People: Jigsaw Equity; Titus; Holden Smith; and more

Leeds-based recruitment investor, Jigsaw Equity, has appointed experienced financial director John Toppin as an associate advisor.

He joins in an advisory capacity as the firm approaches its second year in business.

Toppin has spent two decades advising consultancy and agency businesses, guiding them through growth, operational improvements, and strategic exits.

Before that, he held senior leadership roles, including finance director and chief executive at Saatchi & Saatchi, Kroll Associates, and The Triangle Group.

His role at Jigsaw will involve advising the team on potential investments and working with the businesses Jigsaw invests in to help guide their future growth.

He previously worked with Graham Goodwin, co-founder of Jigsaw Equity, as a board advisor.

Toppin said: “I’ve spent my career helping people-focused businesses to grow, and I’ve been privileged to work with some of the world’s most recognised names in business.

“Over the last two decades, I have worked in an independent capacity, offering strategic consultancy to clients, and I am looking forward to working with Michael and Graham Goodwin at Jigsaw Equity to do the same for them and the people they partner with.”

Jigsaw Equity launched in June 2024 as a specialist investor in the recruitment sector. It is formed by the father-son partnership Graham and Michael Goodwin.

Michael Goodwin added: “The recruitment sector presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to growing businesses sustainably.

“Its cyclical nature and reliance on uncontrollable external factors can often mean that firms falter when trying to grow.

“John will work with Jigsaw in two ways: firstly, by helping to assess the quality and opportunity of potential investments, and secondly, by sharing his significant expertise with our clients.

“We are pleased to welcome him to the team and look forward to working closely with him as an associate advisor.”

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Titus, an eLearning company based in Saltaire, has made key leadership changes to its management team as part of its strategic plans to support key growth and innovation in 2025.

The first appointment sees the introduction of Duncan Marrison as new managing director.

With over 15 years of leadership experience in Third-Party Logistics (3PL), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and digital transformation, he brings a wealth of expertise in driving operational excellence and business growth.

The second addition introduces David Brindle to Titus’ leadership team as the new operations director.

He has extensive experience in customer success and business transformation and will play a pivotal role in refining operations, improving efficiencies, and strengthening customer relationships.

Finally, Ellie Sharkey has been promoted to marketing director. Having played a crucial role in the company’s current success, Sharkey will now lead strategic initiatives that elevate the company’s position as a leader in the eLearning industry.

Seb Francis, co-founder and director, said: “Bringing Duncan and David into the leadership team, alongside Ellie’s well-deserved promotion, marks an exciting step up for Titus.

“Their combined expertise will be key in driving our growth strategy and enhancing the value we deliver to our customers.

“With this strengthened leadership team, we’re well-positioned to continue innovating and expanding our impact on the eLearning industry.”

Marrison added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Titus at such a pivotal time in its journey. The company has built a fantastic reputation for delivering innovative eLearning solutions, and I’m excited to work alongside such a talented team.

“My focus will be on driving growth, underpinned by operational excellence, and ensuring we continue to provide exceptional value to our customers. I look forward to what we can achieve together in 2025 and beyond.”

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Holden Smith, a Yorkshire and Manchester-based law firm, has appointed Luke Underhill as head of commercial property.

Underhill, who also assumes the role office manager at the firm’s Denby Dale head office, joins having been a partner in another Yorkshire-based firm for the last six years.

David Bancroft, co-founder and director at Holden Smith, said: “It’s an exciting time of growth at Holden Smith, and Luke’s appointment swiftly follows our expansion into Manchester with the opening of our office at 111 Picadilly in January.

“Luke has over 20 years’ experience working in property law, and his knowledge and expertise will be of huge benefit to our commercial clients while also helping to shape the direction of our growing Commercial Property department and firm as a whole.”

Underhill said: “I have followed Holden Smith since the firm was established in 2019 and have been impressed with its growth and ambition to do things differently.

“I’m pleased to be joining Holden Smith as head of commercial property and office manager at an exciting time with further growth on the horizon.

“Everyone at the firm has been extremely welcoming and I am looking forward to working closely with the directors and fantastic staff within the firm to further build our commercial property offering.”

Holden Smith was established by James Smith and David Bancroft in 2019 as a team of three. The firm now employs more than 90 people with offices in Huddersfield, Leeds, Horsforth, Elland, Queensbury and Manchester.

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Ventrolla, a Harrogate-headquartered installer and restorer of timber sash and casement windows, has appointed Paul Lyon-Hayes as commercial sales manager.

He brings over 30 years of experience in the timber window industry, with a focus on new build and refurbishment markets.

Prior to joining Ventrolla, he was actively involved in the research and development of timber window design and construction to meet the evolving building regulations and to improve thermal performance.

He is focused on emphasising Ventrolla’s ability to retrofit and upgrade existing windows as opposed to replacing them, preventing unnecessary landfill waste while also preserving period features and building aesthetics.

Lyon-Hayes is also focusing on developing new energy efficiency solutions that can be implemented in heritage properties to enhance thermal performance.

He said: ‘What first attracted me to Ventrolla was the specialised products and technology it has created to enhance sash windows for homeowners.

“It is something you don’t see at other businesses in the industry and truly sets them apart as an innovator and market leader.

“The opportunity to lead the commercial sales side of the business and take it to new levels was something I could not turn down.

“Following the rebrand it is a very exciting time at Ventrolla, and joining the business was the perfect next step for my career.”

Mark Flanagan, managing director, added: “Bringing Paul onboard was the obvious next step to continue our recent brand refresh.

“His experience in the timber window industry combined with his drive to push our unique proposition will really help drive forward the next phase of growth and development.”