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Siobhan Jeffels and Sarah Manning are the youngest attorneys in Clarion’s nine-person family law practice.

Jeffels has practiced family law for over 20 years and joins as Legal Director.

For the past 10 years she has worked as a family lawyer for a family law firm based in the northeast.

She assists clients in all areas of family law, including divorce and separation, civil partnerships, marriage and union contracts, finance and child support.

And she has experience in dealing with more complex financial marital problems – for example in agricultural cases.

Jeffels is Resolution-accredited, which makes her the fourth member of Clarion’s family team to have this professional accreditation.

Manning joins as a Senior Associate Mediator after having worked in a niche family and employment practice in Leeds for the past three years.

She has more than 13 years of experience in family law and qualified as a mediator in 2012.

She assists individuals in all aspects of private family law, including pre-nups and post-nups, child disputes, and financial disputes.

Manning is a board member of the Family Mediation Association, which promotes mediation awareness in the legal sector and the general public.

Justine Osmotherley, Clarion’s partner and director of the family practice, said: “Siobhan has an impressive track record of handling complex marital cases and her experience in the agricultural sector will continue to enhance our specialized agricultural offerings.

“Sarah also has a wealth of experience and as an accredited mediator her skills go well with our commitment to amicable dispute resolution whenever possible.

“Having built such a cohesive team that shares a common approach to great customer care, it’s also great to find like-minded people who fit in with the Clarion ethos.”

Jeffels said, “Clarion is known for its positive culture, for example it offers flexible working for parents and it seems like a great place to work with a highly dedicated and customer-centric team.

“The family practice is known as one of the best in the north and I look forward to doing my part in its continued success.”

Manning added, “I take pride in handling cases amicably and doing everything I can to keep things constructive rather than confrontational.

“This approach seems to be in line with the Clarion team and I am very much looking forward to being part of a full-service company where all of a customer’s needs can be met under one roof.”

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Yorkshire-based finance specialist ABL Business has appointed Johanna Roberts as its new financial operations manager – a move designed to support the company’s national expansion strategy.

With over 30 years of experience in financial services – ranging from retail to offshore banking – Roberts has provided working capital to hundreds of companies and enabled growth strategies ranging from £ 50,000 to multi-million dollar complex investments in the UK and overseas.

She will drive ABL’s complex and challenging trade finance applications, closing specialist client deals and working on large accounts, while also driving the professional development of her peers in this often difficult-to-navigate line of business.

ABL Managing Director Alex Beardsley said, “We have bold ambitions for ABL in 2021, but we can only achieve them if we surround ourselves with the best, straightforward talent.

“The appointment of Johanna, who has unmatched credit and underwriting skills, enables us to structure higher-level transactions, MBOs, mergers and acquisitions. Nevertheless, it is their references, their passion and their personality that will ultimately drive our national expansion.

“In addition to working closely with our clients, Johanna will play a key role in the development of colleagues and ABL’s training program. She promotes the next generation of SME finance professionals and helps UK SMEs thrive.”

Roberts said, “Although the financial services landscape has changed significantly since 1990, the cash flow needs of almost all SMEs remain the same.

“I’ve always been keen to find new ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness, and ABL certainly isn’t afraid to question the norm – something so refreshing when the nation starts theirs Finding a way out of the pandemic.

“Now more than ever, entrepreneurs have no more time to delve into the details of complex finances.”

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Shortlister, a provider of video interviewing software solutions, has named Paul Dickens as chief operating officer as part of its rapid growth plans.

In his role, which encompasses all aspects of the business, he will set the framework for the strategic expansion of the York-based company that intensifies operations, including developing the trading team and ensuring customer success through product alignment.

Dickens joined the company from Ganymede – part of the AIM-listed RTC group – where he was Operations Director. He has 18 years of experience in sales, recruiting, technology and human resource management, particularly in the digital arena, and has a proven track record of leading businesses through successful, rapid growth phases.

David Dewey, CEO of Shortlister said, “We are very excited to have Paul come on board to take the company to the next level.

“His wealth of experience, his passion and his commitment to the industry are immediately apparent and I am sure that they will offer real added value.

“We are extremely people-centric and believe that our colleagues are our real capital. That is why we invest heavily in the development of our workforce.”

Dickens said, “I am very excited to be joining the Shortlister team. I’ve had a longstanding interest in the technology and market innovation that has defined the company, and David’s vision for the future is truly inspiring.

“The refreshing and lively culture is perfect for technical and commercial innovations. With a hybrid work model, we have a mix of a fantastic base in York city center and a remote, flexible work culture.

“In a short time it will become clear that everyone in the company has a voice, and David’s efforts to promote this practice will be the blueprint for our future success and opportunities for people development.

“It’s a great time to get on board. I can’t wait to be part of the next phase of growth for both the organization and the team. “

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Sheffield-based start-up Champion Health has hired Olympian Jack Green as its new head of performance.

The company supports companies in improving the well-being of their employees. Executives can gain data-driven insights to inform wellbeing initiatives, and employees can discover workouts, mindfulness, nutrition plans, and more.

Green is a Double Olympics that competed in the London 2012 Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 400m hurdles and 4 x 400m relay competitions.

He also achieved bronze at both the World Championship and the European Championship.

After a career as a successful athlete, Green struggled with his own mental health for many years. He then used this experience to set up his own consultancy to help executives create happier and more successful workplaces.

He previously worked as a feel-good manager for the BBC and is an ambassador for Mind and YoungMinds.

Green’s new role includes building relationships with Champion’s current and new customers. By providing live sessions that engage our audience on a wide variety of wellbeing topics, they will be instrumental in bringing the platform to market and making a greater impact on more life.

Green said, “I am incredibly excited to join Champion Health. I have a passion for the relationship between performance and wellbeing. I have long understood that the foundation of being the best you can be begins with good wellbeing.

“When I worked in sports, I lived by the mantra“ A happy athlete is a fast athlete ”and this applies to everyone regardless of your profession or interests.

“If you are to be successful in your professional life, you must first enable people to thrive by making your wellbeing a priority.

“My goal in life is to help as many people as I can be the best version of myself, and Champion is the ideal partner for me to serve that purpose.”

He joins Paralympian Amy Conroy who is an ambassador for Champion Health and who has created a series of workouts for the platform.