People: Mirador Local; Born Ugly; HC Slingsby; and more

Mirador Local, a Leeds-based Google Business management tool, has hired Gerry White in a new role as vice president of growth.

He will oversee the growth of the firm, helping to grow company activities and take the organisation to a new level.

White brings a wealth of experience with over 22 years in the SEO and digital industry, having previously worked with Just Eat, BBC and others.

He has a track record of driving impressive growth metrics and developing strategic initiatives that generate exceptional results.

He said: “Seeing where Mirador is going, talking to the team and developers that are behind it, I couldn’t say no to be a part of the growth.

“I’ve worked on local marketing and seen the impact of Google My Business and also the challenges that go with it.

“We are increasingly blending offline and online journeys. Google knows this, which is why local listings occur in so many listings for so many searches.

“Making sure this is not only correct but truly showcases our clients will be a key part of our mission.”

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Leeds-based creative change agency, Born Ugly, has appointed Simon Bailey as its new non-executive chair.

The strategic appointment will be central to the agency’s plans to expand its capabilities in creative problem-solving and delivering disruptive ideas, strategies and creative globally.

As a non-exec chair, Bailey will continue in his full-time role as senior partner at Kantar Consulting, using his experience to support and advise Born Ugly on its next phase of development.

Formerly holding positions including European CEO of Interbrand and UK CEO of WPP’s Brand Union, he joins with over 20 years of brand and business consulting experience.

He has worked with an impressive roster of clients, including Barclaycard, BBC, Nissan Europe, Shell, SAB Miller, Unite and Vodafone.

Sarah Dear, CEO and co-founder at Born Ugly, said: “Simon really understands who we are and the dents we’re going to make within the creative industry and world.

“We’re really looking forward to Simon’s support in bringing our mission to shake things up and change the world of like-minded clients to life.”

Bailey added: “Powerful ideas are born ugly, so it’s great to be part of a business that’s using creativity to provoke clients, helping them redefine what they do and how they do it, and achieving extraordinary impact.

“I’m looking forward to working with Sarah and the Born Ugly team as we grow and develop this exciting business.”

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Baildon-based industrial and commercial equipment distributor, HC Slingsby, has appointed Andrew Kitchingman as independent non-executive chairman with immediate effect. 

Dominic Slingsby will continue his role on the Board as operations director.

Kitchingman is chairman of Mpac Group, a non-executive director of Andrews Sykes Group and chair of the British Board of Agrément.  

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and formerly worked in corporate finance for a number of firms, including KPMG, Hill Samuel, Albert E Sharp, Brewin Dolphin and WH Ireland.

He is a trustee of the Northern Aldborough Festival charitable incorporated organisation.

Kitchingman was previously a trustee of the Leeds Festival Chorus charity and a non-executive director of MORhomes PLC, Lonpro Holdings PLC, Incommunities Group Ltd and a director of the Cathedral Choir School Ripon Ltd.

Morgan Morris, Slingsby‘s Group chief executive, said: “We are pleased to welcome Andrew to the Board as our new non-executive chairman.

“A Bradfordian by birth and a chartered accountant, he previously worked in corporate finance for nearly 30 years, advising smaller listed and AIM-quoted companies, which will be valuable for the group. 

“More recently, he has built a second career as a non-executive director and chairman of both AIM-quoted and privately-owned companies, including significant experience with Yorkshire-headquartered Mpac Group where he remains chairman, and Bradford-based Incommunities Group, which he served for seven years until 2020.  

“Andrew is based in Yorkshire and is active in several local and community roles, and we welcome his contribution to Slingsby, given our longstanding presence in the region.”

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A new deputy principal has been appointed at The Sheffield College.

Dave Trounce joins the college on 2 October 2023 and has 28 years’ experience working in education.

He said: “I am really pleased about the appointment and looking forward to working with staff and students as the college continues on its good to great journey.

“I have always felt that further education is the Cinderella sector – it achieves so much with less. 

“The range of students that the further education sector supports is unrivalled and, therefore, the impact that colleges have transforming lives is unmatched.”

Trounce started his career as a secondary school PE teacher before moving on to work at Strode College followed by Weston College, which are both based in Somerset.

He spent 21 years at Weston College in a range of curriculum, management and senior leader roles, rising up the ranks to become deputy principal.

Angela Foulkes, chief executive and principal at The Sheffield College, said: “Dave is a fantastic champion for the further education sector and understands its tremendous impact, transforming lives, as well as the challenges. 

“His expertise, which includes being deputy principal of a large Ofsted ‘outstanding’ college, will be hugely beneficial.”