The latest appointments and promotions in the North West you may have missed

Charity Forever Manchester has appointed William Lees-Jones as its new president.

Lees-Jones, managing director of brewer JW Lees, takes over the three-year tenure from Trevor Mather, the recently retired Auto Trader chief executive.

Forever Manchester, which raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, has delivered over £39m of funding across the ten boroughs in the last 30 years benefitting 1.1m people.

In his role as President, Lees-Jones will act as a champion for the organisation, promoting the achievements and impact of the charity, and raising its profile.

Nick Massey, chief executive of Forever Manchester, said: “We would like to thank Trevor Mather for his incredible support in the last three years, it has been such a pleasure to work with one of the region’s most philanthropic business leaders, and to continue to work with the dedicated and innovative team at Auto Trader.

“We are now looking forward to working with William Lees-Jones to take us into the next stage of our development.

“William is a proud Manc and has a track record of working with businesses and charities locally, having a deep understanding of how Manchester family firms develop and prosper.”

Access Creative College

Prime minister Boris Johnson’s brother Jo Johnson, former minister of state for universities, has been appointed chair of Access Creative College, an independent college for the creative industries.

The Manchester college also appointed Steve Stanley, a former Ofsted inspector, as director of evaluation of impact.

It comes after the college secured investment from Apiary Capital.

Jason Beaumont, chief executive at Access Creative College, said: “Welcoming Jo and Steve to the team is big news for us.

“They will help us to have a voice on a national scale and deliver education and learning that students want and industry desires.”

Mr Johnson added: “The further education sector has a hugely important role to play in our education system and Access Creative College is an impressive, innovative provider, and a great example of how working closely with industry and employers can best prepare learners for careers.

“I am delighted to join as chairman and look forward to helping Jason and the team to realise their vision for the group.”

MIF

Manchester International Festival (MIF) has appointed three new additions to its artistic advisory team.

Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway, founder of Artistic Directors of the Future, has been appointed as curatorial consultant, while Hannah Azieb Pool and musician and broadcaster Cerys Matthews have taken roles as artistic advisors.

John McGrath, artistic director and chief executive for MIF and The Factory said: “Simeilia, Hannah and Cerys bring a fantastic range of insight and experience to the organisation at a crucial time - as we plan for next year’s Festival and for The Factory, the international cultural space which will be our permanent home.

“They will also bring key perspectives as we continue to navigate the ongoing impact of COVID-19 in our changing world.”

Ms Hodge-Dallaway added: “I have always admired MIF for creating a platform for intersectionality across multiple artistic disciplines where creativity, imagination and risk-taking can thrive.

"I look forward to working with the team to create big, bold and exciting international collaborations, for The Factory, as well as playing my part to support their efforts to create an equitable, safe and inclusive infrastructure where relationships can be brokered, developed and nurtured."

Widd Signs

Merseyside signage manufacturer Widd Signs has appointed Jac Lloyd-Jones as business development manager.

Mr Lloyd-Jones will be responsible for expanding the company’s client base in a number of key markets, with a particular focus on the construction, architecture, design and commercial sectors, the firm said.

He will work alongside existing business development manager Damon Kirkham, who previously operated for thirteen years as sales manager at Spectrum Sign & Display Ltd before the company was acquired by Widd Signs in early 2020.

Widd Signs head of sales Peter Harris said: “Jac has a proven track record when it comes to delivering high-value projects and forging strong working relationships with clients, and we’re delighted to bring him on board as we look to accelerate our growth in a number of key sectors.”

Irwin Mitchell

National law firm Irwin Mitchell has recruited Richard Allan as a senior consultant to its national construction team, based in the firm’s Manchester office.

He joins from Knights where he was a partner in the construction and engineering team, having previously spent a number of years at firms including DLA Piper and Pinsent Masons.

His appointment takes Irwin Mitchell’s construction team to 11, with two partners.

