People: Propel Tech Ltd; Northern Artillery; Exchange Chambers; and more

Wakefield-based Propel Tech Ltd has appointed Robert Dunn to a newly created head of projects role.

He brings a wealth of project management experience gained over the last 10 years, working in digital agencies such as Stickyeyes, twentysix, and most recently Ascensor, where he headed project management.

During his career Robert has delivered a range of digital and technology projects, for clients across sectors including leisure, finance and pharmaceutical.

As well as managing individual client projects at Propel, he will also be responsible for further developing the businesses project management processes and contributing to the overall strategy as part of the senior leadership team.

Andrew Brown, managing director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Robert to Propel. It is already clear that he has some great ideas, which once implemented will contribute to our continuing success.

“I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact that bringing Robert’s expertise into the business will have for Propel, and our clients.”

Dunn added: “What Andrew and the team here at Propel are doing is really exciting, and when the opportunity to join them arose, I jumped at the chance.

“With the recent re-brand, it’s such an exciting time to join Propel and be part of a team that lives and breathes its values. I’m looking forward to leveraging my past project management experience to Propel as they continue to look at new areas of growth.”

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Northern Artillery, a creative production company launched last year and based in Leeds, has grown its team to 17 full-time members of staff.

Its expansion includes a number of senior hires, such as Dan Jackson taking on the role of digital creative director.

There are 14 new additions to the business across its creative, digital and 3D specialisms.

These recruits have bolstered the start-up following new contract wins, including the recent appointment by global skincare brand The INKEY List.

Fiona Dollan, director, said: “I’m pleased to say that as well as these recent additions, we’re currently hiring for another four roles to help support recent client wins.

“We also have further hires forecast for 2022 as part of the planned growth of the business.”

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Emily Hassell

Leeds-based Exchange Chambers now has 200 barristers across the North Eastern and Northern circuits after Emily Hassell and Caitlin Edwards completed pupillage this month.

In Leeds, Hassell completed her criminal pupillage under the supervision of Stephen Grattage while in Liverpool Caitlin Edwards completed her common law pupillage under the supervision of Chris Allen.

Exchange Chambers chief executive, Jonathan I’Anson, said: “Reaching 200 members is a significant milestone for Chambers. It reinforces our position as one of the largest and most well-resourced sets in England and Wales.

“Our expansion strategy is based on attracting the highest quality work and the highest quality barristers. This is fuelling our growth and attracting applications from barristers throughout the country.

“We are also committed to investing in the next generation of legal talent, with our pupillage academy taking on six pupils every year and acting as a centre of excellence for aspiring barristers.”

I’Anson took over as Exchange Chambers’ chief executive as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in early 2020.

He explained: “From the very beginning we were determined to stay on the front foot in terms of growth, recruitment, client service and business development. That has paid dividends and we are now in a stronger position than ever.

“As the Bar continues to evolve, we are well placed to realise our ambitions as a multi-disciplinary super-set.”

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Leeds marketing agency, The Marketing Optimist, has hired Courtney West to expand its skill base as it continues to grow.

She joins as the business moves to the new 2-Work offices at the grade II-listed Bank House in the centre of Leeds at the beginning of April.

Managing director, Richard Michie, said: “I’m really excited to have Courtney join the team of optimists. She’s very driven and creative so I’m sure she’ll add lots of value to our clients’ campaigns and to the agency on the whole, as we move into a new phase of growth.”

West said: “I’m really pleased to join the team, my passion is social media marketing, but I’m looking forward to learning more about the other aspects of digital marketing the agency delivers.”

The agency has embraced hybrid working, with its core team now spread across Yorkshire and the North East. Its flexible office space at 2-Work gives the agency room to come together when needed.

Michie added: “When everything changed two years ago, I was reluctant to move fully remote, fearing we’d lose creativity and cohesion.

“But it’s had the total opposite effect, we’re now more creative and productive than before. The fact that we have the flexibility to work from home or in the office as we please, has helped massively.”

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