Paula takes on key director’s role at Keepmoat

The appointment by Doncaster-based Keepmoat comes as it seeks to increase the number of ‘extra care’ and retirement units it constructs every year from 400 to 1,000.

Mrs Broadbent, who joined Keepmoat four years ago, previously worked for North Yorkshire County Council where she led its ‘extra care’ housing development programme.

She has also worked for some of the country’s largest specialist housing associations including Sanctuary, Hanover and Housing 21.

Dave Sheridan, Keepmoat CEO, said: “Paula has a tremendous wealth of experience and expertise when it comes to planning, designing and developing ‘extra care’ schemes. Paula cares passionately about providing the very best facilities for vulnerable residents and this ensures she maximises the benefits for residents on every Keepmoat development.”

Fast-growing Yorkshire-based international logistics service provider Torque has taken on David Bernard as national transport manager.

Mr Bernard has worked in the distribution industry for 13 years and has joined Torque from multimodal logistics company Eddie Stobart, where he was national operations manager for three years, overseeing all operational activity at eight sites nationwide.

He previously spent almost two years as manager of Eddie Stobart’s depot in Alcester, Warwickshire.

In his new role, Mr Bernard will be based at Torque’s 550,000 sq ft headquarters in Wortley Moor Road, Leeds, where 350 people work. He will oversee the smooth running of the company’s transport department, while keeping the business legally compliant and operating within government guidelines.

Elsewhere, Alex Spurr has been appointed by Coles Solicitors as head of wills and estates. He joins the firm at its Northallerton headquarters, but will also be advising for clients across Coles’ offices in York, Thirsk, Yarm and Settle.

Mr Spurr joins Coles from Donnelly McArdle Adamson in Darlington and Teesside, where he headed its wills, probate and trust department. Mr Spurr has taken over the role from Angela Mortimer, who retires after more than 30 years as a solicitor and six as a director at Coles.

Managing director Peter Gibson said: “I am extremely sorry to be losing Angela, who has been a key part of Cole in the past six years. She will be sadly missed, but she has well and truly earned her retirement and I hope it will be a long and happy one for her. We are however very pleased that Alex has chosen to join us at an exciting time in our growth.”