People: 360 Chartered Accountants; Servo; Croda; and more

Having joined 360 Chartered Accountants 13 years ago, the firm’s first ever apprentice has now become a shareholder and part-owner.

Sophie Holmes started her apprenticeship at 360 in 2011 after finishing her A Levels.

After becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant in 2017, her exceptional work led to her being named charities specialist and then corporate portfolio manager.

Two years ago, she rose even further when she became client services director and was appointed to the Board.

She is also the chair of the firm’s charity, the 360 Grass Roots Foundation and chair of the Humber ICAEW Society of Chartered Accountants.

Andy Steele, founder of 360 which is based in Hull, York and Wakefield, said: “We are incredibly proud and grateful for the hard work and commitment Sophie has shown throughout her time here. Her continuing excellence and positivity to 360 has helped grow our business to where it is today.

“By Sophie becoming a shareholder and part-owner, we have placed the first piece in our succession jigsaw, a piece myself and the other shareholders felt was a no-brainer.

“We are thrilled that one of our apprentices has risen through the ranks and made it to the top.  We are building a team to run our business forever.”

Holmes now leads 360’s team of qualified and part qualified accountants, trainees and apprentices.

She said: “I am very proud to be a shareholder and part-owner of 360, a firm I have loved ever since joining.

“I am also thankful to Andy and Leanne for giving me this incredible opportunity.

“Andy pushed me from day one to work hard and to step outside of my comfort zone, so this is the culmination of 13 years of hard work.

“It’s a privilege to work with a fantastic team and I look forward to continuing to grow this amazing firm.”

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A multi-service provider has appointed a new head of rail, as it looks to build on its client base and accelerate its growth within the rail sector.

Leeds-headquartered Servo Group has recruited Annice Palmer to head its rail division and expand its current market share.

She has more than 25 years’ experience within rail and related industries, including more than two decades at rail services specialist Torrent, where she worked her way up from administrative support to an operational lead, responsible for Scotland and the North East and North West of England.

Prior to this, she also held roles in account management and international sales at Speedy and McCullochs.

Servo has had a rail division since its inception in 2013, providing PTS (Personal Track Safety) accredited labour, and SIA-licensed guards and welfare officers to the industry, including high profile clients such as Network Rail and Octavius. Palmer’s remit will include expanding on this client base.

She said: “I’m looking forward to contributing to Servo’s long-term growth and bringing new, fresh ideas, along with my experience of the technicalities of the rail industry to build on the company’s success so far.

“Being able to capitalise on the company’s existing relationships and, having strong, fundamental, foundations for the rail division in place, such as RISQS accreditation and excellent contacts will be a major asset, and I’m excited to join at a time of peak growth for the rail sector.”

Servo’s group director, Andy Haynes, added: “The decision to appoint Annice to head up our rail division was a very easy one.

“Her experience, contacts and enthusiasm are all impressive and we can’t wait to see the growth that Servo Rail has coming under her leadership, with some huge contracts in the pipeline.”

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East Yorkshire-based chemicals company Croda International has appointed Stephen Oxley as chief financial officer and executive director,.

Croda says it will use his many years of experience to enhance the company’s business performance, transformation and corporate transactions.

Oxley is currently the CFO of Jonhson Matthey Plc, a specialty chemicals and sustainable chemicals company.

He was previously a KPMG partner, in which he spent 30 years advising global companies across various sectors. Oxley will join Croda no later than the 1 April, 2025.

Anthony Fitzpatrick, president strategy, corporate development and industrial specialties, has been appointed the interim chief financial officer.

He joined Croda and the executive committee in 2014 after having spent more than 20 years in global investment banking.

Danuta Gray, Croda chair, said: “Alongside Stephen Oxley’s strong track record as a PLC chief financial officer incorporating strategic thinking and operational delivery, he brings valuable experience of audit and advisory roles for large, complex international companies across a number of relevant sectors during his time as a partner at KPMG. I look forward to welcoming him to the Board.

“Anthony Fitzpatrick has a deep understanding of Croda and we are pleased that he has agreed to act as CFO on an interim basis before helping to oversee an orderly handover to Stephen when he joins early next year.”

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The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), a non-profit membership organisation which represents social housing providers across Northern England, has appointed Andrea Downey as its new executive director for operations and finance.

Downey has more than 25 years of experience working in both the public and private sector, with previous roles in Network Rail and the NHS, alongside publishing and media sectors.

She will play a key role in the leadership of the NHC’s procurement arm, Consortium Procurement, which offers trusted services to 400 members nationally.

Consortium Procurement is the procurement arm of the NHC. Founded over 30 years ago, it was designed to offer members a transparent and straight-forward procurement service.

All profits are reinvested into the NHC’s work to support members across the North.

Tracy Harrison, chief executive at the Northern Housing Consortium, said: “Andrea will play a central role in making sure we achieve the best possible value for members and make maximum use of our resources across the entire organisation.

“Andrea’s expertise will be a real added benefit to our members, as we work together to influence policy and change people’s lives for the better.”

As well as her previous roles in the UK, Downey spent five years working abroad, gaining an insight into different cultures and work practices, and has also acted as a consultant, advising SMEs on finance and change management.

Downey said: “I was attracted to Northern Housing Consortium because of its very clear ethos of making a positive impact.

“The organisation’s focus on levelling up in the north through social housing improvements is close to my heart; I grew up in a council house and it was a positive experience, and I would like that for others too.

Harrison added: “As we start work on a new plan for the future of Northern Housing Consortium and Consortium Procurement we want to grow and support more members than ever before.

“We will soon welcome a new government and Andrea will help us put the foundations in place at a crucial time for housing in the North.

“This includes building relationships with the financial directors of our members, to share experiences and find solutions.”