Appointments: Leeds Building Society names industry expert as its new head of legal services

Bowman Riley Architects has strengthened its business development team with the appointment of marketing and business development manager, Samantha Jevons. She has joined Bowman Riley Architects, based in Skipton, after previously working for Turner & Townsend and Atkins.

Housebuilder Beal Homes has appointed Kent Taylor as group finance director. Mr Taylor brings with him 10 years of experience as group finance director at Haslam Homes. Latterly, he was group finance director at South Kensington Estates in London. He joins the company’s headquarters based in Hull.

Historical Leeds venue Town Hall Tavern, part of the Timothy Taylor chain, has appointed a new general manager following the re-development of the venue in May this year into a contemporary gastro pub. Dutch born Astrid Pot has joined the team with a wealth of hospitality and catering experience from working in hotel and restaurants across Yorkshire, including De Vere Oulton Hall Hotel in Rothwell, Leeds, since moving to England 13 years ago.

Leeds law firm Blacks Solicitors has strengthened its plans for growth, with two promotions. Asad Ali and Paul Kelly have both been promoted to partner following a number of years with the firm.

Bradford’s city centre Midland Hotel has appointed Fiona Daniel as business development manager. Her 20 years in hotel sales management include working in both large and small hotels. She has been vice president of Destination Bradford for the past two years and is a member of the Bradford City of Film Visit Task and Delivery Board.

AJ Group, which provides care, training and recruitment for the social care market, has appointed Mike Walmsley as a non-executive director. He joins the Leeds-based firm after working in the recruitment industry since 1988. He was one of the initial drivers of recruitment group, Parker Bridge.

Search marketing agency Stickyeyes has appointed Kayte Williams as travel sector development manager. Ms Williams, who spent nearly eight years heading up holidays and hotels meta-search channels at Travel Supermarket, joins Leeds-based Stickyeyes, to lead and develop its business efforts in the travel sector.

The P&A Group of Companies is continuing to grow its P&A Receivables Services with the appointment of Paul Leary as divisional director of its banking and financial arm. He joins the firm, which has offices in Leeds and Sheffield, from the RBS Invoice Finance in Leeds.

Hoarding specialist hoard-it, has announced the appointment of a new managing director. Peter Wroblewski was previously contract director at the firm, based in Wombwell, South Yorkshire.