Ascent to chief executive post as services firm shakes up the board

The business, which employs 40 staff, has made the announcement as part of a number of changes to its executive board which sees previous chief executive Mark Higgins taking up the position of chairman.

New chief operating officer, David Whittaker, has been promoted to the board, along with finance manager, Valerie Wilson, and Irwin Mitchell corporate partner, Laurence Gavin. The previous chairman, Howard Culley, will take up the role of non-executive director.

Law firm, hlw Keeble Hawson – which has offices in Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster – has promoted two of its Sheffield-based solicitors to associate status.

The company has promoted Kate Gelder of the clinical and medical negligence department and Owen Brown, who specialises in personal injury cases.

The Country Land & Business Association has strengthened its presence in Yorkshire with the appointment of a new territory manager.

Dave Hill of Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, will be responsible for recruiting new members to the association from across the county.

He has more than 15 years’ experience in sales and general management.

Prior to joining the CLA, he spent six years as sales manager at Harrogate-based estate agent, Nicholls Tyreman, where he was responsible for managing a team of sales negotiators.