People: TL Dallas; Skipton Business Finance; Ward Hadaway; and more
Independent insurance broker, TL Dallas, has appointed Tim Mortimer as its new chief executive.
He takes up the role at the Bradford-headquartered group, while group managing director and fourth generation family member, Polly Staveley, moves into an executive chair position, allowing her to focus on strategy, key clients, ambassadorial work and selective acquisitions.
Mortimer joined TL Dallas six years ago as commercial managing director, with a succession plan in mind and has since played a central role in developing the group’s commercial insurance operations, delivering significant year-on- year organic growth.
He has over 35 years’ experience in the insurance sector, having previously held senior regional roles at Smart & Cook, Bluefin and Marsh Commercial.
During his time at TL Dallas, he has been instrumental in strengthening the group’s footprint in Scotland, most notably through the acquisition of a 40-strong team based in Inverness, Elgin and Orkney, now operating as Nord Dallas and Caledonia Dallas.
He has also supported further growth through the launch of new regional offices and specialist propositions in Lincolnshire, with the launch of Dallas Scott Davey, a specialist agricultural and business insurance firm; and the establishment of Dallas Wilding Drew in North Yorkshire, serving businesses across a broad range of sectors; as well as expanding into Cumbria, opening a new office in Cockermouth specialising in commercial and agricultural insurance.
Staveley said: “Tim has really delivered for our business, and this is a natural and positive evolution of our leadership structure. Tim was appointed with a view to progressing into this role, and he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to TL Dallas, our people and our values.
“In my new role, I’ll focus on the strategic and ambassadorial aspects of the business, representing TL Dallas across family business, chamber of commerce and international networks, supporting long-standing generational clients and identifying like-minded opportunities that align with our vision and key strengths.
“Continued, well-managed, growth is essential to remain competitive in a consolidating broking market, and to secure the best outcomes for clients and create progression opportunities for our team.”
Mortimer added said: “I’m proud and excited to take on this role at a business with more than a century of history.
“TL Dallas is a rare example of a large, truly independent insurance broker that combines scale with a very personal approach to client service.
“Our independence, our people and our values are central to what makes us successful, and my focus as CEO will be on building on that strong foundation.
“We will continue to grow in a measured way, invest in our teams and ensure we remain competitive for our clients, whilst staying true to the culture that sets TL Dallas apart.”
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Skipton Business Finance (SBF) has appointed Kim Hughes as its new head of asset-based lending (ABL), further strengthening its leadership team as the business expands its ABL proposition.
She brings over 14 years of experience across Invoice Finance and Asset-Based Lending, with a proven track record in structuring sophisticated funding solutions, portfolio oversight and delivering complex commercial facilities.
Hughes began her banking career at Yorkshire Bank before moving to RBS, where she progressed to senior relationship manager within the specialist restructuring team.
Since 2018, she has continued to build her expertise in senior ABL roles, most recently serving as head of asset management and first line underwriter at ABN AMRO Commercial Finance.
In her new role, she will be a key part of the team driving forward and evolving SBF’s ABL proposition.
She will play an important role in the credit process, providing insight and business support on ABL transactions as part of a wider team.
Hughes will also contribute to strategic initiatives, collaborating with colleagues across the business to deliver flexible, client-focused funding solutions that support business growth across the UK.
Michelle Wilson, chief operating officer at Skipton Business Finance, said: “Kim’s extensive ABL experience, strategic insight, and proven track record in delivering sophisticated funding solutions make her a fantastic addition to our team.
“Kim’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to enhance our ABL offering and support ambitious businesses across the UK.”
Hughes added: “Skipton Business Finance has a strong reputation for providing flexible, relationship-led funding, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to further develop our ABL proposition and help more businesses achieve their growth ambitions.”
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Ward Hadaway has appointed 12 new legal specialists to its Leeds office, strengthening teams in response to sustained client demand across Yorkshire.
The new starters include directors, solicitors, trainee solicitors and paralegals, adding capacity across teams that advise public sector bodies, housing providers, private individuals and mid-market businesses.
