People: rradar; Institute of Directors; Glentrool Estates Group; and more

rradar, a Hull-based litigation and commercial law firm which specialises in digital and insurance innovation, has appointed ex-HSBC executive Richard Crabb as chief operating officer.

Crabb will be in charge of the strategic and operational delivery of the legal teams, together with corporate governance and change management functions for rradar, with a focus on delivering an integrated service model.

Reporting directly to CEO Gary Gallen, he will be a key member of rradar’s senior leadership team.

Gallen said: “Coming from the multinational banking and financial services organisation, HSBC, Richard brings significant legal and commercial leadership experience and expertise to rradar.

“He has a clear understanding of how to drive efficiencies across an integrated service delivery model, having led the implementation of technology, best-practice legal, compliance and risk management processes.

“Once again, rradar’s pioneering and proven history of growth has attracted a top global talent, which will ultimately enable us to maximise our performance, deliver growth and ensure that we achieve our short and long-term objectives.”

During his 10-year tenure at HSBC Bank, Crabb held several senior executive posts, including global head of commercial, tech and innovation. He was responsible for the development and implementation of HSBC Bank’s commercial and innovation strategies for its Global Legal Function – working with 1,200 lawyers and business professionals in over 34 countries.

Before joining HSBC, he was partner, corporate and commercial at McCormick’s Solicitors in Harrogate.

Commenting on joining rradar, he said: “We have an incredible journey ahead of us, expanding and growing our legal services business with a key focus on driving our private legal services capabilities and offering, including our training and consultancy services.

“My priority is optimising efficiency and service quality through collaborative leadership and by implementing first-class processes.

“Driving performance across our insurance legal services business for our clients and partners remains at our core, and you can expect continuous innovation and new developments.”

Crabb is the latest in a string of high-profile leadership appointments at rradar, alongside chief technology officer Andy Clarke and commercial director Richard Sheridan, as well as non-executive directors, Kieran Rigby, and Jeremy Cohen, who were recently elected to the expanding board.

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The Institute of Directors has boosted its West Yorkshire team with the appointment of entrepreneur Mohammed Hussain.

He is the founder and managing director of Pink Elephant, a Bradford-based prop-tech company. The business has grown organically over the past five years and is now targeting expansion with a region wide roll-out.

As a branch ambassador, Hussain will drive greater connectivity with members, support professional development and ensure that IoD national policy reflects the needs of local directors.

He said: “I am looking forward to working alongside my IoD colleagues in West Yorkshire to support local directors and build our business community.

“I am passionate about the use of technology to create new ways of reaching customers. I intend to use my experience to help members to optimise their creative potential and drive innovation within their company structure and culture.”

IoD branch chair Poonam Kaur said: “Mohammed has a built his property management business by challenging the norms and using the latest technology.

“Directors are facing significant challenges in these unpredictable times but we are focused on helping them to grow their organisations by providing support, inspiration and connections.”

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Glentrool Estates Group, a Yorkshire-based property development and investment company, has strengthened its talented team with two new senior appointments.

Sarah Friskney has joined as property development director, while Chris Skipp is the company’s new property construction manager.

Friskney said: “Having been in property management and development at Grovehall Estates and prior to that, as senior development surveyor at Caddick Developments for 15 years, my background of development and asset management in the last 23 years will only strengthen, support and grow the development and investment pipeline here.

“Glentrool’s in-house expertise and solid financial position enables us to respond quickly and positively to new opportunities. With my varied background it also gives us the opportunity to venture into new sectors, including retail and residential, in strong strategic locations.”

Skipp, who has 17 years’ experience in commercial property, joins from UPP, a provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation. He previously worked for DTZ and JLL.

Responding to his new role at Glentrool, he said: “I have been made to feel very welcome already and I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to the company to help continue its growth.

“Glentrool has several exciting developments in the region which I look forward to help deliver and I will also be helping to manage an existing portfolio through dilapidations, project management and professional building surveying advice. ”

Jeremy Nolan, director, added: “Both Sarah and Chris have arrived at Glentrool at a significant time in our development, as we look to build on our success at Sherburn2 and enhance and expand our commercial property portfolio.

“Our developments and income producing portfolio across Yorkshire are long-term projects, which demand the fullest commitment from us all and Sarah and Chris’s s roles are critical to successful delivery.”

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Dr Helena Ganczakowski will have served nine years as a director of East Yorkshire-based chemicals business Croda International Plc in 2023, and will retire from the Board on 26 April 2023 following the company’s AGM.  

In preparation for her retirement next year, Jacqui Ferguson will take over as chair of the Remuneration Committee with effect from 1 September 2022.

This is intended to give Ferguson a good period as chair to prepare for the Committee’s review of the company’s remuneration policy at the end of the year. Ferguson has been a member of the Remuneration Committee since 1 September 2018.

Ganczakowski will remain a member of the Remuneration Committee and will continue in her role as the senior independent director until her retirement from the Board.