Leach has its new team in place after French takeover
The new senior management team at Leach (seated from left) Adrian Wray, James Lavin and Russell Wilson with (standing) Tom Foster and Paul Wadsworth in January as head of sales, has been promoted to sales and marketing director while operations manager Russell Wilson becomes head of operations, company secretary Paul Wadsworth is now head of finance and senior project manager Tom Foster has taken on the role of head of Leach Inspire, the group’s heritage sector brand.
The new team is targeting £25m turnover in five years’ time – which means more than doubling its latest turnover figure of £11m.
Richard said: “Chargeurs is an innovation leader and a global manufacturing and services group with leading positions in its four markets and a customer portfolio spanning 80 countries. They have their sights set on worldwide revenues of €1bn by 2022, so it’s no surprise that their aspirations for Leach are so ambitious.
“However, they have acquired the business at a pivotal point in our evolution. Established 127 years ago, Leach has stood the test of time because we have continued to innovate. With Chargeurs’ investment, the pace of this innovation, R&D, new product development and personnel advancement will only accelerate.”
James said: “By leveraging the global networks of our new owners Chargeurs we’ll therefore be able to expand our offering – in the UK and overseas – meaning what could be perceived as steep growth targets are well within reach.”
Asked how he feels about working towards his retirement from the company in the spring of 2019, Richard said: “Jim and I have ploughed a vast amount of expertise and passion into Leach and I obviously have a sentimental attachment to the business because it was founded by my great-grandfather.
“But what began life as a one-man photographic studio has grown to become a 100-strong organisation with over 500 customers and the most robust management team yet. This succession strategy was a long time in the making, but I know the board is well-placed to build on the Leach family legacy. I’m excited to see what happens next.” TAFF at a Huddersfield housing association are celebrating achieving a top customer service milestone.
Edgerton-based Sadeh Lok is assessed annually for the Customer Service Excellence standard – a national recognition scheme for public and private organisations. This year, the group has achieved “full compliance” in every area, its best marks in 19 years.
It followed a visit by an assessor which included gathering feedback from customers, staff and board members covering various elements of its services.
Sadeh Lok, part of the Incommunities Group, was recognised for the very strong commitment of staff to provide quality customer services, high levels of customer satisfaction, its community-based work and focus on customer involvement, the quality of its partnership with Incommunities since it merged with the group in 2015, and continued success in responding to customers’ needs and measuring performance.
Hussain Brook, head of Sadeh Lok, said: “This is fabulous news which recognises the commitment of everyone to support our customers and deliver services that customers really value.” RIGHOUSE-BASED PR and communications agency Faith PR has been shortlisted for two industry awards.
The agency is a finalist in the CIPR PRide Awards 2018 in category for Outstanding Small Public Relations Company in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire – for the third time in its 10-year history.
It is also in line for the Corporate and Business Communications Campaign following its work for commercial nursery business Johnsons of Whixley.
Faith PR won two CIPR PRide gold awards in 2016 after transforming Hipperholme Grammar School’s brand and hosting a show-stopping event for Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay in Huddersfield.
It has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Small Public Relations Company twice before – in 2015 and 2016.
Faith PR, which was also a finalist in the Prolific North Awards 2018, will join the other shortlisted firms at the CIPR PRide awards ceremony on November 22 at The Queens in Leeds.