The Top 30 Under 30 for 2022 is today revealed.
Now celebrating a fifth year of charting rising stars across the Humber region, a record number of nominations has been received, recognising talent from a range of employers.
Simon Jones, creator of the scheme, said “I am delighted to announce this year’s winners, and our class of 2022.
“Every year, I am blown away by the impact young people make to the region’s businesses and economy. Today’s announcement is a real celebration. A celebration of the contribution, hard work and success of these fantastic young people, but also a celebration of the businesses who have given opportunities to, and see value in, the region’s talent.
“Without the platform provided by these organisations, the talent we have wouldn’t have the opportunity to develop and thrive.”
From tech to transport, construction to credit, bulks to boilers, the list is broad.
On the record entries, Mr Jones - who heads up Hull recruitment firm Identify - said: “I have always been fortunate to receive support for the scheme, even during Covid we continued to operate throughout. However, this year has seen a real step-change in terms of the nominations. The volume, quality and variety of nominations this year blew me and my judges away, and in the end, we had to make some really difficult decisions.”
In addition to the recognition, the 30 are enrolled onto the acclaimed Leap Programme.
Now also having been taken in-house by industry leaders impressed by performance, they will attend a number of sessions throughout the calendar year, with leadership, self-development and communication explored.
What initially was a concept now has the evidence to back up its claims.
“When setting up the scheme, I wanted to address the key issues around leadership skills,” Mr Jones said. “Nobody can do a job effectively without the skills and awareness to do so, yet it seemed to be accepted that managers and leaders do exactly that.
“The LEAP Programme is fulfilling this gap within the region’s young talent, and we are now seeing the benefits to the winners, their employers, and the economy on the back of it.
“This scheme has generated real outcomes. Over 60 per cent of our alumni have taken further steps forward in their career.
“We have new managing directors, new business directors, new heads of departments, and new managers in the alumni, with the vast majority crediting their experience on the scheme as a contributor to helping take these steps in their development and growth.
“Only last week, Josh Richardson from our Class of 2019, and Jessica Crawford from our Class of 2020 take their step into shareholding at Informed Financial Planning. This is exactly what this scheme is all about and is the type of legacy I am hoping to create.”
The Top 30 Under 30 for 2022:
Alice Anderson - payroll team leader, ResQ
Leaving a bar job and an animal welfare course, she entered junior management six years ago, gaining high grades throughout a foundation degree in payroll management.
Her team entered with no experience, but training support and mentorship provided has ensured they are fully competent in their roles. “Alice has grown as an individual and in a professional capacity,” her nomination said. “She has worked extremely hard to get where she has and will continue to push herself to continue to achieve.
“ResQ is proud of what Alice has achieved and excited to see where the future takes her and the business!”
Chloe Anderson - accounts and payroll manager, J & CR Wood Ltd
A meteoric rise has been recognised.
Starting in March 2018, she was promoted from assistant to manager in the payroll team within six months. During a tricky patch in 2019 she assisted the directors with temporary staff lay-offs, “handling it with great empathy and care”.
“In short, she was a vital member of the team that saw the company through its biggest ever challenge,” her citation read. “The commitment shown and her tireless effort in the most trying of circumstances really deserves to be marked and celebrated. By doing so, she acts as a great role model to young and aspiring managers not just within her company but all companies!”
Lewis Atkinson - compliance officer, Informed Financial Planning
Joining as a compliance assistant in 2017, he sat and passed six exams in two years to obtain his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Having discovered a passion he now has supervisory responsibility of training and competence for all six of the firm’s financial advisers and all four paraplanners.
He was made the vulnerability champion and in January 2021 also took on the responsibility of complaints handler - a very senior position for someone of his age.
“It is no accident that Lewis has achieved so much in a short space of time,” his citation read. “He has supported so many other staff members, especially through the pandemic and the demands of remote working.”
Gemma Broughton - senior social strategist, 43 Clicks North
Two promotions in little over a year after graduating with a First in Marketing in Hull lead colleagues to say “she is well on her way to becoming an industry leader and is definitely the future of 43 Clicks North”.
