Businesses in Liverpool, Manchester and further afield have continued to make a whole host of top hires as the North West's economic recovery picks up pace.
Firms in sectors from finance to furniture to fashion have announced a flurry of appointments in the past fortnight since our last roundup.
If you have a new or recent appointment or promotion you'd like featured in our next roundup, please email tom.houghton@reachplc.com.
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Here, BusinessLive runs through the 29 North West appointments from the last few weeks that you shouldn't have missed:
Time Finance
North West-based Time Finance has appointed Abbie Mosley as broker manager in the asset finance division.
Ms Mosley joins with over two years of industry experience, having spent her career working in both client-facing and supplier management roles at Bluestone Leasing.
She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Time Finance at what continues to be a crucially important time for 海角视频 businesses. As Government support schemes begin to wind down, more SMEs are turning to Asset Finance solutions to facilitate their long-term investment strategies. I’ll be using my experience to continue building strong broker relations and helping their clients to invest in new equipment which will keep momentum high in their continued recovery.”
Arighi Bianchi
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Historic furniture and interiors business Arighi Bianchi, which has counted the British Royal Family among its customers, has appointed a new managing director.
Sarah Bianchi, who has worked for the iconic Macclesfield store since 1994 after first being Ted Heath's private secretary, has taken on the role.
The appointment comes as the Cheshire-based retailer embarks on plans to cement itself as a national brand, challenging online furniture store stalwarts such as John Lewis, Made.com and Next.
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PrettyLittleThing
Fashion giant PrettyLittleThing has announced Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague as its new 海角视频 and EU creative director - as well as launching her first exclusively designed collection.
Having previously worked with the brand as a 海角视频 Brand Ambassador and curating a range of edits, videos and podcasts, the influencer has joined in a year-long partnership working alongside the in-house creative and brand team throughout 2021/22.
Ms Hague entered the Love Island villa back in the 2019 summer series, before finishing in second place with her partner, boxer Tommy Fury. Shortly after the end of the series, she signed a deal with PrettyLittleThing to become a brand ambassador worth £500,000.
Liverpool City Region Freeport Management Board
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Thomas O'Brien has been appointed as chair designate of the Liverpool City Region Freeport Management Board following an "extensive" recruitment campaign.
Mr O’Brien, originally from Liverpool, has worked for over 25 years for the World Bank based in Washington D.C, as senior adviser on economic and development policy to Governments around the world.
He said: “I am honoured to take on this important role. The Liverpool City Region Freeport is an exciting new programme, of national significance, that will create new jobs and better business locations to the benefit of people across our community."
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell has expanded its asbestos team in Manchester with the appointment of two new senior solicitors.
Helen Tomlin joins as a senior associate and Victoria Cadman as a new associate on the asbestos team, both with decades of experience in asbestos-related cases.
Mrs Tomlin joins from Thompsons Solicitors, where she has specialised for the last 17 years in asbestos-related disease cases, becoming part of the leadership team for the Yorkshire region.
Mrs Cadman was an associate in the industrial disease team at Birchall Blackburn Law and after qualifying in 2005, has enjoyed a career spanning over 19 years, with the last 10 specialising in asbestos-related disease claims.
Gerry Coombs, head of the Irwin Mitchell asbestos team in Manchester, said: "We’re delighted to welcome Helen and Victoria to the team. We are all very aware that asbestos claims require expertise and in-depth knowledge from specialist solicitors, and to have two new solicitors joining our team is wonderful.
"Both Helen and Victoria are known for their sensitivity and compassion in helping people, who can be in the most difficult circumstances.
"Between them, they will help us to continue to provide exceptional service to asbestos sufferers and their families across our region."
Bibby Financial Services
The 海角视频’s largest independent invoice financier, Bibby Financial Services (BFS), has announced the appointment of Derek Ryan as Managing Director to boost its support for 海角视频 SMEs.
Mr Ryan joins BFS with more than 17 years’ experience in commercial finance having held a variety of senior executive, global operations and strategy positions across the financial services sector, including roles in the 海角视频, Germany, Sweden and Indonesia.
He said: "Growing up being part of a family business in Dublin, I know how important it is for SMEs to partner with organisations that truly understand the challenges and opportunities they encounter. BFS is a hugely innovative business with a fantastic client-base and highly engaged, experienced colleagues.
“More than ever SMEs need to partner with financiers that offer more than just funding, and this is what BFS excels at. I’m delighted to join the business at such a pivotal time in its growth trajectory, and look forward to meeting colleagues, clients and intermediary partners alike over the coming weeks.”
