Appointments: Director named to lead KPMG’s consulting team in the North

He joins KPMG in Leeds to lead the business consulting team within its financial services advisory practice which is the largest of its kind in the North, with more than 70 staff.

York law firm Hethertons has appointed Caroline Acton as an associate solicitor.

Ms Acton, who was previously a solicitor at Harrogate-based Berwins, specialises in employment law for both employers and employees.

She advises on everything from contracts of employment, policies and staff handbooks, to claims for unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal and discrimination.

A solar panel installation company has appointed a new operations director.

David Street has joined Hull-based RapidServ, with a view to developing fresh business and expanding the company’s work.

The family-owned heating, plumbing and electrical business added solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installation to its range of services earlier this year.

Mr Street comes to RapidServ after working for a not-for-profit Hull organisation that supported businesses and unemployed people.

Otley-based communications specialists Words&Pictures has started a recruitment drive.

Lisa Spooner has joined the company as a senior client manager in the commercial division, while Holly Watts takes on the role of client manager in the company’s education team.

Leeds-based web security and filtering specialist Smoothwall has appointed a new corporate sales manager to support its expansion into the UK domestic corporate market.

Ricky Dransfield, who previously ran his own technology business, will be responsible for growing the corporate client base and will head up a team of four.

His appointment follows a series of recent contract wins with household names which will see the business strengthen its position in the corporate IT security arena.

Intellectual property firm Withers and Rogers has appointed a patent secretary for its Sheffield office.

Kristina Ford joins the team at the offices in the Electric Works after being introduced to the company by Sheffield recruitment and retention specialist Benchmark Recruit.

Withers and Rogers has offices in London, Leamington Spa, Bristol and Sheffield.

Law firm McCormicks has appointed a lawyer to head its private client work.

Solicitor Elaine Lightfoot joins the Harrogate-based firm after 11 years at a major firm in Leeds.

Her areas of expertise include wills, trusts, settle- ments, and inheritance tax planning,