People: Grant Thornton; cap hpi; Jibba Jabba; and more

Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton has appointed Leeds-based Chris Proctor as relationship director to its growing Yorkshire practice.

With over 20 years of experience in Professional Services, he joined Grant Thornton from Deloitte, where he was head of business development.

He was responsible for originating and investing in relationships with founders, management teams and shareholders of fast-growing private businesses in the region, advising on strategic direction, ownership structures, M&A and investment and funding opportunities.

Based in Leeds, Proctor will lead business development and relationship activity for Grant Thornton’s Yorkshire and North East teams, which includes offices in Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle, across all service lines.

He joins Grant Thronton’s team of regional relationship directors, following other recent senior appointments in Birmingham and Manchester.

Further senior hires in relationship director roles are planned in other key regions in the coming months as part of the firm’s commitment to growing its regional mid-market business.

Proctor’s arrival at the Yorkshire office follows recent promotions including Michael Jennison to director in the Corporate Tax team and a new-look regional leadership team led by Dan Dickinson.

Proctor said: “Having not been at the firm for too long, I have settled in straightaway. Grant Thornton’s culture is one that feels familiar, welcoming and down to earth; the key foundations to strengthening a regional presence across service lines.

“I am ambitious about the firm’s growth prospects in the mid-market, as we look to grow deeper relationships with pre-existing and new clients in each of our key regions.”

Dan Dickinson, managing partner and practice lead at Grant Thornton in Yorkshire said: “Chris brings a wealth of experience to the team in Yorkshire, as well as an established network of management teams, founders and shareholders of fast-growing private businesses.

“He joins at a time of growth and ambition across our regional offices, as we look to expand our pipeline of work across all service lines.

“Yorkshire provides significant opportunity as it continues to create fast-growth companies that are delivering rewarding turnovers that require experienced consultation.”

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Craig Bridgman has been appointed as a new senior editor on Leeds-based cap hpi’s valuations team.

The role sees him working with fellow members of the valuations team helping to further grow the extensive reach of the automotive data business.

Bridgman has 25 years of experience in the automotive sector with expertise in sales, leasing and data analysis, research and market insight. He will report to Derren Martin, director of valuations of cap hpi.

Having spent the past two years as a principal consultant at cap hpi before his new senior valuations appointment, Bridgman was previously auction sales manager at Motability Operations.

For 14 years, he was responsible for remarketing ex-contract lease vehicles at various locations, used vehicle inspection and valuations. Prior to this, he also worked with manufacturers including Saab and Vauxhall.

He said: “This is a great opportunity, and I’m excited to be joining the most reputable valuations team in the industry.

“With leading-edge technology at its disposal, cap hpi’s data and insight are respected across the entire automotive sector.”

cap hpi supports the entire automotive ecosystem, from OEMs to dealers and fleets, the remarketing sector, and gives consumers peace of mind with its HPI vehicle checks and valuation products.

Martin added: “Craig will be a great asset to the valuations team bringing over two decades of industry knowledge and expertise to his new role.

“It’s always great to welcome new talent, strengthening the overall quality of service we can provide to customers across the sector.

“We are continually looking at new ways to enhance the data and technology we provide to the industry, balancing innovation with the recruitment and retention of industry-leading professionals who have a wealth of valuable experience.”

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South Yorkshire IT and telecoms support provider, Jibba Jabba, has appointed director Rich Davies.

His appointment comes after the Doncaster-based company has experienced a period of significant growth and new client wins.

Joining the firm with more than 30 years’ experience across several professional services sectors, he will be responsible for developing and executing a business development strategy, building long-lasting relationships with local organisations and using his networking skills to develop the company’s reputation.

As well as managing the team and overseeing day-to-day operations, he will be working alongside the company’s managing director Ashley Harris in their proposed expansion of the firm as they plan to open a new office in the Sheffield and Rotherham area.

Davies has held senior business development roles at FluidOne (recently rebranded from Highlander) and The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.

He was also the owner of a social media business for almost 10 years where he executed campaigns for local non-league football clubs Sheffield FC and Hallam FC as well as working with Sheffield-based GB Boxing.

He has enjoyed several voluntary roles, including being an ambassador at the Institute of Directors and The Archer Project.

He also holds a dual position with the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce as a council member and the nominations committee vice chair.

Davies said: “I am genuinely excited to start my new role at Jibba Jabba. It’s an honour to be part of an organisation that is truly going places and has an exciting future ahead of it.

“It’s a fantastic time to join as we look to further build on the firm’s recent growth, and we plan for our expansion.

“My vision is to make Jibba Jabba the brand name that people turn to for everything for IT, VoIP and Telecoms.

“I have more than 30 years of experience, and pride myself in my networking and business development skills.

“I am looking forward to further building my South Yorkshire network and bringing those contacts into the company.”

Ashley Harris, managing director, said: “Rich is a fantastic addition and has already hit the ground running with implementing a strong business development strategy.

“We have an exciting future ahead, including an office expansion and more growth plans.

“Rich’s business development expertise and skills within the sector are exactly what we need to move the company forward and we look forward to working with him.”

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Evelyn Partners, a wealth management and professional services group, has confirmed that Charlotte Platts will be joining the business in August.

She will be regional managing partner for its Financial Planning business across Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Platts has 35 years’ experience in wealth management and joins from Nationwide Building Society where, as director of financial planning, she led a team of 330.

Prior to that she was head of wealth at Santander UK, overseeing the group’s private banking and branch based financial planning business. She has also held senior roles at HSBC Private Bank and Investec.

Reporting to Emma Sterland, chief financial planning director at Evelyn Partners, Platts will work with managing partners in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to drive continued growth in the group’s Leeds, Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Knutsford, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle offices.

Sterland said: “Charlotte is a highly experienced wealth management professional who shares our commitment to deliver high quality Financial Planning services to our clients.

“Charlotte’s extensive experience in growing and leading teams at large firms will be invaluable as we continue with our ambitious plans to expand our presence in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

Platts added: “I am very much looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. In particular a return to a focus both on wealth management and the North region where I hope I can bring my knowledge and experience to help develop an already successful business for the benefit of our clients and colleagues.”

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