Leeds Business Appointments — The Latest People Moves

People Moves · August 2026

The latest Leeds business appointments across the city region, covering the four weeks to 20 August. This month brings new partners at S&W and Knights, a new office managing partner at Azets, a senior industrial and logistics hire at DLA Architecture, a new general manager at The Queens Hotel, a round of promotions at Circus PPC and two senior defence appointments at North Defence. Names, roles, previous firms and dates are listed below.

Latest Leeds business appointments

Mark Lewis — S&W

Partner, audit and assurance · joined from Deloitte · 15 August

Mark arrives with more than 15 years in audit and assurance, over 14 of them at Deloitte, where he made partner and went on to lead the firm's UK audit work for family-owned and managed businesses. He trained earlier in his career at PKF, and specialises in guiding owner-managed and private equity-backed companies through growth and investment. Donna Bulmer, S&W's north regional managing partner, described Leeds as an important market and central to the firm's growth plans for the North.

“There is a significant opportunity to help growing businesses navigate an increasingly complex environment.” — Mark Lewis

James Ruane — Knights

Partner, commercial · joined from Eversheds Sutherland · 9 August

James joins after almost 18 years at Eversheds Sutherland, bringing specialist expertise in technology contracts, outsourcing arrangements and digital transformation projects. He advises businesses on strategic outsourcing, technology procurement and the implementation of technology solutions, helping clients manage complex commercial arrangements with suppliers and service providers. Tom Kershaw, Knights' Leeds client services director, said businesses are increasingly reliant on technology suppliers and outsourced services, making specialist advice in the area more important than ever.

“There is a real energy around the business and a genuine willingness to work collaboratively.” — James Ruane

Jessica Lawrence — Azets

Office managing partner · promoted internally · 26 July

An audit partner and chartered accountant, Jessica takes charge of the firm's 130-strong Leeds office after 17 years with the business, bringing 27 years of accountancy experience across Yorkshire. She has worked with clients ranging from owner-managed businesses and start-ups to large corporates and charities. Azets relocated its Leeds office in 2024 and now bases several national service lines in the city, employing 335 people across Leeds, Bradford and York.

“When I joined there were just 16 people and now we are up to 130.” — Jessica Lawrence

Matthew Hall — DLA Architecture

Associate director, industrial and logistics · 13 August

Matthew brings more than 12 years delivering industrial and logistics schemes, including the 2m sq ft Doncaster North masterplan, and has worked on projects for Wilton Developments, Glentrool, Keyland Developments and Frank Marshall Estates. He will work on major schemes including the Kingsway masterplan in Rochdale, and splits his time between the Leeds and Manchester studios. DLA's industrial and logistics team now numbers 20, delivering more than 5m sq ft across the UK with over £350m of projects on site.

“The practice has an outstanding 48-year legacy of delivering industrial and logistics projects.” — Matthew Hall

Circus PPC — four promotions and a hire

Paid media agency · Leeds city centre · August

Caitlin Dillon moves into the newly created role of head of paid social, continuing to lead the department she joined to launch at the start of the year. Tristan Parr becomes PPC manager, Lauren Morton PPC analyst and Ryan Cooke senior client services executive. Corey Vivian joins from outside as paid social manager. The agency reports a 22% rise in client spend year on year, following a rebrand in early 2026 that widened its remit across search, social and strategy.

“The paid social team have done an excellent job, hitting the ground running.” — Rick Tobin, CEO

Greg Homewood & Russell Bailey — North Defence

Chief engineer and chief defence liaison officer · West Yorkshire · August

The £25m military vehicle manufacturer has made two senior appointments ahead of a new product announcement. Greg joins as chief engineer with 15 years in defence design, most recently leading a robotics team on unmanned ground vehicle projects for a major prime contractor. Russell becomes chief defence liaison officer after a full army career: he enlisted as a private in 1989, commissioned as an officer in 2013, served in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and retired as a major this summer while second in command of Old College at Sandhurst.

“From strategic decision makers to serving soldiers, we will never stand still.” — Russell Bailey

Bob Fairweather — The Queens Hotel

General manager · City Square · confirmed August

Bob joined The Queens in March from LGH Hotels, where he was regional general manager based at The Queen in Chester, overseeing properties across Liverpool, Preston and Wrexham. His career spans more than 20 years, including dual site general manager at Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express in Manchester city centre, and general manager at Marriott Manchester Airport. He now leads the 232-room City Square landmark, which dates to 1937 and had a £16m refurbishment in 2021, and will oversee investment in colleague facilities and a new café bar.

“My priority is to support and develop our talented team.” — Bob Fairweather