive director.

With a career spanning 25 years, Shah joins the group with decades of experience leading financial operations.

His career began with 20 years at Britvic Soft Drinks, where he worked across senior leadership roles in finance, investor relations, sales and strategy.

His last executive role was CFO at Motability, the largest leasing vehicle company in Europe, providing mobility to people with disability.

More recently, Shah is board advisor to Upbeat Brands and board trustee of Alquity Transforming Lives Foundation.

Stewart Oades, chairman at John Good Group, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Rupen to our board.

“Rupen’s extensive experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors will be vital in helping the John Good Group on its journey to drive growth whilst ensuring our activities lead to a clear positive social impact.”

Shah said: “I am delighted to be joining the John Good Group and working with the board to build the business for future generations to come, whilst increasing our focus to positively impact the communities we operate in and the environment around us.”

His appointment follows the confirmation in December of the appointments of Adam Walsh as chief executive officer, Michelle Taft as non-executive director and Ben Norman as company secretary, as the group continues to strengthen its senior leadership team. 

:::

Leeds-based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm Sagars, an AAB Group company, is enhancing its leadership team with four key appointments.

James Hunt, Joel Topham, Helen Daniels and Gunhild Dam have been promoted to the newly created director position, effective from 1 January, 2022.  

Hunt, Topham and Daniels provide audit, accountancy, taxation and business advisory services and Dam is a private client specialist.  

Hunt is experienced in leading audits for a variety of businesses, ranging from law firms and manufacturing companies to larger international groups.

He is also a senior member of the firm’s virtual finance team, with particular expertise in helping clients maximise the benefits of tech solutions.

Topham is dedicated to supporting professional practices and owner-managed businesses, assisting with forecasting, improving the production of management information and providing solutions to a range of practice management issues.

Daniels has significant experience working with charities and not-for-profit organisations. She supports them in preparing monthly management accounts and cashflow forecasts, and assists clients with a range of business management issues. 

Dam provides specialist tax advice to high net worth individuals and their families, trusts, trustees and beneficiaries, as well as business owners and entrepreneurs.

She also supports non-UK resident and non-UK domiciled individuals. Focusing on wealth preservation and managing the main taxes, Dam is particularly experienced in the taxation of family and owner-managed businesses. 

Chris Jones, managing partner, said: “One of the driving factors behind our recent merger with AAB was to provide great opportunities for our team.

“The introduction of the director role is one of the first steps in ensuring we can deliver on this commitment, while also aligning our approach with that of the wider AAB group.

“Going forward, our strong and diverse leadership team will not only support the growth aspirations of our business, but also strengthen our ability to deliver the very best client service across a changing market.”

:::

Anny Lian

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has strengthened its North Yorkshire team with the appointment of two branch ambassadors.

Anny Lian and Nick Green will help to provide directors with greater connectivity, professional development opportunities and a lobbying voice.

Lian was an investment banker advising on capital raising and mergers and acquisitions. She was also chief financial officer of a high-growth tech company and has worked in Asia, the US and now Yorkshire.

Nick Green

Green is an entrepreneur with financial services business start-up and management experience.

He is a director of Fatgreen, which protects SMEs and investors by insuring them from unforeseen events which could negatively impact business finances.

Caroline Pullich, chair of IoD North Yorkshire, said: “Anny and Nick are highly skilled and experienced operators with a great deal of international experience.

“Their input will be hugely beneficial to our members in North Yorkshire as we work together to become better directors, achieve our potential and contribute to a diverse and sustainable business community.”

:::

South Yorkshire film maker and multi-media specialist, Wayne Sables, has appointed a new commercial director.

Vicky Prior will be working with Sables on research and development for commercial projects, corporate clients and education offers.

She is an experienced blogger and media specialist and is also a director of League of Culture, blogging about issues affecting cultural provision in the UK.

Doncaster-based Sables is the founder of the Wayne Sables Project, a Yorkshire multi-media company specialising in combining the arts and technology within the professional, corporate, community and educational environments.

Sables said: “Vicky’s appointment as commercial director will help us to develop our Doncaster base even further and assist in our future growth, both across the region and nationally.”

Prior added: “Wayne already has strong commercial links in Doncaster and we believe there is enormous potential for growth in all areas of his work.

“By developing into those new areas, our aim is to bring greater opportunities into the local economy, creating new job opportunities in Doncaster that will strengthen our position as we move forward.”

Close