Andrew Gent, founder of Leeds property consultancy GV&Co, is stepping down as director after 23 years. Having spent four decades in the industrial and logistics sector, Gent will transition into an advisory role focusing on long-standing client relationships.

Concurrently, Tom Goode will take over responsibility for GV&Co’s major "big-box" industrial agency and development instructions, having joined the firm from Knight Frank six months ago. Based in Leeds, GV&Co employs 18 people across industrial agency, building surveying, and investment services.

Andrew Gent said: “With a strong and established team in place, GV&Co is in a great position to continue its growth, which makes this the right time for me to step back as a director.”

Gavin Ritchie, a director at GV&Co, added: “Andrew is quite rightly regarded as one of Yorkshire’s shed legends... we’re delighted that he will remain closely involved.”



Sunderland-based workforce technology provider Workprove has more than doubled its team following total investments of £900,000.

The Doxford-headquartered firm, recently rebranded from Moralbox, secured £450,000 from Northstar Ventures’ Venture Sunderland Fund, £250,000 from Maven Capital Partners, and previous backing from Creative UK and angel investors. The funding has driven the recruitment of six new staff members across product development, sales and marketing.

Key appointments include Emma Antunes as head of marketing, who joins with experience from tech firms Sage and Microsoft. Curtis Mariani has also been appointed as head of sales to oversee the expansion of Workprove’s training and compliance software platforms. The business focuses on highly regulated industries such as construction, manufacturing and logistics.

Emma Antunes said: “It’s such an exciting time to join Workprove, there’s so much ambition and so much to do, but it’s a great team and everyone is working together to take the company to the next level.”

Curtis Mariani added: “I’m thrilled to have joined such a talented team at such a pivotal time... I’m thoroughly enjoying myself and I’m getting involved in all aspects of the business while watching our amazing products develop to meet the needs of our clients.”



National law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed Marie Bourke as a legal director in its Sheffield office, expanding its regional regulatory and manufacturing-linked dispute practice.

Ms Bourke specialises in complex, high-value contentious matters intersecting regulatory, investigatory, and criminal law. Her experience includes defending corporations and individuals against allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery, and tax irregularities, such as successfully overturning a £1 million HMRC input tax decision for an engineering firm.

The firm’s South Yorkshire expansion is further supported by the appointment of paralegal Alesha Tong, a recent University of Sheffield graduate who will support the growing caseload.

Kamal Chauhan, partner and head of regulatory at Shakespeare Martineau’s Sheffield office, said: “Marie brings strong experience in complex disputes where litigation and regulatory issues intertwine and need to be managed together as part of a wider approach to the matter.”



Agricultural machinery manufacturer Massey Ferguson has expanded its internal sales and support operations with two regional appointments.

Dave Chell has rejoined the manufacturer as area sales manager for North East England. Chell, who previously held a sales support role with the firm until 2023, will manage dealer networks and product lines across the region. Concurrently, Aled Beech has been appointed sales support specialist for Western England and Wales. Beech, who transitions from a technical support role within parent company AGCO, will oversee dealer product training and event support.

Dave Chell commented: “I’m delighted to be back with the Massey Ferguson brand and team. It’s a product I’m passionate about and my knowledge and experience will be a great advantage to quickly support dealers in my area.”

Aled Beech added: “The switch to sales support specialist means I’m now responsible for product training and updates to help MF dealers become self-sufficient.”



Seaton Burn-based engineering specialist RWO has appointed Domenico Venuti as technical director to lead its commercial civils operation and national expansion.

Venuti, who reports to group director Reece Kesson, will manage the company's technical strategy and team development. He brings over 30 years of civil engineering consultancy experience from South Africa, the Middle East, Canada, Europe, and the UK, specialising in large-scale data centres, logistics hubs, and infrastructure projects. The appointment comes as RWO reports its turnover has exceeded £5 million this year.

Managing director Ross Oakley said: “As RWO continues to expand nationally, particularly in response to increasing demand across the data centre and major infrastructure sectors, Domenico’s appointment strengthens our ability to deliver complex projects at scale and further enhances the expertise within the business.”



Logros Advisory Partners has appointed William Senior as a corporate finance partner to support its UK expansion.

Senior will advise business owners, shareholders, and investors on acquisitions, disposals, and fundraising. He brings financial expertise and transactional experience across the pharmaceutical, corporate finance, and family business sectors, focusing on owner-managed businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) preparing for growth or exit.

Lee Dinsdale, Managing Partner at Logros Advisory Partners, said: “William’s practical perspective working with SMEs, owner managed businesses and companies preparing for growth, investment or exit. will be a valuable addition to the firm. His appointment strengthens our partner delivered advisory platform and supports our continued growth across the UK.”

William Senior added: “I’m very pleased to be joining Logros Advisory Partners and contributing to the firm’s continued growth.”