Latest business appointments

Elizabeth Matfin, Coles Solicitors

FAMILY lawyer Elizabeth Matfin has joined Coles Solicitors in Thirsk, having spent her career at Wood Sherwood, in Pocklington, and more recently at Hethertons, in York.

Ms Matfin, who lives in York, has been qualified for almost ten years.

Paul Chandler, Engage Mutual

HARROGATE mutual health plan provider Engage Mutual has appointed fair trade expert Paul Chandler to its non executive board of directors.

Mr Chandler, chief executive of Tradecraft plc, has almost 20 years experience in executive positions and is one of the pioneers driving the expansion of fair trade in UK and Europe.

Previously general secretary at the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, he also spent nine years with Barclays plc, where he held a number of strategic planning and general management roles.

He also serves as a non-executive director for the charitable trust, the William Leech Foundation and is currently chair of the UK Fair Trade Leaders Forum and of Durham Cathedral Council.

Scott Simmons, Newtons Solicitors

NEWTONS Solicitors of Harrogate has appointed a new senior company commercial solicitor Scott Simmons, 32, who lives in Pateley Bridge, previously worked in Gibraltar carrying out corporate and trust law work.

Mr Simmons was a leading member of the team that established Gibraltar’s first e-business incubator programme. He will work alongside company commercial lawyer Malcolm Jones in a five-strong commercial team at Newtons.

Chris Chapman, Handelsbanken

Handelsbanken has appointed Chris Chapman as a new corporate banking manager in York.

Mr Chapman, who has 22 years experience in banking, will join the bank’s team in Nether Poppleton, York.

Debbie Mullen, Barclays

DEBBIE Mullen,previously corporate director of Barclays in North Yorkshire, has been made the bank’s new regional head of corporate banking.

She replaces Lee Collinson and will jointly lead the Yorkshire team with Chris Forrest, looking after business customers typically with a turnover of more than £5 million.

Kelly Dixon, Graphics Direct

ONLINE retailer Graphics Direct has recruited office supplies marketing specialist Kelly Dixon to head the firm’s new venture, GraphicsOffice.co.uk Kelly joins from stationery supplier Jespers and will manage the new office supplies website that launched in October. She will be based at the firm’s Tockwith head office and warehouse.

Clare Davey, Carter Jonas

PROPERTY consultant Carter Jonas has appointed Clare Davey to expand its energy team.

She has joined the firm’s Harrogate office as a junior energy specialist where she will support wind, hydro and biomass energy projects.

Clare developed an interest in alternative energy while at Chester University and worked for a German-based wind developer as a project manager before joining Carter Jonas’ northern team.

Tracey smith, united kingdom science park association

Tracey Smith, managing director of York Science Park, has been appointed to the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) board for 2012-13.

UKSPA is the authoritative body on the planning, development and the creation of science parks that facilitate the development and management of innovative, high-growth, knowledge-based organisations.

Tracey said: “Huge opportunities are opened up in being part of the national Science Park body.

“It is crucial to the successful development of the sector that we work together to provide a national perspective, sharing knowledge and collaborating on improvements to services, technology and access to ensure innovation-led, high-growth and knowledge-rich businesses flourish UK wide.’’