Professor Sarah Brown has been appointed Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York for 2026–27, continuing a tradition established since the organisation’s foundation in 1357.

Having previously served as Deputy Governor, Professor Brown will now chair the trustees, overseeing seven committees and representing more than 170 members. In her new role, she will promote enterprise, support commercial ventures, and maintain the historic Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.

Professor Brown is a prominent figure in the international heritage sector and a professor in the University of York’s Department of History of Art. Until her retirement in 2025, she served as Director of the York Glaziers Trust, where she led the care of York Minster’s historic stained glass, including the conservation of the Great East Window.

Jim Richardson, Clerk of the Merchant Adventurers, said: “Professor Sarah Brown’s appointment as Governor marks a significant moment for the company. Her exceptional leadership in the heritage sector, academic excellence, combined with her civic commitment to the city of York, makes her ideally placed to guide our work in supporting enterprise, preserving our historic legacy, and contributing to York’s continued economic development."

The move coincides with the appointment of Jenni Bartram as Junior Warden. Having joined the Company in 2013 Jenni offers a wealth of experience from both her time as a member and from her distinguished law career. It follows the inauguration of Dr Delma Tomlin, MBE, who made history in April 2022 by becoming the first female Governor.



Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd has appointed David Flear as vice chair, ensuring continuity for the Humber region's historic seafood hub.

The appointment follows Simon Dwyer’s transition to chair and Andrew Oliver’s move to chief executive, after four years of steering the board. Flear enters the role with direct industry experience, having spent over a decade working at seafood firms Bluecrest and Seachill.

He is the son of the late Frank Flear OBE, a prominent pioneer who spearheaded the modern development of Grimsby Fish Market in the early 1990s as the original chair of the enterprise.

David Flear said: “I represent continuity and complete impartiality. Everyone of us on the board has the company’s best interests at heart, but as a private individual with no other involvements or conflicting interests, I am purely there for GFDE.”



Tyneside-based accounting firm Blu Sky has adopted a fully remote leadership model to drive its national expansion, appointing Chrissie Krappe as managing director.

Operating from Banbury, Oxfordshire, Ms Krappe’s promotion marks the first time in the firm's 18-year history that day-to-day operations have been managed remotely from outside the North of England. She will oversee operations, team performance, and client delivery across the UK.

The strategic restructuring allows founder Jon Dudgeon to step back from daily management and focus on scaling the firm through targeted mergers and acquisitions.

Ms Krappe, who joined the certified B Corp firm four years ago, said: "Accountancy is now inherently cloud-based, so leadership doesn’t need to be tied to a single location."

Blu Sky, which has offices in Newcastle, Manchester, and London, specialises in advising high-growth digital and technology businesses across the UK.



Sheffield Forgemasters has appointed turnaround and transformation specialist Kelly Jones as a non-executive director to its board.

Ms Jones has previously held directorial roles for Rolls-Royce in China, the US, and Derby, and served as chief executive at Rotary Power and Michell Bearings. She joins the Ministry of Defence-owned engineering firm as it delivers a £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme to support its role in UK defence manufacturing.

The company, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary, is currently building a new 13,000-tonne forging line at its Brightside site and a 30,000-square-metre machining hall on Weedon Street.

Sir Tim Fraser, chair at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “Kelly’s background in transformation and restructuring for blue-chip and private enterprises on an international level will be invaluable."

Ms Jones added: “This is a pivotal time to join such an iconic company as it faces the unique opportunities and challenges posed by large-scale transforming."



Law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Nicola Williams as a partner specialising in corporate tax and share incentives.

Based across the firm’s national network, including Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle, Ms Williams will advise on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and employee reward structures.

The appointment follows Ward Hadaway’s 2025 merger with Teesside-based The Endeavour Partnership, alongside the recent partner appointments of Paul Wigham and Alex Cooper. The firm was recently ranked sixth nationally and first in Yorkshire and the North East for completed transactions in Experian MarketIQ’s annual review, after advising on 119 deals.

Nik Tunley, head of corporate, said: “Tax advice is a key part of many transactions... Her appointment gives us greater technical strength in this area.”

Ms Williams added: “As the corporate team grows, there is a strong opportunity to extend our integrated tax offering alongside that work.”