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This week’s Yorkshire appointments

BDO, Mark Langford

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has appointed Mark Langford as a partner in its audit team as part of its continued investment in the growth of the Yorkshire practice.

The appointment follows the promotion of 19 people across BDO’s Yorkshire offices and a 27% increase in revenues for the firm.

Terry Jones, partner and head of BDO in Yorkshire, said: “Mark has a first-class track record in both industry and practice, and his appointment reinforces our determination to attract the very best talent for our business.

“Having been on the client-side for several years, he knows exactly what businesses want from their advisers. His technical know-how, business acumen and natural flair in providing the very best service are a real benefit to us and our clients.”

Business in the Community, Andy Clarke

Business in the Community (BITC) has appointed president and CEO of Asda Stores Ltd, Andy Clarke, as the Prince’s Ambassador for responsible business in Yorkshire and Humber.

Mr Clarke brings a wealth of experience and expertise from current roles which include Ambassador of the Prince’s Trust and President of the Institute of Grocery Distribution.

Liz Needleman, area director England East of Business in the Community, said: “I am delighted that Andy has taken on this important role.

“As a passionate advocate for people development and supporting local communities, I know that he will be a powerful advocate to engage businesses in the region in the responsible business agenda.”

Sumo Digital, Ken Beaty

Video game development studio, Sumo Digital, has appointed Ken Beaty as chairman.

The announcement follows an exceptional period for the business, which completed an MBO with investment from private equity firm NorthEdge Capital and successfully launched LittleBigPlanet 3 for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Carl Cavers, CEO at Sumo Digital, said: “The backing from NorthEdge has helped us to strengthen our position in the market and Ken’s experience will add tremendous value at an exciting time for the business.”

Ken Beaty, chairman at Sumo, added: “The team at Sumo has had a fantastic few months. The company’s recent launch of LittleBigPlanet 3 has been one of Sumo’s most successful to date.

“I am really looking forward to working with the business as it builds momentum in delivering its three key strategic objectives of improving and growing the core business, enhancing its market presence and investing in original IP creation.”

Nippon Gohsei (UK), Hideki Ono

Nippon Gohsei (UK) has appointed a new managing director, Mr Hideki Ono, as the company looks to exploit the significant recent investments at its Saltend facility in Hull.

He has been with Nippon Gohsei since joining from university in 1978 and was most recently executive officer at the company’s Mizushima plant, the only other facility worldwide to manufacture Soarnol.

Mr Hideki Ono said: “The expansion of our UK and Hull manufacturing facility follows a continued upsurge in demand for Soarnol”

“This represents an excellent opportunity for us to develop markets and products for Soarnol, the full potential of which is only now just being realised.

“We are continually finding new uses for the technology, and although food packaging is still our main market, we are innovating all the time, including for medical and pharmacological uses.”

Creative Marketing Services (CMS), Rachel Firth

Leeds-based advertising agency group, Creative Marketing Services (CMS), has appointed a new head of digital with the arrival of Rachel Firth.

Andrew Batty, CMS managing director, said: ‘Having worked client-side for four major brands, Rachel brings a wealth of expertise and creative skills to lead the agency’s digital team.

“In the past few years our digital business has enjoyed a substantial growth and now complements our considerable strengths in traditional media.

“Rachel will help to ensure that both arms continue to work together as an integrated agency service which is able to objectively advise on the most cost-effective way to market an organisation then implement the strategy to excellent effect.’

FriPura, John Lunn

Kitchen oil filter manufacturer FriPura has appointed brewing and bottling industry expert John Lunn, as director of sales.

Sam Wilbraham, executive chef and marketing director at FriPura, said: “We are delighted to have John as a part of the FriPura team.

“John has an impressive background within the brewing industry, not only inventing the widget but also running a successful engineering company.

“His experience is a welcome addition to the organisation as we continue to build awareness of our new kitchen filter.”

3volution, Sara Ludlam and Matthew Pugh

Leeds law firm 3volution has appointed two new partners, Sara Ludlam and Matthew Pugh.

Commenting on the appointments founding partner Louise Handley said: “Appointing Sara and Matthew as partners is a significant step forward for 3volution.

