People: iHus; Interpath Advisory; T&R Theakston; and more

Joining the 37 strong team are; chief buyer, Danielle Cliffe, who has nine years’ experience in procurement and 13 years’ experience as a small business owner; junior designer, Amy Murphy, who has a master’s degree from Birmingham City University in design management; social media manager, Lauren Sneath; and two project managers, Carl Hughes and Bilbo Patterson, who both bring over 20 years of construction industry experience to the team.

James Lund-Lack, managing director, said: “I am thrilled to have Amy, Bilbo, Carl, Danielle and Lauren join the team, each bringing a unique blend of expertise and innovation to our team.

“As specialists in the design and construction of luxury granny annexes, iHus remains committed to delivering exceptional living spaces that enhance the lives of our clients.

“We have had a fantastic year so far as more and more families are discovering the benefits of multi-generational living; it has been an honour that they continue to choose iHus to realise their visions.

“With our new team members on board, we are poised to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in luxury annexe design, ensuring every project we undertake is a testament to our unwavering dedication to quality and excellence.”

:::

Interpath Advisory has appointed Louise Smith to lead its Transaction Services offering in the North of England.

She joins from EY where she co-led the firm’s Transaction Services business in Yorkshire and the North East, advising on a number of high-profile deals spanning sectors including building and construction and industrial products, as well as a number of capital market transactions.

Smith will be based out of Interpath’s Leeds office, and will work alongside corporate finance managing director Heath Snyder and debt advisory director Ben Smith in scaling the firm’s Deal Advisory capabilities across the North.

Her arrival coincides with a number of promotions across Interpath’s offices in the North, including those of Lorna Ford and Peter Crompton to director.

Ford has over 15 years’ experience in mid-market restructuring work, leading teams in distressed advisory and insolvency situations.

Based in Interpath’s Newcastle office, she currently leads the team handling the administration of the Tolent plc group of companies, one of the largest construction insolvencies seen in the North East in recent times.

 She is also co-chair of IWIRC (International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation) in Yorkshire and the North East and is passionate about promoting, supporting and connecting women in the historically male-dominated insolvency market.

Crompton has over 30 years’ experience across a range of insolvency and restructuring advisory work, as well as being recognised as a market leader in advising operators in the retail, leisure and other multi-locational sectors on their leasehold property portfolios.

He has worked with high-profile clients over the past few years including Poundstretcher, Jigsaw, Dune and Joules.

He recently relocated back to Interpath’s office in Manchester, having spent a number of years working with the firm’s Restructuring team in London.

Kenny McKay, head of Interpath Advisory in the North of England, said: “We are pleased to welcome Louise. Her arrival marks the start of a new wave of investment as we seek to scale our M&A and deal advisory capabilities across our Northern offices.”

Smith said: “I’m really proud to have been asked to lead Interpath’s Transaction Services offering in the North.

“I am particularly excited about the opportunity for Interpath to really make its mark on this thriving deal-making community.”

McKay added: “We’re also happy to celebrate Lorna and Peter’s promotions to director, as well as all those who have been promoted at this mid-point in our year.

“Whether in our core restructuring and turnaround business or in our fast-growing advisory service lines, our people continue to demonstrate an exceptional commitment to providing the very best service to our clients.”

:::

Simon Theakston

Independent family run brewery, T&R Theakston, is making two changes to its leadership structure as the almost 200-year-old business begins planning for its third century of trading.

From 1 January 2024, Simon Theakston, a descendant of the brewery’s original founder, and who first started working for the Masham-based business in 1981, will take up the role of company chairman.

The move comes 20 years after Simon played a leading role in the family buy back of the business from Scottish and Newcastle in 2003.

In this new role, he will continue to be actively involved with the business, supporting the board and Richard Bradbury who assumes the role of sole managing director.

Richard has been a director of T&R Theakston since 2015 and joint managing director with Simon since November 2020.

He has extensive leadership experience in the brewing industry at both Marston’s and Heineken.

He will now continue to work on Theakston’s future growth alongside Simon and maintaining the brewery’s commitment to brewing quality ales for On and Off trade customers to enjoy.

Simon Theakston said: “This is a natural evolution from how Richard and I currently work together.

“Having jointly charted the company through the challenges of the pandemic and the current cost inflation impacts on the brewing and hospitality sectors, this new structure will ensure Theakston’s continued growth as we look forward to its bi-centenary in 2027 and beyond.”

Simon has shown his commitment to the local economy by holding a number of external positions including the immediate past Presidency of the Yorkshire Agricultural society, organisers of the annual Great Yorkshire Show and he is a former chairman of the Yorkshire Beer and Pub Association.

Richard Bradbury

He is currently chairman of the Pub is the Hub, a not-for profit organisation, a role he has had since 2009, and is the founding sponsor of the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. He will continue in both these roles among others alongside chairing T&R Theakston.

Richard added: “Simon’s commitment to the business, the industry and Yorkshire over the last 40 years and more goes beyond that of most people.

“As a fifth generation descendant of the founder, his connection with both the brewery, its beers and its fans is deep rooted and as chairman of the business, this will continue.

“Over the last three years, we’ve worked closely together, and it was rewarding, this year, to be able to report a return to profit, despite the challenges many in our industry have and continue to face.”

:::

Rob Illsley has been appointed managing director of Harrogate-based Comms Design Ltd.

With over 20 years’ senior business development, sales and commercial experience in integrated wireless communication technology and the rail industry for companies including Siemens, AD Comms Ltd and Panasonic, he brings a reputation for solution development, relationship building, high performance and team leadership.

He will lead the development and delivery of Comms Design’s high-tech design, manufacturing and communication products and systems which provide digital signalling and control solutions to the world’s railways, tunnelling, quarrying, mining and construction industries.

Illsley joined the business in February 2023 as commercial director, as part of a long-term plan for the business that saw him take over from incumbent managing director, and founder Dr Paul Clark on 1 October.

While stepping back from day-to-day business operations, Clark will continue in his role as founder, to provide technology and engineering support to Illsley and the team.

Unipart Technologies Group, managing director, Dr David McGorman, said: “I am pleased to welcome Rob to Unipart Technologies Group, and to have his support leading our Comms Design business into the future.

“His deep knowledge and experience will be vital as we continue to grow and develop the use of engineering and digital communication solutions to deliver transformative solutions for rural railways and remote working environments around the world.

“I would like to formally thank Paul for the critical role he has played designing, building and developing an exceptional Comms Design business that is now well placed to achieve further success in the future as we extend the reach of our digital communication and control solutions.”

Illsley said: “As customers increasingly seek technology led, sustainable solutions I am pleased to take on the leadership of a company with an industry leading reputation and portfolio of products, services and solutions.

“At the heart of the business is our culture of engagement and continuous improvement through The Unipart Way that combines people and process excellence with our unique technology and digital solutions to create real differentiation for new and existing customers.

“I look forward to working with our team of engineers and technologists to continue growing, developing and delivering digital signalling, communication and control solutions that enable performance improvements across multiple industries.”