Shoosmiths
Shoosmiths has announced two new co-heads at its Spinningfields Manchester office.
Debra Cooper, banking partner, and Sarah Teal, corporate restructuring and advisory partner, will take on the leadership position jointly.
Based at the XYZ building in Spinningfields, the new leadership change will be effective from September 1.
Ms Cooper and Ms Teal take over from office head Wayne Nash, who is to step down to focus on his leadership role for Real Estate Litigation in the north and the national strategy.
Ms Cooper said: “Wayne has been an exemplary lead for our team and Sarah and myself are privileged to take on this new challenge. The Manchester office embodies Shoosmiths values boasting an innovative and commercially astute team, and we can’t wait to get started, building upon the success of the last few years.”
Ms Teal added: “I am privileged to have been a part of the team that have seen this office grow over the past decade, from us opening our first office in the city as the new kids on the block, to becoming the established player we are today.
"After an extraordinary 18 months for the business, we have an opportunity to change the way we work – both with our clients and for our teams. Shoosmiths Manchester already has a strong core team of lawyers and people, and we hope to continue attracting some of the industry’s most exciting new talent in this next chapter.”
MC Construction
Salford-based MC Construction has strengthened its board with the appointment of an industry professional as a non-executive director.
Nigel Rawlings has joined the company to provide strategic advice to its executive team.
He is the founder and chief executive of RISE Homes, formerly Housing Capital Property, a Stockport-based residential property developer of sustainable homes for rent across the north and Midlands.
He is also a non-executive director of Rowlinson Constructions group, Supportive Care (海角视频), which provides specialist support and advice to clinicians involved in complex medical cases, and renewable technology business Aquanovis Holdings.
Mr Rawlings co-founded the FTSE250 healthcare property group Assura Group and later served as its chief executive.
He has also acted as a director for the Westbury Property Fund, which developed and invested in commercial and residential property across the 海角视频.
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Code Computerlove
Code Computerlove has appointed Jamie Evawin as head of experimentation as popularity for experiment-led product innovation continues to soar.
Mr Evawin, who worked at Code for four years before moving to musicMagpie 18 months ago, returns to the Manchester-based digital studio to advance Code’s culture of experimentation and drive growth of the agency’s performance function.
He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with Code’s senior leadership team to help to expand the agency’s approach to performance and innovation.
“By designing and conducting a portfolio of experiments for partners we are able to measure in a much more meaningful way; a way that goes beyond optimisation, conversion and more typical A/B testing to truly explore and validate product development strategies."
PAM Group
Warrington-headquartered preventative healthcare specialist PAM Group has appointed a new chief financial officer to succeed Stewart Boxer, who has retired after seven years with the business.
Phil Foster has taken over the strategic day-to-day financial management of the group and its subsidiary businesses in a planned succession.
He was recruited to the group through Rowan Executive Search to a corporate finance role to help facilitate private equity firm LDC’s minority investment into PAM, which was completed in June.
PAM Group, founded in 2004 by chief executive James Murphy, is one of the 海角视频’s largest occupational health and wellness providers. It offers a range of integrated programmes to public and private sector clients, supporting more than 600,000 employees at over 1,000 businesses and organisations.
Beyond Group
Beyond Group, which comprises specialist legal practices McAlister Family Law, Beyond Corporate and Beyond Conveyancing, has appointed Oisín Quinn as senior associate and Matthew O’Brien as legal executive.
Mr Quinn graduated from Queens University and the Institute of Legal Studies in Belfast and then practised as a barrister, gaining a broad range of experience working across both criminal and civil litigation. Since leaving the Bar, he worked in-house at a global law firm and an international bank.
Mr O'Brien, currently a legal executive but due to qualify as a solicitor this year, brings experience and expertise, particularly in the fields of resolving disputes involving shareholders and partnerships
Beyond Group head Matt Fleetwood said: “I’m delighted to continue the forward momentum of Beyond Corporate with the recruitment of Oisín and Matthew, empowering our specialist corporate and commercial practice to further expand its litigation and dispute resolution offering, which has proven so successful we are now looking to recruit for the team again at a senior level.
“Oisín and Matthew have not only the necessary skillset but also the human perspective that is vital to all our businesses, and their appointments reinforces our commitment to continued investment in the right people, at the right time.”
BGEN
A North West-based engineering firm has announced a major rebrand fuelling plans to create 200 jobs, expand into Africa and increase turnover to £175m.
