• Wake Smith Solicitors in Sheffield has appointed Laura Bathgate as HR manager. She studied law before moving into HR, working across South Yorkshire at in-house roles in solicitors and manufacturers. Bathgate’s role will be to undertake all aspects of HR at Wake Smith including managing recruitment and selection processes; facilitating training and development; co-ordinating provision of benefits and continuously reviewing and improving HR practices from talent management to employee satisfaction.

• Global energy and tech recruitment firm Visuna has appointed energy professional Jeanne Farias as regional director for the US. Farias brings almost 20 years of experience to the firm’s largely female workforce. Her background includes supporting capital projects with engineering and recruitment services across the US and global workforce programs in the UK, South-East Asia, Africa and Middle East. Visuna has also recently promoted David Bolton to the role of chief operating officer as part of a drive to nurture talent internally. Visuna is headquartered in the North-East of England and has a US base in Houston, Texas.