People: Fulcrum; Eville & Jones; Wrigleys Solicitors; and more

Multi-utility infrastructure and services provider, Fulcrum, has confirmed that Stuart Crossman is its new chief operating officer.

He brings an exceptional track record and expertise to Sheffield-based Fulcrum, which will support its strategy to deliver energy infrastructure to power the UK’s net-zero future.

Crossman has considerable experience in the fields of asset management and health and safety, as well as holding a number of management and business growth roles during almost 40 years in the utilities industry.

Having been part of the team that established one of the largest independent utility businesses in the mid-90s as well as a near-20-year career with British Gas, he is recognised as an industry leader in the utilities market.

He first entered the industry as a distribution craftsman apprentice with British Gas, developing his capabilities and qualifications with the business to become  a Chartered Engineer.

During his time with British Gas, Crossman became a district engineering manager responsible for more than 375,000 customers in the South East as well as branching out into international projects in countries including the Czech Republic, North America, Europe and Argentina.

He subsequently joined International Energy Group (IEG) looking after its businesses in the Channel Islands, UK and Portugal, including operations on COMAH sites.

Crossman became a lead incident investigator and was involved in a programme of mergers and acquisitions helping to integrate companies into the group.

Antony Collins, chief executive of Fulcrum, said: “Operating at such a senior level in large organisations within the sector and with exceptional asset management capabilities, Stuart is a leading figure in the industry and a valuable addition to our business.

“We aim to both attract and develop talented and skilled people and Stuart’s experience and expertise in the utilities industry will benefit Fulcrum and his colleagues as we continue to grow our position in the market and contribute to the UK’s net zero ambitions.”

Crossman added: “This role offers the prospect of blending my operational and asset management experience with business strategy and delivery skills to support continual improvement within the organisation.

“This will also encourage further strengthening within our team and our partnerships with customers and suppliers to achieve future success.”

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Leeds-based Eville & Jones has appointed Ben Bridger to the newly created position of finance director, supporting the leadership team to drive the group’s growth agenda.

Reporting into the chief executive, Bridger will be responsible for heading all aspects of financial reporting and strategy, and brings with him more than a decade of financial experience, joining from The Brook Group where he was group finance director.

Eville & Jones has increased its workforce by a fifth in the past two years despite an industrywide recruitment crisis.

The business is using its position as the largest private provider of veterinary public health official controls in Europe as a platform to become the world’s leading private provider of veterinary, compliance, and public health solutions to the food industry.

Charles Hartwell, chief executive officer, said: “We’re pleased to have Ben join Eville & Jones to help align and take ownership of our financial structures.

“He brings with him a wealth of experience which will be invaluable in driving our business forward as we continue to lead in veterinary public health.”

Bridger added: “While it’s a new sector for me, I’m keen to learn and develop in the role and hope to bring new skills and best practices to the table.”

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Private client consultant solicitor, Antonia Moore, has joins Wrigleys Solicitors’ Leeds office.

Moore has worked for over 20 years in private practice in Yorkshire.

She provides advice on a broad range of private client work including delivering estate planning, trusts and associated tax advice to clients.

She also deals with estate administrations (including handling estates with business property and agricultural property elements) powers of attorney (including those specifically for business use) and wills.

Moore said: “The Wrigleys leadership invests so much time, effort and understanding into their people who in turn are able to put clients and quality first.

“This is a great opportunity to extend my practice across Yorkshire and beyond in such a friendly and highly regarded business.”

She specialises in high value and complex estates and lifetime tax planning matters to assist in the mitigation of inheritance tax and capital gains tax liabilities.

Her practice also involves providing advice to family owned commercial and agricultural businesses regarding succession.

Marie-Louise Hamilton, joint head of Probate, Trusts & Estate Planning in the Leeds Office and managing partner of Wrigleys, said: “Antonia has an impressive reputation within private client practice and, as a result, brings a wealth of expertise to the team.

“As the department continues to grow, Antonia’s arrival will complement the team’s strong and diverse technical knowledge surrounding asset protection and succession planning advice.”

Moore is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is also a Dementia Friend.

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Global professional services firm, AON, has promoted Jodie Wiseman to client manager in its Kirmington office.

Wiseman, who has 12 years experience, was promoted to client manager in April 2021 ahead of starting maternity leave with her second child.

Returning to Aon, Wiseman has begun her new role and is now responsible for managing her own book of clients, developing and maintaining knowledge of her client’s operations and risk exposure, reviewing and revising insurance programmes, collaborating with brokers, and new business development.

She said: “I am very pleased to have been promoted to client manager. As a progressive company, Aon has fully supported and encouraged me, while its flexible approach to work means that I can continue to progress my career as well as raise my family.”

Tracey Threlfall, Aon’s regional managing director North, said: “At the heart of our culture is the belief that diverse, inclusive teams deliver the best outcomes for clients and the company’s long-term success.

“Jodie thoroughly deserves to be promoted – she is talented, hard working and has a bright future ahead of her.”

Aon employs more than 30 insurance and risk management specialists across its Humber offices with core sectors including construction, haulage and manufacturing.

It provides clients, from SMEs to large corporates, with general risk and insurance, risk management and consultancy, and employee health and benefits.