People: Modo25; McCormicks Solicitors; Northern Gritstone; and more
Leeds-based digital marketing agency, Modo25, has strengthened its senior leadership team by appointing Nicola Sharp as chief financial officer – bringing its team size to 35.
With over 15 years of finance and CFO experience, Sharp has previously held roles as Group CFO at Smoothwall for 11 years, growing the business’s turnover from £1m to £15m. She was also a crucial member of the team during a management buyout of Smoothwall in 2017.
In her new role she will be responsible for the agency’s overall financial management and governance. She will support and drive the company strategy and manage internal and external relationships.
Sharp said: “I’m looking forward to joining the exciting and forward-thinking Modo25. The agency has a fantastic ethos and culture and I look forward to being a part of the journey and growth of the agency.”
Her appointment will further develop a robust management framework for the agency and coincides with the company being appointed by York-based kitchen worktop retailer Gemini Worktops.
Gemini Worktops has linked up with Mood25 to maximise and improve its website’s performance, test conversion points, and improve the user experience for customers.
Katy Christie, head of marketing at the retailer, added: “It’s been great bringing the team at Modo25 on board to support our marketing strategies.
“Having spoken with the team in–depth, it quickly became evident that the agency was experienced in providing consistently high-quality work and results, and that the agency is versatile in terms of the suite of services it provides.”
Modo25’s chief operating officer, Abi Liddle, said: “We are pleased Nicola has joined the senior leadership team, she will bring a wealth of experience and will be a huge support to the agency as we continue our path of growth.
“The team are also excited to be partnering with Gemini Worktops, our digital marketing remit will be to help drive sales, awareness, and growth. We are confident we can apply our knowledge and expertise to support them with their ambitious growth plans.”
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North Yorkshire law firm, McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate, has added to its team with the appointment of commercial litigation solicitor Alex Harrison.
He brings experience in a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including disputes in contract, debt recovery, property, IP and construction.
He also has experience in professional negligence claims, harassment, defamation and insolvency (individual and corporate) matters.
Harrison prides himself upon giving pragmatic advice and considering whether alternative dispute resolution is suitable.
He said: “I was looking to join a firm with good clients and varied work and the prospects of long-term career progression and McCormicks ticked all the boxes.”
Senior partner Peter McCormick said: “Alex has made his presence felt already thanks to his positive ‘can do’ attitude and he will be an asset to the team.”
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Northern Gritstone, a new investment business focused on university spin-outs and science and technology enabled businesses in northern England, says Gareth Llewellyn has joined the company as an investment director.
He is the fourth addition to the Northern Gritstone investment team this year.
He will work alongside chief investment officer, Marion Bernard, as the company prepares to build on its initial investments in life sciences company, Imperagen, immersion cooling technology producer, Iceotope, and biological engineering firm, Opteran.
With a background in Mechanical Engineering and Marine Sciences, Llewellyn has more than a decade of experience.
After a period advising on deals at PwC, he spent five years managing investments for the Wheatsheaf Group, which specialises in funding high-growth innovative food and agriculture businesses.
He joins Northern Gritstone from his current role as chief operating officer at Synomics, a biological and agritech insights business launched by the Wheatsheaf Group.
Llewellyn will work across Northern Gritstone’s offices in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.
He will be part of the investment team identifying investment opportunities and forming the company’s future funding strategy.
Northern Gritstone CEO, Duncan Johnson, said: “Gareth’s sectoral knowledge of scientific businesses and agricultural technology will bring valuable expertise to Northern Gritstone as we seek to expand our portfolio of IP-rich and university spin-outs in the north of England.”
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Mirfield-based integrated agency, The Bigger Boat, has bolstered its creative team with the appointment of senior designer, James Bornshin.
With 12 years of industry experience – including over five in a senior design capacity – Bornshin has worked across positions in advertising and graphic design, tackling projects for brands in industries from FMCG to financial services.
Drawing upon his expertise in design, he will be responsible for bringing concepts to life through creative projects, while working alongside the agency’s creative director to expand the branding arm of the business.
He is keen to be involved in all aspects of the branding process, from helping define the vision and tone of a business, to crafting the brand identity and unveiling the finished article.
His appointment comes as the agency works to take its growth to the next level – kickstarting ambitions to recruit a further three staff and grow revenue to reach £1.8m by 2023.
Bornshin said: “There’s huge potential for TBB and it’s an exciting time to join the team. The culture here is second to none, we all have one another’s backs and are pushing towards the same goals.
“The ambition and direction from leadership is inspiring – I’m looking forward to growing alongside the business as it embarks on this next, exciting phase.”
Doug Main, creative director, said: “James’s appointment is a pivotal step in our plan to evolve the branding element of our business.
“With his wealth of expertise, we can begin to collaborate more effectively and focus our attention on pursuing some of the exciting opportunities that have been ticking away in the background.”
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