A series of high-profile appointments and promotions have been announced by businesses based across the North West over the last seven days.
Well-known firms such as Lloyds Bank, Irwin Mitchell and Hill Dickinson are among those to have added to their ranks.
Below, BusinessLive rounds up the latest hires and promotions that we feel you should not miss.
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If you have a new or recent appointment or promotion that you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail jon.robinson@reachplc.com.
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell has appointed Manchester-based lawyer Claire Petricca-Riding as the head of its national manufacturing group.
Claire joined Irwin Mitchell’s Real Estate team in 2019 as a partner and national head of planning.
She will continue in this role but will also now lead the 20-strong team of sector experts which includes lawyers from a range of legal disciplines including commercial litigation, M&A, real estate and tax.
She said: "The environment is the golden thread running through the entire manufacturing sector. It incorporates a wide set of challenges and these issues are moving up the corporate agenda and have the potential to reach the very top.
"I’m looking forward to using my legal expertise in this area to add value to our clients - ensuring they’re not only protected but can seize exciting opportunities and generate new business."
Lloyds Bank
Lloyds Bank Corporate & Institutional Banking has appointed a new head of its North West team.
Manchester-based Chris Yau will lead the North West-based team as it continues to increase its support of businesses across the region with revenues of £100m and above.
In his new role Mr Yau will serve as regional head of the North West for the bank’s corporate and institutional banking division and as director of origination and sustainability for its housing team.
Mr Yau joined Lloyds Bank in 2018 from RBS, where he had spent 11 years as a relationship director for businesses ranging from mid-market businesses through to large corporates.
He said: "The North West has shown itself to be one of the most resilient, thriving, and exciting places to do business in recent years.
"It is incumbent on organisations like Lloyds Bank to ensure that both larger businesses already based in the region and those considering it as a home have the support needed to grow."
Primas Law
Corporate and commercial legal practice Primas Law has welcomed two new additions to its employment team.
Holly Navarro joins as an employment solicitor with experience across a variety of employment matters including settlement agreements, contract and policy drafting and tribunal support advising both employees and employers.
Primas’ team of employment specialists will now also be supported by a dedicated executive assistant, Rebecca Bloxsome, who has joined the team with over 15 years of administration experience.
David Walton, Primas Law’s head of employment, said: "Just seven months after joining the Primas team to head up our employment offering, I’m thrilled to have made two key appointments to support the department’s rapid growth."
Gateley
Legal and professional services group Gateley has announced two senior management appointments from within its Manchester corporate team.
Paul Jefferson, who is a corporate partner and the office head for Gateley in Manchester, has joined Gateley’s strategic board.
Charles Glaskie, who is also a Manchester based corporate partner, has been appointed to head the Corporate Platform.
CEO Rod Waldie said: "The teams on our Corporate Platform are highly regarded and are significant contributors to the ongoing growth and development of Gateley. These two appointments from within our corporate legal services team are exciting and progressive."
Harrison Drury
North West law firm Harrison Drury has welcomed three new trainees to the firm.
Charles Mather, Alex Barr and Ben Foulds will undertake two-year traineeships with the firm to qualify as solicitors.
All three will provide support to different teams and offices across the firm, gaining experience in different areas of law and sectors before going on to specialise at the end of their training.
Amanda Webster, partner and head of professional development, said: "We have a long tradition of investing in people and bringing through the next generation of legal talent.
"Our trainees and apprentices play a vital role in supporting our teams and will receive quality mentoring and support from their colleagues and peers as they develop their skills and knowledge."
Kingsland Drinks Group
Kingsland Drinks Group has made two appointments to its insights team.
Michelle Wilkinson joins as category manager and Fiona McClure takes on the role of consumer and insights executive.
Headquartered at Irlam Locks, Salford, the importer and supplier of wines and spirits has over 100 global brands in its portfolio, including The Hidden Sea, Baron de Ley, Corte Molino and Campaneo. It services UK multiples, independent and convenience retailers and drinks stores, hospitality, wholesalers and cash and carries.
With a workforce of over 500 people, Kingsland Drinks switched to employee ownership in 2021.
Construction Industry Training Board
A Wirral-based architectural glazing firm boss, Michael Green, has been appointed to the board of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
CITB Board Trustees are responsible for the governance, strategic direction and monitoring of business performance.
Mr Green said: "The invaluable foundations I gained via my very first training and development opportunity have underpinned my entire career.
"Now, with 33 years’ experience in the industry, I feel that this connection combined with my overall experience and passion for upskilling and development, means I can continue to drive advancements and encourage more talent into construction."
DF Capital
DF Capital has announced Ciara Raison has joined the bank as its new chief commercial officer to lead its commercial lending function.
She takes over from Andy Stafferton who has recently been appointed into a newly-created role focussed on developing new products, exploring new geographies, partnerships, and new sectors to support the bank’s growth ambitions.
She joins from Secure Trust Bank where she held the position of commercial director for V12 Vehicle Finance.
Ciara Raison said: "DF Capital is a growing influence in the inventory finance market with a clear sense of purpose and ambitious growth plans.
"I am delighted to join the bank at such an exciting time and I am looking forward to leading and developing the commercial function even further by continuing to delight our dealer and manufacturer customers."
Azets
Regional accountancy and business advisory firm Azets has appointed Noel Hankinson to office managing partner at its Stockport base.
Prior to joining Azets in 2020, he headed up the tax division at a nationally renowned forensic accountancy firm and also ran and managed his own tax advisory practice.
Mr Hankinson said: "Our dynamic and ambitious team in Stockport is expanding and I’m thrilled to take a leadership role in growing the practice. As a result of the pandemic, we’re seeing more companies looking to use local firms.
