Knaresborough medical manufacturer appoints new chief executive

Neo G, which makes medical-grade orthopaedic supports, has appointed a new chief executive.

Dan Jones (pictured above) will take over the role from founder Paul Starkey, who will become the company’s chairman.

Mr Jones was previously its commercial director and has helped Neo G to become a leading UK manufacturer in the UK of orthopaedic supports, holding contracts with Boots, Tesco, Walgreens and CVS.

The company is based at Knaresborough Technology Centre on Manse Lane.

Mr Starkey said:

“Dan has demonstrated his commitment to Neo G and our Medical Grade strategy. Over the last seven years, he has helped define and establish the company as the number one brand in the UK, and the fastest growing brand in the US.

“I am very proud of the way he has grown in the company and adopted the Neo G mantra as his own. I know he will take Neo G to new heights, and I will do everything I can as the chairman to support all of his and the teams’ efforts.”

Knaresborough digital agency appoints new co-director

Sophie Sanders

Eden Agency appoints co-director

Knaresborough-based Eden Agency has appointed Sophie Sanders as its new co-director.

The 29-year-old has worked at the agency since 2014 and was previously head of client services.

The agency is an ISO 27001-certified digital agency that specialises in UX design, web and mobile development.

Talking about her appointment, Ms Sanders said:

“I’m proud, as a woman in tech, to be given the opportunity to run a digital agency with Andy and I can’t wait to help deliver results to our clients and to help our team grow.”

Managing director Andy Litherland said:

“I have been very fortunate to work with Sophie over the last eight years. Her enthusiasm and passion for Eden Agency is infectious and I’m looking forward to seeing her drive the company forward in the future.”

Crimple adds afternoon tea to the menu

Crimple has launched an afternoon tea offering in time for Mother’s Day this month,

The new addition has been curated by executive chef Tim Kitchen and includes Vichyssoise soup, truffled cream cheese, chive and cucumber sandwiches, blackberry, tarragon and honey pavlovas, and of course scones.

Mr Kitchen said:

“Sticking to the Crimple brand ethos, my mission is to use local wherever possible and this menu reflects that.”

The restaurant and garden centre opened in November after a £6 million refurbishment.

Covid rapid lateral flow test kits are in short supply in Ripon, with pharmacies currently out of stock and awaiting deliveries.

Supplies of lateral flow tests are patchy at best in most of the country. Our reporter visited pharmacies across Ripon to find out what the situation is like on the ground locally.

Being unable to take tests poses problems for people requiring a negative result to be able go to work. People have also been urged to check they are negative before attending busy New Year’s Eve events.

Day Lewis Pharmacy, which has shops on North Street (pictured below) and Westgate, ran out of kits yesterday, but was hoping to receive a delivery later today.

The free kits are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but those wanting them have to provide a code, which they obtain online.

Boots, which is based in Market Place West, has a sign on its door which reads:

“Due to a surge in demand, unfortunately lateral flow tests are temporarily unavailable.”

And across the city at the Morrisons supermarket pharmacy, a supply of tests kits received yesterday was soon gone and no further delivery was expected today.

A member of staff at the pharmacy said:

“They went almost as quickly as they arrived. We are hoping that more of the test kits come in tomorrow.”

Lucy Kitching, who works for NHS England, had a frustrating evening trying to order test kits online via the government website, which states: