People: Sofina Foods Europe; Savills; Ramsdens Solicitors; and more

Malton-headquartered, Sofina Foods Europe, has strengthened its leadership team.

The business says its new appointments bring extensive industry experience and leadership expertise.

Helen Watts joins as chief people officer following a distinguished career with McCain Foods, spanning 18 years in multiple senior people roles, building organisational capability to drive performance and developing employee value propositions to attract the retain the best talent.

James Pirie arrives as chief commercial officer after 14 years in senior commercial and operational roles with Arla, gaining extensive experience in delivering category growth, sustainable supply chain solutions from farm to shelf, and developing long term customer partnerships.

Stuart Herd joins as chief growth officer. This follows a 20-year career with McCain Foods in a newly created role, bringing experience winning customers and transforming category growth around the world.

Ash Amirahmadi, chief executive officer of Sofina Foods Europe, said: “These appointments mark an exciting step forward for Sofina Foods Europe as we strengthen our leadership team.

“To attract the calibre of leadership that Helen, James and Stuart bring underlines the scale of our ambition.

“Together they bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will be instrumental in driving our objectives and helping us achieve our ambitious vision to be the most successful food company in the world.”

:::

Savills has made 12 promotions across its York and Leeds offices, effective from March 2025.

In York, Jennifer Dixon and Sam Greaves who jointly head the rural consultancy team across the north of England have both been promoted to director level, while Susannah Pick, a rural surveyor in the rural management team becomes an associate director.

Clara Levitt and Laura Oxtoby, both in the rural consultancy team have been promoted to associate level within the business.

Meanwhile in Leeds, Ali Imran in the property management team and Catherine Strofton in the planning team become associate directors, while Sophie Sismanovic in development, Sophie Williams and Zoe Malir in the planning team, Peter Erskine in the minerals team and Gabby Picker in the housing team have all been promoted to associate level.

Susie Webb in the retail team has been promoted to senior staff.

Matthew Watson, head of office at Savills York, said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all those who have been successfully promoted this year.

“They have worked hard to consistently deliver excellent service to our clients and have a played an important part in the continued success of the York office.”

Simon Lister, head of office at Savills Leeds, added: “Our people are at the heart of what we do, and recognising their hard work and dedication is incredibly important.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to these deserving individuals who have moved up the ranks in the Leeds office.”

:::

Yorkshire-based law firm, Ramsdens Solicitors, has expanded its team after an apprentice became the first to secure a full-time role through the firm’s graduate scheme.

Megan Smith, who graduated from Newcastle University, is the first of her cohort to become a full-time member of the firm through the Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme after recently passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Ramsdens Solicitors currently has seven apprentices with six being graduate apprentices enrolled in the scheme – a process which takes two and a half years to complete.

Additionally, the firm has a further eight trainee solicitors following a traditional training contract.

Partner and training principal, Natalie Lang, said: “Megan has been an exemplary trainee apprentice, managing to gain fantastic marks in her SQE examinations whilst working at the firm.

“She has excelled so much within the Intestacy team that she has been offered a newly qualified position. She is a brilliant example to all of our other trainee apprentices.”

Smith added: “My time on the graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme has been incredibly valuable in helping me build the foundations of my career.

“It is so rewarding to know that the hard work over the past two and a half years has paid off, and I am thrilled to be joining Ramsdens as a solicitor.”

Megan was a legal assistant in Child Law prior to her apprenticeship, and during the scheme completed her seats in Child Law, Private Wealth & Succession and the Intestacy team, where she has now secured a full-time position at Ramsdens.

:::

Jack Kidder has taken on a new role as chair of South Yorkshire’s Giving Network (SYGN).

Kidder – responsible business manager for Henry Boot PLC – will head the Network and oversee the delivery of a series of four key SYGN events across South Yorkshire in 2025.

The appointment builds on the long-term partnership between South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation and Henry Boot.

South Yorkshire’s Giving Network is delivered by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) – the region’s largest grant-giving charity.

SYGN brings together like-minded businesses and individuals passionate about giving back to their communities.

Networkers contribute to two exclusive funds – the Giving Network Distribution Fund and the Giving Network Endowment Fund – ensuring both immediate and long-term support for groups and organisations in South Yorkshire.

Kidder said: “Henry Boot has held funds with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation for many years – originally established to enable the company to use our funds to make a purposeful impact within our home city of Sheffield and support local communities most in need.

“Over the years, the number of funds we hold has grown and we are proud of the long-term impact that SYCF have made on our behalf.

“I’m happy to take on this new role and excited about working together to expand the Giving Network across South Yorkshire.

“It’s a fantastic concept with members contributing towards funds which make an immediate, as well as long-term, impact on communities across the region.”

At Henry Boot, Kidder co-ordinates responsible business practices across the Group. Prior to this, he was corporate fundraising manager at St Luke’s Hospice and worked at Nabarro LLP.

Michelle Dickinson, head of philanthropy and programmes for SYCF, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Jack on board as the Giving Network’s new chair.

“Working together, we’re passionate about expanding SYGN and engaging even more like-minded businesses and individuals keen to give back to their local communities as part of our own mission to create a healthier, safer and stronger South Yorkshire.”