BusinessLive rounds up the latest appointments and promotions from across the North West
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Companies based all over the North West have announced a string of new hires and promotions over the last week.
The likes of JD Sports, AO and Social Chain have confirmed top appointments alongside law firms, property and digital media businesses.
Below, BusinessLive rounds up the 34 latest new hires and promotions from across the North West 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.
Chartered accountancy and business advisor Beever and Struthers, which has offices in Manchester and Blackburn, has made two managerial appointments to its risk, audit and assurance team.
Dalvir Singh Syan has joined as senior manager and Reventi Jesani as service charge manager.
Michael Tourville, partner and national head of service charges, said: "Securing the specialist services of Dalvir and Reventi will further strengthen our risk, audit and assurance team.
"Dalvir's extensive financial services expertise can assist clients with the myriad of financial reporting required as their treasury arrangements continue to become increasingly complex.
"Reventi’s service charge knowledge provides the technical expertise required to ensure our clients stay abreast with the latest changes such as the impact of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022.
"As the scrutiny of service charges continues to increase, it's imperative that social housing landlords offer value for money in this area."
Jenny O’Sullivan has joined Manchester-based MediaCom North Group as digital client partner.
She joins after a 12-year career at McCann, where she spent the last six years as head of digital media and ran the digital media account for Aldi.
She was previously e-commerce manager at Fragrance Direct.
Jenny O’Sullivan said: "MediaCom Manchester is moving at pace – and is undoubtedly a sector leading digital-first agency, evidenced by its recent wins and trajectory of growth.
"It has an enviable client list of clients who are also leading in their market sectors, be that retail, automotive or entertainment."
AO Business, the B2B division of the online electricals retailer, has announced a new lead for its housebuilder team.
Roger Giles, previously business development manager, has been promoted to the position of UK sales manager.
Prior to joining, Mr Giles has worked in the contract kitchen market for over 25 years, supplying premium products to both national and regional housebuilders.
Most recently, he worked as a contract sales manager at Omega plc before joining AO Business in March last year.
Wayne Paskin, business development manager on the housebuilders team, has also been promoted to a senior position.
RSM UK has appointed a sustainability expert in Manchester to enhance the firm’s growing Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) practice.
Kathy Hobbs joins from NorthEdge Capital, a mid-market private equity firm, where she was head of ESG.
She has previously worked for PwC, Thomas Cook Airlines and The Peel Group.
Rich Hall, partner and head of sustainability at RSM, said: "The ESG impact that middle market businesses have in their industries and communities is becoming increasing more important.
"Investing in key talent, like Kathy, is central to our long-term strategy to ensure we are well placed to help clients navigate this business critical issue; and it’s great to welcome Kathy to the ever-expanding team."
North West law firm Napthens has hired Jonathan Fox as its new non-executive chairman.
Prior to starting his own consultancy firm in 2015, he was elected the managing partner at accountancy firm Saffery Champness.
He also worked as the CEO of the UK’s second largest barristers, St Philips Chambers, the CEO of London-based law firm Collyer-Bristow and as the head of marketing at DLA Piper.
Mr Fox said: "Alex is a passionate leader with a clear vision, so when she offered me the opportunity to play a role at Napthens it was an easy decision.
"The firm has been one to watch in recent years and is known across the North West for its relationship-driven approach.
"I look forward to playing a part in the firm’s next chapter and working closely with its leadership team to deliver on its growth ambitions."
Napthens has offices in Liverpool, Southport, Preston, Blackburn, Cumbria and the Fylde Coast.
Forbes Solicitors has made a trio of appointments in its employment team in Manchester.
Laura McHugh joins as partner from Eversheds where she specialised in advising education sector clients on contentious and non-contentious matters.
Jo Handler is a senior associate who joins the team from Brabners. She provides strategic advice to clients on complex employment issues, including corporate transactions and executive exits.
Richard Kay also joins as a senior associate from DAC Beachcroft and specialises in acting on corporate matters and transactions, providing support and guidance on complex TUPE and contractual employment issues, with a strong commercial approach.
Andreas Schneider will be Social Chain AG's new chief financial officer from June 1, it has been announced.
Mr Schneider started his career at Otto Group, where he held managerial positions at various locations in Germany and abroad.
Social Chain was founded in Manchester by Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor and is now headquartered in Germany. Its UK headquarters remains in Manchester.
Mr Schneider said: "At Social Chain AG, I can effectively apply my expertise from operational and strategic controlling – a great opportunity and a responsibility that I am happy to take on.
"In Social Chain AG’s dynamic environment our focus in the coming quarters will be on consolidation, integration, and internationalisation."
Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has added to its litigation team.
Manisha Modasia recently joined the litigation team and deals with all aspects of commercial litigation with a particular interest in partnership, director and shareholder disputes.
Francesca Geddes has also joined Kuits’ litigation team as a solicitor working on aspects of commercial litigation representing both individuals and companies actioning and defending litigation.
