People: First Bus; SCALA; Legal Studio Solicitors; and more

First Bus has appointed Tom Donnelly as operations manager for its depot in York.

He leads a team of staff managers and supervisors supporting a crew of over 200 drivers and a fleet of more than 80 buses.

Donnelly joins following two years in the same role at Aircoach, another First Bus business based in Ireland running airport services.

His arrival marks a return to the city, where he was previously in the rail sector with Virgin East Coast and roles with other train operators at York station during five years.

He said: “It’s great to be back in York and I’ve joined at an exciting time in the transformation of First Bus and the future of transport in the city.

“More zero emission buses are gradually entering our fleet since the new-look York Electric vehicles began operating at the end of August and the total conversion of the depot with power charging infrastructure is progressing well.”

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Huddersfield-based supply chain and logistics consultancy, SCALA, has appointed an experienced Turkish consultant, Eyüp Soner, to lead projects for clients looking to undertake operations in Turkey.

The strategic partnership will expand the business’ expert international offering, which already spans countries such as Australia, China and the US.

SCALA Turkey is designed to support UK and continental European companies with their operations in Turkey, advise Turkish-owned companies on their logistics, and aid companies looking to move into the Turkish third-party logistics (3PL) market via acquisition.

Soner said: “Operating in Turkey can be strategically advantageous for businesses for several reasons.

“For example, the geographical position of Turkey offers a bridge between Asia and Europe, enabling businesses to transport goods and trade through an alternate route to the Northern Corridor.

“This traditional route is largely reliant on a passage through Russia and as a result, has seen a 40% decline in goods passing through it since the start of the war in Ukraine.

“Turkey also offers skilled, lower-cost labour to UK and European-based companies to facilitate exports.

“This is particularly ideal for automotive just-in-time operations and fast fashion manufacturers – with the automotive and textile industries currently defining the country’s top two export sectors.”

Phil Reuben, executive director at SCALA, added: “We have developed a great relationship with Eyup over the course of the last 20 years, and we’re pleased to have formalised this strategic partnership to support our current and future clients.

“In the context of ongoing geopolitical issues and rising costs for logistics companies, moving operations into Turkey can offer some relief, reduce the risk for companies trading between Asia and Europe, and offer welcome cost-savings on resources.

“We continually strive to enhance our client offering, and expanding SCALA has enabled us to offer geographically tailored expertise on a wider range of issues.”

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Helen Gott

Two new consultants have joined Leeds-based solicitors, Legal Studio.

Helen Gott and Clare King are directors at worth.legal, a will and estate planning practice. They join Legal Studio to strengthen their existing business with the addition of regulated private client services. 

Gott said: “We see estate administration, Court of Protection and personal injury trust work as a natural next step for our business.

Clare King

“These areas of advice are well within our expertise and allow us to provide a more comprehensive service to existing clients and to welcome new clients too.”

The pair both bring with them decades of experience as senior lawyers in private practice.

Ian McCann, CEO at Legal Studio, said: “We’re pleased to continue to grow Legal Studio’s private wealth team with Helen and Clare as well as adding their Court of Protection specialism.

“We’re very much looking forward to working with them to deliver the best service to clients while they enjoy the freedom and flexibility that being a consultant lawyer brings.”

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Dynamic, a Leeds-based digital learning and communications specialist, has welcomed Larner Caleb as creative marketing director.

Caleb left his post as creative director and owner at digital marketing agency, Creode, to join Dynamic.

He said: “After working with Dynamic as a client of Creode for a number of years, I’ve been blown away by the level of world-class talent and a team that creates powerful, transformational and in many cases, life-changing work.

“And after nearly 15 years building a marketing agency with some brilliant people, it was a huge decision, but the attraction of a highly creative technological environment, empowering culture and some really interesting opportunities was too great to ignore.” 

Steve Johnson, managing director, said: “The landscape of digital learning and communications is constantly changing with increasingly diverse demands placed on creators.

“There are some massive opportunities within the industry and particularly for us both in the UK and internationally.

“Coupled with some really exciting things happening with the Dynamic brand, it’s a great time for Larner to join a fantastic team.”