“Gemma just stands out - her attitude and humility is inspiring,” her citation read.
Demonstration of knowledge and understanding twinned with constantly delivering results for clients was clear, and she is recognised as an authority on paid social advertising within the business and by clients.
Gemma has tripled the size of her team and is on track to double this again within the next year.
Jaak Cheshire - general manager, Pure Broadband
Described as the backbone of Pure Broadband since 2009, making it his responsibility to know every aspect of the business, he recently initiated the implementation of a new leadership team.
He realised the business needed new skills and experience to move forward, and wanted to continue his own personal development, recognising that new people in the business would help him with that.
“Regardless of his youth, Jaak has naturally become a senior leader within the business and has significantly contributed to the business growth,” the citation read. “Despite his many strengths and skills, Jaak is humble and has the interests of the business at the heart of everything he does, both professionally and personally.”
Lydia Czabaniuk - compliance team leader, Encompass Training
Joining as an apprentice in 2018, by late 2021 she was in her current role, managing a team of two, supporting the development and implementing leaner processes, delivering great outcomes.
“Lydia not only develops herself and her team but is a key part in our operation with the knowledge and skill set she brings,” her nomination said, recognising her professional maturity and business etiquette as exemplary.
“She is always looking for ways to improve procedures and processes and possesses an eye for detail and a problem solving skills that isn’t something that can always be taught and Lydia’s talent for this is quite unique!”
Becki Dooley - training manager, Giacom
Giacom’s first ever training manager has hit the ground running. The innovator has brought many new practices to the business, and in the six months since she started, has expanded on her original responsibilities and made the role entirely her own.
“The improvements Becki has brought to Giacom have not only been praised by those she works closely with, but also by the wider business too,” her citation read. “Giacom has always recognised the importance of learning and development, but Becki joined the company and within these six months not only converted their aspirations into achievable plans and processes but something tangible that is already reaping rewards in our efforts to reach high performing team goals.
“She has proven without doubt that her ability to deliver matches her passion for the role.”
Jonathon Ellis - shipping transport manager, Rix Shipping
Cited as a fabulous example of how a school leaver can really achieve success on an apprenticeship scheme, he joined in summer 2018.
Initially in the dispatch department, he quickly expanded his role and was promoted to transport manager. He has admirably continued with his education, gaining a distinction within his final apprenticeship examinations, passing his Certificate of Professional Competence and is on his way to completing his qualifying examinations for Membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
“His mature attitude and work ethic is even more commendable given that this is his first job after leaving school,” his nomination said. “His promotion to transport manager at the age of 21 is proof of this.”
Thomas Farrow - operations team leader, Sewell Group
Working in the retail arm of Sewell Group while studying, he then became a management trainee within Sewell Facilities Management.
He shows “continued commitment, dedication, and passion,” and was described as instrumental in refreshing the way planned maintenance is managed across all customer sites. The senior team was impressed with the output, described as “like nothing previously done”.
He took a leadership role on a project with Yorkshire Ambulance Service as the extensive estate was assessed.
“His focus, passion and energy was a huge contributor to the success of the contract, which also went on to gain national recognition with the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management, winning a Team of the Year Award,” his citation said.
Harry Gamble - assistant project manager, Chameleon Business Interiors
Harry delivered Chameleon’s largest project in terms of size and value in 2020, leading to shortlisting in multiple industry awards. It was the seventh project he had been involved in with the client, and all were delivered on time, and in various locations around the country.
“Harry consistently strives for the best in all situations taking great motivation and pride in delivering a successful project,” the citation read, noting managerial responsibility for projects up to £4 million.
Tipped for the top of his industry, it continued: “That breadth of opportunity and experience working for a dynamic business has given Harry an excellent grounding and ability beyond his years.”
Victoria Greenfield - finance director, M-AR
At 28, the chartered accountant is in a key role at a hgh-growth £30 million turnover manufacturing and construction company, and has successfully built up a security business with her husband which she manages in her free time!
She was quickly promoted to finance director, having worked as head of finance at the company for 12 months prior. During this time, the company has undergone 300 per cent growth.