Adrian Barlow, national head of real estate at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We are delighted someone of Richard’s calibre is joining our construction team and we have further hires in the pipeline which we will announce later in the Autumn.

“Richard will provide a good boost to our national real estate team and will help with our clients’ construction legal needs across England and beyond.

“He provides an invaluable addition to our skills set and his experience in the housing, education and care sectors complement our sector focus, as will his experience with windfarms support our environmental push.”

Flavourfresh Salads

Southport-based Flavourfresh Salads, which supplies to major food retailers and supermarkets, has appointed David Holding to its management team.

In his new role, Mr Holding, who joins from Bakkavor Foods, will oversee the running of its operations across four sites.

He will based at its head office at the Aldergrove nursery.

Managing director Charmay Prout said: “David’s innovative and confident approach to factory and production management will dovetail perfectly into our strategic plans.

“His appointment is invaluable in us gaining momentum in all aspects of our business from productivity to quality control.”

KPMG

Big four firm KPMG has made 11 promotions at its Manchester office, including the appointment of two new directors.

The promotions across a variety of service lines are part of a wider commitment within the firm to invest in talent and innovation in the North West, and support clients through the economic challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, the firm said.

Tom Manning, ��Ƶ and international corporate tax specialist, and Tania Dimitrovich, who leads the tax governance team in the North West, will both become directors.

KPMG has made seven promotions in audit, while two promotions have been made in deal advisory and two promotions have been made in the firm’s tax and legal team.

KPMG’s Office Senior Partner in Manchester, Warren Middleton, commented:“The Covid-19 pandemic has created profound challenges for our clients and the wider economy, which means our support and expertise is more needed than ever before.

“The latest round of promotions reinforces our commitment to invest in talent and serve the communities we’re part of in Manchester and throughout the North West.”

Crossfield Group

Liverpool-based construction company Crossfield Group has promoted three senior managers to its board of directors.

Michael Macaulay is now director of the company’s construction arm and David Dobson has been appointed director of Crossfield Living.

Meanwhile, Lucy O’Connor will be a director of the overall group working across both divisions.

Company founders, David Cain and John Paul Cassidy, said they have made the appointments to continue the growth of the company’s specialist areas in key sectors including education, health, commercial, senior living and residential.

Mr Cain said: “Crossfield has grown significantly since John Paul and I founded the business in 2012, and this is testament to the commitment and dedication of our people.

“Lucy, David and Michael have been a key part of this success and we are delighted to have appointed them as directors of the business.

“This not only further supports our ambitious growth targets over the coming years, but it gives the business wider leadership as we continue to expand our team.”

John Pye Auctions

John Pye Auctions has expanded its assets team with the appointment of Gary Harper, president of the National Association of Valuers.

Mr Harper joins John Pye as head of ��Ƶ North West regional valuations.

He said: “I’m delighted to join the John Pye business assets team at such an exciting and pivotal time.

“The company has a brilliant reputation within the industry and I’m really looking forward to engaging the Northern marketplace with John Pye’s wide service offerings.

“I have valued and advised on a wide range of assets and, as a seasoned auctioneer, I’ve sold everything from a pin to a battleship - in my case everything from long haired miniature dachshunds to major food pharmaceutical and manufacturing production facilities.

“I’m therefore really looking forward to offering my expertise and extending John Pye’s reputation in the north of the country.”

MLP Law

North West private and commercial legal practice MLP Law has promoted Rachel Owen to partner within its corporate and commercial team.

Rachel joined the Altrincham-headquartered business in 2019 and has more than ten years’ experience in both large national legal practices and specialist commercial law firms.

MLP Law owner and director Stephen Atree said: “Rachel is a tremendous asset to our commercial team and the decision to promote her to partner was very easy.

“She has excellent experience and her skillset makes her a great role model for junior colleagues.

“Her work here has been instrumental in the commercial team’s strong performance in the last financial year.

“The appointment has absolutely been made on merit and her fit with the company culture and DNA makes our overall offer to clients significantly stronger.”

Democracy

Manchester agency Democracy has announced two new hires across its PR and editorial content divisions.

Carl Stroud joins as news director, following more than two decades of senior roles across print and digital titles.

Meanwhile, creative artworker Andy Cheeseman joins from Children’s BBC, where he specialised in developing content projects from ideation through to delivery.

Democracy founder and head of agency Jen O’Grady said: “Following a clutch of new business wins, we’re in a position to hire new talent during the most challenging of years.

“Carl’s exceptional contacts across the industry alongside Andy’s creative flair provides us with a real competitive advantage when it comes to delivering stand-out stories and best-in-class content for our clients.”

Primas

Commercial law firm Primas has announced the appointment of an experienced partner to head up a new built environment projects team.

Specialist construction lawyer David Vayro joins the firm from DWF, in response to increasing demand from real estate clients.

Adam Kerr, managing partner at Primas, said: “We are really pleased to announce the arrival of David as a new partner at Primas, and he has a key role to play in spearheading the setup, development and growth of our new Built Environment Projects Team.

“Establishing a specialist construction team, led by an experienced and highly regarded partner like David will help complement and strengthen the expert service provision of our other teams, and this has been one of our key strategic objectives during the last two years.”

Access

Access has appointed Mark West as head of development.

He joins the firm after seven years at CTi Digital, where he held senior positions including head of Drupal, head of support and digital consultant.

At Access, he will oversee a team of remote working and local developers based in the agency’s Manchester head office.

Digital director and co-owner of Access said: “With experience in Drupal and related open source technologies, people leadership and client facing roles, Mark will be a huge asset to our digital team and growth plans.

“Mark is joining us at a really important time when we are structuring our teams for scalability to meet strong demand from existing partners, such as WaterAid and Edrington, as well as onboarding new clients and major global projects.”

Jolliffes

Jolliffes solicitors in Chester, whose clients include the likes of Chester Zoo, will be making four new senior appointments in the coming weeks.

Sharon Auld will join as head of employment, while Claire Sumner Joins as senior commercial associate

Alessandro Paletta also joins as marketing director and a senior appointment will also be made within the private client department in the coming weeks.

Ms Sumner said: “I am delighted to be joining Jolliffes because not only are they very professional but they are also very nice people and that’s always the most important thing.”

Paragon Bank

Paragon Bank has appointed Dave Rowlinson as relationship director in its development finance division.

Mr Rowlinson will be based in Manchester and his appointment forms part of the firm’s plan to grow its presence in regional markets.

His previous roles include property director at Oaknorth Bank and a senior manager at Investec, where he spent over 11 years.

Robert Orr, Paragon Bank development finance managing director, said: “The North West is a market we know has great opportunity. It benefits from a strong economy, with traditional industries being complemented by high-tech sectors, world-class universities and diverse geography.

“Its football teams aren’t bad either! People want to live in this region and Paragon is keen to support developers provide the housing to meet this demand.

“The demand for new housing looks like it will remain strong into the future and smaller developers want to work with a bank that is consistent, is financially strong and has the experience and expertise to support their business.”

Forbes Solicitors

Leading commercial lawyer David Filmer has joined Forbes Solicitors as a partner in the firm’s corporate team.

He joins Forbes Solicitors from Harrison Drury in Preston, where he was head of the corporate and commercial team, and responsible for leading a number of significant deals for businesses throughout Lancashire and the North West.

In his new role, David will advise Forbes Solicitors’ mix of multinational and SME clients based throughout Lancashire, the ��Ƶ and internationally.

Pauline Rigby, partner and head of corporate at Forbes Solicitors, said: “David joins us at a time when we’re seeing businesses reinvent themselves, find ways to improve resilience and seek new opportunities in this ever-changing economy.

“His wealth of experience will add real value to the companies we work with, now and in the long-term, as business owners look to realise their growth ambitions.”