Firms from across Liverpool, Manchester and further afield have wasted no time recently in making plenty of appointments and promotions.
The BusinessLive North West inbox has been absolutely inundated in recent days, and our 'People on the Move' roundup this week features businesses from all ends of the spectrum.
The appointments have been announced by firms in sectors from retail to legal to ecommerce.
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Here are the 17 North West appointments and promotions you may have missed:
Richard Thornton
Market research and online consumer intelligence veteran Richard Thornton has been appointed to the board of Manchester-based consumer insights business Vypr following a £2.5m investment backed by private equity firm YFM Equity Partners (YFM) in January.
Mr Thornton has spent the last 12 years working for Cint, the global software leader in digital insights gathering, latterly as chief commercial officer, and is now a senior adviser to the company.
Prior to that, he was managing director of Ciao Surveys, the European arm of Greenfield Online, and one of the early pioneers of online consumer research panels.
He said: "Joining the Vypr board, alongside YFM Equity Partners, was too good an opportunity to miss. Vypr has a great value proposition, an extremely capable leadership team and is very well placed to help digitally transform an entire category with its agile and behavioural science-led approach to NPD.
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"It is a unique offering in an area that is ripe for innovation and transformation through technology.
"Vypr addresses a real and material problem, which is the category wide high failure rate of new product development and product launches.
"With Vypr technology, brands now have an end-to-end SaaS solution, delivering real-time predictive data and analytics throughout the NPD process.
"As a result, I look forward to bringing my industry experience and SaaS technology background to help the business on its rapid growth journey."
Eleanor Ogilvie
Women in Property has announced its incoming North West Chair for 2021/22.
Eleanor Ogilvie takes the role as regional head of the property and construction industry influencer and networking organisation from March 1, for one year.
Ms Ogilvie, who has been a member of Women in Property for five years, is a senior land and partnerships manager at MCI Developments, based in Wigan where she specialises in acquiring land opportunities for affordable housing developments with Registered Providers across the North West.
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She said: "Property and construction will be at the forefront of the economic recovery and there will be tremendous opportunities for our members to contribute to that revival.
"I look forward to Women in Property returning to in-person meetings and events and continuing to promote the importance of inclusion and diversity in our sector, with more women taking active roles and participating as we rebuild, post-pandemic."
Steven Tallant
Steven Tallant has stepped up to the role of chief executive at Videosign in Liverpool.
The Liverpool-based company was set-up in the 海角视频 following the introduction of new rules allowing for remote signing and witnessing of contracts.
Mr Tallant said: "The vision is for Videosign to become the 'go to' platform for businesses that want to sign contracts remotely.
"Using our software means businesses can offer a more efficient service to their clients and save time and money while being confident they’re using a system that’s safe, secure and legally compliant.
"I have a passion for tech and I joined Videosign because it solves problems I’ve experienced numerous times within my personal life and career."
Jasmin Allott
Electricals retailer AO has announced that Jasmin Allott has joined the business as director of enterprise platforms and ERP.
In the newly created role, Ms Allott will work closely with the retailer’s 300 strong, in-house tech team to deliver digital transformation across the AO Group, including the implementation of a Global ERP.
She said: “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join a business at such a pivotal time in its journey. I’ve been impressed with AO’s journey to date, I am excited to help as we move forward into this next chapter.”
Zoe Holland
Manchester-based financial advisor and asset manager Frenkel Topping appointed Zoe Holland as a non-executive director.
Mrs Holland has more than 25 years' legal and business experience and is currently managing director of ZebraLC, an adviser to the 海角视频 legal sector, having founded the business in 2012.
Richard Fraser, chief executive of Frenkel Topping, said: "The Board is delighted to welcome Zoe to the group, she brings a wealth of relevant legal and business experience and we look forward to working with her as we continue to execute our growth strategy and consolidation of the PI and clinical negligence marketplace."
Peter Slater
Accrington-based managed transport and accommodation provider CMAC Group has appointed a new chief executive.
Peter Slater previously held the title of operations and commercial director at the company.
In his new role, Mr Slater will oversee the day-to-day running of all business units and is responsible for leading the development and execution of the organisation's growth strategies.
He said: "I’m thrilled to take on the new responsibility as CEO at CMAC.
"Realigning the roles of myself and Steve will really help to drive the business forward and cement CMAC’s position in the market as the leading ground transportation experts.
"The company has already encountered rapid growth both across the 海角视频 and into Europe since its incorporation in 2007 and I’m confident that, with the dedication and enthusiasm of our team, our best days are most definitely ahead of us."
Charlotte Mills
North West law firm Jackson Lees is widening out its offering with the launch of a new corporate and commercial department.
The firm has appointed Charlotte Mills, a highly experienced and well-regarded corporate and commercial expert, to head up the new department.
With over 15 years’ corporate experience, Ms Mills trained in the South East and then spent seven years working for a Lancashire based firm before making the move to Manchester where she has practised since 2013.
She said: "People and relationships are at the heart of a successful legal practice, so it’s brilliant to be joining a firm with such a positive culture. The team at Jackson Lees genuinely cares about their people and clients and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to be building a new department within this thriving, forward-looking firm.
