People: Magnomatics; One Nine Nine; Switalskis; and more

Magnomatics, a Sheffield-based developer of magnetic transmissions and ultra-compact motors, has appointed Gary Rodgers as chief executive officer.

It follows the appointment of previous CEO, David Latimer, to vice chairman.

Rodgers joins with over 25 years’ experience in sales and general business management, specifically in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, with particular in-depth industry knowledge of the energy and marine markets.

Gaining a BEng degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Nottingham Trent University in 1997, he subsequently held several senior sales and business development roles.

These include working at Alstom Power, Cooper Cameron, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery and more recently with Wabtec working in the Napier Turbochargers business.

Magnomatics develops solutions in a variety of markets including electric vehicle vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) airplanes, hybrid and electric vehicles, renewables, marine propulsion as well as aerospace.

Rodgers said: “I am extremely proud to be appointed CEO of Magnomatics. We have developed some innovative, leading-edge products and solutions and I am looking forward to working with the team to further grow the company and market opportunities.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank David, on behalf of everyone at Magnomatics, for his dedication and commitment during his time as CEO to making Magnomatics a world leader.”

Ian Williamson, chairman, added: “We are pleased to welcome Gary to the Magnomatics team. His experience and expertise will be invaluable in shaping and implementing our strategy for the future.”

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Leeds marketing agency, One Nine Nine, continues its growth as ex-Time Out journalist Andy Buchan joins as head of content for sustainability.

Founded in 2019 by managing director Barnaby Patchett and head of digital James Bevan, One Nine Nine has several high-profile sustainability clients including edible oil experts KTC and sustainable palm oil leaders Daabon.

Patchett said: “With our sustainability division continuing to grow, now is the ideal time to expand our agency and bring in Andy Buchan as our head of content.

“He’s an experienced journalist and editor and brings a wealth of knowledge from the print, digital and data worlds.

“It’s very satisfying to see the team develop as we build on our strong reputation by delivering results for flagship global clients across the entertainment, food and sustainability sectors.”

Buchan built a print career in Dubai including becoming features editor at Time Out and writing for Esquire and Rolling Stone.

Since returning to the UK, he has headed campaigns for Premier Inn and HSBC and has most recently ghost-written Leeds’ icon Dave Beer’s autobiography which is set to be turned into a feature documentary film.

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Solicitor Emma Hudson has been appointed by Switalskis to strengthen its Leeds clinical negligence team.

She joins the growing clinical negligence team of 83 people who are based in offices in London and across Yorkshire.

She will primarily work on birth injury cases alongside Kay Barnes, who is head of the Leeds office of Switalskis’ clinical negligence department. 

Hudson explained her own experience of caring for her child with specific complex health needs and her bereavement gives her a high level of empathy.

She said: “My own experience has given me a greater understanding of what our clients go through when they experience a significant life-changing event and its deep impact on the whole family. 

“It’s a privilege to work so closely with clients and to be invited to look at the details of their cases, especially at a time when they are often facing unimaginable personal challenges.

“My role is to leave no stone unturned, to gather the facts of the case, to support families in their search for answers and achieve the justice they deserve to help them move forward with their lives.”

Hudson qualified as a solicitor in 2013 having worked for three years at Michael Lewin Solicitors (now Oakwood Solicitors) specialising in road traffic accident and personal injury law.

She then moved to Minster Law in Wakefield and Harrowells in York before she took a career break to care for her son. 

Barnes said: “Emma’s appointment reflects our commitment to attracting, supporting and retaining the best professionals in the industry.

“She is a compassionate and skilled solicitor and I have no doubt that Emma will be an asset to our clinical negligence team and firm, guiding clients with empathy and expert advice.”

Emma also has a Level 2 qualification in Counselling Skills and is a qualified swimming instructor.

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East Yorkshire-based rural broadband provider Quickline Communications is ramping up its support for the communities it serves in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

A dedicated social values manager, Julie Holmes, has now been appointed at the business, which is working on executing a social value strategy.

The strategy involves collaborating with local authorities and delivery partners to help create jobs, develop skills and provide sustainable local growth in the communities where Quickline is providing broadband services.

Holmes will be responsible for delivering the Quickline Social Impact Plan, co-ordinating all the company’s community support activity.

She said: “I’m overjoyed to have joined Quickline – a company that has social values at its core.

“The business has already done an incredible amount of good work in isolated, rural communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire that might otherwise have been left behind.

“It’s now my mission to build on that work by ensuring we fully engage with all the communities we serve and support them by whatever means we can and help make a real difference to the lives of people living there.”

Julie previously spent 28 years at Leeds City Council. During her time working in the Housing Department – first as a housing officer and then a tenant engagement officer – she managed a community budget and formed strong partnerships with the third sector and residents’ groups.

She also worked for construction company BAM Nutall in a stakeholder engagement and social values management role, playing an important role in liaising with stakeholders.

Julian Chalk, Quickline’s head of engagement, said: “Julie has a wealth of experience in social values and is passionate about supporting communities and bridging divides.

“Julie shares our ethos that no-one should be left behind and will now play a key role in making sure we have an even more positive impact on the rural communities we serve.”

CEO Sean Royce added: “Julie’s appointment as our new social values manager is an important first step in building on the work we’ve already done and to create something unique and special.

“We have some really exciting projects coming up, which will make a real difference to the people living in those communities.”