Key appointments made in June across the Humber came from a variety of sectors, with engineering, insurance, and agri-food joined by offshore wind and language, while one departure is for a higher calling altogether.
Here's our round-up for the month, as lockdown eases and some return to offices and places of work... or arrive for the first time.
Financial controller adds to On Line
On Line Group has appointed Jo Fox as group financial controller.
The qualified accountant joins the Immingham-headquartered multi-disciplined engineering specialist from Engie Fabricom, a former near neighbour before it moved down the A180 to Grimsby.
She served as head of finance at the Europarc firm, and brings with her experience of the oil and gas industry as well as a financial background focussing on systems audit and risk management.
Jo said “I am delighted to join the On Line Group to help in developing the financial reporting strategies in line with the group’s continued growth. This is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to working with the team to allow the finance department to add further value to the group as a whole.”
Just prior to lockdown On Line added BPE Design & Support Limited to the group, a process engineering specialist operating out of Hampshire and Cheshire.
The Healing resident will be responsible for the accounting and financial reporting for the £41-million turnover On Line Group, while supporting the finance team to further develop their reporting capabilities.
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She lives in the village with her husband and step daughter, and enjoys music festivals and city breaks, while also painting and sewing.
Like father, like son...
HI Commercial has welcomed experienced commercial account handler, Mike Ratcliffe, as part of its expansion plans.
It comes as the brokerage, formed from a split from Hedon Insurance to focus on business clients, closes in on a first year of trading, having drawn on the previous 50 years of regional experience.
Director Luke Byron, who moved HI to Ergo at Bridgehead, Hessle, said: “Our business has grown quite rapidly in this first year and we relocated our office premises in January, giving us room to take on more staff. We are now pleased that Mike’s appointment brings even more experience to our team.”
Mike’s career began with Norwich Union claims investigations in the early 80s and transferred into broking in 2003.
Throughout his career he has looked after a variety of businesses from agriculture and fish merchants to large manufacturers, haulage and engineering firms, whose premiums are valued between £25,000 to £100,000.
He said: “The commercial insurance profession is heading down the call-centre route, taking large firms out of our city to other parts of the 海角视频. HI Commercial appealed to me as the directors understand the value of retaining that personal service - local people supporting local businesses.
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“The firm recognises the importance of getting to know clients, visiting premises and asking questions based on what they can see, rather than just ticking boxes over the phone.”
He moved to Hull when he was eight years old when his father, also in insurance, took a job in the city.
He added: “I originally planned to go to art college and my Dad who always said claims were interesting was right, it is, and I have enjoyed every aspect of my career so far.
Away from work Mike is a keen Hull City supporter and a golfer.
A linguist who joined a leading translation and interpreting company in a part-time role 10 years ago has now been appointed director of operations.
Congratulations, noroc, felicitaciones, pozdravlyayu, felicitari...
Andrei Sparling, began his career with AA Global at the firm’s Worcester office, and has worked across all aspects of the business and played a pivotal role in its expansion and in establishing Hull as the headquarters.
His promotion recognises his role in overseeing AA’s major investment in new technology and in planning further improvements to connect the worldwide network
of interpreters and translators. It calls on a pool of 15,000, with more than 500 languages between them.
Andrei, who comes from Moldova, has lived and worked in Spain and in the 海角视频. He speaks English, Moldovan, Romanian, Russian and Spanish.
He said: "I am trying to use my passion for technology and innovation because I believe this is the way forward for the business. We are directing our considerable investment in IT to build new platforms such as video interpreting and a more advanced telephone interpreting system which enables our clients and our linguists to work together in a more robust and secure way.”
Of the current permanent workforce of 25, more than 20 are based in Hull.
Kirk Akdemir, chief executive, said: “Since joining us Andrei has gained extensive experience in every aspect of our business. He has accepted every challenge thrown at him, including leaving his home town and joining our Hull office when we first opened. Andrei has been instrumental to our growth throughout the years and thoroughly deserves this appointment. His promotion also demonstrates how at AA Global we value and reward the hard work and loyalty of our employees.”
Setting the standard in animal husbandry and finance
Soanes Poultry has created a new position in its broiler division to manage financial and business performance.
Finance director at the 73-year-old Middleton on the Wolds-based family business, Claire Wright, has added to her responsibilities with the role of general manager of Clive Soanes Broilers Ltd.
