MALTON-based insurance broker McClarrons has made two new additions to its workforce.

Due to continued growth, this year has seen two more account handlers join the McClarrons team with the appointment of Victoria Knaggs and Luke Clemmit, who follow the addition of three new account executives and three account handlers late last year.

Mr Clemmit and Miss Knaggs have both taken on roles as farm account handlers, dealing with a variety of clients from farmers to racehorse trainers. Miss Knaggs previously worked doing on-course bookmaking at racecourses and comes from a farming background, while Mr Clemmit joined McClarrons’ training programme via the Ryedale District Council’s ‘Opportunity Knocks’ programme, from Lady Lumley’s school.

THE Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Elizabeth Grant as branch ambassador for North Yorkshire, representing Hambleton and Ryedale.

The newly-launched ambassador network consists of high-profile business leaders who represent and promote the IoD in their area and grow the region’s voice on national policy matters.

Ms Grant is an entrepreneur with business interests in transport, food, agriculture and land. She set up her own business selling equestrian goods and importing animal feed in her early 20s before moving into the veterinary industry working with private practice and blue chip companies to implement growth strategies.

When the Food Standards Agency tendered for vets to be placed into abattoirs for animal welfare and public health, Ms Grant became the UK’s largest contractor with 200 staff. Today, she remains a major shareholder, manages a property portfolio and acts as a management consultant.

HARROGATE chartered accountancy firm Saffery Champness has appointed one of its senior team to the role of partner in a move that recognises the expansion of its landed estates and not-for-profit advisory work.

Sally Appleton joined the firm’s Harrogate office 11 years ago and in that time has built a team dedicated to working with charities and other not-for-profit organisation, as well as developing a specialism in tax and family issues affecting landed estates and rural businesses.

Her appointment brings the number of partners in the Harrogate office to five following the appointment last year of Sally Thomas as tax partner.