People: S+SA Architects; Appleyard Lees; CO2Sustain; and more

Harrogate and Leeds-based S+SA Architects has welcomed two new professionals, Nick Cooper and Jack Dooley, as senior architectural technologists.
Cooper brings over 30 years of extensive industry expertise with experience in leading an architectural practice.
His portfolio spans diverse sectors, including commercial, public sector, education, and retail, adding valuable depth to the practice’s capabilities.
Dooley joins the team with 10 years of experience as a senior technologist at his former practice.
His technical proficiency and fresh perspective further enhance S+SA’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
Joel Smith, director, said: “These appointments mark an exciting step forward for our practice.
“Nick and Jack’s expertise will play a pivotal role in supporting our strong pipeline of work as we approach our milestone 10-year anniversary this year.”
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Leeds-based Appleyard Lees continues to expand its suite of intellectual property services with the appointment of Arnie Francis, a qualified UK and European patent attorney and solicitor of England and Wales.
Francis’s dual qualifications further enhance the firm’s ability to service clients navigating the Unified Patent Court (UPC) system.
He said: “I am thrilled to be joining Appleyard Lees and contributing to its reputation as a leader in intellectual property law as it continues to expand its service offering.
“As both a patent attorney and solicitor, I am looking forward to drawing together my varied experience to help our clients successfully navigate the complex intersection of legal, technical and commercial issues that arise in today’s evolving IP landscape.”
Bobby Smithson, managing partner, said: “Adding Arnie’s rare combination of skills to our team is a significant step forward as the firm continues to grow.
“This appointment aligns with our strategy to expand our service portfolio and deliver unparalleled expertise to our clients.”
Partner and head of litigation, Robert Cumming, added: “As the UPC emphasises active case management, English solicitors familiar with IPEC have a unique advantage in serving clients with UPC litigation.
“I am excited that Arnie’s unique skill set, combining both technical and legal expertise, will boost the firm’s growing capabilities in UPC litigation.
“Arnie’s expertise also strengthens our well-established IP litigation team, which includes myself and specialist IP solicitors Chris Hoole, Daniel Bailey and Christopher Thomas.
“Arnie’s distinct expertise further diversifies our broad-skilled team, recently expanded by the addition of transactional IP specialist, Amrit Jethwa.”
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Two key hires are joining specialist Leeds-based manufacturer, CO2Sustain, to help further accelerate the company’s growth plans.
Simon Briggs will be responsible for key strategic geographical growth areas and Chris Watts has joined to strengthen new product development and the technical team.
Briggs arrives as part of the firm’s strategic move to elevate its market presence and will be focusing on Southeast Asia and Bangladesh.
He is a senior international commercial manager with a track record of success in this region. His key strength is developing strong and long-term business relationships with distributor and customers.
He will be championing the benefits that carbonated soft-drinks manufacturers can derive from CO2Sustain’s product.
Watts joins as a Product technologist and will bring his knowledge and expertise to the company’s new product development strategy and will as manage the business’s laboratory functions.
He is a biological sciences graduate with 12 years work experience and is adept at refining processes to improve efficiencies.
Jonathan Stott, director, said: “We are happy to welcome Simon and Chris to our team at this exciting point in the company’s growth. The team and I look forward to supporting them to succeed and wish them well.”
Briggs said: “I’m excited about this opportunity and believe that CO2Sustain will become a must for every carbonated soft-drinks manufacturer in Southeast Asia.
“It’s one of those simple innovations that brings so many benefits to drinks manufacturers.”
Watts added: “I am excited to challenge myself and develop into my new role. New product development is a key part of CO2Sustain’s ambitious growth plans and an area that I really enjoy so I’m keen to get started.”
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Calbee UK, owner of Bradford’s Seabrook Crisps, has appointed Dan Barnes as senior procurement manager.
Formerly working in Procurement at Morrisons, he is tasked with further developing strong relationships and robust practices with suppliers.
He said: “As well as trying the range of exciting crisps and snacks, I am also looking forward to using my experience from Morrisons to deliver value for Calbee and our suppliers, supporting our ambitious growth targets.
“These are exciting times for Calbee UK. With a portfolio of new products ready to launch during 2025, it is set to be a very busy year.”
Group managing director of Calbee UK, Jon Wood, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Dan to the Calbee family. We know that he will be a real asset to the team and his talent and approach will complement what we do here.
“In addition to our exciting innovation agenda, we remain focused on working as efficiently as possible with our supplier network.
“It is important to us that we have the right team in place to support our growth ambitions and our aim to be a best-in-class crisps and snacks supplier to our customers.”