Smart Repairs, the independent cosmetic vehicle repairer, has made a significant new appointment as it expands throughout the UK. The Leeds company, based in Weaver Street in Burley, has hired Kaylie Skitt as senior financial controller. Kaylie arrives at Smart Repairs from Pendragon, where she was leader of the finance team for Mercedes, Porsche and Aston Martin. She previously worked for Mercedes Benz in Bradford and JCT600 in Leeds. Darryl Short, Managing Director of Smart Repairs, said: “As we continue to grow as a business, it’s right we also strengthen our leadership team to ensure that we provide the best service levels to our customers. “Kaylie’s wide experience in the automotive sector made her the perfect person to support us going into 2024. Her ability to understand the specific needs of our customers and bring the support our existing management team require made her our number one candidate. “We now feel ready to take on the challenges for continued expansion next year and going forward from there. Stability and long-term commitment within our leadership team is key to delivering this growth.” Bradford-born Kaylie, who was educated at Buttershaw High School and Bradford College, explained: “The rate at which this company is growing is phenomenal and I am proud to be joining a friendly, hard-working and successful team. Smart Repairs has established itself as a major force within the cosmetic repair industry across the UK and I look forward to playing an important role in maintaining and increasing this growth.”

Susie Mortonson has joined Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP’s corporate team as a partner. A well-respected and familiar lawyer in the North Yorkshire region, Susie brings 16 years’ experience to her new role. She advises many different businesses across a broad range of sectors on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, management buy-outs and buy-ins, shareholder agreements, group reorganisations, corporate governance, partnerships and commercial contracts. Susie also has specialist expertise in working with clients operating in the agriculture sector and advises a wide range of farming businesses on the different issues they face. Susie previously worked as partner and head of department at another regional law firm where she led on a number of high-profile transactions including the purchase of Dusk bar for Fabler Bars; the sale of Scarborough-based TEF Transport group; and the sale of Dean Court Hotel in York. Susie also brings with her the benefit of long-standing and continued relationships with a large number of regional businesses. Susie, who is also vice-chair of York Professionals and acts as honorary solicitor and trustee to various regional charities, said: “I’m excited to join Andrew Jackson. Championing local businesses and helping them to flourish is really important to me, so I’m delighted to join a team that’s committed to providing an outstanding client service, which has their best interests at heart.” Philip Ashworth, corporate partner at Andrew Jackson, added: “We are delighted to welcome Susie to Andrew Jackson. She is a fantastic addition to our team; her pragmatic yet commercial approach, combined with her enthusiasm, expertise, and technical insight, means that clients are in the very best of hands.”

Michael Truluck has joined Leeds-based Joe Browns fashion brand as Chairman with immediate effect.

The move will be Michael’s first chair position after recently leaving his role as CEO of La Redoute International, to spend more time with his family in Yorkshire and to build a non-exec portfolio.

The company aspires to have ten new stores within a year, and has completed a £2m warehouse upgrade to support growth ambitions and increase pick face capacity.

Michael said: “I join at probably the most exciting time in the brands 25-year history. With a unique and confident approach to remarkable product across womenswear, menswear and home it means Joe Browns really stands out in the market – something that has been evident by the growth delivered by Simon, Peter and the team.

“With a great leadership team in place I look forward to supporting them by ensuring that Joe Browns is seen and loved by more customers than ever before.  Be it through stores, an even stronger on-line experience or third-party partnerships – and from what I have seen already it’s all to play for from a really firm foundation.”

Simon Brown, Founder of Joe Browns, added: “I couldn’t be happier to welcome Michael into the Joe Browns family. We met years ago during a business meeting and I wrote in my notebook at the time ‘This guy is smart. Keep in touch.’… I didn’t. Later down the line our paths crossed again, and I made a similar scribble.

“When I learned Michael was looking for a non-exec role I was keen to meet with him and discuss the vision for Joe Browns future, and establish if he shared a similar excitement for our opportunities. It’s safe to say he could see the wealth of potential in our unique offering and I’m excited to have him along for the journey.”

Michelin-trained chef Matthew Benson-Smith has launched a new Hospitality and Catering Apprentice Academy at the historic Dean Clough Mill complex in Halifax. Chef Benson-Smith Academy is a state of the art practical training facility, purpose designed to educate and mentor intimate numbers of apprentices working for establishments across the UK. The government registered and approved independent training academy is now operating level 2 -5 training programmes tailored to the requirements of a broad range of workplace clients. Benson-Smith forged his culinary skills  during his Michelin training at Ecole Lenotre Paris, and made his mark in Yorkshire through helping convert Hazelwood Castle with his brother John Benson-Smith, ex-BBC MasterChef judge, before becoming Head Chef at Rudding Park Hotel. After becoming a Consultant Assessor/Examiner for City & Guilds of London Institute and a Consultant Assessor/Examiner for Highfield Qualifications, Matthew is pursuing his passion to deliver highly skilled professionals for Hotels, Restaurants, Fishmongers, Butchers and Bakers. Matthew Benson-Smith was a Principal tutor and Director at the former cooking school at Dean Clough. He said: “I am delighted to return to Dean Clough for this exciting venture that I feel is so important for the hospitality industry.  My father was a steel business entrepreneur in Sheffield and often hosted dinner parties from which I was raised to appreciate good food.  Both my brother John and I have forged great careers in the industry, and I want to inspire young people to do the same.  Certainly, the industry needs some positive injection after a turbulent few years throughout the pandemic and other economic events, and putting skilled and motivated individuals directly into the business is our objective. “Dean Clough provides the prefect environment to help inspire our apprentices to be the best that they can.  There is a special quality about the place with an ownership team that engenders strong family values and community spirit.  Good public transport accessible by foot is also an important attribute given that our apprentices travel from all over the UK.” “The feedback so far from both employers and apprentices has been exceptional. Not only do they value the focused training they’re receiving, they also enjoy the culture and environment of Dean Clough Mills.” Jeremy Hall, Chairman and MD at Dean Clough Ltd, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Matthew and his team to Dean Clough.  To be a host to such an accomplished operator working for the greater good of an ailing industry whilst supporting fledgling careers is reward indeed and we look forward to seeing some great achievements. Chef Benson-Smith is another fine example of our capacity to provide suitable space for a diverse range of occupiers.”