Businesses based all over the North West have announced a string of top hires and promotions over the last week.
Companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, which has major operations in the region, as well as Pinsent Masons and Matillion are among those to have strengthened their top teams recently.
Below, BusinessLive rounds up the latest 41 appointments and promotions in the North West we feel you should not miss.
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Pinsent Masons
Law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed employment partner Neil Black as the new head of its Manchester office.
Having joined the firm in 2005, Mr Black currently heads up the employment and reward team in the city.
Mr Black, who takes up his post on May 1, will succeed corporate partner Helen Ridge who is retiring from the firm following a 16-year career at Pinsent Masons.
He said: "I am looking forward to building on the great work that Helen has done.
"The North West is a thriving, dynamic region with a burgeoning global reputation.
"With the collaboration and support of my colleagues I will look to strengthen our existing commitment to the North West market whilst utilising our fantastic network of international offices to support clients in the region who are looking to thrive in the global marketplace."
GC Business Finance
GC Business Finance has appointed two new senior loan managers, Paul Deighton and Alison Powell.
Mr Deighton joins from Barclays where he spent four years working with SMEs based in Stockport and Manchester, managing their business banking relationship, and providing a range of lending products and services.
Mrs Powell joins from HSBC where she served as a business specialist, helping start-ups and small businesses to achieve their goals by providing tailored products and services, valuable advice and establishing key networks.
They join Matt Robinson, who was promoted to head of lending in October 2021.
Primas Law
Law firm Primas Law has appointed a new consultant within its corporate recoveries and insolvencies team.
Dylan Quail joins from Hanover Insolvency and was previously a partner at Begbies Traynor.
He said: "I’m thrilled to have joined the team at such an exciting time and to be a part of its ambitious plans for the future.
"Primas’ refreshing approach to law is what first caught my attention. Finding practical and straight forward solutions to complex problems is a refreshing approach within the industry.
"I’m really looking forward to progressing alongside Primas Law, and to be joining such an experienced insolvency practitioner in Chris."
Primas Law is also celebrating the promotion of four team members across its litigation and corporate and commercial departments.
Litigation solicitors Hannah Wilson and Lauren Steel-Smith and corporate and commercial solicitors Jonathan Barratt and Alena Makarevich have all been promoted to associates in their respective teams.
Algeos
Liverpool-based, family-run business Algeos has named a new managing director alongside a string of internal promotions.
Max Sheridan will head up the business alongside product director Marc Cameron, operations manager Neil Smith and financial controller Jennifer Jackson.
Mr Sheridan said: "Our leadership team has bought into our long-term vision and after working collaboratively throughout the pandemic, we are now looking to go from strength to strength as a family-run business.
"Personally, Algeos has been in my family since 1990 and to now be managing director, is an incredibly proud moment for me - with Marc, Neil and Jennifer, alongside the rest of our team, working towards a bright future."
Research and Development Specialists
Altrincham-based Research and Development Specialists has added two new members of staff
Sonny Wilson will join the sales team to help expand its current client base. He previously held positions as a business development manager at Add People and senior finance manager at debt solutions firm, Money Advisor.
Also being brought on board is Mustafa Estwani who brings with him three years of experience in customer facing roles.
Mr Wilson said: "Working for RDS appealed to me because of the different type of projects they help businesses with and the diversity that comes with each one, meaning no two days are the same.
"As I’m from the area and live just a stone’s throw away from the office it`s been easy for me to settle in, not to mention how helpful and kind all my new colleagues have been in my early days.
"I had heard about R&D Tax credits beforehand through a friend. It’s not widely known that all kinds of business are able to apply for R&D so I’m pleased that I’ll be able help businesses access funds that can in turn be reinvested to help them grow at a time when many are finding it tough. I find the whole industry fascinating."
MHA Moore and Smalley
Accountancy and business advisory firm MHA Moore and Smalley has recruited a new technical director.
Keeley Lund has joined the company from Grant Thornton UK, where she most recently spent two years as senior manager in the audit quality monitoring department.
She also spent 11 years at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) as technical manager, covering external and internal policy and technical matters.
Mrs Lund said: "I’m excited to be working in a growing, progressive firm which is constantly striving to improve its high standards as well as its overall client offering.
"I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues across MHA Moore and Smalley and also being part of the MHA network."
