International accountancy and business advisory group, Azets has announced 42 promotions across its three Yorkshire offices in Leeds, Bradford, and York, where it employs 335 people. This regional boost is part of a wider UK-wide round of 372 promotions. The York office saw the largest number of appointments with 26, followed by Leeds with 13 and Bradford with three.

Notable promotions include Rebecca Cloxton to senior manager (audit and accounts), Ewelina Lelecka to manager (tax), and Louise Scarbrough steps up to the role of manager in Bradford. In Leeds, they have included business tax assistant manager John Low, tax manager Louise Best, associate director Tom Craddock and senior manager Ben Thompson.


In York, they have included Karen Sadler, associate director, tax, Erin Knapp, associate director, Dulcie Poskitt, assistant manager, and Lucy Pearson, senior manager.

Claire Needham, regional managing director, said: "Congratulations to all of our newly promoted colleagues. They represent the next generation of leaders helping our clients and colleagues move forward with confidence in the region."



Legal Group DWF has appointed Jenny Leonard, former Director of Operational Policing Law at the Metropolitan Police, as a director in its police, care, and justice team. Leonard brings more than 25 years of experience from the Metropolitan Police, with extensive expertise in civil and public law, operational policing, and national security matters, including high-profile inquests and Supreme Court cases. Recognised as an expert in counter-terrorism law, she was awarded an OBE in 2025 for her services to policing and national security. Leonard said she was “thrilled to be joining DWF and to have the opportunity to apply my experience from the Metropolitan Police in a new environment”.



Nifty Fox Creative, a research and data visualisation agency, has appointed Lindsay Mallia as Lead Designer and Dan Kavanagh as Lead Animator & Motion Designer, enhancing its senior leadership team. The appointments support the company’s ambitious goal of reaching £1.2 million in turnover this year. The agency has seen 54% year-on-year growth over the last five years, driven by increasing global demand for visual communication of academic research. Mallia, who has 14 years' design experience and a teaching background, will lead the design team. Kavanagh, previously with Manchester United's video team, will lead the animation and motion graphics projects. The Barnsley-based firm, established in 2017, converts complex evidence into visual stories for over 50 universities and public bodies, including NATO and the UK Government.



The Architects-Group, an architecture and interior design practice based in the North East, is expanding its capabilities with five new hires to meet growing commercial and residential demand. The firm, headquartered at AirView Park, Woolsington, now employs 25 staff. New senior appointments include Emily Leake as Senior Architect and Revit design specialist, relocating from South East England with over 15 years of international experience, and Paul Biggins as Senior Architectural Technologist. They are joined by RIBA Apprentice Kate Graham, Part 2 Architectural Assistant Paopao Yang, and student Joanna Madetko. Managing Director Tony Harmieson noted the "exciting time" for the sector, adding, "The demand for high-quality and ambitious architecture and design talent has never been greater". The firm is targeting £3m turnover by late 2026.



North Tyneside-based White Knight Maintenance has appointed four new multi-trades supervisors from within its ranks, finalising its senior leadership team as the £1.8 million turnover firm pursues growth, particularly in the renewables sector. Paul Snowdon, John Wilson, Tony McMullen, and Wayne Carr have been promoted from operative roles. They join Daniel Scope (Office Manager), Joanne Gunn (Buying and Scheduling Manager), and Kelly Bishop (Finance Manager) on the senior team. Founded in 2011, the 20-strong business provides property maintenance, building services, and compliance solutions across the North East. Managing Director Lee Bishop said: "Paul, John, Tony and Wayne have each been with the business for a number of years and are more than capable of stepping into senior positions," emphasising the company’s commitment to internal progression.



BDO LLP has strengthened its Yorkshire Deals team by appointing Ben Coggin as a Transaction Services Partner. Coggin joins the accountancy and business advisory firm from EY, where he was a Partner in the Transaction Diligence team. Based in the Leeds office, Coggin will focus on expanding BDO's Transaction Services practice across Yorkshire and the North East, particularly within the technology, media, and industrial sectors. His arrival follows the recent promotion of Jeff Gardner to Partner in Leeds and the earlier appointment of Tim Day. Jason Whitworth, BDO Partner, said the move strengthens their "position and reputation across key regional sectors." Coggin noted he was drawn to BDO's "clear focus on the mid-market" and looks forward to unlocking growth opportunities.



Ward Hadaway has appointed Nik Tunley as its new Head of Corporate following the firm's merger with Teesside-based The Endeavour Partnership. The appointment is intended to sharpen the UK Top 100 law firm's national corporate strategy across its offices in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, and Teesside, with further growth planned, including in Birmingham. Tunley specialises in mid-market mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for owner-managed businesses and private equity investors. He joined The Endeavour Partnership in 2008 and previously led its corporate team for over a decade. He brings experience from recent high-profile transactions, including a Growth Partner investment and the sale of Arbtech to Inflexion-backed Celnor.



STADA, a major pharmaceutical firm, has appointed Craig Shaw as General Manager for its UK operations, a key market accounting for around seven per cent of group revenue which includes Huddersfield's Thornton & Ross and Preston's Natures Aid. Shaw brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience, including executive roles at Reckitt Benckiser and Novartis Consumer Healthcare, and most recently served as CEO of Scholl. His commercial expertise will drive growth across STADA’s three pillars: Consumer Healthcare (including brands like Zoflora and Savlon), Generics, and Specialty. STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt confirmed that Shaw will lead an "active search" for acquisitions to strengthen the UK portfolio and pipeline. Shaw intends to leverage the "talented and entrepreneurial team" to achieve the next phase of growth.