Huddersfield-based accident management expert, FMG, has promoted Andy Chandler to the role of managing director.
He joined the business in 2015, serving as sales director with the business since 2019.
The appointment is effective immediately. He succeeds Claire Owens, who stepped down from the role to explore new opportunities, earlier this month.
Chandler has 20 years of experience in the fleet and insurance industry.
He broadened his role in 2021 to support the Claims and Services businesses within parent company, ZIGUP plc, where his contribution played a pivotal role in growing the business into different markets.
Harvey Stead, chief operating officer, ZIGUP plc, said: “Andy’s expertise and strategic focus in the fleet and insurance sectors, along with his wealth of industry knowledge and commercial expertise, will be invaluable in driving the business forwards and leveraging the opportunities to deliver against our plans.
“Andy’s appointment speaks volumes about the talent and calibre we are proud to develop from within the business, with his promotion signalling strong continuity and consistency for the business.”
Chandler added: “I’m stepping into the role of managing director as the business edges towards its 40th year of trading.
“My predecessors have developed and bolstered strong foundations for the business during those four decades, along with a reputation for delivering first-class solutions.
“I will be focused on ensuring our propositions remain relevant, that we deliver the high level of service we’re synonymous with, we remain knowledgeable and insightful in the markets in which we operate and that we continue to be a strategic and valuable partner to our impressive client base.”
:::
Yorkshire law firm Ware & Kay incorporating Pearsons & Ward Solicitors, which has offices in Malton, York and Wetherby, has appointed Bethany Worthy – an associate for wills & probate.
She brings with her extensive experience in preparing various types of wills, including life trust wills and discretionary trust wills, and managing complex estates, such as agricultural estates with inheritance tax liability.
Her expertise also encompasses advising clients on Powers of Attorney, covering both financial and health and welfare matters, ensuring comprehensive protection in the event of incapacity.
Originally from Scarborough, she has previously served high net worth clients across the region.
She studied at the Scarborough Sixth Form College and earned a First Class Honours Law Degree from the University of Northumbria before qualifying as a solicitor in 2019.
Her career began in Pickering, and she is an accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, a professional body which is dedicated to supporting vulnerable and older people with specialised legal advice.
Worthy, who is now based at the Malton office, said: “I am pleased to join Ware & Kay Solicitors, a firm with a great reputation.
“The specialist expertise the firm offers is unparalleled in the region, and I am looking forward to working with the team.”
Emma Elwess, director of private client at Malton, added: “Bethany is an excellent addition to our private client team.
“Her appointment bolsters the already exceptional talent in our firm and further increases the depth and breadth of expertise we offer to our clients.”
:::
Normanton-based specialist in drive technology, SEW-EURODRIVE UK, has boosted its sales and engineering teams with two new appointments.
James Scott joins as digital specialist and condition monitoring specialist, while Liam Taylor joins as marketing coordinator and sales support engineer.
Scott brings 13 years of engineering expertise to his role, having worked as a mobile field engineer.
His previous experience spans multiple engineer and technician roles, working for companies such as Amazon, Imperium Automation, GE Energy and Invar Integration.
He is a qualified multi-skilled maintenance engineer and has worked with SEW-EURODRIVE products since he began his career as an apprentice, whether changing failed gearmotors, or installing and commissioning drives on a wide range of machinery.
His last role was specialised within the logistics industry, working on electronics and controls breakdowns, installations, and maintenance.
Scott’s latest role will see him looking after condition-based monitoring software DriveRadar ®, which generates data about how components are behaving in day-to-day operations, predicting when failures may occur, and avoiding unexpected downtime.
Meanwhile, Taylor has joined after previously working as a project management office analyst at consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion, supporting key stakeholders on the effective delivery of change across the organisation.
He has a degree in live events production from the Academy of Live Technology, where he learnt transferable skills in technical, management, and design areas of the live events industry.
He spent three months working at SEW-EURODRIVE, on a summer placement, stripping down motors and gearboxes and learning the ins and outs of drive technology, before returning to the firm on a full-time basis
Taylor’s role as marketing co-ordinator is new to the company, and sees him assisting with marketing, branding, and advertising strategies.
He also works within the electronics department, organising customer training and site visits, alongside helping out with enquiries and orders, and supporting with drive assembly when needed.
Andy Turner, sales and operations manager, said: “We’re really excited to welcome James and Liam onboard. They bring a great mix of expertise and new ideas to the company, with joint experience across a range of roles.
“James’ vast experience as a multi-skilled engineer will boost the skillset of our service department, while Liam’s new role as a marketing co-ordinator will see SEW-EURODRIVE UK striving to hit new heights.
“As the company continues to move forward, both will both play a big part in our future growth, as we continue to lead and innovate in the world of drives.”
:::
The partners behind the Sheffield Innovation Spine have appointed Charlotte Thompson as project director.
In leading delivery of the Innovation Spine, Thompson is responsible for building a tangible strategy that creates and links innovation infrastructure in the city centre, to attract, accommodate and grow knowledge-led businesses.
Thompson specialises in bringing innovation to market and building specialist innovation clusters.
In her previous role at Arup, a sustainable development consultancy, she specialised in product innovation, partnerships and ecosystems and brings extensive experience in working with and for start-ups, accelerators, incubators, networks, funders and corporates.
Tom Wolfenden, CEO at Sheffield Technology Parks, lead delivery partner of the Sheffield Innovation Spine, said: “Charlotte has a deep understanding of innovation clusters and how to foster healthy innovation ecosystems, carefully bringing together the many different organisations involved and enabling them to play their part.
“Her experience, focus and creativity, combined with a genuine passion for Sheffield and the North of England, makes her the ideal leader for this transformative initiative.”
As well as Sheffield Technology Parks, Thompson joins project partners Sheffield City Council, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, to unpack what the Innovation Spine will look like and create an actionable strategy to make it a reality.
She said: “I am thrilled to join the Sheffield Innovation Spine and contribute to such a pivotal project. This initiative has the potential to significantly impact the local economy and innovation landscape and complement and collaborate with existing innovation clusters in the North of England.
“A strong and well-connected Innovation Spine in Sheffield will develop a deeper innovation ecosystem with Leeds and Manchester.
“By bringing together our strengths we can create a compelling case for investment and retain talent in the region and in the North, collectively driving economic growth and innovation.
“We are eager to collaborate with innovators, enablers and stakeholders to bring this vision to life; joining us in the design and build of the Sheffield Innovation Spine.”