Rory Mather has also been promoted to associate solicitor. He deals with all types of commercial litigation but is particularly skilled in resolving contractual, property and unfair prejudice disputes.
The founder of an insurance broker has been elected to represent industry peers across Greater Manchester.
Daniel Lloyd-John, the chief executive of Broadway Insurance Brokers, will serve as chairman of the area's regional committee of the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) for 12 months.
The Manchester committee is one of the largest and longest-standing of the 11 BIBA groups across the UK.
Mr Lloyd-John said: "Manchester is the second largest financial services market in the country, with insurance playing a significant role. Being chosen to lead BIBA's committee in the region is, therefore, a real privilege."
Law firm Weightmans has made six promotions to partner across its Manchester and Liverpool offices.
Liverpool-based Jenny Byfield (finance), Jeff Turton (motor), Matthew Wilson (litigation) and Victoria Wright (casualty) have been promoted.
They have been joined by Manchester-based Josh Conroy (litigation) and Ian Pace (employment).
A total of six legal directors have also been promoted across the two offices.
In Liverpool, Wendy Fox and Tony Sullivan (large loss) have been promoted alongside Cath Hendy (corporate), Jessica Kraja (litigation), Lisa Spencer (healthcare) and Joanne Williams (litigation) in Manchester.
Liverpool-based electronic signature developer Videosign has appointed a new head of sales.
Jamie Cavanagh said: "I was attracted to Videosign for lots of reasons, but mainly because what the business is trying to do feeds into my interest in entrepreneurship.
"I like the fact that Videosign has its own product and IP, and that it has the ability to do something that no one else can offer.
"Videosign is the safest, clearest and most efficient way of signing documents, and I just want to get more people using it."
JD Sports has announced that Suzi Williams will be appointed as a non-executive director, with effect from May 16.
She has spent 30 years running global consumer brands and businesses for blue chip companies including Procter & Gamble, Orange and the BBC.
As chief marketing officer at BT Group, she led its London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic programme and oversaw the launch of BT Sport.
Executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: "I am pleased to welcome Suzi to the JD board of directors. Suzi brings a significant amount of consumer marketing and management experience to the group. It is intended that, in due course, Suzi will take up the role of Remuneration Committee Chair.
"The appointment of Suzi is a further indication of the progress that is being made to strengthen the board."
Law firm Kennedys has added an organised fraud specialist to its Manchester team.
James Stevens is a former director and head of organised fraud at DWF Law, where over the last 11 years he has become well-known for his work relating to organised insurance fraud.
Mr Stevens previously worked in the organised fraud departments of Keoghs and Weightmans.
He said: "Fraud is such a fast-moving area and innovation is crucial to deliver effective solutions for clients. Law firms cannot afford to stand still.
"As fraudsters continue to forum shop across different insurance products, Kennedys centralised approach puts the team at the leading edge of delivering services that meet the clients’ needs."
North West construction support services group APK has appointed Elliott Harrison Holt as its new group managing director.
With a turnover of £15m, the group operates throughout the North West with sites in Cumbria, Lancashire and North Wales under the APK, GTR Aggregates and Recycling, Think Recycling and Able Skips brands.
Mr Harrison Holt joins APK from Recycling Lives, where he was managing director of its waste management division.
He said: "APK has rapidly grown to be one of the leading construction support services companies in the North West with ambitious plans to continue growth organically and through acquisition. I am privileged to join a family-owned business that has already demonstrated it can grow at scale."
Jaimie Potts has just been appointed sales and commercial director of Newton-Le-Willows-based Kingdom Group.
Mr Potts has over 25 years’ experience of business development and commercial and strategic account direction, having worked for several companies including Bidvest Noonan and Cordant Group.
Kingdom Group is one of the UK’s largest privately run companies and employs over 7,000 people.
It provides a full range of facilities management and recruitment services – including security personnel and technology, cleaning and hygiene, recruitment and training – from its eight nationwide offices.
Londonderry-based Martin Property Group is to open a new UK Living division in Manchester with the former national head of build to rent at Lambert Smith Hampton at the helm.
The group will establish the new division to focus specifically on investment and development opportunities in Manchester’s BtR sector, under the guidance of Ian Scott as managing director.
Mr Scott, who leaves his role at LSH after nine years, said: "In many ways the new Living division is essentially a start-up, but with the financial backing and resource of the highly regarded team at Martin Property Group.
"Our focus will be on creating partnerships with institutional capital, identifying new opportunities, and delivering schemes which we will operate in the long-term."
Cheshire-based chartered accountants Morris & Co has announced two promotions within its senior team.
Colin Fowler and Martin Lanceley, both previously senior associates, have been promoted to client services directors.
Executive director Desirie Lea said: "Colin and Martin really deserve their promotions, they have both given many years of dedicated service to the firm and our clients."
The promotions come 12 months after Morris & Co joined forces with Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester-based DJH Mitten Clarke.