Armstrong Watson appoints new audit and assurance partner in Leeds
Carlisle-based accountancy firm Armstrong Watson has strengthened its Yorkshire audit team with the appointment of Steve Williams as audit and assurance partner.
Having worked in audit and assurance for more than 20 years, Steve’s experience ranges from audits of FTSE 100 PLCs to family, owner-managed and private equity-backed businesses.
He has also worked with clients in the not-for-profit and education sectors and has extensive international experience, having worked with large UK headquartered groups with global operations as well as overseas-owned UK subsidiaries.
Steve said: “I am thrilled to join Armstrong Watson’s Yorkshire practice at an exciting time of growth for the firm. Armstrong Watson is the largest independent in the North of England and has a great reputation for big firm quality combined with local delivery across the SME market in which I have worked for the last 15 years. I am looking forward to working with our exceptional team and continuing to deliver high-quality services to all our existing and new clients.”
Steve will provide audit and assurance services to the firm’s owner-managed and family business client portfolio, along with general client service offering across all disciplines, while assisting partners Matt Osbourne, Simon Turner and Rohan Day to run the Yorkshire audit practice.
Matt Osbourne, audit and assurance partner and head of Armstrong Watson’s Leeds office, said: “Having worked with Steve previously and having known him for a number of years, I know that he is one of the best advisers to privately-owned businesses in the Yorkshire market today.
“I’m tremendously excited by Steve’s appointment and I’m certain that he will be a great addition to both the Armstrong Watson audit team, as we continue to grow, and also our clients, as we continue to support them in achieving their strategic objectives.”
Delkia team continues expansion
Egremont-based specialist systems integrator Delkia has appointed three senior engineers: two EC&I engineers and an Avionics engineer.
Delkia has grown significantly since 2020; increasing from 15 to 56 employees, including the addition of 37 consultant engineers, accompanied by an increased turnover of £6.4 million to £7.3 million.
Craig Henderson, senior EC&I engineer plays a crucial role in Egremont by implementing electronic solutions to our projects.
Craig said: “Delkia interested me as they are a young company that is making great strides forward to becoming a major player in the engineering industry.”
Kevin Montfort, senior EC&I engineer recently joined Delkia and will be working from his home office. Kevin’s role includes digital and design engineering, system integration, technical consultancy, and complex control systems support.
Kevin said: “I was interested in the job location, type, vision, values, and the benefits at Delkia. The interviewing process was relaxed, positive and matched the company values.”
Sam Southwell has joined Delkia’s Preston site as an avionics systems engineer, with 28 years of experience. He spent 22 years with the RAF where he specialised in secure comms and tactical data links.
Sam said: “I was looking for a new challenge and it was time to go back to where I started as part of the bigger picture of avionics.”
Aaron Kelly has rejoined Delkia as a part-time intern alongside his studies at Lancaster University where he is studying a Computer Science BSc (Hons) degree reading Systems and Security.
Aaron said: “I chose Delkia because of the variety of work on offer and the number of interesting sectors the company is involved in.”
Running Vet shortlisted for Woman of the Year Award
A Cumbrian vet who ran for 82 hours in the Alps has been shortlisted for a Woman of the Year award in her native Ireland.
Emma Stuart, 33, who works at Paragon Vets’ Newbiggin practice, says she is delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award.
Emma was nominated by fellow Irish ultramarathon runner Eoin Keith for the Outsider Woman of the Year award – and they have both travelled to Dublin this week for a glittering presentation ceremony hosted by Ireland’s Adventure Magazine.
Emma said: “I was blown away when I found out that Eoin had nominated me. He is revered in Ireland for his amazing achievements and a bit of a hero of mine. The fact that he believes in me means the world to me.”
Emma, nicknamed The Running Vet, also has some huge achievements under her belt and has managed to juggle her training with her work.
She said: “I want to show other vets who get bogged down and struggle with work-life balance that they can have a fulfilling career and a life outside work.
“Paragon has been so supportive and accommodating. Being willing to consider my interests and allow me to take the time off to train and compete, that makes a huge difference.”
Last year, Emma became the fastest woman to complete one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons – the famous 350km Tor des Geants around the Aosta Valley in Italy.
Around 1,300 people set off in the race, with only 650 crossing the finish line.
Remarkably, Tor des Géants was Emma’s first multi-day race of any kind, and she emerged as the youngest-ever female winner. This outstanding accomplishment has elevated her to a standout star in the global ultra-running community.
Now Emma has her sights set on the toughest challenge of her running career so far – the Transgrancanaria at the end of this month which attracts the world’s greatest ultramarathon runners.
Academy by Simon Rogan shortlisted for two major national awards
The Academy by Simon Rogan apprenticeship programme, established by Simon Rogan Restaurants, in conjunction with Kendal College, has been shortlisted from among 200 entrants for Springboard Awards in two categories; the Best Apprenticeship Strategy and the Best Education and Industry Partnership.
Created in 2021 in collaboration with Kendal College, the Academy by Simon Rogan is a 15-month hands-on immersive learning programme, specifically designed to take students on a unique journey.
The programme is designed to equip them with skills that will escalate their passion for food and drink. As they learn through working directly with the teams in Simon’s Lake District restaurants and are further supplemented with practical and theory-based learning, provided by the expert tutors from Kendal College, one of the UK’s leading hospitality schools.
The annual Springboard Awards for Excellence are designed as a celebration of hospitality’s finest individuals and businesses. Recognising and rewarding those who have demonstrated over the last year their resourcefulness, creativity and innovation in supporting and nurturing their co-workers within their individual organisations.
Some of the biggest names in hospitality, including The Ivy Collection, Dakota Hotels, The Athenaeum Hotel and Residencies, The Vineyard Group and Hilton, feature among this year’s shortlisted finalists, recognising the outstanding work they have each undertaken in developing their talent and promoting the industry.
Marcin Maryniak, head of HR and recruitment with Simon Rogan Restaurants, said: ‘’We launched the Academy by Simon Rogan, to be able to provide those serious about developing their careers in hospitality with an opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading restaurant teams.
“Being shortlisted in two Springboard Award categories demonstrates the hard work and dedication of every member of our team and the culinary team from Kendal College, who by collaborating closely together have made the Academy project such a success since its creation in 2021.’’
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 11th April, at the prestigious InterContinental Park Lane, London, hosted by acclaimed character comedian, Simon Brodkin.
