Appointments: Litigation specialist switches sides to take up partnership

David Williams, head of Leeds commercial and dispute resolution at Hammonds, is crossing the city to add his experience and expertise to the team

The move will take the number of partners in the Walker Morris team to three with 20 other lawyers.

Tracey Smith has been promoted to York Science Park board as managing director.

She will manage a team of 11, which is set to increase over the next 12 months, and more than 100,000 sq ft of specialist space, including offices, laboratories, meeting rooms and conference facilities.

Leeds Building Society has appointed Gary Brook as head of corporate communication.

Mr Brook brings more than 20 years experience of the society to his new role, having worked in many different areas including customer services, the branch network and public relations.

Commercial law firm Rollits has made seven lawyer promotions.

Five senior solicitors – Chris Drinkall, Ed Jenneson, Gerry Morrison, Alison Munro and Richard Whittaker – have been promoted to associate while Rebecca Latus and Jennifer Sewell have been made senior solicitors at the firm's offices in Hull and York.

Jonathan Gilbert will represent the drivers' recruitment sector at a national level after being appointed to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's (REC) Drivers Executive Committee.

Mr Gilbert is director of Wakefield-based Recruitment Driven. The REC is the professional body which represents the 22.5bn recruitment industry.

Yorkshire Bank has expanded its east region business development team with the appointment of business partner John Stirzaker.

He joins the team in Leeds, which operates between Newcastle and Norwich, supporting businesses with a turnover of up to 50m which are investing for growth.

He previously worked with the Bank of Scotland in Leeds and Newcastle as part of its acquisition and structured finance teams.

Independent networking group MBE is celebrating its second year of success with the introduction of three new members to its team.

Kerry Miller, of NIC Group; Jill Lawday, of Business Skills Armoury; and Robert Barker of HSBC have joined the Leeds-based organisation.

The group meets every Tuesday at Best Western Milford Hotel in Leeds from 7.15am-9am.

Marketing agency Fantastic Media has appointed two members of staff.

James Scarr joins the Birstall-based firm as account manager, while Emily Smith joins as account executive.

Sign manufacturer Horizon Signs has appointed Julie Charlton as a national accounts manager.

She has more than 10 years experience working in sales as an account manager for blue chip companies and will be based at the firm's headquarters, in Huddersfield.

Assured Fire and Security has made two new appointments.

Simon Glew joins the Assured team in Sheffield as installations manager, taking the place of Simon Ormerod, who has been promoted to the post of projects manager.

Gary Flockton joins the company's head office sales team as an estimator and designer.

Architectural aluminium glazing specialist Technal, has made two new appointments.

John Higgs is now regional sales manager for the South while Andy Pearson has been appointed business development manager – main contractors – for the Wakefield-based firm.