Businesses based all over the North West have made a range of new appointments and promotions over the last week.
The likes of law firms, retail giants and a certain media group close to BusinessLive are among those to have made major moves.
Below, we round 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.
Pets at Home
Pets at Home has appointed Gudrun Ravetz to the newly-created role of veterinary officer.
She is currently head of workplace engagement of the Vets Group (Vets4Pets) at the Cheshire-headquartered group.
During her career, she has held a range of roles including president of the Society of Veterinary Surgeons, officer of the British Veterinary Association and president 2016-2017, and chair and director of Vet Sustain.
She is also chair of the Vet Record Editorial Advisory Group and chair of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate Better Antibiotic Data by Farming System working group.
Reach plc
Reach Plc has named Guy Keeble as the new regional sales director for the North.
With a remit covering Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Yorkshire, and North Wales, Mr Keeble starts his role with immediate effect, after 18 years with the business.
"It’s an honour to lead the commercial team across the North at such a pivotal time", he said. "In a crowded marketplace, brands trust regional media more than ever.
"This is thanks to our historic news brands - including the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo - setting the agenda on a regional and now national level.
"Whilst the work of our excellent live brands such as LeedsLive, LancsLive and CheshireLive means we are delivering record audience growth."
Studio Retail
Studio Retail's finance director David Twigg has been promoted to managing director.
The move comes after chief executive of Studio Retail stepped down almost a year after it was rescued by Mike Ashley's Frasers Group.
Paul Kendrick left his position at the Lancashire-headquartered company after he took on the role permanently in March 2021, having served as CEO designate since July 2022.
DSW Business Planning
DSW Business Planning, which is part of the Dow Schofield Watts network, has appointed Lesley Hill as senior manager.
She has over 30 years’ experience in business and finance, having started her career at Shell before qualifying as an accountant and going on to work in the business modelling team at EY.
Since 2004 she has run her own accountancy practice working with small companies on VAT, payroll, financial accounts and taxation.
DSW Business Planning, which is based in Stockport, develops financial forecasting models, business plans and investment cases for businesses and public sector bodies.
Co-founder Rebecca Judson said: "In the current climate, financial pressures facing businesses make business planning more important than ever.
"Lesley’s skills in planning and forecasting, data analysis and her understanding of management information and corporate finance models, make her a welcome addition to our team."
The Hawkshead Relish Company
Almost 25 years after founding the business, husband and wife Mark and Maria Whitehead MBE handed over control of their company to new managing director, Jonathan Robb.
The Lake District business has promoted general manager to the role.
He will continue to work closely with both Mark and Maria alongside their daughter Izzy Whitehead, who is the brand manager and a fellow director of the business.
Maria Whitehead said: ''We’re really proud of the great team we have at Hawkshead Relish, and with Jonathan at the helm, we know they’ll be in capable hands.
"We’d like to congratulate Jonathan and we look forward to watching him grow the business working alongside the next generation.''
Wain Estates
Land and property company Wain Estates has appointed Freya Macdonald as land manager.
She will be responsible for securing strategic land opportunities for future sale on the open market across the East Midlands and South Central regions, from Nottinghamshire, to the north of the M25.
Land promotion managing director Angela Heaney said: "Freya’s arrival is key to the geographic expansion of our land promotion business along the eastern corridor of the UK.
"This is an exciting time for the business as we look to introduce the Wain Estates brand into new territories and develop strong relationships with landowners and agents as we continue on our journey to genuine national coverage."
Stockport County
Stockport County Football Club have appointed Tom Mahon as chief operating officer.
Mr Mahon joins the club from Manchester City where he was head of hospitality relations.
He said: "Stockport County’s is one of the most exciting stories unfolding within professional football.
"The ambition, the investment, and the vision shared within the club, all make it an incredibly compelling narrative, one I’m proud to now be a part of.
"I’m excited to get started, building on the great foundations already laid, helping to take Stockport County onto the next level."
