People: South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Keepmoat; Ramsdens; and more

Katharine Hammond has been appointed the new chief executive of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

She will work with South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard to deliver SYMCA’s ambitions across transport, policing, skills, housing, growth and more.

She joins at a time when SYMCA will be getting new powers and responsibilities under the English Devolution Bill, including an integrated funding settlement that will give the Mayor more autonomy to make spending decisions that are right for South Yorkshire.

Hammond brings leadership experience at senior levels in the civil service, spanning strategy, policy, delivery and change.

She has been director of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office supporting COBR through numerous emergencies; has worked with the criminal justice system and with police forces; has held a senior role in national security and has been part of the drive to build the number of civil service roles in the North.

Hammond said: “I’m excited to be joining Mayor Oliver Coppard, the SYMCA team and South Yorkshire Leaders.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in and do the best possible job for the people of South Yorkshire.

“I want to raise South Yorkshire’s profile even more nationally and internationally and bring in new opportunities, and I know I’ll only be able to do that by working with others across the region who share the same ambition. I believe we can achieve a huge amount together.”

Coppard added: “Katharine will work with me to keep delivering on our huge ambitions, across transport, net-zero, policing, skills, housing, growth and more.

“Her appointment couldn’t come at a more important time, just as we are working ever more closely with government to take advantage of the opportunities of further and faster devolution in South Yorkshire.

“Over the next few months, we will be submitting our Spending Review bids and our Industrial Strategy, as well as developing our plans and approach for the integrated financial settlement we have been granted as part of our Level 4 Devolution Deal.

“We have a unique chance to grasp those opportunities and more, but to take advantage of this moment will require dynamic, effective and thoughtful leadership at the top of the MCA organisation.

“Katharine ticks all those boxes and more, and I’m pleased South Yorkshire will be benefiting from her expertise and experience in the years ahead.”

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Housebuilder, Keepmoat, has appointed Robert Holbrook as divisional finance director across the North West, Yorkshire West and MCI regions.

Bringing more than 20 years industry expertise, Holbrook has significant experience working across finance and managing roles within the housebuilding sector.

He previously held the position of divisional managing director at Barratt, Eastern Counties and David Wilson Homes, North West and most recently managing director at Jones Homes, North West.

This appointment comes as the Doncaster-headquartered housebuilder moves to align a single divisional finance director with a divisional chair – a senior leadership role that supports the regional teams and acts as a bridge between the regional needs and the overall business goals.

Holbrook will support Andy Mason, divisional chair for the same regional base.

Holbrook said: “I’m pleased to have joined the Keepmoat team, a business firmly committed to delivering sustainable growth and opportunity for all stakeholders.”

Mason added: “It’s great to welcome Robert on board. He brings a wealth of experience from the housebuilding sector across multiple roles.

“He is the perfect person to work alongside me and the other members of the regional board as we steer Keepmoat through its next stage of development.”

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Regional law firm, Ramsdens, has confirmed the retirement of Paul Joyce, its managing partner and an employee of the firm for four decades.

Joyce joined in 1985, going on to become the practice’s youngest partner at age 25 and its managing partner in 1997.

Over the past 28 years, he has led the strategic expansion of Ramsdens, taking the company from a single branch with a turnover below £1m to one of Yorkshire’s largest regional law firms, with offices across North and West Yorkshire and total revenues in excess of around £25m.

He also oversaw the firm’s conversion to an LLP and marked its 150th anniversary in 2020.

He said: “It has been a privilege to be at the helm of Ramsdens for so many years and to be able to look back on a tenure that has transformed the company into a real heavyweight of the region.

“I’m proud of the talented and capable team that will take Ramsdens forward and look forward to seeing the company flourish in the years ahead.”

The firm has been preparing for this transition for over a year and has a new leadership team in place.

The new executive leadership team will comprise joint chief executives, Lindsey Frith and Lee Townsend, supported by Joanne Coen as senior partner and David Bradley as chairman.

Bradley said: “Paul’s impact on the success of Ramsdens cannot be overstated. His leadership saw the firm grow, achieve unprecedented industry recognition, and nurture talent across the region.

“His legacy will live on for many years and he has placed the firm in the strongest possible position for future success and development.”

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Huddersfield-based electron beam 3D printing manufacturer, Wayland Additive, has made a new hire to further bolster its finance and senior leadership teams as part of its growth plans.

Adam Uttley has joined as chief financial officer (CFO) following a recruitment process led by finance recruitment specialist Headstar.

With a track record of scaling businesses, he brings extensive expertise in financial strategy, business transformation, and commercial finance.

In his new role, he will oversee the finance function, procurement, IT, and Facilities, leading a team of eight.

Will Richardson, chief executive officer, said: “Headstar did an outstanding job of identifying top-tier candidates, and Adam was the standout choice.

“He brings a fantastic blend of experience in larger organisations and start-up environments within both PE and VC-backed companies, and we’re delighted to welcome him to the team.

“Wayland is at an exciting point in its development as it begins to scale up its sales and operations. Over the next five years, Wayland’s plans are to enable e-beam AM’s use in multiple sectors using numerous materials.

“As we continue this journey, Adam’s commercial and strategic capabilities will be instrumental in helping us to realise our ambitions and steward us along the way.”