It is the animal husbandry division of Soanes Poultry’s integrated chicken business which cares for 700,000 birds and manages a further 500,000 birds on dedicated third party farms.
Managing director Nigel Upson said: “The restructure will enable us to focus on the two key aspects of this business, namely animal husbandry of the highest standard and likewise financial performance.
“The addition of Claire to manage financial and business performance will allow our area farms manager, Mark Ireland, to focus on making our standards of operation, husbandry and welfare market leading, as befits the position we command in the independent sector.”
New technologies and animal health management techniques are being explored as the company builds on its “reputation as an ethical farming operation”.
“I would like to thank Claire for her leading role in driving change in the management standards of the business and wish her well in this enhanced role which reflects her success,” he added.
Mrs Wright joined Soanes in 2016 and was appointed to the board of T Soanes Poultry Ltd in April 2019.
She said: “As a qualified accountant with a career encompassing financial management and business planning combined with being a hands-on farmer’s wife, this new position utilises my skills and I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that the role will bring.”
Soanes employs more than 100 people and sells its chicken to butchers and independent retailers in Yorkshire, and to wholesalers nationwide.
New calling - from partner to priest
A partner at a leading Scunthorpe chartered accountants is stepping down to pursue a career as a priest.
Jenny Camm will continue to work as a consultant at RNS Chartered Accountants while studying at The Lincoln School of Theology.
She will leave accountancy next summer and, subject to the Bishop of Lincoln’sapproval, be ordained as a deacon and then a priest in the Church of England.
Sinéad Catchpole, who has worked as part of Jenny’s team at RNS for the past10 years, will replace her as an associate partner.Jenny, who joined RNS in 2001 after graduating from university, became a partner in 2010, was looking forward to the next stage in her life with “trepidation and excitement”.
“It has been a huge privilege to work with all my colleagues and clients over this time – half of my life - and I have thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said.
“I will miss helping clients, the banter in the office and the team spirit.”
Jenny has been actively involved in her local church, St Hugh’s in Old Brumby, for the past six years.
“Over this time my faith has developed and I have gradually felt a deepening call toserve God. It has taken a while to discern what this call was
and, with the help of others, I decided to pursue the calling.
“Once I was accepted for training it was a difficult decision to inform my fellow partners that I wished to step down.”
Jenny will gain experience with placements at different churches. Once ordained, she will spend a year as a deacon before becoming a priest.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone I have worked with over the last 20 years, all of the RNS team and clients who have made this time very enjoyable,” she said. “I wish everybody every success and happiness in the future.”
Sinéad joined RNS after leaving John Leggott College and the 29-year-old is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve worked alongside Jenny since I started and will have done accounts preparation for some of these clients as a junior,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to establishing my own portfolio of clients and helping businesses Improve. I’m stepping into my role during a time of great uncertainty for many businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.”
She qualified as a chartered accountant five years ago having been supported through training by the firm.
Senior partner John Heeney congratulated both women.“We’re all delighted for Jenny and know her new challenge means a great deal to her,” he said, thanking her for her “considerable efforts and input as a partner”.
Fleet growth creates need for critical role
Offshore wind farm-serving Tidal Transit has welcomed Harriet Henderson as quality, health, safety and environment manager.
The crew transfer vessel supplier is headquartered in Norfolk, but operates out of Grimsby, having had charters in both construction and operation and maintenance on wind farms including Hornsea, Dogger Bank and Westermost Rough.
Commercial director Leo Hambro told how companies that operate in the sector need to perform within extremely strict safety parameters.
Recent fleet growth allowed the position to be created to strengthen the team.
“Harriet will play a big part in helping the company to remain at the forefront of the offshore wind sector,” Mr Hambro said, proud of the company’s 100 per cent record on transfer safety.
“Testimonials from our clients have always praised the professionalism of Tidal Transit’s marine crews, high transferability of passengers, fantastic availability and reliability record across the fleet.
“It is something of which we, as a company, are extremely proud.
“Harriet will extend our team abilities and professionalism. Although her prior experience has been based on shore, she has already brought valuable knowledge with her, and has been quick to apply lessons learned elsewhere, especially in light of the current Covid-19 crisis. “She’s a great addition to our close-knit team.”