Factory International
Former Channel 4 executive Jane Hector-Jones has been appointed as head of brand partnerships and sponsorship for Factory International as the Manchester venue prepares to open its doors in June.
She said: "It’s a real honour to be joining the team at Factory International and play a part in the cultural landscape of our city, on a local and global scale.
"We’re looking to collaborate with brands that want to enact tangible positive change and make a real difference socially and environmentally – and combine that with supporting world-class arts, music, and culture.
"I truly believe that thoughtful brand partnerships and sponsorships have capacity to change the world around us and that is exactly what we will be doing at Factory International."
MCS
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the standards organisation for small-scale domestic renewable energy and technology across the UK, has appointed Stephen Trotter to its board as a non-executive director.
He said: "It is a pivotal time to be joining MCS. I am looking forward to working closely with the board and the executive team at MCS as it plays an increasingly important role in helping deliver an integral part of the UK’s net zero energy transition.
"The need for home-grown energy solutions has never been stronger, especially given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis which has brought about an increased focus on the UK’s energy affordability and security.
"It’s only right there be further attention on renewable energy generation to reduce carbon emissions. MCS data highlights the continued uptake in solar, battery storage and heat pump installations, as well as an increase in certified contractors who are on the ground delivering the work."
Custard
Manchester-based digital marketing agency Custard has made two new hires to its senior team.
Beth Woodcock and Beth Jordan have joined as senior technical executive and senior paid media executive respectively.
Chief executive Chris Smith said: "This is going to be a really exciting year for Custard. Why have one Beth when you can have two?
"The Bethi have brought a wealth of high-quality skills and credentials that are sure to further enhance our dynamic SEO and PPC teams.
"Recent client wins are showing that brands are excited to invest in marketing, and we’re in the ideal position to produce the best results possible."
Traditum Private Equity
Traditum Private Equity has appointed long-standing career banker Richard Topliss as its inaugural chair.
Mr Topliss, who was NatWest’s regional managing director for the North of England and North Wales, retired at the end of December after more than 40 years with the bank.
Prior to moving to the North West in 2000 he worked for NatWest in Bristol, London, Birmingham and Scotland.
He is also a member of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and the North West Business Leadership Team, and chair of The Growth Company.
Kennedys
Law firm Kennedys has added another partner to its growing regulatory team.
Sally Hancock joins from Clyde & Co where she headed up the national safety, health and environment regulatory team.
She held the same position at BLM where she worked for more than 20 years prior to the two firms merging in July last year.
She will be based in the Manchester office on John Dalton Street in the city centre.
DSG Chartered Accountants
DSG Chartered Accountants (DSG) has announced four partner promotions in its Liverpool office.
Laura Leslie, Neil Kelly and Angela Harrison have all been promoted to the position of corporate partner.
Murray McLean has also been promoted to tax and private client partner.
Partner Andrew Moss said: "The promotions of Laura, Neil and Angela reflect our commitment to growing our corporate business service.
"The last year has been one of the most exciting for new opportunities, and with their leadership we’ll continue to provide our clients with the best advice and a quality service."
ICAEW Manchester
ICAEW Manchester, the district society which represents the interests of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales members in the region, has appointed Graham Rigby as its deputy president.
Mr Rigby will serve as deputy president alongside its current president, Rod Sellers OBE, and chairman, Michael Colin, and will also sit on the society’s executive committee.
Mr Rigby is an audit partner and regional managing partner at Azets.
He said: "I’m looking forward to being part of the committee, which is run by members, for members."
Anwyl Homes
A pair of Anwyl Homes employees in Lancashire have been promoted.
Daniel Owens has stepped up to commercial director while Dean Trainor has been appointed as senior engineering manager for the Buckshaw Village-based business.
It’s the second promotion in less than 12 months for Mr Owens, who took on the role of head of commercial in the summer.
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