A series of top hires and promotions have been announced by businesses across the North West over the last seven days.
The likes of The Co-op, JD Sports and KPMG 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.
The Co-op
The Co-op has hired the former chief financial officer of fashion group N Brown as its new finance chief.
Rachel Izzard's resignation from the Manchester-based company, whose brands include Simply Be and Jacamo, in November last year.
She had served in the role since the end of June 2020 and has previously worked for the likes of Aer Lingus and British Airways.
JD Sports
JD Sports has added a former chairman of Asos to its board.
The Greater Manchester-headquartered retail giant has appointed Ian Dyson as a non-executive director. He will join the Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee.
Mr Dyson is currently chair of Currys and has previously served as chairman and senior independent director at Asos.
Slater Heelis
Manchester and Sale-based law firm Slater Heelis has appointed a new digital marketing manager.
With eight years’ experience attained from both in-house and agency roles, Doug Grant joins the business from employee engagement and wellbeing platform, Stribe.
He said: "Slater Heelis is a forward-thinking business and its values very much align with my own.
"As a company that goes the extra mile for its employees, it’s clients and the communities in which it operates, I want to make sure that that ethos translates into target digital spaces in order to get an even wider reach for the practice."
Jackson Lees
Law firm Jackson Lees has appointed three members of its team to play leading roles in developing the business’ future.
The firm, which has offices across Liverpool, Manchester and Wirral, has promoted Jen Goodwin, Lisa Hughes and Dottie Lee to be associate directors.
Managing director Esther Leach said: "We are thrilled to bring Jen, Lisa and Dottie on as associate directors.
"As highly skilled and passionate employees in their current roles, they each have a lot to offer the business in terms of helping to grow the talent of their colleagues and the business itself."
Kennedys
Manchester law firm Kennedys has appointed a motor insurance specialist to spearhead its non-injury services in the UK.
John Gibson joins from Keoghs where he spent more than a decade, first as partner and then as motor services director for the last seven years.
His role involved advising a portfolio of top insurers and overseeing tens of thousands of claims.
Mr Gibson said: "I’ve followed Kennedys’ innovative service offering with great interest. The firm has developed a strong reputation for being the best of breed legal services provider to the UK motor insurance market and I am looking forward to joining this dynamic team."
Cynergy Business Finance
Asset-based lending specialist Cynergy Business Finance (CBF) has appointed Lorraine Udale as head of operations.
She joins the Manchester-headquartered business from Praetura Invoice Finance, where she had previously worked as operations director since August 2021.
She said: "It’s an exciting time to be joining the experienced management team at CBF during a period of such significant growth. I look forward to playing my part in the future development of its business and staff."
Azerion
Digital entertainment and media platform Azerion has appointed two new hires to its Manchester team.
Dave Mullan and Emma Hart join the company as account managers. They join business director, Hannah Atkinson, and Eiña Crerand, who joined a year ago in the same roles.
UK country director Anna Forbes said: "In this pivotal time for our industry, it’s fantastic to have these two experienced media specialists strengthen our presence in Manchester and the regions.
"The addition of Emma and Dave to the Manchester team bolsters Azerion’s focus on increasing the brand performance of our clients by better targeted and individually measurable campaigns through our channels."
Savills
Real estate advisor Savills has expanded its property management division, appointing Maxi Glas as head of service partner relationships.
Based in the firm’s Manchester office, she will be working within Savills on vision, strategy and policy objectives with the property management.
She has over 17 years’ experience in finance and the supply chain working for Vodafone, GSK, Lloyds Bank. At Vodafone, she was a founding member of the Vodafone Procurement Company, based in Luxembourg.
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Chester-based Sykes Holiday Cottages has hired Paul Oates as head of performance media from THG.
Michael Field, formerly SEO manager, has also moved into the position of head of owned and earned media, while Simon Taylor has been promoted to group financial reporting director and Catherine Povah to head of commercial finance.
Two apprentices, Ethan Moss and Amran Uddin, have been awarded permanent roles as full-time developers, and Michael Evans and James Moore, two experienced developers, have been selected to lead engineering teams.
Agent Academy
Agent Academy has appointed MyTutor.co.uk's former people operations lead, Yasmin Lord-Pottinger, as its head of Agent Academy.
She will replace Zoe Wallace, who has taken up the role of partnerships director for both Agent Academy and its sister enterprise, Agent.
Ms Lord-Pottinger, who will be based in Agent Academy’s Manchester office on Oxford Road, said: "Agent Academy is an incredible business to be a part of right now, their creative and collaborative approach to tackling some of the most complex skills and talent challenges facing educators and employers is impressive."
Vita Group
Cheshire-based property giant Vita Group has added to its senior leadership team.
Ioannis Verdelis has been promoted to chief investment officer and will lead the platform’s investments, partnerships, joint ventures and divestments.
He said: "This is an exciting new chapter as we scale the business in new territories and with fantastic brands across the living sectors. I look forward to growing relationships with trusted capital partners to help us accelerate this growth."
KPMG UK
KPMG UK has bolstered its team in Manchester, with the promotions of 14 colleagues to director.
Michael Douek and Louisa Shaw have been appointed as directors within KPMG’s audit practice, while Imran Khan, Andrew Leighton, Mark Tomlin, Adam Caldwell and Janet Baker have become directors in the firm’s consulting practice.
Elsewhere, Amanda Ruddiman, Patrick Simpson, Nicky Leonard and Tom Hodder have been appointed directors within deal advisory, while Charlotte Brown, Jenny Coyle and John Rippon have been appointed directors in the firm’s tax and KPMG's law practice.
Bond Turner
Bond Turner has promoted a member of its senior legal team to become the firm’s fourth female director.
Solicitor Sara Stanger joins the board alongside Samantha Moss, Dawn O’Brien, and Rachael Wong.
She said: "I am delighted to be given this fantastic opportunity to undertake a lead role within Bond Turner."
4th Utility
Full fibre broadband provider 4th Utility has made a senior hire.
Steve Wilson, who has held senior positions at BT, British Gas and O2 among others, has been appointed by the firm as CEO of its new consumer business unit.
He will now oversee the ambitious internet provider’s efforts to treble its customer base over the next 15 months, by leading its consumer-centric operations.
Kuits
Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has added to its commercial law team with the appointment of Nicola Knappett as senior associate and the promotion of Rebecca Bainbridge to senior associate.
Caroline Brennan, partner and head of commercial, said: "Rebecca is an exceptional commercial solicitor and her promotion to senior associate is very well deserved.
"I know she will continue to be an asset to the team. The appointment of Nikki as senior associate adds a further dimension to our team and her experience in general counsel roles means we can continue to offer our clients the type of pragmatic and commercially focussed service they would expect from in house counsel but with the support and resources of a top 200 law firm."
Together
Specialist lender Together has announced three promotions to its executive team for Sarah Nield, Ryan Etchells and Julie Twynholm in Manchester.
Sarah Nield will take on the role of group chief compliance officer, Ryan Etchells has been made chief commercial officer while Julie Twynholm has been promoted to group chief risk officer.
Gerald Grimes, group CEO designate, said: "I am delighted to announce the news that Julie, Sarah and Ryan will all be promoted into executive team roles."
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs has announced that senior employment lawyer James Pike has been promoted to partner in Manchester.
Alison Treliving, Manchester partner and global head of the firm’s labour and employment practice, said: "James is an exceptionally talented lawyer, with knowledge and expertise that is valued highly by clients and colleagues alike.
"His promotion underlines the strength of our top-ranked practice in the city and our investment in its continued growth."
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