She is described as playing a key part in M-AR’s journey, overseeing the expansion of the company’s finance department, from one team member to seven.
“She delivers inspirational leadership and is a true role model, particularly for M-AR’s younger team members and for women in the wider construction sector,” the citation read.
Anzelika Gzibovska - translations co-ordinator, Language Is Everything
Passing her apprenticeship with distinction in a pandemic, she started her journey in the telephone interpreting team but has now been promoted to the role of translation co-ordinator.
It was well-deserved according to the nomination as “Anzelika’s keen eye for detail, project management and identifying potential working opportunities was recognised at all levels of the business”.
The citation continued: “Anzelika is a rising star, who has earned her place in her team and works tirelessly to make the translation service the best it can be. She has all the key qualities to be a future leader and an inspiration to other young women.”
Kasper Hohmann - lead process and industrial engineer, Siemens Gamesa
Progressing from production operative to become one of the lead engineers within the blade factory, Kasper’s opinions and recommendations are now sought as future technologies are developed by the central global functions of the business.
He is described as being in a position where he is seen as an example to others.
His citation said: “Kasper is constantly striving to be better and helps bring the people around him up to a higher level, with his positive outlook and attitude towards work and life. “Kasper constantly over-achieves and sets high standards which makes him a role model for others to look up to and target to follow in his footsteps.”
Ellie Lane - quality and hygiene manager, Bee Health
Credited with helping take her department digital, moving it from an old paper system, she started in the purchasing department eight years ago, before progressing, going on to mentor and develop team members.
Her citation read: “Ellie is like a sponge and is keen to learn new skills and pass these onto the wider teams, whether they be in the quality or production teams. She is always looking to improve herself and to expand her knowledge and implement these new skills and experiences into her role and her team members.”
Her latest promotion and “successful career chapter” began in January with the new role.
Jessica Marshall - process and automation specialist, Associated British Ports
Having shown a “natural aptitude for continuous improvement” Jess switched roles to become an integral member of ABP’s operational excellence team.
She specialises in processes, understanding where there is waste and suggesting improvements.
Jess is also adept at automation and has developed a number of apps, and solutions that have saved many manual tasks. She supported the design and build of an automated debt chasing and reminder solution, aiding the reduction in the overdue debt position from £50 million to £10 million.
She also built a solution that has removed four hours out of a month-end process.
“Jess is a rising star of the business and a future leader,” the citation said.
Jack Moore - marketing and communications lead, Hull & East Yorkshire Mind
Post-apprenticeship, Jack took on the role of marketing assistant and “due to excelling in the area” is now marketing and communications lead.
“Jack knows the organisation inside out – he is first to volunteer to help out with other services and also works directly with clients when needed,” the citation said.
“Jack is recognised as an expert in his area by many local Mind associations across the country and they often call on him for advice or help with a campaign they may be running or for general marketing assistance.”
He chairs the National Mind Network Engagement Group and was seconded to Humber, Coast and Vale NHS Partnership for two days per week over two years to assist with comms around a suicide prevention workstream.
Katie Muir - marketing manager, Connexin
“In 2019, Katie went for an interview at Connexin, with no GCSE results - yet - and simply brought with her, her amazing personality, determination, attitude and outlook towards life!”
Offered an apprenticeship, she passed a year on with distinction, alongside mostly A-grade Joining as B2C marketing and customer experience manager in 2020, “Katie has come so far in such a short space of time, and she is now leading and managing the marketing aspect of one of our biggest projects in the company’s history, in rolling out a brand new fibre network in Hull,” her nominator said.
“She is now working closely with all stakeholders in making sure that the marketing plan is executed in a timely fashion, ensuring the success of this project.”
Amy Mumby - HR & business support manager, GW Power Safe
Amy is credited with steering her career in the direction she anted to go, having started fur years ago on administration and accounting tasks.
“The way she has progressed in her career with GW is both motivating and inspiring for the other members of the office team. She had a clear goal in mind and worked with the MD to get to where she wanted to be, also investing her own time in training courses to help develop her knowledge,” her citation read. “Her ambition and drive demonstrates a fantastic example to the admin apprentices in the business.”
Dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of all employees, she is an advocate for mental health awareness.
Beth O’Grady - senior content strategist, Summit
Loved by her peers and clients alike, her team would “run through brick walls” for her and her clients take her recommendations implicitly,” according to her citation.
“Beth is a fearless leader who is protective of her team and relentlessly drives her business forward.”
Progressing to a management role in the past few months, she had previously led on a project worth more than £200,000, supporting with the proposition and then seeing it through to delivery, winning an internal Project of the Year award.
Now successfully growing her team, she is “forging a great team mentality” and described as a “role model for her peers, a thought leader for clients and the person you want on your team”.
Lois Pinchbeck - product availability manager, MKM
At the forefront of well-documented supply chain issues in the construction industry, she has been described as excelling in her role.
“Her tenacity to apply herself to a problem and not give up has been a major attribute,” her citation said.
MKM saw growth of 40 per cent in the last year and she has driven branch availability to record levels in the most challenging times, according to her employer.
“Lois has had a positive impact on the wider team and in a short period has become a well-liked and respected colleague,” it continued. “She has helped the network to serve their customer base.”
Calum Porter - international recruitment manager, University of Hull
Calum has taken over managing a small team in person and responsibility for a remote office in China. With little training he has effectively managed some very difficult staffing issues and has forged a strong unit.
This has included activating an overseas network of agents, doubling applications for study and expanding overseas recruitment.
“To achieve all of this in just over a year is an incredible achievement,” the citation said. “The fact that he has managed to renegotiate and successfully implement a new China office contract is a huge achievement and one that previous staff members - including directors - have failed to achieve.”
Katy Robinson - assistant project manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Joining during the first lockdown, she recently completed her HNC in Construction Management with top marks and distinctions across the board and gained an unconditional offer to study BSc Construction Project Management at Sheffield Hallam University.
An assistant project manager following a two year quantity surveying apprenticeship, fr which she was chosen as Technical Apprentice of the Year 2018, Katy has gone on to add FE Student of the Year at the G4C Yorkshire 2021 Awards.
“Whilst winning these accolades, Katy has become a valuable asset to her team, regularly goes beyond her role in being proactive and finding solutions to issues, saving the authority significant sums of time and money,” her nomination said.
Daniel Rudd - group finance manager, Swift Group
Another pandemic starter, Dan is described as an invaluable asset to the team having taken on the role following the retirement of a long-standing employee.
“With big shoes to fill in terms of contribution, Dan took on the role with both skill and enthusiasm and despite the difference in experience has adapted the role such that the team is both more efficient and produces far more insightful information to management,” the citation said.
Despite his age, Dan leads a team of individuals, some of which are older and more experienced, and is also keen on developing those around him, particularly new recruits to the team. He has proved to be agile and adaptive in his approach.
Emily Rymchuk - senior media planner, Forward & Thinking
Having joined as a media assistant in 2017, Emily immediately stood out with her hard work and positive demeanour enabling her to quickly progress.
She demonstrates her expert knowledge in all out of home media, researching and planning substantial campaigns, ensuring clients have the best solutions to promote their brand.
Described as process-driven and inquisitive, her nomination said: “Her thirst for knowledge and adaptability really allows her to excel within her role and to act as a great role model for others.
“Her clients and what is best for the business are always at the forefront of her mind and at no point does she ever put herself first, she is always thinking of the benefits for others and strives to exceed expectations.”
Katy Slight - team manager, Wescot Credit Services
Katy started as a call handler in 2013, and quickly proved her determination and drive to become a coach, assisting new starters.
She has been promoted twice more since, and is described as “clearly going places”.
Her citation said: “Katy is a dedicated hard-working individual who has a lot to offer anyone who deals with her, she frequently takes lead on tasks in her peer group and cares deeply for her consultants and team leaders. In a recent consultant-led internal recognition award scheme Katy was repeatedly highlighted as someone her team members wanted to be recognised for her work.”
