People: Leeds United board appointment; Fat Lad at the Back expands senior team; and more

ANDREA RADRIZZANI has been appointed to Leeds United’s board following his purchase of a 50% stake in the club.

His appointment as a Leeds director comes seven days on from the completion of his co-ownership deal with Massimo Cellino.

Mr Radrizzani’s 50% buy-out of Cellino was completed last week after several months of negotiations.

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Fat Lad At The Back (FLAB) has hired a leading product developer and consultant to the senior team.

The hire of Andy Bennison is the latest in a string of developments for the premium cycle wear brand, which last year enjoyed significant growth and further accelerated its market position with retail partnerships with Ribble Cycles, JE James and Evans Cycles.

Mr Bennison brings to FLAB 14 years of insight in design and development from his time at cycle wear manufacturer Altura and, prior to this, English luxury fashion house Burberry.

He joins the team with immediate effect and will be responsible for further development of the existing range as well as identified special projects leading into 2017 and 2018.  

He said: “Fat Lad At The Back has enjoyed sustained and impressive growth since launch just four years ago, firmly establishing itself as a key market player.  This despite a difficult retail landscape, which has seen many long established brands suffer.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team, and working with FLAB to further develop its 2017 collection encouraging and enabling everyone to look good when they get pedalling.”

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CHRIS WATTS has been appointed by Leeds Beckett University as its first director of university recruitment. 
 
He joins Leeds Beckett from York St John University and will take responsibility for international, as well as European and UK student recruitment, including working with regional schools and colleges to increase awareness of and recruitment to university amongst pupils who may be the first in their family to receive a university education.
 
He said: “I am thrilled to have joined Leeds Beckett and to have been given this opportunity to help it continue to develop. The University has a vital role to play regionally, nationally and internationally and I am confident it can achieve greater success in the future.”
 
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THREE senior promotions have been announced by WCEC Architects.

Nick Riley, former design director, has been promoted to board director, Mark Williams to regional director and David Skelton to technical director.

As part of the management changes, chairman James Kemp, who has played an instrumental lead role in managing the company for more than 20 years, steps down from the board.

Chief executive Ashley Turner said: “It is an exciting time for WCEC and a genuine pleasure to recognise the contributions of these three crucial team members, by promoting them accordingly. Their dedication has helped WCEC build on its reputation for both technical and design excellence, within both existing and new sector markets.”

Praising the achievements of James Kemp, Mr Turner added: “His contributions, successes and unequivocal dedication have all been equally significant. Whilst enjoying more well-earned leisure time, he will remain a trusted, respected and visible part of the team at WCEC as he fulfils an ongoing consultancy support role for the foreseeable future.”