People: Freeths; Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber; and more

Law firm Freeths has appointed Alison Ogley as partner in its planning and environment team.

She joins from Walker Morris LLP. Ogley has over 15 years’ experience spanning all aspects of planning and environment law.

She brings with her an established advocacy practice, representing a wide range of developer clients in major planning inquiries, judicial review and high court challenges, tribunal appeals and regulatory cases such as environment permit appeals, planning enforcement and environment agency prosecutions.

Ogley has extensive experience of advising on major projects including nationally significant energy infrastructure, housing, retail, minerals and waste schemes.

With particular expertise in biodiversity and protected species law, including biodiversity net gain, she will lead the development of a planning and environment team at Freeths in Leeds, in collaboration with the wider national planning and environment team.

Managing partner of the North at Freeths, John May, said: “Incredibly well respected in her field, Alison’s hire is fundamental in helping to strengthen our firm-wide offering and will be a game changer for clients in the region.”

Paul Brailsford, national head of planning and environment, said: “This is an exciting time for the Freeths Planning and Environment Group and Alison’s arrival to establish a team in Leeds will further our continued expansion throughout the firm’s network of offices.

“Alison is a first-class lawyer; she is highly regarded across the industry and brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to strengthen our nationwide practice.”

Ogley added: “Freeths already has a strong reputation in both planning and environment and is significantly investing in growth for this area, making it an excellent time for the team.

“I’m looking forward to launching the new regional planning and environment team at what is a pivotal point for the development sector with increasing challenges and regulation.”

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Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has confirmed Carrie Sudbury, as successor to chief executive Andrew Denniff, as part of the organisation’s future plans.

She will take up her new role next year, ensuring a smooth transitional period, ahead of the planned retirement of Denniff, in June.

She will be responsible for representing the interests of more than 1,100 members based within South Yorkshire, helping to ensure the voice of local businesses are heard, as well as collaborating with Board members, council representatives, and regional strategic partners to help build and strengthen the local business economy.

Since joining the member-led organisation in 2013, she has worked as an integral part of the Chamber’s team, and overseen Chamber Skills Solutions, which provides specialist training to businesses.

More recently, she has helped local businesses prepare for Brexit and supported local companies to navigate their way through the pandemic.

Sudbury will become just the third chief executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber and the first woman in the role, following the merger between the two town Chambers in 2007.

She said: “Chambers of Commerce are imperative in representing, supporting, and helping businesses to overcome the challenges they face.

“Being appointed chief executive is an incredible honour, and I am looking forward to building on the success Andrew has delivered, by helping Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber to play a vital role in developing a strong local economy.”

Matthew Stephens, president of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, added: “On behalf of all our members, I would like to wish Carrie every success in her new role.

“Carrie is no stranger to the local business community, and under her leadership the Chamber will go from strength- to-strength, continuing the significant results Andrew has delivered over the past 12 years.

“More recently, our Chamber has recorded some of the highest levels of membership retention in the UK, as well as continuing to grow as an organisation.

“This is due to the hard work of both Andrew and Carrie, and under Carrie’s leadership the Chamber will continue in its mission to provide support and representation to the local business community.”

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FMG Repair Services, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of two dedicated operations directors.

Paul Wrigglesworth has joined the Huddersfield-based business in the role of operations director – bodyshops, to lead the bodyshop teams and develop operational and financial performance and best practice to secure repair capacity for the future.

He has a 35-year bodyshop career history, including key roles in some of the UK’s largest accident repair groups.

The company has also welcomed Carl Manton to the role of operations director – change & support services, to lead strategic planning for the future.

He takes responsibility for identifying opportunities for business improvements and delivering solutions to optimise performance across the company.

A former head of motor claims at Co-op Insurance and head of operations at Solus ARC, Manton has a vast understanding of the automotive industry and a track record of leading large scale operational functions and delivering extensive programmes of transformational change.

Claire Owens, managing director, said: “Welcoming Carl and Paul to the senior team is a pivotal moment as I continue to set solid foundations in place for taking the business forward.

“Both Carl and Paul are vastly experienced, knowledgeable and well respected figures in the industry and will be huge assets to FMG Repair Services as we plan and structure the business to leverage our strength, capability and capacity for continued growth.

“This is a time of optimism, ambition and growth for the FMG Repair Services and an important step in aligning our strengths to ensure the business continues to deliver the highest levels of customer service.”