"We’re well placed to do this having had a presence in the area for many years and currently work with many of the leading businesses in the area."
FI Real Estate Management
North West-based property company FI Real Estate Management has made two key signings to oversee its multi-million pound office refurbishment programme.
Senior project manager Andy Smith has worked in the commercial property refurbishment sector for more than 20 years and his role is UK-wide.
He’s joined by project co-ordinator Imogen Mason, who previously held a similar role at Premier League football club Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chorley-based FI Real Estate Management has property assets totalling more than £1bn.
Glaisyers ETL
Glaisyers ETL has appointed dealmaker Daniel Varney as a partner in its corporate team.
Mr Varney joins from Clyde & Co, following its recent merger with BLM. He led BLM’s national corporate and commercial department and, during a career spanning more than 20 years, he has held the role of corporate partner at Clyde & Co, Clarke Wilmott and Pannone. He began his career at the latter firm, where he worked from 2001 to 2014.
Glaisyers ETL is a national law firm with its headquarters in Manchester and an office in the City of London.
Financial Planning Corporation
Ainsdale-based Financial Planning Corporation (FPC) has made two recent additions to the team: Antonia Roberts and Jack Haimes.
FPC, which celebrates its 40th birthday this year, provides independent financial planning and investment advice to clients across the UK from its newly refurbished and expanded office.
Antonia Roberts joins the team as financial planner from Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney, Smith & Williamson).
Jack Haimes has been appointed as technical administrator, tasked with enhancing FPC’s use of data and implementing the firm’s new back-office system. Prior to joining FPC, Jack completed a masters in business analytics and finance.
Hill Dickinson
Law firm Hill Dickinson has appointed a new partner in Manchester.
James Lonsdale, a commercial lawyer, joins from DWF as partner in Hill Dickinson’s Manchester TMT and IP team.
Mr Lonsdale has over 25 years of experience of advising a wide variety of clients on a range of different commercial arrangements including supply, distribution, agency agreements, IP acquisition and licensing, IT and outsourcing arrangements.
His experience spans a broad range of sectors including IT, telecoms, retail and manufacturing and he has acted for a wide variety of clients, from start-ups to large listed companies.
Hugh Jones Solicitors
Hugh Jones Solicitors has appointed a new director.
The Manchester-based Court of Protection expert has welcomed Jill Rushton to the team. She joins having been head of Court of Protection from Stephensons Solicitors.
She said: "I take great pride in working closely with clients and their families to manage substantial damage awards to maximise their rehabilitation and quality of life.
"Everything I do is in the best interests of the individual and their loved ones and this is a value that totally aligns with Hugh Jones Solicitors. I look forward to working with such a strong team of like-minded individuals."
Sensu Insight
Manchester based, measurement and evaluation consultancy Sensu Insight has appointment Aldus Greenhill Fletcher as its new head of development and analytics.
His role will be to manage Sensu’s proprietary data analysis tools.
He said: "My role at Sensu, working to build upon its fast-growing reputation for excellence in turning data into actionable real-world insights for businesses, is a natural next step given my career experiences to date.
"Our proprietary tools are key to our business growth and are what makes Sensu’s approach unique. We seek out the best tools the market has to offer, completing the gaps with our own development. This means we can provide a fully rounded service to clients. Answering the broadest possible range of research enquiries, as well as those around measurement and evaluation, to suit any brand, sector or requirement."
MHA Moore and Smalley
Accountancy and advisory form MHA Moore and Smalley has made two senior promotions in the North West.
Kelly Quail has been promoted to corporate tax director, while Ian Waddingham has been named corporate finance director.
Managing partner Graham Gordon said: "It’s important to us to offer great career progression opportunities and an environment where the hard work and dedication of our colleagues is rewarded.
"Kelly and Ian are two individuals that embody our values and provide outstanding support to our clients – they set a great example on how people can make a real difference here. Therefore, it’s a pleasure to announce their promotions which will also give both teams the extra capacity needed to grow."
HSPG
HSPG, a Manchester-based social impact real estate firm, has announced the appointment of a new managing director and senior advisor.
Joining HSPG as managing director, Wissam Chouceir will work with the board and lead the growth of the newly formed investment group.
Joining as non-executive director at HSPG, Burak Varisli has completed over £1.5bn worth of transactions in residential investments, with a particular focus on affordable housing.
CEO and co-founder Guy Horne said: "We are very pleased to welcome Wissam and Burak to the HSPG team. Their diverse and substantial experience in the Affordable Housing sector makes them invaluable additions and we are very much looking forward to working with them. With our ambitious Project 2000 already well underway, these appointments underpin our continued plans for growth."
Leep Utilities
Manchester-based last mile multi-utility network owner and operator, Leep Utilities (Leep) has added to its team with the appointment of two directors.
Lee Kitchen joined the company as chief financial officer and Helen Bishop as director of customer operations.
In his new role, Mr Kitchen is responsible for managing Leep’s day to day finance function and to provide strategic and financial guidance to the company’s CEO and board. He also oversees its finance and IT departments.
After her eight-year tenure at Thames Water, Helen Bishop joins Leep as director of customer operations.
PM+M
Blackburn and Bury-based PM+M - the chartered accountancy, business advisory and financial planning group - has added to its corporate finance team following the appointment of Ryan Bilsborough as a manager.
In his new role, Mr Bilsborough will be working across all aspects of corporate finance, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions.
He said: "PM+M is an all-encompassing accountancy and business support service firm so having access to my new colleagues’ expertise and experience without the need to out-source will prove invaluable.
"I am now looking forward to playing my part in growing our reach and delivering for our existing client base."
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