This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Victoria Gate Casino has appointed Patrick Noakes, the former MD of Gala Casinos, as venue director.

Mr Noakes, who has been in the gaming industry for 31 years, is among the first of more than 200 staff the venue will eventually employ when it opens in the next few months – it will become the third-largest casino in the UK.

Before joining Global Gaming Ventures, the operator of Victoria Gate Casino, Mr Noakes held a number of roles over a 13-year career at Gala Coral Group, including main board director of the combined casino, bingo, betting and leisure complex run by Gala in Gibraltar, as well as ten years in a regional capacity that included casinos in Yorkshire.

Prior to Gala, he held general manager and regional director roles at Ladbroke Casinos.

Mr Noakes takes charge of the multi-million pound entertainment and gaming destination, which is the first and only ‘super casino’ in the north.

He said: “Victoria Gate Casino will be a casino unlike any other in the north of England, it is an entertainment destination in the heart of Leeds and, with a capacity of 1,400, it will be one of the biggest venues in the city.

“This is a unique opportunity to build a best-of-class venue that covers not just gaming, but dining and entertainment, big game sports action as well as corporate hospitality.

“Over the next few months the team and I will be busy recruiting for a range of roles from gaming, waiting and bar staff, to chefs, cashiers, greeters, security and administrative roles.

“This is an exciting time for Leeds as the city adds Victoria Gate to its expanding retail and leisure portfolio and an equally exciting time to be part of the launch of a prestigious new, next generation casino and entertainment venue.”

Frances Milner, Lake Legal

Lake Legal, the Leeds-based law firm, is expanding its team with the appointment of Frances Milner as a legal assistant.

Ms Milner promotion to the new role comes after seven years as an administrative support assistant.

Lyn Ayrton, managing partner of Lake Legal said: “Frances and I first met when she was a secretary at a previous firm we both worked at.

“She joined Lake Legal from its inception, and it soon became clear that she had a lot of talent.

“Frances is often complimented for her sensitive and sympathetic manner with clients, and so it was a natural progression for her to take on a more client facing role. I have really enjoyed teaching Frances and see her flourish.”

Lake Legal operates across nationwide from its offices in Leeds and Manchester.

Daniel Bird, The Floow

The Floow, the Sheffield-based telematics firm, has appointed Daniel Bird as its new Direct Line Group telematics contract account director.

The move sees the former BLG Group Ltd partner manager take over from Claire Sargeant, who was promoted to head of client development earlier this month after two years with the business.

Bird is now the dedicated day-to-day point of contact for Direct Line, which has appointed The Floow to deliver its smartphone applications and telematics data for the DrivePlus systems.

He comes with more than nine years’ experience in the industry having worked for the affinity arm of the BGL Group, providing outsourcing services for major UK financial services and retail brands including RAC, Marks & Spencer Money and Lloyds Banking Group.

His role also included overseeing proposition development and insurer relationships for O2 Drive and O2 Drive Box on Board.

Claire Sargeant, who will now focus primarily on company’s long term strategy for growth and new customer acquisition, said: “The Floow has a track record for being a market disrupter and, as a result, we have enjoyed rapid growth over the last couple of years.

“Daniel joins us at a very exciting time as the company reaches into new sectors and markets by diversifying our offering and continuing to drive an entrepreneurial and innovative culture.

“His sector specific experience means he is ideally placed to continue to build on our existing and well-established relationship with DLG and we’re delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Josh Lock, Graham Llewellyn and Barry Hamer, Intastop Ltd

Intastop Ltd, the Doncaster-based manufacturer of products to protect doors, people and places, has appointed three new area sales managers.

Intastop Ltd has appointed the new managers to enhance its regional presence in order to support existing and source new customers with its product range across several industries including acute health, mental health, education and public buildings.

Barry Hamer from Ironbridge will assume responsibility for the South West, Graham Llewellyn from Hartlepool for the North East and Joshua Lock from Whitstable is supporting existing area sales manager Trevor Santer in the South East of the country.

