People: Parklane Plowden; Bolser; Modo25; and more

Leeds and Newcastle-based Parklane Plowden Chambers has welcomed a new tenant to its 40-strong family team.

Emma Gough, who was called to the Bar in 2004, specialises in private children cases alongside financial remedy proceedings.

She joins PLP from Newcastle and York-based Dere Street Barristers where she practiced for 19 years.

Within her family law practice, Gough has been instructed in cases involving alienation, intractable hostility and international relocation.

She covers hearings at all levels from First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment through to Final Hearings. She also acts in cases relating to care proceedings and non-accidental injuries.

Gough said: “Parklane Plowden’s family practice has a well established reputation throughout the circuit and is seeing impressive growth.

“I’m pleased to be joining such a progressive set and work with a team who are committed to helping make a positive difference in their casework.”

Senior practice director, Stephen Render, said: “Emma has a vast amount of experience dealing with complex, sensitive cases which require unique skills to support clients and ensure successful outcomes.

“We are pleased to have her on the family set which has seen significant expansion over the last 12 months with new door tenants and former pupils accepting tenancy.”

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Five new recruits have joined the team at Leeds-based digital agency, Bolser, following record growth and a recent King’s Award for Enterprise win.

Leading the hires, Richard Stephenson arrives as the agency’s technical lead. He has two decades of experience in web development for start-ups and major brands including Sainsbury’s and Nike as a consultant.

He will head a team of nine, working across a wide range of clients from Microsoft to the National Theatre and fast-growing Leeds business, Garolla.

Stephenson said: “I’m looking forward to sharing my experience with the talented existing dev and QA team on a range of exciting blue-chip projects.”

He is joined by two front-end developers, Jacob Marsey and Calvin Gomes. Marsey hails from digital transformation agency, Calls9, and before that, Aviva Rail North. Gomes joins from U Energy and brings global expertise from the UK and Indian tech scenes.

Digital marketers, Cerys Moore and Brooke Sanders complete the set. Moore, a performance marketing analyst, brings a background in data and performance marketing. Sanders joins with a comprehensive digital marketing background having worked across multiple Leeds digital agencies.

Ashley Bolser, MD and founder, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome five talented recruits to the agency. We’re excited to see what they do in their roles and how they will help shape the future of Bolser.”

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Leeds-based digital marketing agency, Modo25, has taken on several new team members with its latest recruits bringing over 40 years of experience.

The firm has welcomed Claire Acum as the new associate director of digital strategy.

With a 25-year career in marketing, she brings extensive knowledge and insight to the team.

Having spent most of her career on the agency side, she recently led digital marketing at Hull-based safety products and services company Arco.

In her new role, she will be instrumental in supporting Modo25’s teams and clients, ensuring they maximise the benefits of the agency’s services, including the AI platform ASK BOSCO®.

She said: “Joining Modo25 is giving me the chance to consolidate everything I have learnt over the years. I’m enjoying being part of a young company with exciting things ahead. I love being part of a great culture and tight-knit team.”

In addition, Chris Jones has been appointed as senior business development manager.

He brings 12 years of experience in the industry, having held significant roles at software-as-a-service companies such as Attraqt PLC, Contentsquare, Proximity, and most recently, Apply Digital, a digital transformation agency.

Jones has collaborated with clients such as PVH, Puma, Selfridges, and Specsavers He will focus on generating new business opportunities across both Modo25 and ASK BOSCO®.

Sam Pierce joins the agency as a senior performance marketing executive.

He will be responsible for building and optimising marketing campaigns while developing effective paid media strategies for clients.

He has previous experience at Aira, where he led client accounts across various industries.

Pierce said: “Being part of Modo25 has been great. The team’s data-driven mindset, as well as a passion for staying ahead of industry trends, best practices, and the latest AI developments, motivate me to not only continue to do good work but also grow my skills as a marketer.”

Rounding off the team growth is Katie Sims who joins as SEO executive.

She brings a year of SEO experience, having previously worked at All Response Media in Leeds, where she supported clients like Brooks Running, the University of Northampton, and Purely Shutters.

In her new role, she will be supporting various clients to improve their organic search performance through both content and technical SEO.

John Readman, founder and CEO of the agency, said: “We’re excited to welcome Claire, Chris, Sam, and Katie to the Modo25 team.

“Each brings a unique set of skills and a passion for innovation that aligns perfectly with our mission to be at the forefront of digital marketing.

“Their experience and fresh perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to grow and push the boundaries of what’s possible for our clients.”

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Gil Cubells

Bibby Financial Services’ (BFS) Asset Finance division, Bibby Asset Finance (BAF), has made two new hires, as it pursues its growth strategy to increase lending throughout the UK.

With more than 60 years’ combined experience in asset finance, Gil Cubells and Dan Nield join the Leeds office as BAF’s head of national broker sales, and operations director, respectively.

Sean Neville, managing director for Bibby Asset Finance, said: “Gil and Dan are excellent additions to the team, and their wealth of asset finance expertise will further strengthen our offering for SMEs as we pursue our refocused growth strategy.

“These appointments reflect our commitment to the SME market, and our ambition to work more closely with both customers and brokers.

“With the economy on an upward trajectory, now is an opportune moment for SMEs to consider how they could make use of third-party funding to optimise their own growth ambitions. And this is exactly where Bibby Asset Finance can help.”

Cubells joins from Simply Asset Finance where he was head of broker.

With 40 years’ experience in the financial sector, specialising in asset finance, he will lead the BAF broker sales teams in delivering improved service levels and increased business volumes.

He said: “Having managed broker relationships for over four decades, I’m thrilled to join BAF at such a pivotal time.

“The opportunities to drive meaningful impact here are huge. I’m eager to leverage my experience to enhance our broker interactions and contribute to our continued success in the industry.”

Dan Nield

Nield has 25 years’ experience in asset finance, financing everything from air ambulances in the Middle East to office suppliers in the UK.

He will spearhead Bibby Asset Finance’s strategy to grow market share, while focusing on developing the team and boosting its reputation for great service.

He said: “I’m looking forward to joining BAF’s experienced team with an incredibly exciting opportunity to create something new in the asset finance space.

“The excellent levels of customer service on offer and BAF’s clear determination to continue to grow this support, in addition to the senior team’s enthusiasm for the asset finance strategy, convinced me to make this move.”