People: BHP; Onebright; Ison Harrison; and more

Accountancy firm BHP has appointed Melanie Foster as its first chief information officer (CIO).

Foster, who has held a number of senior technology positions within the financial services sector, brings with her almost two decades of experience in technology innovation and integration.

In her new role, she will work alongside the wider team to develop and progress the company’s data and technology strategy, keeping it at the forefront of new tools and advancements, including AI, to support both internal processes and client services.

She said: “I’m pleased to be joining BHP as the business continues to thrive and deliver results for its clients across the North.

“I was attracted to the organisation due to their culture and values and ever since my first engagement with the Leadership Team have been impressed by their commitment to living those values.

“With the huge technological advancements over the last five years, including AI, I believe we can make transformative changes to our colleagues efficiency and hence the level of value provided to our clients.”

“I look forward to working with Hamish, Lisa and the Leadership Team to look at how BHP can best leverage these for the benefit of businesses across the UK.”

Lisa Leighton, joint CEO, added: “At BHP we are committed to offering our clients tailored, trusted and transformative services and one way in which we do that is through embracing technology.

“Appointing BHP’s first CIO demonstrates our commitment to investing in the future and staying at the forefront of the industry, which must continuously reflect and integrate technological advancements.”

“I’m excited to see how Melanie and the team further develop our technology and AI strategies as we look to embrace developments which will be used as an enabler to our talented teams of specialists.”

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York-headquartered Onebright, the UK’s largest private pay outpatient mental healthcare provider, has appointed Professor Marcantonio Spada as chief clinical officer.

Professor Spada joins Onebright’s executive board and leads and oversees the delivery and governance of the company’s clinical services.

Onebright assesses, treats and supports over 60,000 clients each year via an employed team of 150 clinical assessors and therapists and a national network of more than 3,000 clinicians.

Professor Spada previously held the role of Professor of Addictive Behaviours and Mental Health and the Dean of the School of Applied Sciences at London South Bank University. He remains Emeritus Professor at the University.

For more than 25 years, he has worked in both private practice and community mental health settings as a psychological therapist, supervisor and trainer.

As a chartered psychologist, accredited cognitive behavioural therapy practitioner, academic and researcher, Professor Spada has made a significant contribution to psychological theory and therapy, authoring over 200 scientific journal articles and establishing the field of metacognition in addictive behaviours.

Both the British Psychological Society and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies have awarded him a Fellowship in recognition of this body of work.

Donald Fowler, CEO at Onebright, said: “The strong combination of Marcantonio’s clinical background and experience of managing large teams with strong outcomes makes him perfectly suited to take on the role of chief clinical officer.

“We are sure he will make a real difference in helping us on our mission to create a brighter tomorrow by providing easy access to personalised, life-changing mental health support.”

Professor Spada added: “Having worked with Onebright for many years it feels a natural step for me to take on the position.

“I look forward to this new chapter and supporting our clinicians to treat a range of mental health conditions and deliver life changing outcomes.

“I am also honoured to remain affiliated with London South Bank University and will continue to be involved in a variety of research efforts in the field of mental health.”

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Three new experienced legal aid solicitors have joined Ison Harrison to support the rollout of its legal aid support to people suffering from domestic abuse or needing assistance with care proceedings and child arrangement orders.

Damian McDermott has been a solicitor for 26 years and has worked in family care since November 2018, acting for parents across Yorkshire. He previously worked for Jordans Solicitors and is based in the York office.

Prerna Kapoor has been specialising in family law since she qualified in 2016. She has recently relocated to South Yorkshire and will look after family care cases in the Doncaster and Barnsley offices.

Kauser Arshid, who will be based in the Wakefield office, has three years’ experience as a family care solicitor and previously specialised in child abuse law.

Tim Burt, a partner in the family legal aid team, is managing the implementation of the project.

He said: “We now have 17 legal aid family lawyers across Yorkshire. This means we are able to provide free legal representation to people who need it; through care proceedings, social services involvement, child arrangements cases, or domestic abuse work.

“Ison Harrison’s commitment to legal aid family work is stronger than ever, and this growth is a great asset for the firm, and for the communities and families we seek to help.”

The firm’s legal aid team has been visiting charities and organisations in York, Doncaster, Wakefield, Barnsley, Castleford, Huddersfield and Leeds to advise them of the support that can be provided.

One such organisation is Wren Bakery, a social enterprise that creates opportunities towards employment for disadvantaged women.

Parveen Ahmed, who specialises in domestic violence, children and care work and is a resolution accredited specialist in forced marriage and domestic violence, has already been visiting Wren Bakery.

Clare Sanderson, one of the original founders of the bakery, said: “We work with women who experience multiple disadvantages, many having had traumatic experiences of the court system.

“We are therefore really excited to be working with Ison Harrison to host free legal advice sessions in our cafe and training base in Mabgate.

“We have already seen the benefit that Parveen’s advice sessions have had.”

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Haroon Qayum has joined Roche Legal as a senior solicitor, adding his succession planning expertise to the York-based team.

Qayum, previously a partner at LCF Law in Harrogate, is relishing the challenge of his new role.

He said: “I believe this is an ideal moment to join Roche Legal. Over 80% of British businesses are family businesses and these range from small businesses to multi-million pound operations.

“I specialise in advice for family business owners and have also gained experience in dealing with cross border estate work and have built up an extensive network of trusted lawyers in overseas jurisdictions which I call upon when structuring cross-border estates for clients.”

Roche Legal owner, Rachel Roche, said: “We are pleased to be adding Haroon’s expertise in succession planning for family businesses and cross border estates to our team and he brings an impressive skills set.”

Gary Lumby, CEO, added: “I am happy that Haroon has agreed to join us at an important time in the company as we increase investment in people, marketing and technology to continue our high growth journey.”