Boulting has rebranded to BGEN as part of its growth proposals, and has promoted Robin Whitehead from managing director to chief executive - to oversee operations.
The Warrington-headquartered multi-discipline engineering solutions firm said the plans also include the opening of a new operation in Africa as the company expands its global footprint.
Simpson Millar
Leading consumer law firm Simpson Millar has announced the expansion of its national private client division with the appointment of employment law expert Anita North.
Bringing more than nine years’ experience to the role, and a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, Ms North boasts a "wealth" of expertise in cases relating to unfair dismissal, discrimination at work and breach of employment contract.
Her appointment follows a period of "unprecedented demand" for the firm’s employment law team services, which is currently representing thousands of people in cases relating to protective award claims further to the collapse of businesses because of the pandemic.
She said: “I am truly privileged to be joining a team that has such a strong and formidable reputation when it comes to protecting the rights of their clients during this time.
“Simpson Millar’s commitment to opening up the law, and to making sure that they are on hand to help anyone in need of legal support is what really attracted me to the firm and to this role.”
Acumen Financial Partnership
An independent financial adviser in West Lancashire has appointed the 20th member of its team.
Mike Moore joins Acumen Financial Partnership, whose head office is in Burscough, after almost 25 years in the financial services industry, most recently working for a Heswall IFA where he specialised in growing the retirement advice department.
Mr Moore said: "Acumen is a true independent advice firm focusing on service, not targets, to help people plan for a long and happy retirement.
“The company has a very good reputation in the industry and with a close knit team of advisers and support staff there’s a real family feel to it.”
Kemtile
Akeel Ahmed is the latest addition to the Warrington-based Kemtile team – having just been appointed business development manager by the 海角视频 leading hygienic and sterile flooring and Stonhard division.
In his new role, Mr Ahmed will be responsible for the growth and development of contact with existing customers, as well as identifying and securing new opportunities.
He said: “I jumped at the opportunity to join such a longstanding and respected business, and I feel that my experience and expertise is particularly relevant and makes me really suited to the role.”
Cassidy + Ashton
North West architectural, planning and building surveying practice Cassidy + Ashton has strengthened its architecture and design team with the appointment of architect Matthew Thompson.
Mr Thompson joins from Firth Architects in Lytham where he specialised in the design of luxury residential developments, bespoke 'one-off' high-valued houses and working on residential projects including house extensions, renovations and new builds.
Based at Cassidy + Ashton’s Preston office, he will cover a wide range of residential and commercial client projects.
Chairman Alistair Baines said: "Matthew is a valuable addition to our architecture and design team, and we all welcome him to the practice.
"Not only does he have experience in the residential sector and working on historic properties, Matthew has a highly technical background which is a great attribute to an architect’s profession.
"I am confident, with his impressive professional background, that Matthew will help to strengthen our design expertise and will support our continued growth and success across the region."
Summize
Legal technology firm Summize has appointed Ben Audley as its new chief revenue officer.
Formerly the CEO and founder of cyber security training firm, Purplephish, Mr Audley joins the team to lead its sales and marketing functions.
He will also be responsible for delivering against the firm’s international growth plans.
He said: “Legal technology is revolutionising the way legal teams manage their day-to-day activities. Its application across the wider business community could be transformational for productivity and efficiency.
“Joining Summize is an exciting opportunity. I’m looking forward to driving the revenue functions and continuing to expand the firm’s global footprint.”
DLA Architecture
DLA Architecture has promoted Paul King to head of sustainability across all three studios in Leeds, Manchester, and London.
He will operate across all office locations and drive the sustainability ethos within the practice, taking the lead in promoting a more integrated environmental design culture across the business, and developing the practice’s ability to deliver net zero carbon architecture across all work sectors.
Chris Levett, board director and Head of the London office at DLA, said: "Paul’s skills, experience, and passion for integrating net zero carbon are vital to DLA’s contextual, narrative-led architecture and this dedicate role will make carbon reduction a more integral part of the design process within the practice."
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Fletcher Bond
Manchester-based chartered surveyor Fletcher Bond has appointed Sophie Magee as associate director.
Fletcher Bond specialises in corporate recovery and restructuring, and Ms Magee will work alongside MD Rory Dillon and the team advising banks, developers, insolvency practitioners and property firms.
She said: ‘’I’m very excited about joining Fletcher Bond and working with Rory and the team.
"I’m looking forward to helping the company grow its existing client base and reputation in the market for providing a first-class level of service and innovative and practical property solutions, with honesty and integrity, in an ever-evolving market.’’
