People: Airedale Group; Dacre, Son & Hartley; Clarion; and more

North Yorkshire-based Airedale Group has confirmed a shift in positions at the head of the business as Richard Ward is appointed managing director, taking over from Chris Chadwick who assumes a new role in the company. 

Ward, who joined in November 2022 as business director, will take over the day-to-day running of the business, allowing Chadwick, who remains at the company as executive chairman, to carry out the role of business development director.  

Chadwick said: “This change in roles will facilitate our plans for continued growth and allow me to add value to the business by developing new and existing relationships with our customers and suppliers in line with the expansion plans outlined in our five-year strategy.

“Richard has done a fantastic job since he joined us last year and has made tangible improvements to the way we operate.

“He now has the autonomy to mould Airedale Group into an even more progressive and ambitious business, taking us into the future with confidence.”

Ward added: “This is a truly exciting time to be at the helm of such a dynamic company.

“Chris’s connections within the chemical industry are unrivalled and being able to concentrate on nurturing those relationships will be key in the next step of Airedale Group’s evolution.” 

Airedale Group, founded in 1973, is based in Cross Hills and provides chemicals and related services to the UK and Europe.

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An experienced property professional has joined Yorkshire’s largest independent estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley’s York office.

Claire Tiplady has been appointed office principal. She has worked as a sales negotiator and sales manager at two leading Yorkshire firms over the last 13 years.

She said: “I was keen to join Dacres as it’s such a respected company with a great team.

“The office opened just over a year ago in York and the firm has made good inroads into the market, but I plan to grow the market share and bring a wide range of city centre properties onto the market, as well as those from the surrounding villages.

“With 42 estate agents operating in York, competition is fierce, but Dacres really does stand out from the crowd as one of the best, with a long history and offices across North and West Yorkshire.

“The firm sells everything from modern city centre apartments through to grand historic homes in York’s rural suburbs. My plan is to continue building up stock levels and appeal to all those buyers keen to live in the heart of York or within easy reach of this incredibly popular city.”

Dacre, Son & Hartley opened in York last summer and moved into its Micklegate showroom in April of this year.

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential, said: “Claire is well known and respected in the marketplace and it’s a real coup to have her join our York team. We are hugely committed to the city and plan to expand and recruit further as we grow the business in York.”

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Kate Joss, Jessica Wager and Emily Brownsword are the latest recruits to join the seven-strong property litigation team within Clarion’s expanding real estate practice.

All three join from international law firms bringing with them extensive expertise.

Joss joins as a senior associate and has substantial experience of dealing with complex commercial and residential property disputes for a range of clients, including public sector clients, developers, social housing providers, portfolio managers and individuals.

Associate Wager has acted for a wide range of private and public sector landlords and tenants, advising on matters related to commercial and residential property including lease renewals, dilapidations, termination and possession, breach of covenant and rent/service charge arrears.

As a paralegal in the team, Brownsword will assist with a broad range of contentious matters covering all aspects of estate management.

The team has already seen expansion this year with the appointments of experienced legal director Lisa Stratford as well as Emily Hartley as a paralegal.

Sophie Morley, partner and head of the property litigation team, said: “Since founding the property litigation team six years ago, we’ve seen tremendous demand for our services and have established a reputation as one of the leading specialist teams in the region.

“We have experienced significant growth in the last year and are seeing that reflected in the quality of work a bigger team allows us to undertake.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of referrals from all sorts of different types of work from clients ranging from national retailers to local authorities and residential and commercial developers.

“It’s fantastic to further boost the team with new talent as our workload increases alongside the continued growth of Clarion’s real estate practice. Kate and Jess bring a wealth of experience in all areas of property litigation, and Emily provides further resource as our workload continues to increase.”

Joss said: “I am excited to be part of Clarion’s growth. I am looking forward to adding to the expertise of an already experienced and influential team with an outstanding reputation in the region.”

Wager said: “I am pleased to be joining such a talented team, particularly given the continued growth and expansion of the firm.

“I’m really looking forward to forging strong relationships with our clients whilst working alongside such a well-respected, experienced team.”

Brownsword added: “I am excited to be working with such an ambitious and fast-growing specialist property litigation practice. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand my legal knowledge and experience.”

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Ossett-based technical plastic manufacturer, Carclo, says David Bedford has decided to resign and has stepped down as chief financial officer, company secretary, and as a director of the company, effective from 21 August 2023.

Eric Hutchinson, formerly a non-executive director, will succeed Bedford. Hutchinson has been appointed chief financial officer and company secretary of the group with immediate effect, thus becoming an executive director.

Hutchinson was appointed as a non-executive director of the company on 7 January 2021.

He has extensive industry experience, having spent 13 years as chief financial officer of Spirent Communication plc.

During his time at Spirent, both as chief financial officer and chief executive officer, he significantly contributed to the transformation of the business and greatly fortified its balance sheet.

Rachel Amey, non-executive director, has been appointed chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, interim chair of the Remuneration Committee and interim senior independent director, with immediate effect.

She joined the board as a non-executive director on 1 March 2023 and has an in-depth financial background.

Amey currently serves as the director of finance & operations at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne.

A search is now underway for a permanent senior independent director and chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Chief executive Frank Doorenbosch said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to convey our deepest appreciation to David for his steadfast commitment to the company, particularly during its more challenging periods.

“His contributions have been invaluable, and we wish him every success in his future pursuits.

“Concurrently, we are excited to welcome Eric in the chief financial officer role. His substantial financial acumen, together with a significant track record of operational successes, renders him the perfect fit to spearhead our renewed strategy.”