Colliers
Colliers has promoted four employees at its Manchester office.
James Preston (national capital markets) has been promoted to director.
James Barrett (valuations and advisory services) and Alan Wales (project and building consultancy) have been promoted to associate director and Cameron Reekie (project and building consultancy) to senior surveyor.
Dominic Pozzoni, head of Colliers’ Manchester office, said: "The greatest strength of our Manchester office is our people and I am so pleased to see the hard work of these four exceptional candidates being recognised through our latest round of promotions."
M247
Manchester-based global connectivity and cloud services provider M247 has hired a new chief financial officer.
Andrew Humphreys was previously been CFO at global aerospace and defence supply chain business Pattonair and AIM-listed Conviviality Retail.
He also spent time as retail finance director at Shop Direct Group and UK finance director at Carphone Warehouse.
Mr Humphreys said: "I have been very impressed with the strong management team at M247 and their clear and simple strategy to take the business forward.
"I am looking forward to working with the wider finance team to introduce a ‘business-partnering’ approach that will help to enable everyone to achieve their goals and objectives."
Addleshaw Goddard
Law firm Addleshaw Goddard has announced six new partner promotions in its Manchester office at One St Peter's Square.
Phil Dupres and Steph Townley (infrastructure, projects and energy), Lizzie Wareing and Ben Edwards (finance), Sarah Foster (restructuring) and Victoria Pool (commercial disputes) will join the partnership from May 1.
Managing director John Joyce said: "We are pursuing a very active recruitment drive across all our offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and whilst that ongoing recruitment is an important part of our growth strategy, equally important is our providing opportunities to home grown talent.
"I am therefore very pleased to announce these promotions. Each individual has our congratulations and very best wishes.
"They have all demonstrated exceptionally high levels of performance and potential and we have no doubt that they will continue to play important roles in the future as leaders of our business."
Kingdom Group
Newton-le-Willows-headquartered facilities management and people services provider Kingdom Group has appointed Martin Ball as group marketing director.
Mr Ball has previously worked with several professional services providers and construction manufacturing companies including The Linde Group, BOC (UK) Ltd, Protan and Stephens Scown.
He said: "I’m delighted to be joining Kingdom Group at such an exciting and pivotal time - the group has ambitious plans for growth and further acquisitions. Kingdom Group is diversifying into being a solutions provider for FM and people services, so it really is a great time to be part of the launch of digital solutions and platforms that offer greater value to current and future customers.
"We already have an enviable client list and there are many exciting opportunities to grow those we have and to secure new ones. I’m very much looking forward to working with Terry and the team and playing a key role in helping Kingdom Group to achieve its growth ambitions."
NorthEdge
Lower-mid market private equity firm NorthEdge has made two partner appointments in Manchester, Lucie Mills and Phil Frame.
Other promotions in the Manchester office include Dan Matkin and Charlie Page to director and chief financial officer respectively.
Managing partner Ray Stenton said: "2021 was a fantastic year for NorthEdge – delivering two successful exits and completing five new investments across three of our core sectors – healthcare, technology, and business services.
"We want to build on this success by continuing to invest in our people and our portfolio."
Voicescape
Manchester-based software business Voicescape has appointed a non-executive chair.
Dean Dickinson joins the board to help support the business in the next stage of its growth journey.
Formerly CEO at Castleton Technology – a software and managed services provider to the public and not-for-profit sectors – he brings more than 35 years’ operational experience in the software industry to Voicescape.
He said: "Having worked in the software market and across the public sector for many years, I immediately recognised the growth potential that exists at Voicescape.
"The team has developed unrivalled technology that’s helping to address both existing and emerging pain points being experienced by social housing providers and local government – two equally similar, yet unique markets.
"I’m really looking forward to working alongside the team to capitalise on that growth potential across both sectors, as well as ensuring that we put the right measures in place to support existing customers, understanding the challenges they face and the expectations they have.
"At the same time, it’s essential that we continue to enhance our technology solutions to deliver more value back to social housing providers and local government, while protecting the ethos of the business at each stage of its growth journey."
Jackson Lees
Law firm Jackson Lees added to its family law department at its Hoylake office.
Anna Francis joins the firm from Merseyside-based Berkson Family Law and has more than 15 years’ experience in family law.
