Appointments: Nippon Goshei, Wake Smith, Ceramique Internationale

CHEMICALS manufacturer Nippon Gohsei UK has strengthened the engineering team at its Hull factory with the appointment of Jon Ross.

The company is the only European producer of food packaging product Soarnol.

Mr Ross is joining the expanding business as deputy engineering manager at their Saltend Chemicals Park site.

He spent 13 years with health firm Novartis, and then in 2013 emigrated to Australia having worked at Nippon Goshei for a year.

On his return after 18 months, he worked on a contractual basis for the company.

Simon Proctor, engineering manager, said: “One of our big challenges is moving to a two-yearly shutdown. Achieving this at a plant which operates 24-7 with its daily challenges is no easy task and requires original thinking, supported by top-level engineering skills.

“We’re really pleased to have Jon permanently on board; he is an excellent communicator, a great team player and has a very strong mechanical engineering background,” added Simon.

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SHEFFIELD-BASED solicitors Wake Smith have had one of their directors appointed to the board of ReNew Sheffield.

Commercial property director Lisa Davison has joined the board of the collaborative project, created by Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield,

It promotes and supports creative uses of empty buildings in Sheffield for pop-up shops and other start-up businesses.

Fellow director John Baddeley was recently appointed on the board of the Sheffield Business Improvement District (BID) Company and director and Head of Commercial Property and Residential Conveyancing Neil Salter sits on the Sheffield Property and Regeneration Committee (SPARC).

Lisa Davison said: “The ReNew scheme is all about giving new, independent businesses the opportunity to test their ideas, trade in a city centre location and grow whilst at the same time enlivening the city’s streets especially in areas of transition which are suitable for meanwhile use.

“It has already attracted a great deal of interest from potential new businesses and I look forward to lending my expertise to the panel.”

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TILES business Ceramique Internationale has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of specification manager Alan Hudson.

He joins the Leeds-based business from bathroom brand Villeroy & Boch.

Ceramique Internationale is a 42 year-old, £3m-turnover business, which has its 4,500 sq ft Tiles and Mosaics showroom on Royds Lane, Leeds.

Owned and run by Peter Vann and Cameron Fraser, Ceramique Internationale is now aiming to increase turnover 5% year-on-year, with the goal of reaching £4m turnover by 2020.

Cameron Fraser said: “Our business ethos has always been about not letting anyone down. We work with the very best tile manufacturers in Europe – the majority of them being in Italy, we supply quality products at competitive prices, backed up by excellent customer service and knowledge and our success is exemplified by the fact that people come back to us again and again.

“We felt the time was right, as the market picks up, to reinforce our presence in the housebuilding sector. Alan is just the man to do that for us and we believe his appointment marks the beginning of an exciting time for the business.”

Ceramique Internationale employs 17 people, six of whom have been with the company for
more than 20 years.