People: Clarion; Hexa; PKF Littlejohn Advisory, and more
Law firm, Clarion, has welcomed 10 new team members across the business in the second quarter of 2024.
These new additions include Rachel Spencer Robb who joins as partner, heading the Family Law team.
She brings over 25 years’ experience in family and matrimonial law, supporting families on a range of issues, across Yorkshire and the UK.
Dan Elsworth also joins, in the Debt Recovery team as senior associate, specialising primarily in commercial recoveries.
With 15 years’ experience in the field, he supports on all aspects of recovery, including pre-legal collections, county court proceedings, enforcement, and both personal and corporate insolvency.
The firm has also made three paralegal appointments, with Christopher Leadley and Abiel Ghebru joining the banking team, and Courtney Dixon in the private wealth team.
In the central operational teams, four new starters have arrived: Anastasiya Stelmakh-Merrick joins the front of house, Maisy Black and Lawrence Morgan in account management, and Karen King in risk and regulatory.
The single-site Leeds-based law firm supports a range of corporate and private clients both nationally and internationally and employs over 300 staff.
Roger Hutton, joint managing partner, said: “We’re excited to welcome a number of talented individuals to the business, and to continue the growth of our team, having already welcomed 12 new team members in the first quarter of the year.
“These appointments are not only an integral part of our national growth strategy, but testament to the abundance of great legal talent across the region.
“We are dedicated to creating an entrepreneurial environment, where our latest recruits play a key role in delivering plans, forging client relationships and developing and nurturing their skills. I look forward to seeing them thrive at Clarion.”
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Specialist engineering consultancy, Hexa, has appointed a new director to help drive forward growth in its Leeds office, having gone from a team of one to 14 in just 18 months of trading.
Dominic Ginty joins with more than two decades of experience at BWB Consulting, where he rose through the ranks from a senior engineer to director.
His specialist sectors include education, retail and industrial projects covering up to one million square feet. Notable clients include the University of York, IKEA, the Amazon Logistics centre in Wakefield and Leeds Valley Park for Caddick Developments.
Ginty said: “After 20 years with BWB, it felt like the time was right for a new challenge and being part of a growing team with so much potential felt like a great opportunity to put my stamp on things.”
His experience will help to support fellow director Matt Lomas, who was appointed earlier this year to head Hexa Land – the new ground engineering arm of the business and Richard Osbond who established the Hexa North office.
Looking further ahead, Ginty will also help broaden the scope services such as pre-planning phases, involving ecology, noise and air quality.
He added: “I’m ready to step back into more hands on and personal project work, and really help to drive forward Hexa’s northern presence alongside Matt and Richard.
“By helping to expand our services, the aim is to create that one-stop-shop where clients only require a single point of contact, reducing time pressures, paperwork and offer an overall smoother process.
“As well as oversight of project delivery using my more technical experience, I’ll also be taking on a business development role helping to raise our profile and explore new contacts across the region.”
Director, Richard Osbond, said: “It’s a great time to be welcoming Dominic into the team, having been a longstanding friend and contact within the industry as well as offering the expertise to keep growing our office in the north.
“Having recently launched the Hexa rebrand, he is joining at a really exciting time for the business and I have no doubt he will be a great asset to the team.
“I look forward to seeing where he can build our services and support Matt Lomas with Hexa Land, as well as stepping into new areas and expanding our client network.”
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Leeds and London-based insolvency and restructuring firm, PKF Littlejohn Advisory, has appointed Robert Barker as insolvency manager to support and further bolster the firm’s restructuring and insolvency capabilities.
He joins the company with over 15 years’ experience in the sector, working predominantly within boutique insolvency practices, helping to facilitate the restructuring, sale or liquidation of SMEs in need of financial support.
Barker will support the company’s Insolvency Practitioners from appointment through to final resolution.
He said: “My father was an Insolvency Practitioner and introduced me to several IPs which ultimately led to me entering the industry in 2008.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to work with the expert team at PKF, in an environment that will help facilitate my ultimate ambition of becoming an appointment taker.”
James Sleight, partner and head of Leeds at PKF Littlejohn Advisory, said Barker’s industry experience and knowledge will be key.
He added: “I’m confident Robert will be a real asset to the team. His experience in the SME market in particular will prove invaluable in helping us provide them with much needed support in tough economic times.
“His focus on exemplary client service and his passion to see businesses succeed wherever possible shines through in his work and how he communicates – helping clients to understand the complex terminology involved within our line of work and guiding them toward a successful outcome.”
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Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) has welcomed new trustees to its Board.
Shortlisting resulted in 24 interviewed candidates, from which nine individuals have been appointed to the main Board and to a newly created Trading and Enterprise Board.
YSP chair, Peter Clegg, said: “We have said a fond farewell to our founding director Sir Peter Murray CBE and to board members who have served us with real dedication over the years.
“Our new director Clare Lilley is demonstrating the skills she has to lead a globally significant arts organisation, which is also an integral part of its local community.
“And we have appointed a cohort of new trustees and advisors who bring exceptional energy and expertise to the board.”
Lilley said: “The calibre of individuals joining YSP’s governance is remarkable, reinforcing our reputation as a leading global arts organisation and beloved national and regional institution.
“At a particularly challenging time for cultural institutions in Britain and for the country’s economy, it is a privilege to welcome such accomplished and esteemed people, helping take Yorkshire Sculpture Park into the next exciting phase of its history.”
Kerry Bishop joins the Trading and Enterprise Board. She is the founder and director of Know Your Place, a creative business consultancy. She previously served as managing director at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), following six years as chief operating officer at Frieze.
Alice Boff joins the main Board. She is the head of development at Artangel, a London-based not for profit which commissions works of art for the public realm. An experienced fundraiser, she has previously worked with RADA, the ICA, 14-18 NOW, and the RA.
Hannah Cork has joined the Finance and Risk committee and the main Board. As former finance director at Factory International in Manchester and current financial advisor at SXSW London, she brings a wealth of financial, accountancy, governance, and operational visitor sector skills to the board.
Dr John Dunning joins the Trading and Enterprise Board. He is principal lecturer in Hospitality Management and Employer Engagement at Sheffield Business School and Sheffield Hallam University. He has extensive experience in Hospitality Management, including managing training and developing consultancy services for Gordon Ramsay Holdings.
Sam Henney also joins the Trading and Enterprise Board. Spanning 25 years in senior leadership positions and consultancy within the cultural sector, she brings expertise that extends across institutions including the National Theatre, Bodleian Libraries, and Disney Theatrical Productions, where she focused on commercial and marketing strategies.
Steve Holland joins the Finance and Risk Committee and the main Board. Born in Bradford, he was an apprentice in the chemicals industry, building an impressive career up to being CEO and chair of the Management Board of Brenntag AG, the global market leader in chemical distribution.
Katy Wickremesinghe joins the main Board of trustees. A British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur and creative leader, she is the founder of KTW London and The Wick, a global consultancy and content platform connecting the culturally curious.
Isabel Williams joins the main Board of trustees. She is chief marketing officer for Green Motion International, the world’s largest car rental franchise network. Previously director of marketing strategy at Booking.com, she lives locally and brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing and customer engagement.
Helen Whitehouse joins the main Board. She is chief operating officer of the Natural History Museum following six years as deputy director for Museums and Cultural Property at DCMS. Prior to that she spent a decade in the Ministry of Justice.
