People: Azets; Humber Marine and Renewables; and more

International business advisory group Azets has made 11 promotions across its three offices in Yorkshire.

Edward Cliff (Audit & Assurance, York) has been promoted to director while, also in the York office, Bethan Hughes has been appointed senior manager, Adam Wingrove manager and Rutendo Chikukwa assistant manager. Also in York, Ashley Greaves and Benjamin Jones have become senior auditors.

Edward Cliff

Other promotions include Darren Hindle (Bradford) to senior manager. In Leeds, Carolyn Simpson has been appointed office manager and Tashan Jones has become senior administrator. Katharine Calvert and Jessica Turnball have become senior auditors.

Nearly half (45%) of the promotions were awarded to women, reflecting progress in improving gender representation in leadership roles within the firm.

Russell Turner, regional managing director for Azets in Yorkshire, said: “This latest round of promotions reflects the exceptional depth of talent we have at Azets in Yorkshire, and the continuous demand for talented people as we continue to successfully grow.

“Our people are the driving force behind our success, and it’s fantastic to see so many colleagues progressing in their careers and stepping into new roles.

Darren Hindle

“As we continue to grow and support the evolving needs of our clients, investing in our people remains a priority.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see more women stepping into senior positions at Azets. This reflects the excellent quality of our talent and the progress we’re making with diversity at leadership level.

“We’re a progressive employer. Diversity, Equality and inclusivity (DE&I) is integral to our culture are we are fully supportive in providing opportunities for everyone within our firm.

“On behalf of everyone at Azets, I’d like to congratulate all colleagues on their well-earned success.”

Nationally Azets made 122 year promotions at all levels in its UK business, including 10 new partners and directors. 60 per cent of these senior promotions were awarded to women.

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Two new directors have been welcomed on board at regional trade organisation, Humber Marine and Renewables.

David Laister and Emma Lingard are now supporting the organisation’s strategic direction.

They have been appointed following the departure of Graham Billany, and former chair Iain Butterworth.

Humber Marine and Renewables is in the process of appointing a new chair, as well as a business development manager, to help deliver its strategic plan.

Laister is no stranger to the organisation, having hosted Offshore Wind Connections 2024 and extensively covered the sector’s happenings in an 18-year stint as a business journalist in the region.

He is now PR and media director at Hull-based Fred Marketing, and had also served on the board of Grimsby Renewables Partnership (which in 2022 merged with Team Humber Marine Alliance to create Humber Marine & Renewables) between 2016 and 2019.

He said: “It is a pleasure to be involved in an organisation I’ve always had the utmost respect for, having supported the incredible events that bring key Humber businesses and industry leaders together.

“The devolution agenda playing out in 2025 underlines the importance of pan-Humber organisations to the business community, so I’m happy to be on board.”

For the past three years Lingard has worked for Associated British Ports as corporate communications manager for the four Humber ports.

She had previously served Seafish in a similar role, and has also worked as a journalist in the region, including a stint on local television.

She also leads guided history walks around northern Lincolnshire and delivers history talks.

Lingard said: “The Humber region is at the forefront of the UK’s renewable energy revolution, and I’m excited to contribute my expertise to support its vision for sustainable growth and innovation.”

Butterworth, a lawyer and marine engineer, was at the helm for the beginning of a new chapter for Humber Marine and Renewables, notably the repositioning to include North Yorkshire’s coastal communities, the addition of the Humber Renewables Awards to the organisation’s event schedule and its recent funding win.

He said: “It was a good time to step down after overseeing a significant period of activity for Humber Marine and Renewables.

“We’ve truly come together as one voice for the region following the merger of Team Humber Marine Alliance and Grimsby Renewables Partnership, with clear recognition from government of further potential. I wish all well.”

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Rotherham-headquartered independent managed service provider, Parseq, has appointed Chris Peet to lead its warehouse and fulfilment operations.

Peet, who joined from Contract Furniture Group, previously managed warehouse operations for e-commerce automation start-up Selazar, and has extensive warehouse management experience gained at major manufacturers and third-party logistics specialists.

Parseq, which provides back-office support to a global client base that includes major manufacturers and fast-growth SMEs, recently confirmed it had repurposed almost 750,000 cubic feet of space at its South Yorkshire HQ to meet demand for logistics and fulfilment services from e-commerce companies.

Craig Naylor-Smith, CEO, said: “Chris brings a wealth of specialist knowledge and contacts around logistics, fulfilment, and the automation of e-commerce operations.

“With our technology and process innovation expertise, this strategic hire positions us well to meet growing demand from e-commerce companies for fast, flexible and low-cost warehousing and fulfilment support.”

Peet added: “Parseq is already proving to be a compelling proposition for growing e-commerce companies, who can now rapidly service any number of orders with ease, without having to expand themselves or sign up to complex and restrictive contracts that are common with major fulfilment providers.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to help build a sizable warehouse and fulfilment business here.”