Sarah Barsby, HR director Intastop Ltd, said: “The appointment of our new area managers was essential to support the framework of the company as we extend our product range and increase our market penetration.

“We wish each of them every success and look forward to mutual benefits in the months and years ahead.”

“We have a great mix of experience and youth in our sales team at the moment which is delivering excellent results.

“Supported by our internal sales team and staff with a wealth of product knowledge and experience we ensure that our customers receive the support, assistance and guidance that they require to make educated choices about the best and most effective products and solutions for their building and its users.”

Intastop is a leading player in the development and manufacture of products used in health, mental health, education and other public buildings.

Adele Salter, Redfern

Redfern, the Bradford-based travel management company, has bolstered its senior team with a new appointment.

Adele Salter joins Redfern as head of operations and brings experience in operational customer service from a career spanning senior positions at EON, Aviva and People Plus.

Adele said: “Redfern already has an enviable reputation for quality customer service within the travel management industry but every business has room for improvement.

“I’m looking forward to working with my new team to see how we can challenge ourselves to be better and deliver on our mission to help customers book simply, travel soundly and save money.”

Kate Wimpeney, business development director at Redfern, added: “Our growing list of clients covers a diverse range of businesses in the UK. Requirements and services vary, but there is one expectation that they all share – excellent customer service.

“We’re trusted by some of the UK’s biggest companies to keep their people safe and make business travel as straightforward and painless as possible. We can only do that with exceptional customer service and exceptional staff.

“Adele is a superb addition to the Redfern team and I’m sure she will deliver significant benefits for Redfern’s customers.”

Richard Renzi and Mark Smedley (pictured), Cambridge & Counties

Cambridge & Counties has added two new arrivals to its business development team based in South Yorkshire.

Richard Renzi joins the Sheffield-based team as a business development manager alongside Mark Smedley who comes in as a business development officer.

They will be working with director of business development Carl Ashley and business development manager Wendy Burton-Webster, who together opened the Bank’s North office in Sheffield’s Quadrant Business Centre in 2014.

Richard, previously worked for Yorkshire Bank and most recently for National Australia Bank Commercial Real Estate, based in Leeds. His career at Yorkshire Bank began as a branch cashier, progressing through branch management to area sales manager.

Mark also worked for Yorkshire Bank for decades, joining its business banking operations in 2007. He was based in Doncaster, Sheffield and most recently in Leeds.

Carl Ashley said: “Richard and Mark are highly knowledgeable property funders who can now apply their skills with the can-do attitude which Cambridge & Counties offers to brokers and borrowers.

“Our two new recruits embody the Bank’s approach of bringing in people who are experienced, proactive and keen to do business.”

Peter Simpson (pictured) and Steve Wishart, Callcredit Information Group

Leeds-based Callcredit Information Group has appointed Peter Simpson as head of partnerships and Steve Wishart as head of lending.

Eamonn Tierney, managing director of Credit Solutions, Callcredit Information Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter and Steve into their new roles which will play a part in the next chapter of our Credit Solutions and Group Accounts’ growth strategy. The next five years promise to be very exciting times for our business.”

Steve is responsible for developing Callcredit’s lending sector strategy in order to support existing customers, as well as expanding Callcredit’s footprint within the lending sector to ensure Callcredit continues to be the market leader in lending.

Steve has 10 years’ business development and sales experience and has been with Callcredit since February 2015 where he was responsible for achieving a step change in growth in Fraud & ID product revenue by leading a team of fraud & ID domain experts.

Peter is responsible for managing Callcredit’s strategic alliance and partner program to drive revenue and open new markets for Callcredit’s products and services.

Peter has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience and prior to joining Callcredit was director of partnerships for his own consulting company, Alliances & Marketing Consulting Ltd where he worked with Which?

Eamonn Tierney, managing director of Credit Solutions, Callcredit Information Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter and Steve into their new roles which will play a part in the next chapter of our Credit Solutions and Group Accounts’ growth strategy.

“The next five years promise to be very exciting times for our business.”