Sterling Capitol names new MD and strengthens board

The company, which is chaired by Sir Bob Murray, has also strengthened its board of directors with the appointments of Peter Walker, the chief executive of Omega, and Yorkshire property lawyer Nigel McClea. Mr Cartmell replaces Martin Croxen, who has decided to retire after 21 years as chief executive. Mr Croxen will remain on the board as a non-executive director.

Jim Whittaker joins the Leeds office of Baker Tilly as a corporate finance partner from July 2.

He will take on responsibility for some of the firm’s existing clients and developing new business.

Mr Whittaker has worked in corporate finance for 15 years. He has been running his own advisory business in Yorkshire for the past three years.

His background includes advisory roles at Big Four firms and in-house finance director roles.

The Bradford-based Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) has appointed a trio of finance experts as the funding organisation plans further expansion. John Fiddler has come to BEF after running his own business consultancy for 12 years.

Mark Iley, who moves to BEF after 31 years with Yorkshire Bank, has spent the last 14 years as a partner of small business.

He started working for the bank as an 18-year-old counter assistant.

Simon Jackson joins BEF after a 27-year career with Yorkshire Bank. He spent the last seven years as area business manager for the bank before becoming a BEF investment manager.

Business relocation specialist Harrow Green has appointed Andy Crawford as commercial manager for Yorkshire and the north-east. Mr Crawford, who is from Glasgow, will be based at the company’s regional centre in Millshaw Park Lane, Leeds.

He will be responsible for a team of more than 40 people as well as all areas of branch management including sales, operations, service delivery and administration.

Roger Clark-Coates, who has been general manager of the Jurys Inn Bradford hotel since it opened in 2010, will take on the new role of general manager responsible for both Jurys Inn Bradford and the Jurys Inn Leeds in Brewery Wharf.

Mr Clark-Coates joined Jurys Inn in 2009.