“It really is a double coup to have two such outstanding lawyers join us at the same time. We are not only strengthening our existing capabilities but expanding our specialist services.

“When we decided to set up the company Jonathan Priestley, Tim Stone and I wanted to be able to offer the best possible legal advice to our clients in the most accessible way.

“We do our utmost to ensure that our lawyers are both experts in their field and have outstanding client liaison skills. Sara and Matthew both embody that ethos perfectly.”

Ultimate Finance Group, Noel Haverly and Michelle Hoole

Ultimate Finance Group, which provides cashflow solutions to SMEs, has recruited two new members to its Leeds team following the opening of its new office in the city centre at the end of December.

Noel Haverly joins as a regional director with Michelle Hoole taking on the role of client manager. Both are joining the group having spent more than eight years at Aldermore Bank.

Group sales director, Nick Smith, who is based in the Leeds office, said: “The aim is to build a very experienced and knowledgeable team throughout the UK who can work closely with SMEs to help find solutions to their funding requirements.

Landwood Group, Sarah-Jayne Lishman

Landwood Group, the leading northern chartered surveyors, asset managers and auctioneers have appointed Sarah-Jayne Lishman as a graduate surveyor.

Sarah-Jayne joins the Group from Hopkinsons estate agency in Harrogate, where she was a full-time sales negotiator. She will be based at Landwood’s Leeds office, where she will focus on valuation and agency work.

Simon Dove, associate director of Landwood Group in Leeds, added: “We are extremely pleased that someone with Sarah-Jayne’s enthusiasm and skillset is joining our team. She will play an important part in the growth of the property side of the business in Yorkshire and her role will be invaluable as we continue to expand and provide the best possible service for our clients.”

PB Curran, Edwin Southwell

Edwin Southwell has been appointed senior account executive by York insurance brokers, PB Curran, to spearhead its growth in agriculture and rural business throughout Yorkshire and the North East.

PB Curran managing director, Ed Curran, says: “We have recently established a significant presence in farming and agri-business by acquiring two broking businesses and this is an important area for our growth plans.”

Ford & Warren, Victoria Robertson

Ford & Warren continues its development and growth plans by the appointment of Victoria Robertson who has joined its corporate and commercial team as Associate Partner, having previously been a partner at a corporate boutique firm.

The team, led by Michelle Mathers, has seen an increasing number of instructions both locally and nationally, and expects to continue to grow over the next year.

NYTimber, Sharon Nicholls

NYTimber has appointed Sharon Nicholls as quality assurance manager, based at their timber distribution and manufacturing facility near Catterick.

Nick Kershaw, managing director of NYTimber said: “Sales at NYTimber have grown 12% over 2014 and are expected to grow 10% in 2015. The increased range of products we pick, supply and manufacture meant we needed a manager to ensure quality standards were being met for each product line.

“As well as a thorough knowledge of the sales process and meticulous attention to detail, Sharon understands that the success of the business is based on both product quality and customer service.”

The Ridings Shopping Centre, Eileen Holroyd

The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield has appointed Eileen Holroyd as its new Centre Manager.

Eileen, who was previously Centre Co-ordinator, has worked at The Ridings for more than 30 years having joined the management team in 1981 when the foundations for the centre were first excavated.

Grant Thornton, Phyllis Odonkor

Business adviser Grant Thornton has expanded its not for profit team in the North with the appointment of Phyllis Odonkor as an audit manager based in Sheffield.

Phyllis joins from the firm’s Milton Keynes office where she spent ten years, the latter seven working in the audit team, focussing on the not for profit sector.

Graham Nunns, head of not for profit sector at Grant Thornton in Yorkshire said: “With her expertise and strong track record in the housing sector, Phyllis will be a real boost to the Sheffield not for profit team.

“We are continuing to grow the team as demand continues amid challenging times for the sector.”

Quality Context, Helen Gray

Sheffield’s Quality Context has appointed a director of Technical Services Helen Gray as part of their expansion plans to lead its growing consultancy team.

Founding Director Kate Krachai said “In the last five years the company has grown dramatically and gone from strength to strength.

“Helen brings with her a wealth of experience that I believe will take Quality Context to the next level. We are looking to grow and continually expand, and recruiting such a highly skilled individual reflects our future ambitions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .