PARAGON Entertainment Limited, the Elvington-based attractions design, production, fit-out business, licensor and operator, has announced that Martin Barratt will join the board as a non-executive director.

The 56-year-old has more than 25 years of management, operational and development experience in the attractions industry, running a variety of visitor attraction businesses from museums to theme parks.

Notable highlights include the operation and development of the UK’s largest theme park and branded attractions company.

 

• Doug Webb has been appointed head chef at The Park Inn by Radisson in York city centre.

Yorkshire born Mr Webb, brings more than ten years’ experience with him, developed in a mix of hotels and restaurants throughout the region, including time spent at Malmaison in Leeds, where he was named as Employee Of The Year.

 

• Shaun Smith has been appointed general manager. at Bristol Street Motors in Harrogate.

Originally from Saltburn, Mr Smith will lead the Grimbald Crag Road dealership, bringing with him more than 35 years of motor industry experience.

With more than 25 years managerial experience, Mr Smith will now head up the new £4 million Vauxhall dealership.

 

• Tom Hawkins-Mitchell has joined Knaresborough-based Vital Technology Group as a trainee office manager.

Tom is a former pupil of Rossett High School, in Harrogate, and will attend Harrogate College on a part-time basis to study for a Diploma in Business Administration.

 

• Peter Holmes has been appointed regional chairman, of the Yorkshire Institute of Directors (IoD). Mr Holmes, who is executive chairman of Anchor Magnets Ltd, is to take up the mantle having been the chairman of South Yorkshire IOD since late last year.

At the same time as Mr Holmes assumes the role of chairman for Yorkshire IoD, Suzy Brain England will step down as regional director following an increased demand for her time from her roles as a board chairman and mentor.

Yorkshire IoD has appointed Bernadette Cronin as interim regional director.

 

• LAW firm Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors has increased its staff headcount bringing the total number of staff to more than 90 across the offices in York, Selby and Malton.

The property team, headed up by Abigail Mitchell, who was appointed as a director in 2013, has been joined by Richard Black in the role of residential conveyancing manager, Gordon Gildener in a consultancy role in the areas of commercial and residential conveyancing and Chris Hindle in commercial property and in a wider role as head of legal services to dentists.

Mr Gildener will also provide support to the private client team which was joined by Brindley Meredith at the York office.

Sarah Burt, associate solicitor and family mediator, Emma Heptonstall ,family mediator, and Shelley Britton, trainee solicitor, have all joined the family business.

The administration team has been joined by Nando Langton in the role of risk and compliance manager, and the secretarial support is being increased with the appointment of four new secretaries across the probate and property teams.

The Malton office has been joined by Ian Barnard, an associate solicitor who will work as part of the commercial team on both commercial property and agricultural matters.

 

• RM ENGLISH, the York-based property firm, has expanded its residential department with two senior appointments in the wake of a record-breaking year.

Jonty Lightowler, right, has joined the company as the principal valuer, while Julie Butters, far right, has been appointed as the senior sales negotiator.

Mr Lightowler from Dacre Son and Hartley, while Ms Butters comes from Stephensons.