Alex Torkington - specification sales manager, WJ Group
In a relatively short time Alex has become the in-house expert in the fire retardant treatment of timber, with the group commercial manager eyeing up a potential successor.
Through his grasp of the requirements, his confidence and the knowledge he displays, he has secured several significant project orders.
“Alex is an exceptional individual who deserves the recognition for the hard work and dedication he has shown,” his citation read. “WJ Group have been trying to make this portion of the business profitable for nearly three years with little success, until Alex joined and now they have the confidence to make further investments in the plant to take them to the next level.”
Connor Tritton - police officer, Humberside Police
Overcoming adversity when he first joined Humberside Police, Connor has gone on to succeed in his role and deliver on performance while safeguarding and building community confidence.
He has been asked to represent Humberside Police at a range of external events and online seminars. Over the past year he has driven the Yarborough neighbourhood team to build resilient communities using problem solving and crime prevention techniques to tackle a range of issues.
Connor has recently become a ‘police now’ champion which enables other officers on the programme to gain valuable knowledge and guidance from him.
He has also completed the College of Policing coaching and mentoring programme for underrepresented groups within policing.
Shannon Walker - category manager, Groupe Atlantic
Joining just over two years ago, Shannon has become a key player in the team who has helped support GA UK through the difficulties created by the Covid pandemic.
She has worked with suppliers experiencing difficulties with their own supply chains to ensure that there have been minimal issues.
Having joined as a category analyst she has “shown herself to be a consummate professional in her chosen field”. Her citation added “She has been identified as a key talent and as such is the lead representative from purchasing for several major projects in the business.” Major savings achieved were described as a “massive achievement taking into consideration the rising costs of raw materials effects of the pandemic”.
Luke Walton - national account executive, AAK
Starting in 2018, Luke focussed on cooking oil management training for the larger pub groups.
He developed and made improvements to an app which is now the main efficiency tool used by venues.
His nomination read: “During the pandemic he showed real flexibility. With many employees furloughed or on sick leave, Luke picked up a number of roles to ensure AAK could look after its customers and get stock out of the door. Under the stress of managing a difficult market, he has always stayed positive and kept smiling which has been recognised internally and he is viewed as someone who AAK want to develop and progress through the company.”
Issy Whitelock - consultant, Shared Agenda
A graduate entry in 2017, Issy quickly learned on the job.
“Her determination meant that she was soon able to understand and deliver a level of work beyond that of a graduate and, not only this, to do it in a manner which belied her relative inexperience and age,” her citation read.
“Issy quickly became a valuable and integral part of the team because of her enthusiasm, flexibility, passion and hard work.
She has worked on the likes of the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre and the Humber Acute Services Programme, building “an impressive track record of delivery”.
“Her natural talent, great emotional intelligence and high energy mean her performance is consistently at the top level,” it closed.
Sponsor support
This year's Top 30 Under 30 once again sees Business Live as media partner, with four principal partners in MKM, Forward and Thinking, AAK and Bee Health.
All continue to strongly advocate the scheme and the outcomes it produces.
Kate Tinsley, chief executive at MKM, said: “Developing and nurturing our young talent is an important priority for us and further strengthens our commitment to internal development and promoting from within. In continuing to provide excellent programmes such as this, the region will maintain the talent it needs now and in the future.”
Natalie Downie, managing director at Forward & Thinking said: “I am a huge advocate of the programme and I understand first-hand how it nurtures talent and develops future leaders. “The programme aligns with our values and is a fantastic way for us to show our support for the region’s talented future leaders. I personally cannot speak more highly of the Top 30 Under 30s.”
Jennifer Fussey, senior HR business partner at AAK said “The programme is a fantastic way to recognise, support and develop the young talent we have in our area. The programme closely aligns with our purpose of ‘making better happen’, and has provided winners from our company with the stepping stones they need to develop and excel in their careers.”
Tim Frear, HR manager at Bee Health added: “Training is pinnacle to our success and investing in the core development of our employees sets us apart from our competitors.
“The Leap programme gives us an opportunity to recognise young talent at Bee Health, as well as support the next generation of business leaders within the region.”
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