Accountancy firm DJH Mitten Clarke has appointed Matt Hustwit as head of business development.
Matt joins the Festival Park firm after spending 20 years as commercial manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and, more recently, as head of the Growth Hub and membership at Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.
Matt said: "I'm really excited to take on the new role with such a fantastic business and developing our approach to building relationships with businesses across the region.
"I've joined the business at what is a fantastic time following a period of rapid growth providing the perfect opportunity to develop the relationship strategy."
Scott Heath, group managing director at DJH Mitten Clarke, added: "As we grow it's important that we don't lose sight of what's important, and that's the great partnerships we build.
"Matt's knowledge and expertise will allow us to develop and enhance the services that we offer."
This latest addition to the team follows a busy start to the year for the company after the acquisition of Walsall-based chartered accountancy practice, Bakers – the third acquisition since DJH and Mitten Clarke merged in 2021.
Elsewhere, Beswicks Legal has welcomed three corporate and commercial lawyers to its team.
Caroline Gray joins the Stoke-based firm as a partner while Rebekah Jones joins as an associate and David Morgan as a solicitor.
Caroline has many years' experience acting for privately-owned companies and specialises in mergers and acquisitions, as well as advising clients on company law and, in particular, hidden pitfalls in terms of commercial contracts.
Rebekah is an experienced corporate and commercial solicitor who has acted for businesses in a wide range of sectors including construction, transport, education, care, pharmaceutical, IT and retail.
David also has extensive experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer as well as having expertise in employment law.
Caroline, Rebekah and David join the existing corporate and commercial team at Beswicks Legal made up of Peter Ellis, Baljit Chohan, Ayesha Jetley and Tom Sutcliffe.
Nick Phillips, Beswicks Legal's managing partner, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Caroline, Rebekah and David to Beswicks.
"Our corporate and commercial team has earned a reputation for being highly skilled, commercially astute and trusted by businesses large and small. The expansion of the team is exciting as it enables us to support even more business clients regionally and nationally."
Meanwhile a new centre manager has taken over at Longton Exchange Shopping Centre.
Chris Ward was appointed to the role after his departure as operations manager at The Woolshops Shopping Centre in Halifax.
Chris started his career in the industry as a security guard in 2005 before working his way up to management positions in retail and taking on roles across the North West, including New Mersey Shopping Park and Belle Vale Shopping Centre where he worked as services manager.
Chris – who is currently studying a Masters in real estate and property management at the University of Salford – said: "I try and split my time evenly between all areas of the centre and I really enjoy visiting the retailers and getting their feedback.
"A big part of my role will be to engage with the wider city. Longton Exchange is a big part of Stoke-on-Trent and it is important that we have a voice."
He added: "My role will cover all aspects of centre management. Through my team I will ensure the centre is clean, secure and customer centric. An important focus for me is on building retailer relationships, developing community links and ensuring the centre is an asset to the area."
Longton Exchange is home to big-name brands including Superdrug, Specsavers and Boots as well as independent retailers Potteries Potions, Steve’s Quality Meats and Cannonball Records.
And PR agency Stone Junction has awarded permanent contracts to four interns.
Becky Snow, Stacie Plast, Aurelia Michael and Zmina Hawthorne all joined the Stafford company last year on three-month internships.
Now the graduates – whose backgrounds range from molecular biology and psychotherapy to creative writing and public relations – have been awarded permanent jobs at the agency.
Richard Stone, managing director of Stone Junction, said: "Since Stone Junction started, part of our culture has been to give graduates a chance to prove themselves.
"Too many companies are solely focussed on experience in recruitment, but it's the quality of each day's experience that counts.
"In the current economic climate, I think it's important to give young people the opportunity to kickstart their careers and we are certain that we can ensure that each day they have is quality experience.
"Some of Stone Junction's most successful, longest-standing team members were graduates when they first started. A great attitude and a willingness to learn can often trump industry experience."
