People: Underpin Sports; Harrison and Clough; University of Sheffield; and more

Experienced business leader, Jamie Tinsley, has been appointed as chief executive officer of Leeds-based golf mental performance coaching company, Underpin Sports.

He will provide strategic oversight and enable the firm to benefit from the experience gained during his career as a CEO, investor and business leader across several multinational organisations.

With Underpin Sports providing mental performance coaching to elite amateur and professional golfers across the globe, he aims to engage and grow its corporate network of 72 club members and help scale the business further throughout the UK.

Tinsley, formerly a director of one of the world’s largest paper, print and packaging suppliers, will along with his role at Underpin Sports, maintain his full-time commitments as CEO of business consultancy firm, Touchstone Global and chairman of Burnley-based marketing company, +24.

He said: “What really resonates with me is the opportunity to support Underpin and be part of an extremely dedicated team that shares such an ambitious vision for the business.

“There is a genuine passion for the sport of golf and the development opportunities for both players and corporate partners are endless.

“It’s giving back to the wider golfing community and future stars of the game, by creating better, stronger, happier and higher performing humans.

“The role combines my love of golf with an exceptional network of corporate partners that are integral to our future business growth.”

Stewart Clough, managing director, added: “To bring someone of Jamie’s calibre on board is a major coup for Underpin.

“We have ambitious aims for the company and feel his commercial acumen and pedigree within the companies he has worked for can only benefit us in the journey ahead.

“He shares our philosophy of developing elite golfers, not just as players but as people as well, creating a solid platform for them to excel at the highest possible level.

“Everyone connected with Underpin has been energised by his arrival, and we’re looking forward to utilising his experience to take the business to the next level.”

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Keighley-based fasteners and fixings distributor, Harrison & Clough, has appointed Malcolm Becker as national development manager.

He brings over 30 years of experience and aims to strengthen customer relationships and build product ranges to be supplied across the UK.

Beginning his career with Harrison & Clough as a warehouse operative 28 years ago, he progressed through the business into a sales position as a product demonstrator and then up to head of product management.

Becker has gained considerable experience across a variety of roles which involve having hands-on logistic, supply chain and key product expertise. After a brief stint away from the company, Malcolm seized the opportunity to return to his new role.

He said: “By leveraging my three decades of experience within the fastener and fixing industry, I plan to pass on my product expertise to our merchants, better familiarise them with the specifics of our products and help them to boost customer satisfaction and ultimately drive sales.

“While I plan on strengthening relationships with existing accounts and expanding on those opportunities, I will also jump on new market research to identify the most efficient routes to market.

“Building my long-term career at Harrison & Clough has been a rewarding journey. The business has not only supported my personal growth but has also given me opportunities to upskill my expertise across different departments.”

Mark Dorrington, business development director, said: “Malcolm’s long-term understanding of Harrison & Clough sets him to be a sales driving force.

“I am excited about the growth of our sales team and the wealth of expertise Malcolm will contribute to our collective knowledge.”

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The University of Sheffield has appointed Professor Robert Mokaya as its new Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

He will take up the role on 17 June, which will see him represent the university at a local, national and international level and play a significant role in the delivery of the university’s vision and strategy.

He is currently Professor of Materials Chemistry and Pro Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University of Nottingham, where he has responsibility for the university’s global strategy covering all areas of the world, including oversight of its international campuses.

University of Sheffield President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Koen Lamberts, said: “Professor Mokaya brings a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic oversight, and ground-breaking research and will be key to delivering the University’s vision and strategy.”

Professor Mokaya said: “The University of Sheffield has a global reputation for excellence, impact and research-led learning and teaching, with a clear commitment to make a positive, meaningful difference to the world.

“I look forward to getting to know the university’s vibrant community of students and staff, and hope to harness my knowledge and experience to support and drive the university’s ambitions as we work together in the years to come.”

Professor Mokaya is currently a member of the University of Nottingham’s University Executive Board (UEB), where he contributes to steering and supporting the overall strategic direction of the university.

In his current role at Nottingham he is also the strategic lead for Environmental Sustainability and chairs the Environmental Sustainability Committee.

He was previously the interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and People, providing leadership and strategic oversight of the University of Nottingham’s EDI agenda, and had responsibility for championing university-wide EDI priorities for students and staff.

He will succeed Professor Gill Valentine at the University of Sheffield, who stood down from the role of Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the end of last year.

Professor Mokaya will take over from Lead Faculty Vice-President, Professor John Derrick, who has been providing support and leadership during this interim period.

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Independent Yorkshire brewery, T&R Theakston, has appointed William Theakston as channel development manager.

He is the eldest son of the company’s chairman, Simon Theakston, becoming the sixth generation of the Theakston family to become part of the business.

He joins the family brewery following a career as an officer in the British Army, where he completed two operational tours in Afghanistan and held a counter-terrorism role in the Ministry of Defence.

Since leaving the military in 2016, he has held a number of roles in the drinks and hospitality industry, working with Fullers, Smith & Turner, Marston’s and most recently Charles Edge London, a company specialising in the development of brands, where he was Export and UK Sales Manager.

His new role at T&R Theakston will see him develop the brewery’s on-trade sales force, with a particular focus on customers in the Southern half of England and Wales.

William Theakston will work with wholesale partners, national pub companies and key account groups to grow the Theakston footprint outside of its traditional Northern heartland, as it looks to capitalise on consumer demand for quality British beer.

Managing director, Richard Bradbury said: “William’s appointment is the latest stage of a long-term growth strategy.

“Over the last four years, we have been steadily strengthening all aspects of our organisation in head office functions and front-line sales to support our ambitions.

“The investment in our organisation has been careful and measured to deliver commercial and financial return alongside our steady growth in market share.

“In parallel, we have worked hard to ensure our beers remain affordable to consumers and customers despite inflationary pressures.

“Our focus is on building our business strength to support a successful third century, with William’s appointment forming a key part of that growth journey.”

William Theakston said: “I’m hugely proud and thrilled to be joining the family business and carrying on the work of growing our customer and consumer base in a very important area of the market.

“In past decades, we established a great track record of sales in the south of England and so I look forward to building on this proud heritage in the months and years ahead.”