Appointments

12:38pm Tuesday 3rd April 2007

ROGER Queen has been appointed non-executive director of Sawfish Software, the York-based developer of SalesFlow and DebtFlow.

Mr Queen, who trained as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers and specialised in corporate finance, previously worked with Sawfish Software's managing director, Steve Hull, in the 1990s, as finance director and company secretary of Online Group Holdings plc.

In July 2003, after five years as group financed director of Torday and Carlisle plc, an AIM listed company involved in chemicals and engineering, he was appointed finance director of Castlebeck, the Darlington-based provider of specialist healthcare and rehabilitation services for adults with learning disabilities.

Castlebeck, a private equity backed business, was sold for £255 million in July, 2006. As a result, the company was awarded European Private Equity Deal of 2006 (UK and Ireland). Mr Queen left the group in December 2006 to pursue non-executive opportunities.

He said: "It is a pleasure to be working with Steve Hull once more. His entrepreneurial flair and energy have created an exciting company and platform for growth. The team at Sawfish Software is highly skilled and dedicated, and has driven the firm forward impressively in the last 12 months.

"I am looking forward to supporting the continued ambition of the company."

Mr Hull said: "We aim to raise further capital so that we can continue to fund the phenomenal growth at Sawfish Software.

Roger has proven expertise in corporate finance and a track record in raising business capital which will add tremendous value to our team."

MINSTER Veterinary Practice has promoted two of its small animal vets, Jo Malone and Tim Shearman, to associate partners as the York-based practice further expands its community network of surgeries in the city.

Jo Malone, 32, who is based at the Willow Grove surgery, has been with Minster Vets for seven years, and Tim Shearman, also 32, joined the practice five years ago and is now developing the cardiology services offered by the practice.

The new surgery, in the Selby Road at Crockey Hill, means that pet owners living in the area will no longer have to make the trek across the city to see a vet.

"It will also be convenient for people living in Selby, " said Minster Vets small animal partner Mark Goodman who, with Leonie Julian, will be in regular attendance at the surgery which will open Monday to Friday.

"Minster Vets prides itself on offering a local, friendly service for pets and their owners and Crockey Hill is all about convenience for people living in the area and supporting them in keeping their animals healthier, " he said.

ED NUTTER, who has been in the accountancy profession for 24-years, has been appointed finance director at Harrogatebased Avenir Properties.

Beginning his career as a trainee accountant at Penny and Company, Ed, from Collingham, near Wetherby, was a former financial director with NSM Music Group and was a self-employed financial controller and troubleshooter for the DPL Group.

Andrew Carnell Avenir Properties director said: "Ed brings a wealth of experience with him in terms of financial management.

"His CV is very impressive as he has led an international buyout, restructured and implemented stable financial controls, created strategic commercial business plans and financial projections for new businesses."

DIGITAL and litho printers Wood Richardson of York has seen out its centenary year in style, with the appointment of three new board directors.

Long servers Alan Coulson, Victoria Milner and Michael Wake have been appointed sales, finance and production directors respectively at the Haxby Road business.

Alan joined Wood Richardson 27 years ago as trainee guillotine operator and for the last 20 years has held a key sales role within the business.

Victoria has been with the firm for 21 years in a wide-ranging administrative role, which expanded to take on responsibility for finances in 1991.

Michael joined in 1976 as a machine minder and developed into the production manager's role he has held for the last 12 years.

Now all three are preparing to make their mark on the firm at a strategic level as they help managing director John Richardson take the business forward into its next 100 years. Already £1.5 million has been invested in new equipment over the plast five years.

Mr Richardson said: "This is a very exciting time for us. We've never been in a better position; we've got a strong, hardworking team in place, we're equipped with the latest technology and machinery, and on top of that I now have strategic support from three talented and dedicated board directors to help develop and grow the business."

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