People: Chef Works; Leeds Building Society; Wilkin Chapman; and more
Chef Works, a supplier of culinary uniforms in the UK, has made a trio of senior appointments as part of a new phase of growth in Europe and the Middle East (EME).
Tim Lee has joined as commercial director, while James Green has been appointed to a sales director role, taking over from Sam O’Kane who has been promoted to key accounts director EME. It takes the total head count of the business, headquartered in Leeds, to 21.
The appointments come off the back of a year of significant growth, which saw the company’s $5m plus turnover increase through new hotel and leisure client wins, as well as progress in the private education and assisted living sectors.
Managing director, Paul Gross, said: “We’re pleased to have landed some major new customers this year which has allowed us to forge ahead with a sizeable growth chapter for Chef Works, focusing on EME.
“Our new hires will be instrumental in helping us to grow further across different sectors and serve our increasingly cross-European customer base. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”
Lee was previously managing director at Elite Fine Foods in Sussex, Green joins from a business development role at Aqua Libra, while O’Kane has achieved his second promotion within the Chef Works family in the past three years.
Each will focus on developing Chef Works’ programme management services to companies wishing to consolidate their supplier base.
Lee said: “Joining Chef Works Europe as commercial director is an exciting opportunity at a pivotal moment for the business.
“With our brand legacy of excellence and a rapidly evolving market, we are positioned to redefine industry standards.”
Green said: “Chef Works and Bragard uniforms are universally loved by independent cafes up to huge global hotel chains.
“From the front of house to the back, they’ve set the bar for style, service and sustainability over the years, and I’m proud to be representing the company as it moves into a more ambitious period of growth.”
O’Kane added: “I’ve seen Chef Works go from strength-to-strength, despite tough market conditions in hospitality.
“It’s testament to our outstanding commitment to customer service and constant product innovation.
“Stepping into this new role fills me with excitement as I focus on expanding our cross-European accounts, contributing to the brand’s incredible future.”
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Leeds Building Society has appointed Brendan McCafferty as chair with effect from 1 March 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
He will succeed Iain Cornish following his confirmation in January that he would not seek a third term as chair.
McCafferty has been a non-executive director at Leeds Building Society since September.
He is a chartered management accountant with extensive financial services experience, including across the insurance and pensions sectors.
He is currently chair of Nest Corporation, a position he has held since February 2022, and was previously CEO (Intermediated and Direct) at AXA Insurance UK plc and the founding CEO of Flood Re Ltd, a Public Body venture between the Government and the insurance industry.
With more than 30 years of experience, he brings a huge amount of knowledge and strategic insight to the role.
McCafferty said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of chair at Leeds Building Society. The society has a strong heritage, a clear purpose, and is committed to putting members first.
“I look forward to working with the rest of the Board, Executive team, and colleagues across the society to build on its success and ensure we remain well-positioned to serve our members.”
Richard Fearon, chief executive, said: “Brendan holds a wealth of leadership experience which will be of huge benefit to the society.
“I and the rest of the Board are looking forward to working with him as we enter our 150th year of providing a strong and secure place for savers’ money and putting homeownership within reach of more people generation after generation.”
Iain Cornish, who joined the society’s Board in 2019 and became chair in April 2020, said: “It has been hugely satisfying to be part of such a collaborative culture focused on supporting members.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I would like to thank my fellow directors, our colleagues and our members for their support throughout my tenure as chair.
“I look forward to watching the society build on its continued success led by Brendan, Richard and the rest of the Board.”
Fearon added: “I would like to express my personal thanks to Iain for his support during his time as a Board member and chair.
“He has made an invaluable contribution, including helping us navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and continuing to grow as a society.”
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East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire law firm, Wilkin Chapman, has welcomed nine new trainee solicitors to its Grimsby, Beverley, Lincoln and Louth offices.
The nine new trainee solicitors have begun their training contracts which will begin in the medical negligence, personal injury, dispute resolution, Wills, estates, tax & trusts, real estate and domestic property teams.
The two-year training contract offers experience across various legal disciplines, divided into four six-month rotations.
Additionally, trainees gain exposure to different offices within our network of four locations, providing them with a broad perspective on legal specialisms, client needs and diverse work environments.
The new cohort includes Jessica Badics Maeers (Grimsby), Danielle Ayscough (Lincoln), Abigail Bolton (Lincoln), Elliot Dawson (Lincoln), Aaron Grantham (Louth), Barney Seamer (Louth), Amelia Watson (Louth), Jack Herring (Beverley) and Jessica Stabler (Beverley).
Lisa Boileau, partner and head of the private client division, said: “Wilkin Chapman is renowned across the region for producing highly skilled, well-prepared lawyers – and that journey often begins right here, in our training contracts.
“Our trainee solicitor programme is designed to attract driven and talented individuals who are committed to learning, refining their skills, and building a long-term career with us.
“We’re thrilled to be able to continue the momentum of last year’s intake and award nine training contracts this year, bringing the total number of trainee solicitors currently training with us to 19.”
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Yorkshire-based solicitors firm, Chadwick Lawrence, is expanding its employment law offering, BoxHR, with new appointments to the team.
The firm is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of BoxHR and is pursuing further growth with the appointments of University of Oxford graduate, Madeleine Partland as paralegal, and Leeds Beckett business graduate, Ellie Jones, as customer relationship co-ordinator for employment.
The new appointments support the employment law division in its development plan, taking the team headcount to 12.
Chadwick Lawrence’s BoxHR service was officially launched in 2004 and has since grown to become the backbone of the firm’s employment law offering.
Serving approaching 250 clients annually, the team dedicates the majority of its efforts to providing employment law and HR advice to well-known businesses both across Yorkshire and nationally, and still works with their first client, engineering tooling suppliers, Cutwel.
Sam Pawson, head of employment law, said: “Our new hires mark an exciting chapter for BoxHR as we continue to grow and innovate.
“Ellie and Madeleine will not only bring fresh perspectives and energy to our team but will also be pivotal in strengthening client relationships and ensuring we stay ahead of industry changes.
“Reaching our 20-year anniversary is a milestone we are incredibly proud of.
“BoxHR’s longevity and 90% customer retention rate is built on our pioneering retainer model, offering clients unlimited and cost-effective access to qualified legal practitioners – a model that remains as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.
“This approach, combined with a deep understanding of client needs, has helped us to become a trusted partner for businesses across a wide range of industries from manufacturing to professional sport.
