People: CBRE; Howarths; Leeds Building Society; and more

CBRE has appointed Jordan Saleh as head of flex for the North to drive growth within this evolving sector.  

This strategic, new role further bolsters CBRE’s investment across all areas of flex, acting for and advising occupiers, operators and investors.

Saleh joins from WeWork where he spent five years as sales director covering the northern region and brings a wide breadth of knowledge, expertise and client-base to provide CBRE with insight across the whole flex ecosystem.

Working nationally within CBRE’s super region structure, his business development/occupier flex role will focus on developing, co-ordinating and managing opportunities throughout the UK. 

He will work with Michael Glynn’s London Flex team to ‘supercharge’ the geographies flex offering and provide best in class advice to flex clients.

Tasked with building new relationships with fast growth and start up businesses across sectors, Saleh will help to drive revenue for the Northern business. 

Joe Rigby, CBRE’s head of office agency – North, said: “The managed workspace market has seen a huge amount of change in recent years with more entrants to the sector such as Industrious, Huckletree, Orega, X+Why and Gilbanks all taking space in 2022. 

“Jordan has an excellent understanding of the flex market, as well as established relationships within the sector which can be leveraged.”

Michael Glynn, head of flexible office solutions, CBRE London, added: “The Flex market continues to grow and evolve across all formats. 

“The exciting hire of Jordan is another clear sign of CBRE’s continued investment into the sector, strengthening our Occupier advisory expertise in this increasing dynamic market.”

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Howarths, a Yorkshire-based HR, employment law, and health and safety consultancy, has appointed a non-executive director to accelerate its five-year growth plan.

The company, which works with over 1,000 SME businesses across Yorkshire and the UK, has appointed technology entrepreneur, Elizabeth Gooch, to its board.

Gavin Howarth, managing director, said: “I am proud that Elizabeth has joined us to support our ambitious five-year growth plan.

“Elizabeth is a proven entrepreneur with significant and impressive experience, having started a business from her bedroom which she grew to a PLC employing over 130 staff – with the product she pioneered now used in over 50 countries worldwide.

“Her knowledge and experience of starting, scaling, and growing businesses is unparalleled, and will be key in helping shape the next stage of growth for Howarths as we look to realise our ambition and vision for the company.

“Myself and my co-directors, Tracey Hopkins and Charlotte Geesin, are very much looking forward to working with her.”

Eg Solutions, the company Gooch founded in 1988, was listed on AIM in 2005 and completed several transactions including secondary placings, acquisitions, and global distribution and strategic partnerships, before being acquired in November 2017.

Gooch said: “Howarths is an ambitious business led by an energised team. It’s roster of clients – including brands such as Jacuzzi Group UK, Moda in Pelle, Northern Ballet, Express Bi-folding Doors, Easigrass, and Opera North – demonstrates the high calibre of work the team delivers across employment law, HR, and health and safety.

“What I love, though, is that amid its commercial growth and impressive client list, Howarths remains a proud family-founded business that has kept people and community at its core.”

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Leeds Building Society has appointed Farah Buckley as a new non executive director.

She joins the society Board alongside four executive directors and six non executive directors, including chair Iain Cornish.

She brings more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, with a focus on audit, corporate finance and private equity.

After qualification as a chartered accountant at Deloitte, Buckley has gone on to a successful executive career, most recently as head of investment solutions at Hermes GPE and head of UK at Adveq, and has extensive experience at Board level in audit, investment strategy, risk and ESG.

Her portfolio of independent non executive roles includes positions with Aurora Investment Trust plc, Caledonia Investments plc and Apollo Syndicate Management Ltd, as well as holding an adviser role with technology start-up Grafterr.

She said: “I’m very much looking forward to working with a mutual, purpose-led organisation.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the society as it continues to evolve and innovate to support its members now and in the future.”

Cornish said: “Farah’s professional skills, insight and experience further strengthen our Board team as it continues to guide the business safely and successfully through challenging times.

“I’m happy to welcome Farah to the society, where she is a valued addition to our Board Audit and Risk committees.

“Her extensive knowledge of strategy, investment and ESG broadens and complements the other directors in their oversight of the society.”

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Irwin Mitchell, in Leeds, has appointed partner Terry Saeedi and senior associate Matthew Ambler from Clyde & Co’s pensions team.

Saeedi has specialised in pensions law for over 25 years and advises employers and trustees on the full range of legal issues including scheme restructurings and disputes.

Previously the head of pensions at Clyde & Co, she advises clients across a range of sectors, including insurance, energy and transport. She is a past chair of the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association Yorkshire Group and a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers.

In her new role at Irwin Mitchell, she will be based in the Leeds office and will operate nationally, working with Penny Cogher and the national head of pensions Martin Jenkins.

Also moving from Clyde & Co, Ambler will be based in the Leeds office.

He advises employers, trustees, contractors and public sector bodies on the full range of pensions issues. He operates across several sectors, including banking, infrastructure and energy.

Both Saeedi and Ambler are being joined by practice development lawyer, Harriet Fletcher, who sits in the Knowledge Management team.

Saeedi said: “Organisations are dealing with a substantial increase in regulation relating to pensions and this year looks set to see a raft of new legislation and increased expectation on scheme sponsors and trustees.

“Providing timely legal advice is therefore more important than ever and I look forward to working with a brilliant and well-respected team to ensure our clients receive the highest standard of support and expertise.”

Fergal Dowling, director of legal services (commercial advisory & disputes), added: “These three senior hires represent a significant investment in our Pensions team.

“This is an important area for growth for Irwin Mitchell and as demand has increased, it’s vital we continue recruiting the highest calibre lawyers who share our vision and ambition.”