Switalskis, a group of three specialist law firms, has appointed Julie Guest as its head of people.
Julie Guest gained experience as a HR professional at CNG She has also worked in positions with Morrisons, Pinsent Masons and William Hill.
The recruitment is a part of the group’s growth strategy, which has already seen an expansion with the investment of firms Atherton Godfrey and Pryers Solicitors.
Ms Guest said:
“It’s great to join a firm with such a strong focus on its people, culture and values.
“My role will involve further integration of people and systems following the acquisition of Atherton Godfrey and Pryers. I aim to enhance Switalskis’ already strong talent development and create an environment and culture in which everyone is able to flourish.”
John Durkan, managing director of Switalskis group, said:
“Julie brings a wide range of valuable experience to this role along with a proven HR leadership track record.
“She has been responsible for a number of successful change and development programmes within professional services businesses, and I’m delighted she has joined us as our first head of people.”
Julie has 28 years’ HR experience and will take on developing Switalskis’ talent, leadership and inclusion strategies.
Harrogate business leaders encouraged to sleep rough for charity
Business leaders in Harrogate will be joining a ‘sleepout’ challenge to help raise money for charity.
CEO Sleepout UK has organised the event, which will see business execs, directors and CEOs from across North Yorkshire sleeping out to raise money for local charities.
The event will take place on May 19th at Harrogate RUFC.
It is expected that around 40 businesses will participate in this years event.
Ison Harrison Solicitors, Cairns Hotel Group and Harrogate Borough Council are just among a few who will take part.
In previous years, the sleepout raised over £23,000.
Harrogate CEO sleepout at the RUFC launch
This year, the funds raised from the sleepout will be sent to YMCA Ripon, Harrogate RUFC community projects, Trussell Trust Harrogate, Walking With The Wounded and CEO Sleepout with 10% of all funds raised going to the DEC Ukraine appeal.
Bianca Robinson, chief executive of CEO Sleepout, said:
“Harrogate isn’t particularly associated with rough sleepers, but this doesn’t mean that homelessness doesn’t exist. We see people sleeping in cars with their children, on friends’ sofas, or worse; risking exploitation in exchange for a roof over their heads.
“The event is a chance for local people to learn about hidden homelessness in the area and what’s been done to help those at risk.”
CEO Sleepout UK was started in 2013 by Andy Preston, now the mayor of Middlesbrough, and has raised over £2.7m to combat homelessness and poverty.
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Garry Irvine appointed president of Harrogate cricket club Druids
Druids Cricket Club, the historic Harrogate club founded in 1915, has appointed Garry Irvine as its president.
Mr Irvine is a former Druids captain as well as an outstanding rugby union player who captained Harrogate RUFC and represented an Anglo-Scots XV against the All Blacks.
His appointment follows the death of previous president Simon Corner, a much-respected figure in the Harrogate area.
Druids is a nomadic social cricket club that celebrated its centenary in 2015 with a match against the famous MCC.
Such is the club’s standing that it was invited to play Yorkshire as part of former England Test bowler Ryan Sidebottom’s testimonial year.
Mr Irvine said:
“It’s an enormous honour to be appointed president of this famous club, following in the footsteps of the legendary Simon Corner.
“I’m determined to carry on the great work that Simon and previous presidents have done over the past 100 years in maintaining the great traditions of fun and fair play that the Druids were founded upon.
“As a club, we’d also love to welcome new people to become part of this great Harrogate institution, whether as players or supporters.”
The club plays friendly fixtures against other social or local Harrogate clubs, usually on Sundays.
Players of all abilities and supporters are very welcome to join the Druids.
For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page or contact club secretary Mark Moorby at melmoorby@hotmail.com.
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Harrogate Rugby Club reopens clubhouse doors
Harrogate RUFC welcomed back familiar faces and reopened its club house doors.
It was the “first time the club house opened since lockdown” and players and supporters enjoyed a BBQ and a long-awaited pint. Food was enjoyed outside and a one-way system was adopted through the clubhouse.
As well as this, the rugby club launched its “Ride to Rudding” scheme, which was originally due to have started before lockdown. The initiative encourages people to cycle to the club rather than drive.
Andy Annat provided the BBQ for the reopening of the clubhouse.
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Mike Cowling, commercial chairman for Harrogate RUFC told The Stray Ferret:
“We were always planning to launch the scheme officially, but lockdown delayed that. This is the start of something going forward, we had about a dozen people ride to the event at the weekend which is great.”
The club was given a small transport grant from Harrogate Borough Council which allowed it to install a bike shelter to further encourage players and supporters to cycle to the club.
In order to encourage more people to cycle, the club held a free prize draw for all those who arrived on bikes across the weekend. The winner was Woody Auld who plays for the U10’s.