A SMALL North-Yorkshire healthcare consultancy has received national recognition.

Acton Shapiro, which provides consultancy, evaluation and research services across health and social care, for clients ranging from government departments and NHS organisations to GP practices, has won the HealthInvestor Consultants of the Year Award. Acton Shapiro is based in Malton and employs ten people. The finalists were judged by a 12-strong panel of independent healthcare industry experts.

FRANCHISEE AWARDS: Franchisees across the North- East whose businesses have outperformed competitors can enter this year’s Franchisee of the Year Awards, run by the British Franchise Association and HSBC. The theme for this year’s awards is Success in Challenging Times, and the overall winner will receive £5,000. Two runner-up prizes of £3,000 and £2,000 are also on offer. For more information, visit thebfa.org by Friday, June 26.

SECOND STATUS: Training consultancy Macnaughton McGregor has achieved a second Investors In People (IIP) award. The Gosforth firm, which employs six people, has been recognised by IIP for its commitment to staff development. It initially achieved IIP status in 2005, since when the business has expanded and increased its team whose skills have added to its core offering of training, coaching and mentoring.

NEW ROLE: Steve Denison has taken over the role as senior partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) Northern practice. Mr Denison, who has been with PwC for 23 years and will take up his position on July 1, will cover a region which includes its Newcastle office. He succeeds Ron McMillan, who takes on the role of territory senior partner of PwC in the Middle East.

FOOD SKILLS: Research into the skills needed for Yorkshire’s food and drink industry will form the foundation of a strategy for driving growth in the region.

Commissioned by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing and funded by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, the study marks the first analysis of skills and training provision in the region’s £8bn industry.