"This is a challenging time for business, so we’re looking forward to being able to support our clients and provide the clarity and guidance they need as they navigate this uncertain landscape."
Ray Dean and Jamie King
Ray Dean and Jamie King have joined Manchester-based ecommerce agency Fluid Commerce to lead and grow its performance marketing team.
Mr Dean, who has 20 years’ experience in B2B and B2C performance marketing, has been appointed as head of the performance marketing team and joins from PHD Media, Manchester, where he spent five years during a period of significant growth.
Mr King takes up the position of account director, a newly created role which will focus on expanding client services.
Managing director Adam Hindle said: "Both Ray and Jamie are highly experienced and are looking to grow the performance marketing team in terms of the briefs we win from clients, headcount and revenue.
"They’ve learnt their trade and have the expertise to take the ecommerce growth of brands to the next level."
Mark Fergusson
Mark Fergusson has been appointed head of corporate and commercial at Chester law firm Jollifes, after Simon WIlliams stepped down.
The firm said it will retain its wider corporate and commercial offering, with Mr Fergusson working alongside other senior officials to provide services to SMEs, owner-managed businesses and large companies across Cheshire.
Hugh Butler, senior partner at the firm, whose clients include Chester Zoo, said: “We wish Simon well in his move and would like to thank him for his hard work at Jolliffes over more than 11 years.
"He leaves with our best wishes for the future and his change of direction. Jolliffes looks forward to continuing to meet the ever-changing needs of clients in the year ahead."
Mr Williams has joined Gunnercooke.
Ben Whawell
North-West based energy infrastructure specialist Aberla Group has announced the appointment of Ben Whawell, the former chief financial officer of Stobart Group, as chairman with effect from January 2021.
Mike Fletcher will step down from his current position as Aberla’s chairman to allocate more time to focus on his new business venture, multi-family investment office Arete Capital Partners, and to devote more time to his chairman position at AIM listed Inspired Energy plc.
Mr Whawell said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to become chairman of Aberla. I greatly value the support already shown to me by the board, and I look forward to working with them."
Dame Alison Carnwath
Blackburn-headquartered EG Group has hired Dame Alison Carnwath as a non-executive director and chair of its audit committee from March 1, 2021.
Dame Alison has served as a director at BP, Friends Provident, Gallaher, Barclays and Man Group.
She is currently chair of the audit committee at Zurich Insurance and BASF and a non-executive at Paccar.
Chairman Stuart Rose said: "I am delighted to welcome Dame Alison to EG Group’s board.
"Alison is one of the most admired people in British business with an exceptional track record as a non-executive director of some of the 海角视频’s leading companies.
"Her experience and expertise makes her an excellent addition to the Board, and superbly well-placed to lead the group’s audit committee.
"I joined EG in January because the shareholders asked me to develop appropriate governance for a business of this scale and Alison’s appointment further underscores the Group’s commitment to establish a best-in-class governance model."
Simon Picton
Ribble Cycles has appointed Simon Picton as its new head of creative.
Mr Picton has previously worked for companies including BBC, SKY and more recently at Red Bull Media House holding the role of senior creative manager.
The firm said his extensive 20-year creative experience will further enhance the 124-year-old bicycle brand's offering.
He said: "I have enormous respect for Ribble’s heritage and its global ambitions are clear to see. I’m excited to be able to lead the brand’s content generation and creative direction in contribution to its exciting future growth strategy.”
Tom Handley
Liverpool law firm Provenio has appointed Tom Handley as a director of the business.
Mr Handley, formerly CEO at Exchange Chambers, will work closely with Provenio’s main board as the firm continues to implement its growth strategy.
Under his guidance, Exchange Chambers established itself as one of the largest full-service barristers’ Chambers in England and Wales with close to 200 members and offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.
He said: [Managing partner Mark Goodwin] and the team at Provenio are recognised in the market as one of the leading litigation teams in the 海角视频.
“With specialist expertise and a strong financial platform, the firm is ideally placed to realise new opportunities.”
Nathan Astley
Regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships has announced the appointment of Nathan Astley as its new commercial director for the North West region.
Having worked in the industry for more than 35 years, Mr Astley joins the team from Create Construction where he was pre-construction director, having previously held the position of commercial executive at Styles and Wood for more than five years.
The new commercial director will join Vistry’s regional office based in Warrington, and upon appointment, he said: “Although I have joined the company at a very unusual time, I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead."
David Jones and Sheroze Nadeem
National law firm Stephensons has appointed two solicitors to its commercial department as the firm continues to see strong demand for its legal services.
David Jones joins the team from FDR Law in Warrington, while Sheroze Nadeem joins from Napthens.
Commenting on the appointments, Louise Hebborn, partner and head of the commercial litigation team, said: “Both David and Sheroze are stars of the future and bring with them a real passion for the legal profession. I am delighted to welcome them both to the team.
“Despite the challenges we have all faced over the past 12 months, we continue to see strong demand for our expertise and specialist legal services. Both David and Sheroze will bolster that offering further and ensure we continue to provide our commercial clients the very best legal advice and support through this difficult economic period.”