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<\/p>\nHarrogate-based robotics and advanced engineering company, Synthotech Group, has appointed Andy Vine as commercial director as it prepares for further growth in the UK and international utility markets.<\/p>\n
Vine joins the business at a significant point in its development, following a record year in 2025 in which turnover increased by 33 per cent to \u00a36.5m, and profit doubled year on year.<\/p>\n
The appointment comes as Synthotech continues to expand the commercial deployment of robotic technologies designed to help utility companies maintain ageing infrastructure more efficiently, reducing disruption, cost and carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
An experienced leader, account manager and project manager with extensive experience across the utility sector, Vine will lead the group\u2019s commercial strategy, customer engagement and market development activities as demand grows across water, gas and telecommunications networks.<\/p>\n
Growth has been driven by sustained investment in research and development, with a number of technologies now moving from development into operational deployment.<\/p>\n
These include MicroBORE, a trenchless drilling system developed in collaboration with BT Group and the University of Surrey, which is being trialled as part of the UK\u2019s fibre broadband rollout.<\/p>\n
Synthotech has also developed a robotic gas service replacement system that allows connections to be renewed from inside existing pipes, avoiding the need for extensive excavation.<\/p>\n
Vine said: \u201cI\u2019m joining Synthotech at such an exciting stage in the company\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n
“The business has built a strong reputation for developing innovative technologies that solve real challenges for utility companies, helping them improve network performance while reducing disruption for customers and communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat particularly attracted me to Synthotech was the strength of its innovation pipeline and the opportunity to help accelerate the commercial adoption of technologies that can transform the way critical infrastructure is maintained.<\/p>\n
“The business has achieved impressive growth, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that success both in the UK and internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Synthotech works with utility companies, infrastructure operators, and academic partners, including the Pipebots team at the University of Sheffield, to accelerate the adoption of robotic inspection, maintenance, and repair technologies.<\/p>\n
Mark Tindley, managing director, said: \u201cWe have successfully transitioned a number of technologies from research and development to commercial deployment and are seeing growing demand from utility companies seeking more efficient ways to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy’s experience across the utility sector, combined with his leadership and commercial expertise, will be invaluable as we continue to scale the business, strengthen customer relationships and expand into new markets.<\/p>\n
“Andy\u2019s appointment reflects our confidence in the opportunities ahead and our commitment to investing in the team needed to support the next phase of growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Malton-based temperature-controlled logistics business, Dennis Distribution,<\/span>\u00a0has appointed Daniel Vasey as managing director. <\/span><\/p>\n His focus at the century-old, third-generation, family-owned business will be to expand its UK and European-wide customer base, improve operational efficiency and support the company\u2019s next phase of growth.<\/span><\/p>\n Vasey will support senior partner Katie Dennis and commercial manager Andrew Revely to establish a clear direction for the business, aligning day-to-day activities with its wider growth ambitions. <\/span><\/p>\n He will focus on building relationships with new and existing customers in the food and dairy industries throughout the UK and Europe. <\/span><\/p>\n A key priority will be to optimise the company\u2019s transport operations, making better use of its 49-strong fleet, reducing operating costs and ensuring workloads deliver the best possible operational and commercial returns for the business, which employs 70 people.<\/span><\/p>\n Vasey said: \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to building on the strong foundations of the business. Having spent more than 25 years in the logistics industry, I know how important it is to get the balance right between delivering an excellent service for customers and running an efficient, commercially successful operation. <\/span><\/p>\n “By working closely with the team, making the best use of our fleet and embracing technology where it can make a real difference, I want to help put Dennis Distribution in a strong position for sustainable growth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Katie Dennis added: \u201cAs a family business, we\u2019re proud of the foundations we\u2019ve built over the years, but we\u2019re also ambitious about the future. <\/span><\/p>\n “Daniel brings a wealth of experience in the logistics industry, along with a strong understanding of how to run efficient, customer-focused transport operations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHis appointment is an important step in developing the business for the next stage of its journey. <\/span><\/p>\n “I\u2019m looking forward to working with Daniel as we continue to develop Dennis Distribution while staying true to the values that have underpinned the business for generations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Daniel joins Dennis Distribution from Selby-based Bowker Group, where he spent more than 19 years, most recently as general manager UK transport. <\/span><\/p>\n His experience spans a range of sectors, including food and hazardous chemicals, giving him a broad understanding of the operational requirements and compliance standards involved in managing complex transport operations.<\/span><\/p>\n Dennis Distribution provides transport solutions for niche and complex food and pharmaceutical products including chilled, frozen, bulk liquid and hanging meats.<\/span><\/p>\n :::<\/p>\n Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG), a Castleford-based specialist building compliance and testing, inspection and certification (TIC) provider, has strengthened its mergers and acquisitions team with two senior appointments.<\/p>\n Harris Jones joins as M&A Senior Manager on 26 October 2026, followed by Sienna Withers, who takes up the position of M&A Manager on 2 November 2026.<\/p>\n The appointments reinforce PTSG’s commitment to strategic growth through acquisitions, alongside a continued focus on integrating businesses effectively and maximising long-term value.<\/p>\n Jones brings more than eight years’ experience in corporate finance, having previously held positions with Armstrong Watson, RSK Group, AAB Group and Sedulo.<\/p>\n His expertise spans transaction management, business valuations, acquisition strategy and integration. He also lectures in finance at Leeds Business School.<\/p>\n Withers joins from Castle Square Corporate Finance, having previously worked for international investment bank DC Advisory.<\/p>\n She brings experience in UK and cross-border transactions, financial modelling, due diligence and deal execution across multiple sectors.<\/p>\n Paul Teasdale, executive chairman of PTSG, who has led the group’s acquisition strategy since its formation, said: “Acquisitions have been fundamental to PTSG’s development, enabling us to build one of the UK’s most comprehensive specialist compliance businesses.<\/p>\n “Our approach has always been about identifying high-quality businesses that complement our existing capabilities and strengthen our proposition to customers. Harris and Sienna bring valuable expertise that will support the next phase of our growth.”<\/p>\n Greg Ward, chief executive officer, added: “Successful acquisitions are about more than completing transactions. The real value comes from bringing businesses together, combining expertise and creating opportunities for colleagues and customers.<\/p>\n “These appointments will strengthen our ability to integrate businesses effectively, build on their individual strengths and deliver sustainable long-term growth.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The latest moves from across the region<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":238857,"featured_media":2162764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"coauthors":[62387],"class_list":["post-2162763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-featured-story"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thebusinessdesk.com\/_files\/images\/nov_26\/PTSG-appointments-300x266.jpg\")
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