The Leeds appointments form part of a wider intake of 44 new starters across the firm nationally.
Emma Digby, executive partner in the Leeds office, said: “Leeds has always been a strong base for the firm, built on long-standing relationships with clients across Yorkshire.
“We continue to see a steady flow of instructions across a wide range of matters and that has supported another year of double-digit growth.
“These appointments are about making sure we have the right people in place to support clients with their ever-changing needs, maintain continuity and continue developing the team in a sustainable way.
“We are ambitious and so are our clients so we will always push to ensure we are at the forefront of legal services here in Yorkshire and across our other regions.”
The hires span practice areas including corporate, commercial, employment, private client, debt recovery, residential conveyancing and real estate, alongside additional capacity in affordable housing.
Aarti Parmar, a newly appointed director in the Corporate Banking team based in Leeds, added: “Ward Hadaway has a strong reputation as an independent firm with depth across its core practice areas.
“The firm has a growing finance offering, and I am looking forward to working with colleagues, alternative lenders and banks to support clients across the region and beyond.
“Joining a firm which is so clear in its aspirations and so focused on client success was a big attraction for me.”
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Dean Anderson
Bradford-based Accent Housing has appointed Dean Anderson as executive director of customer experience and Conan McKinley as executive director of assets and compliance.
Anderson will lead Accent’s approach to customer experience, customer influence and housing management.
He will lead the development and delivery of the customer experience strategy, embed a strong customer-focused culture across the organisation, and ensure the housing provider performs strongly against consumer regulatory standards.
His remit includes strategic leadership of housing management and neighbourhood services, customer engagement and influence and complaints, ensuring customers feel valued and supported.
Anderson arrives with significant executive-level experience in social housing, most recently as managing director at Settle Group.
He brings a strong track record in customer-focused transformation, improving service performance, strengthening accountability, and leading organisations through regulatory change, including the Consumer Standards, the Better Social Housing Review and Housing Ombudsman requirements.
McKinley will provide executive leadership across asset management, repairs, building safety, sustainability and regulatory compliance.
His role will ensure homes are safe, well-maintained and future-ready, with strong assurance and risk management frameworks in place.
He brings more than 25 years’ experience in social housing and construction, including over a decade at director level.
McKinley joins from A2Dominion, where he led asset strategy, compliance, sustainability and major investment programmes across a large housing portfolio.
He has previously held senior roles at Your Housing Group, Gentoo and Believe Housing, and is widely recognised for his expertise in asset performance, building safety, decarbonisation and compliance.
Nick Apetroaie, chief executive at Accent, said: “We saw an exceptionally strong field of candidates for both roles, which reflects both the importance of these positions and the calibre of leadership we were seeking.
“Dean brings deep expertise in customer experience, service improvement and regulation, and will play a critical role in shaping how we continue to listen to customers and translate insight into better outcomes.
“Conan’s leadership in assets and compliance adds further strength to our focus on safety, quality and long-term investment in our homes.
“Together, these roles reflect our commitment to customer-centred services, strong governance and delivering on the expectations placed on modern housing associations.”
Anderson said: “Accent’s clear commitment to customer-influenced services and strong governance was a major draw for me.
“My focus will be on continuing to embed a customer-centred culture, ensuring insight and lived experience shape decision-making, and supporting the organisation to perform strongly against consumer standards.
Conan McKinley
“By listening well and acting on what customers tell us, we can deliver better services and achieve more sustainable outcomes for the communities we serve.”
McKinley added: “Having progressed from frontline roles into executive leadership, I’m passionate about ensuring homes are safe, well-maintained and fit for the future.
“Accent has a strong platform to build from, and my priority will be to further strengthen assurance, compliance and investment planning so the organisation continues to meet regulatory expectations while delivering high-quality, reliable homes for customers.
“Safe, secure housing underpins wellbeing and opportunity, and getting this right is fundamental to everything we do as housing providers.”
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