People: British Glass; eviFile; and more

British Glass, the Sheffield-based representative body for the UK glass industry, has appointed a new glass packaging policy lead.

Matthew Kay joins the organisation from the Association for Project Management, with responsibilities to collate, evaluate and communicate the views of the glass container manufacturing industry to a range of audiences.

Key topics of communication over the coming months will be the future of deposit return schemes, reducing the export of unprocessed cullet outside of the UK, recycling policy reform and decarbonisation.

As part of this role, Kay will co-ordinate engagement with political stakeholders, businesses within the glass packaging supply chain, retailers and wider relevant industries.

Previously, he worked in Westminster for nine years as the senior parliamentary assistant to an MP.

Following the 2015 General Election he left Parliament for roles in both the health & social care sector and a local council before, most recently, being a public affairs advisor for the Association for Project Management.

Dave Dalton, chief executive of British Glass, said: “There are many issues impacting the glass manufacturing industry today, so regular communication with legislators and decision makers remains integral to the sector.

“It’s fantastic to welcome Matthew to the team, with his extensive political experience, and I look forward to the insight and value he will bring to continue our positive engagement across a range of important issues.”

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Chris Hall

Leeds-based software-as-a-service (Saas) business, eviFile, has added three more professionals to its team.

Chris Hall joins as SaaS technical onboarding manager, Elakkiya Geetha Karthikeyan as a business intelligence analyst and Keshia De Sousa as a digital support technician.

These strategic hires are expected to bolster the firm’s capabilities and propel its expansion efforts.

With a distinguished career spanning over six years in the water industry, Hall brings a wealth of experience and expertise.

He began his journey as a contractor for Thames Water, where his dedication quickly led to a permanent role.

Elakkiya Geetha Karthikeyan

He excelled in facilitating process improvements and backlog reduction in new accounts, and his passion for understanding workflows culminated in his role as metering operations manager at Kemac Services.

Hall said: “I am thrilled to join eviFile and contribute to its rapid growth. My passion for process mapping and improving workflows aligns perfectly with eviFile’s mission to provide cutting-edge project management solutions.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few weeks and if anything, wish I had joined sooner.”

Keshia De Sousa

Karthikeyan began her journey in the IT sector in 2013, and she has since proven herself as an expert in data integration.

Her master’s degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, coupled with her extensive experience at HCL Technologies and Mphasis Ltd, makes her a driving force behind data-driven decision-making at eviFile.

She said: “I am excited to be part of eviFile’s mission to harness data insights for better business outcomes. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to drive innovation in the digital landscape.”

With a strong foundation in marketing and customer service, De Sousa’s transition to the tech world is a testament to her determination and adaptability.

Joining as a digital support technician, her role focuses on providing optimal digital solutions for clients.

She said: “My journey from marketing to technology has been incredibly rewarding. I am excited to contribute to eviFile’s innovative approach and help clients achieve their digital transformation goals.”

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Lauren Seagrave

East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire law firm, Wilkin Chapman, has strengthened its Beverley-based team with two new industry experts.

It has added over two decades of industry experience to the Beverley office, with the appointment of Lauren Seagrave and Nicola Evans.

Seagrave, a corporate and commercial solicitor, has been working in the legal sector for over 1o years, and Evans brings 12 years of experience to her new role of senior solicitor in the employment team.

Seagrave said: “I’m from Beverley and Wilkin Chapman has always had a great reputation, which has been building strength with referrals in the Legal 500.

“It is the biggest law firm in the Yorkshire and Humber region outside of Leeds, and the staff who already worked there highly recommended it to me as a brilliant place to work, with modern, forward-thinking ideas and a great culture – and from my experience so far, they’ve definitely been right.

“I’m really looking forward to learning more and developing my specialism within corporate and commercial law and getting involved in all of the cases.”

She joins after having previously worked in a firm in Hull. She has had a comprehensive introduction to her legal career, working in areas such as personal injury, family law, Wills & probate and residential conveyancing.

Seagrave is a law graduate from the University of Liverpool, after which she successfully completed a part-time LPC qualification at the University of Law in Leeds.

Nicola Evans

Evans said: “I was attracted to Wilkin Chapman because it is a modern, and innovative firm which is growing and going from strength-to-strength.

“I got the impression that they really value their employee’s opinions, which has definitely been the case so far.

“I have been here for about six weeks, and I am really enjoying the office environment – everyone has been very welcoming, so it has been easy to settle in.”

Evans qualified as a solicitor 12 years ago, beginning her career at a law firm in Hull, before making the move to Wilkin Chapman.