People: Holden Smith; University of Huddersfield; Fintel; and more
Yorkshire law firm Holden Smith has promoted Leanne Pollard to director of family law.
It comes as the firm confirmed its Horsforth office, led by Pollard, recorded a turnover of £1.7m in 2024 – two years since it was launched.
Pollard becomes the fifth member of the Holden Smith’s board, which is now 60% female.
David Bancroft, co-founder, said: “Leanne joined us as head of family law – and our sole family law solicitor – to open our Horsforth office in 2023.
“Since then, she has grown the team to almost 20 people and has helped cement our reputation, especially in Leeds, for private family work.
“To grow a branch from pretty much zero to a turnover of £1.7m in only two years is impressive, and Leanne’s promotion to director is testament to her determination to grow the team and deliver the very best work for her clients.”
Pollard added: “I joined Holden Smith in 2023 with a new office and the autonomy from James and David to grow a family law department the way I saw best.
“We quickly outgrew our original office footprint and extended next door, and it’s been a pleasure to lead the growth of the department over the last two years.
“I look forward to working closely with the board of directors to shape the future of the firm as we chase ambitious growth plans.”
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The University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has appointed two visiting professors from the railway industry.
The move aims to further translate the institute’s research activity into real-world technology solutions and to develop new modelling tools to support a predict and prevent railway asset management strategy.
Andy Doherty, chief technology officer at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE), begins his new role at the university this month.
He will work alongside the IRR leadership team to define a long-term research plan that will seek to align the work of the institute with the £200m investment plans for the GCRE railway system proving ground.
The partnership will focus on supporting the implementation of next-generation railway technology solutions for both UK and international railway administrations.
Doherty has been one of the driving forces behind the creation of GCRE in South Wales, where he currently oversees the technology strategy.
GCRE will be a facility for world-class rail and mobility research, testing and showcasing of rolling stock, infrastructure and innovative new technologies.
Doherty is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers, with more than four decades of experience in the industry.
Until the autumn of 2020, he was chief rail technology officer for Network Rail and has held visiting chairs at the University of Southampton and Cranfield University.
With an aim to advance the state of the art in wheel-rail damage prediction modelling, Doherty is joined by Professor Mark Burstow, senior technical fellow and principal vehicle track dynamics engineer at Network Rail (NR), who was appointed a visiting professor at the IRR in November 2024.
Burstow is a specialist in vehicle-track interaction, with extensive knowledge in wheel-rail damage prediction.
His research work underpinned the learning from the fatal rail accident at Hatfield in 2000, where the underlying cause was found to be rolling contact fatigue (RCF) of the rail head, ultimately leading to a train derailment. #
Burstow developed internationally recognised models for RCF and wear, which have resulted in RCF crack detection and mitigation strategies that have dramatically reduced the risk of rail breaks.
Professor Paul Allen, director of the Institute of Railway Research (IRR) at the University of Huddersfield, said: “We are happy to be in the position to attract the support of two extremely capable and respected railway engineers.
“As an ex-NR Board member, Andy brings a wealth of experience in strategic management, together with a passion and proven track record in driving a research and innovation culture in the rail industry.
“His appointment comes at a formative stage in the development of GCRE and we are very much looking forward to beginning the journey in strategically aligning and applying the world-leading specialist capabilities at the IRR with the global vision for rail system innovation and proving at GCRE.
“As a senior practising engineer at NR, holding a Doctorate and extensive research track record in the numerical modelling of fracture in metals, Mark will be an invaluable asset in assisting the IRR team to further extend its modelling tools and capabilities in wheel-rail damage prediction.
“Initial work will seek to increase understanding of the influence of high temperatures generated between the wheel and rail on wear and surface damage.
“As an industrial research partner for over 20 years, we very much welcome the opportunity for Mark to contribute directly to our research and support both staff and doctoral research students in their work.”
Doherty said: “Cutting-edge research, technology development and working collaboratively with innovation teams and students are things I have always loved doing in my career and I’m looking forward to contributing to the vital work the institute does.
“It’s great to be joining at such a pivotal time for the rail industry. Across the UK and internationally, rail has a significant role to play in supporting our path to net zero and stimulating economic growth, but that requires new ideas, faster deployment of innovations and more cost-effective ways of developing infrastructure.”
Burstow added: “Having worked alongside academia in developing knowledge and modelling tools for the prediction of wheel-rail surface damage throughout my career, I was pleased the University of Huddersfield and colleagues at the Institute of Railway Research were able to offer me the position of visiting professor.
“With several research ideas already on the table, I am excited to get started in working more closely with the IRR team.”
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Huddersfield-headquartered Fintel, a provider of fintech and support services to the UK retail financial services sector, has changed its executive leadership structure with the departure of Neil Stevens, joint CEO, and the confirmation of Matt Timmins as chief executive officer.
Stevens has decided to step down from his executive responsibilities as of 30 June 2025, and will not stand for re-appointment to the Board of Directors at the AGM.
In the interim period he will continue with his current role and responsibilities and will enact an orderly transition to individuals within the existing executive team, in accordance with the Board’s succession plan.
Following the AGM on 20 May 2025, joint CEO Matt Timmins will take sole responsibility as chief executive officer of Fintel, supported by David Thompson, chief financial officer, together operating as the executive directors of the firm.
Phil Smith, non-executive chairman, said: “Since our market listing in April 2018, the structure of joint chief executive officers has worked effectively for the company, allowing us the capacity to execute our multi-strand strategy.
“It also provided us with embedded succession planning in the event that either incumbent was to leave to business.
“In Matt Timmins, we have an exceptional leader who is fully equipped to lead our business over the next phase of our strategic growth.
“Our strategy is firmly set and we are focused on executing it at pace to deliver returns for our shareholders.”
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Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm has appointed Sharon Milner as its new chief executive officer.
She brings 18 years of experience in the charity sector to the new role, having spent the last two years as director of Bradford Hospitals Charity, and prior to that, 16 years as chief executive officer for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
Milner replaces Dave Norman who has held the position of CEO of Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm for the last 10 years.
Under Milner’s leadership, the charity aims to continue expanding its reach, ensuring even more children can benefit.
She said: “I am enormously proud to be back in my home city taking up the position of CEO for Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm.
“The charity provides a vital service for youngsters in Leeds by offering adventure and learning in a safe and happy environment.
“The team here do an incredible job, helping to make a real difference to young people and I am looking forward to continuing this excellent work, further strengthening our brand, and highlighting the hugely important impact the charity’s work has on the lives of deprived children across the city.”
Norman added: “It’s been an honour to lead the Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm for the past 10 years and I am hugely proud of all we’ve achieved in that time.
“I am very pleased to welcome Sharon as the new CEO knowing that the charity’s work will continue to develop under her guidance, support and leadership.
“I know the team feel the same as I do, and that they will do all they can to support Sharon in the coming months as she acclimatises to life on the farm and at the charity.”
Chair of the Leeds Children’s Charity board of trustees, Ian Hargreaves, added: “Sharon’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm.
“Her impressive background in running successful charitable organisations and board member roles, along with her passion for the cause, make her the perfect fit to lead our organisation into the future.
“We have every confidence that she will inspire our team and community to achieve even greater heights.
“We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dave Norman for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication over the years.”