She said: "I’m extremely proud to join Jackson Lees and I look forward to applying my vast experience in family law with clients, whilst learning from like-minded professionals around me.
"The culture at Jackson Lees is fantastic – everyone wants to make a positive difference and believes they have the ability to. There is also constant support and training available to us as well as a focus on work-life balance, which really appealed to me when looking at potential opportunities.
"I am passionate about family law and find it extremely rewarding especially when resolving issues for clients which can often be sensitive and emotional times. My goal now is to continue to progress whilst supporting junior lawyers and office members."
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover has appointed of a new executive director of product engineering.
Thomas Müller begins his role immediately, taking responsibility for the technical development of all new Jaguar and Land Rovers, including both hardware and software.
Mr Müller said: "I am thrilled to join the Jaguar Land Rover team at a pivotal point in the company’s transformation. We have a truly exciting opportunity.
"By fully implementing agile principles, automating engineering processes and applying innovative product development methods, we will bring to life a new generation of electrified Jaguar and Land Rover models that embody our modern luxury philosophy.
"Jaguar and Land Rover are already renowned for their peerless design and dynamic capability. I’m looking forward to further contributing to the success of these amazing brands and products as we pioneer a new era of electric power and digitalisation."
Parfetts
Stockport-based wholesaler Parfetts has appointed Jamie Ferguson to the new role of head of marketing.
He will lead the marketing department and oversee all aspects of the Parfetts brand and support the Go Local and The Local facias.
Mr Ferguson said: "Thanks to its employee ownership model, Parfetts has a unique culture.
"I think this is key to everything we do and gives us a real point of difference.
"I look forward to supporting the business on the next phase of its growth plan and helping retailers across the country develop their businesses."
B&S Group
Chester-based B&S Group has appointed Ian Jones as its new head of finance.
The move is part of the new structure following the recent management buy-out.
He said: "It is certainly exciting to have the opportunity to work with a company that is going through a big transition and is looking to grow in the right sectors.
"The current management team together with High Wood Capital and its investors are focused on the growth of B&S Group and have a clear strategy to achieve their goals. I look forward to being a part of this.
"With the current and future demand for cleaner energy growing, the group has aligned itself to enable delivery of innovative solutions to this sector and is a trusted partner for many of the major power industry providers.
"The business is looking to build on its platform in electrical switchgear, electronics and metal fabrication, and grow with the fast- evolving energy sector."
Matillion
Matillion has announced the appointment of two new executive leaders.
Dave Packer will join the company as president, worldwide field operations, and Mark Johnston has been named chief marketing officer.
Chief executive Matthew Scullion said: "In 2021, Matillion became a leader in the data integration space, raising two triple-digit rounds of funding, introducing critical data integration technology and growing our team across the US and UK markets.
"Dave and Mark are joining at a pivotal time and bring vital knowledge and experience that will help maintain momentum and push us to new levels of success in the coming year."
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Robin Phillips, from Siemens, has been re-elected as president of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce for a third term.
Emma Holt and Malcolm Pike were both re-elected as the chamber’s vice-presidents.
Mr Phillips said: "Like most things, the pandemic has curtailed my activity as chamber president but with the backing of the membership I am looking ahead to a more normal 12 months when I can really start to do more for members at a time of huge challenge.
"My theme for the year will be around connectivity and innovation for growth, taking into account traditional transport and infrastructure issues and making sure we are better connected and looking at ways that this helps with all elements of innovation.
"We won’t be ignoring the day to day challenges many businesses are facing now around rising costs, issues around recruitment and the ever-increasing need for businesses to be more sustainable and inclusive.
"It will be an intensive 12-month period but a vital one for businesses in Greater Manchester and I am looking forward to playing a critical part in this."
Fearless Adventures
Fearless Adventures has made two senior appointments to its management team.
Oli Connolly joins the Wilmslow-headquartered company as investment director while Emily Smithies joins as investor relations director.
Managing director Rachel McDonald said: "In addition to the strength in depth that Emily and Oli bring, our new hires reinforce our commitment to senior female leaders in business.
"We support female founders, our senior management team is majority female and we’re a recent signatory to the Investing in Women’s Code, which means we support the advancement of female entrepreneurship in the UK.
"I’m super excited to work with them, and I know our investors and partners will benefit hugely from their experience, expertise and enthusiasm."
