This week's North West appointments

Stark Brooks

Recruitment firm Stark Brooks has taken on four consultants in Manchester to meet growing demand in its key markets.

They are focusing on recruiting for accountancy and finance posts in commerce and industry across the north west.

The new quartet are Matt Tate, aged 24, who has joined from The SF Group, graduate trainee Jack Hampson, 22, school leaver Adam Sweeney, 19, and Jessie Parkin, 20, who has joined on a one-year placement from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Gron Ffoulkes-Davies, chief executive of Stark Brooks, said the appointments follow a strong first-half of 2014 for the firm and demonstrate its confidence for the future.

He added: “As the economic recovery gathers pace, we are seeing increased activity in our core markets and we require additional staff to meet this growing demand.

“We are committed to nurturing young talent, and Adam is our first school-leaver recruit.

“We expect to add more staff during the remainder of the year in our Manchester and Leeds offices, in line with the rising demand we are experiencing.”

Weber Shandwick, Owen LaBeck

Weber Shandwick Manchester – one of the world’s leading global public relations firms – has bolstered its senior team, recruiting Owen LaBeck as creative director.

Owen will work across the agency’s client portfolio to help create engaging and inspiring content, extending Weber Shandwick’s focus on award-winning creative ideas.

Jo Leah, managing director and chair English regions & Wales, said: “Our industry is constantly changing. We are entering a new era where creativity is paramount and agencies must adopt a 360 approach to stay relevant. Brands want ideas that drive quality content and work across multiple touch-points.

“We want to build a team of the future that caters to these needs. Owen is here to pioneer new possibilities and to underline that creativity is a business priority for us – we’re delighted to have him on board.”

Citypress, Oonagh Spence

Citypress, the integrated communications consultancy, has appointed Oonagh Spence as account director within its consumer practice.

Spence, who will be based in the agency’s head office in Manchester, joins from Havas PR UK where she was responsible for creative campaigning on behalf of brands such Greggs and Pets at Home. Prior to Havas, Spence worked at Rain Communications with brands such as McArthurGlen, John Lewis and the New West End Company.

The appointment follows a sustained period of success for the agency, which, over the past six months has announced big name client-wins with the likes of Coca-Cola Enterprises, The Post Office and Pilkington UK, along with the launch of a new London office.

Headquartered in Manchester, Citypress is one of the UK’s largest consultancies based outside of London. Its 60-strong team operates from locations in Manchester, London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol.

Rhian Hawkins, Laura Brereton, Owen McKenna and Jack Stephenson

Harrison Drury, Rhian Hawkins, Laura Brereton and Jack Stephenson

North West commercial law firm Harrison Drury has recruited three new trainees as part of its latest intake of legal ‘apprentices’.

Rhian Hawkins, Laura Brereton and Jack Stephenson have secured training contracts with the firm and will become qualified solicitors after two years of working with its various legal departments.

Owen McKenna, a director at Harrison Drury, said: “Our training programme allows us to attract and develop some of the brightest legal minds in the region. This talent continually refreshes the firm and gives people the chance to take forward their career by working on a wide range of legal matters.

“We have offered training contracts in each of the last six years and this year’s intake of three trainees reflects our desire to continue growing the firm.”

IoD, Deborah Ascott-Jones, Richard Douglas and Karl Seed

The Institute of Directors (IoD) North West is expanding its team with the recent appointments of Deborah Ascott-Jones, Richard Douglas and Karl Seed.

Rachel Smith, regional director for the IoD North West, comments: “The IoD North West is celebrating a year of change. We have recently moved into new prime city centre premises in Manchester and we will also be appointing a new Regional Chair shortly.

“The expansion of our NW team demonstrates our commitment to assist the hands on development of regional businesses and economic growth.”

Lambert Smith Hampton, Colette Henshaw

Commercial property consultancy, Lambert Smith Hampton has appointed Colette Henshaw, as associate director, to its Rating division in the Manchester office.

Colette has joined from CBRE, London and brings a wealth of experience having worked with an extensive portfolio of corporate clients across office, industrial and retail including Lend Lease, M & G Real Estate, Prêt a Manger Ltd and HSBC.

Abid Jaffry, Head of Office in Manchester said: “We welcome Colette into our Rating team especially with the experience she brings from her impressive London client base.

“This appointment is part of an ongoing recruitment programme for Manchester and expansion strategy for LSH. Our new recruits are bringing experience, ideas and new opportunities - this is very positive for LSH and our clients.”

CBRE Manchester, Matthew Stott

The Manchester office of CBRE has appointed Matthew Stott as graduate surveyor within its Asset Services team.

With a degree in Urban Land Economics and an MSc in Real Estate Finance, Matthew worked in Dubai before his most recent position at The Mansion Group.

Matthew will be working with CBRE’s North West team on a number of high profile projects including Birchwood Park.