Absurd
Manchester strategic design agency Absurd has appointed service design specialist Mark Webster as design director to support its continued growth and expanded team.
Mr Webster, who has previously led teams at LovedBy Design, Common Good and Great Fridays, joins Absurd as the company restructures its senior management team and brings in new staff, taking its head count to 15, with additional, current roles still to be filled.
He said: “This is such an exciting time to be joining Absurd – an agency that I’ve tracked from inception to present day and seen go from strength to strength. The calibre of the team and scale of the clients I’ll be working on gives me a great opportunity to expand my own skills and career.
“I look forward to bringing team members back together in the office as well as maintaining a strong remote working culture, and I’ll be looking at new ways to deliver operational design excellence for all of our clients.”
Olliers Solicitors
Criminal defence firm Olliers Solicitors has grown its board of directors following the announcement of two promotions at its Manchester-based office.
Ruth Peters has been promoted to director of business development and marketing, having joined as a trainee in 2005. Elsewhere in the business, serious crime and fraud specialist, Stacey Mabrouk, has been promoted to commercial director – in her 17th year with Olliers.
Ms Peters said: “I’m passionate about supporting clients through what is often the most difficult period of their lives. The criminal justice system can be complex and in my new role and director, I’m committed to ensuring that those under investigation have access to expert support from the very offset.”
Ms Mabrouk added: “Over the last 18 months, this firm has displayed tremendous tenacity. The closure of the courts during lockdown had a major impact on the business but we took this as an opportunity to draw on our talent and skills and grew profits significantly. As commercial director, I’m focused on keeping up this momentum and ensuring we’re the very best we can be.”
Tech Nation
Tech Nation, the 海角视频’s leading accelerator for tech scaleup companies, has announced Anna Dick as its newest regional director.
Ms Dick, CTO of Hiring Hub and active diversity and inclusion advocate, will join Tech Nation’s board of non-executive directors
She said: “I’m extremely excited to be joining Tech Nation because I’ve been living and breathing the startup-scaleup journey for the last 3 years, and fully understand all of the challenges that scaling tech founders face every day.
"I’ve seen first hand the power that a supportive tech ecosystem has in helping these businesses unlock their full potential, and the need for this support to be accessible across all corners of the 海角视频. "
Provenio Litigation LLP
Liverpool-based Provenio Litigation LLP has continued its expansion with the appointment of John Smith as head of finance and administration.
Mr Smith, who has extensive senior-level finance experience with publicly listed and private companies, joins Provenio Litigation LLP from SIP Building Systems Ltd in Widnes, where he was FD.
He said: “Provenio is an exciting business with huge potential.
“The firm plays to its strengths as a business litigation practice specialising in high value and complex disputes and is well placed to realise a range of growth opportunities. It’s an exciting time to come on board.”
Williams Group
Manchester-headquartered Williams Group has appointed Dale Bland as group head of aftersales.
Mr Bland, who has over 19 years’ experience in the automotive industry, joins from Marshall Motor Group where he was a head for business for Mercedes.
Prior to his role at Marshalls, he held senior positions with Inchcape as an aftersales and regional director and with the Thompson Motor Company as franchise director.
His role at Williams Group will see him leading the aftersales functions across Williams to ensure premium service levels are maintained and prepare the business for the changes in aftersales that electrification will bring.
Baker & Baker
Baker & Baker, a specialist bakery products manufacturer, has appointed Ryan Perera as international business development director as the company prepares to enter new geographies and expand its current footprint within international markets.
Formerly known as CSM Bakery Solutions, and headquartered in Wirral, Baker & Baker already has a strong European-wide footprint, with 12 manufacturing sites and a diverse retailer and food service customer base throughout the continent.
Mr Perera joins Baker & Baker from Kerry Group, where he was responsible for driving the branded food service business across Middle East and Africa as the Sales Director of the business.
He said: “There is a great opportunity for Baker & Baker to grow its presence across Middle East and Africa especially within the American Sweet Bakery segment. While we focus on entering new geographies within Middle East and Africa we will also drive more effort in expanding our footprint across Central/ Eastern Europe and Russia/CIS where we’ve already got a successful business.
Sovini
The Sovini Group has announced that Steve Parrington has been appointed as the new managing director for its construction arm, Sovini Construction.
His role will start with immediate effect.
He said: “Sovini Construction has an ambitious new build programme to deliver high quality, affordable housing of all types of tenure across the north.
"We are in discussions with a number of potential new clients which will enable us to build our client base and further expand across the north.”