A YORK residential sales and lettings agency is hiring its inaugural intake of apprentices.

Linley & Simpson, in Micklegate, is to recruit five new starters who will spend a year at the company gaining a first-hand insight into the profession while studying for NVQ Level 2 in either estate agency or letting agency.

HR and training manager Paula Ingham said: “This is one of a number of ways in which we are investing in the future.

“We want to support the pool of young talent that exists across Yorkshire and train, mentor and mould them into the letting or estate agents of tomorrow.”

 

• THE directors of Sirius Minerals Plc, the parent company of York Potash have announced the appointment of Stephen Pycroft to the board of directors.

Mr Pycroft, 55, has been appointed as a non-executive director with immediate effect and will be joining the company as it continues on its work to build a potash mine near Whitby.

Mr Pycroft is executive chairman of Mace, an international consultancy and construction company. He replaces Michael Mainelli on the Sirius board, who steps down after more than eight years of service to the company.

Mr Mainelli said: “After so many years watching Sirius grow, it is a delight to see such capable people taking things forward. I remain a great supporter of Sirius and will watch the company’s future success with continuing interest.”

 

• YORKSHIRE Rapeseed Oil has strengthened its team with a key sales appointment. ZOE Palmer, sister of Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil founder Adam, has joined the team to develop sales of the Thixendale business’s oils, dressings and Yorkshire mayonnaise in London and the South East of England. Miss Palmer has already secured listings in Limone Fine Foods in Highgate, Earth Natural Foods in Kentish Town and L’eau a la Bouche in Broadway Market. She will also be attending Farmers’ Markets in Haringey, Spitalfields, Alexandra Palace and Bermondsey Square.

 

• SOLICITOR Gemma Sherbourne has joined York-based Langleys Solicitors from Ward Hadaway in Leeds. Since qualifying in 2005, Gemma has worked with a range of clients from small owner-managed businesses through to national PLCs and has advised on matters across the employment law spectrum. Gemma said: “I’m delighted to be joining an Employment Law team with such a strong reputation, and I’m looking forward to developing my breadth of expertise with an interesting range of clients.” Head of the York employment team Stephen Elliott said: “Gemma brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm, and her arrival further strengthens our growing team.”

 

• STEVE Law has been made sales director of Platinum Print as part of a number of personnel changes at the Harrogate print business which celebrates its 25th year in 2014. Earlier in the year, Mark Plummer took over as managing director from Platinum’s owner and founder, David Wyvill. Mr Law has been with Platinum since 2009 but has enjoyed a career in print and paper since leaving school in Leeds at sixteen. He joined Platinum Print as part of their sales team under the direction of Platinum’s owner, David Wyvill.

 

• THE Oak Tree Inn at Helperby, part of the prestigious Provenance Inns pub group, is marking its third anniversary with the group by appointing two new key team members. Emma O’Connell has been appointed as the new general manager, and Robert Corless joins as head chef. Provenance Inns is also behind the refurbishment of the West Park Hotel in Harrogate that is due to open in time for the Grand Départ cycling weekend in the summer, and The Black Bull at Moulton which will reopen at the end of March.

 

• YORK estate and letting agency Redmove has strengthened its team with the appointment of Sally Male as lettings manager. Sally has more than ten years’ letting agency experience and joins the Redmove team having successfully built up a letting team in a previous role. Redmove currently has over 200 properties on its books and and the firm aims to double this number with Sally’s support. Her appointment comes just months after sales manager Sarah Stabler joined, the firm bringing nine years’ experience of York estate agency to the Redmove team. Sarah and Sally worked together in a previous agency.

 

• BENENDEN Health has announced the appointment of a new member services director. Peter Robinson will lead the development and delivery of the York-based healthcare provider’s customer service strategy including leadership of the operations teams. Peter arrives at Benenden Health with more than 20 years of senior level experience in operational roles across many sectors. Before joining Benenden Health, Peter Robinson was managing director of service delivery at the NHS Business Services Authority, leading on the delivery of central services to NHS organisations, contractors, patients and the public.