This week's North West appointments

Scott Nolan, Asons Solicitors

Bolton-based Asons Solicitors has appointed Scott Nolan as its new internal auditor. The law firm, which specialises in industrial disease, personal injury and medical negligence claims, has taken Scott on board to evaluate the firm’s operational processes and suggest measures to improve efficiency.

The first of four new recruits being announced by Asons, Scott’s appointment coincides with the start of construction on the firm’s new Clarence Street HQ.

Scott has joined Asons from Clitheroe-based logistics and transport law company Backhouse Jones. He commented: “I am delighted and excited to be selected to accommodate this new position within a firm that shares my ambition.”

David Hamilton and Tracy Barton, Well

Manchester-based pharmacy chain Well has appointed David Hamilton to the position of commercial director and welcomed Tracy Barton as its HR director.

David, who has experience with UK healthcare firms such as Bupa Home Healthcare and Medco Health Solutions, has been brought in to create a compelling customer proposition.

Tracy, meanwhile, is joining the company from Asda, where she worked as the supermarket chain’s senior director of organisational effectiveness. At Well, she will support the firm in its HR function as it separates from The Co-operative Group.

John Nuttall, Well’s CEO, said: “The appointments underline our focus on providing a proposition that responds to our customers’ healthcare needs and our aspirations to grow our business in new markets within the sector.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tracy to Well. Tracy has brought a wealth of expertise at a key time - launching our new brand; she is a great addition to the leadership team.”

John added: “David brings valuable knowledge and experience to the business and I am delighted that we are able to invest in strengthening our leadership team.”

Nick Twigg, Colliers International

Real estate advisory firm Colliers International has welcomed Nick Twigg as its new head of building consultancy for the North.

Nick Twigg, who joins the company from Bilfinger GVA, has worked in building surveying for 17 years. His new role will see him working across various northern cities, including Liverpool and Manchester.

Commenting on the appointment, Nick said: “As productivity and interconnection between our northern cities continues to be high on the government agenda, it is an exciting time to be working in commercial property in the North of England.

“I look forward to working with the team across the North, bringing together our collective expertise to benefit both existing clients whilst further growing Colliers’ client base across all major Northern cities.”

Robin Jones, CBRE

Robin Jones has been appointed as the new assistant planner at the Manchester office of commercial real estate services firm CBRE.

In his new role at CBRE, Robin will assist the team, which will have doubled in size by the end of 2015, as it delivers various schemes for public and private-sector clients.

Jenny Jones, Acumen Financial Partnership

Acumen Financial Partnership, which has offices in Liverpool and West Lancashire, has appointed a new financial adviser.

Jenny Jones has 30 years of experience in the financial services sector, starting her career at Liverpool’s Royal Life Insurance before moving on to Griffiths & Armour, where she gained her financial planning diploma.

Acumen Financial Partnership’s MD, Angela Maher, said: “We are thrilled to have Jenny on board as we enter the next phase of the company’s growth. Her vast experience and knowledge of most areas of financial planning, including retirement and investments, will benefit the team and our clients.

“We are committed to giving our clients a first-class service with tailored financial advice.”

Commenting on her new role, Jenny said: “I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity and look forward to building long-standing relationships with clients across the North West.

“My goals are to continue to offer the best possible service to clients and to further develop my advisory skills as part of a successful and growing team of Acumen colleagues.”

Kieran Lees, Lombard Risk

Lombard Risk has welcomed Kieran Lees on board as its new global sales and marketing director. In his new position at the company, Kieran will oversee and expand Lombard Risk’s global sales activities.

With more than 25 years’ experience in services and technology leadership positions, Kieran has worked for Computacenter, NCR and Oracle, as well as smaller companies.

Kieran said: “The need for control and structure in financial services continues to be a high agenda item for all business leaders, especially those in the banking sector.

“Lombard Risk has a suite of world-class and market-leading products together with a highly referenceable and loyal customer base. The opportunity to drive the growth of the business and expand the company’s presence worldwide is one that I am very excited about leading.”

Lombard Risk’s executive chairman, Philip Crawford, commented: “I am pleased to welcome Kieran to the company. He is a recognised leader with a strong track record of success in the IT industry and experience at transforming and leading international businesses across Europe.

“His proficiency lies at designing and implementing innovative operational and commercial strategies to encourage growth, drive up revenue and improve delivery, whilst introducing root and branch change across organisations.”

Alan Lomas (pictured), Dawn Dickenson and Luke Thornton, Procure Plus

Social housing regeneration consortium Procure Plus, which is based in Trafford, has taken on Alan Lomas, Dawn Dickenson and Luke Thornton to boost its growth plans.

Alan, joining from the Manufacturing Institute, will lead Procure Plus’ internal finance service. Dawn, meanwhile, has more than 30 years of experience in finance and will analyse the firm’s operating and budgeting activity.

Elsewhere, Luke’s new position will see him drawing on his experience in liaising with customers and suppliers, as well as supporting Procure Plus’ finance team.

Mike Brogan, the firm’s chief executive, said: “During the past 18 months there has been a significant growth in business from our customers and in the number of people working to support our regional regeneration aims.

“The appointment of these three passionate and experienced candidates will help us to not only continue to provide our customers with the highest standard of services, but also to deliver added value across the North West.”

Four new hires, PRWD

Manchester-based conversion rate optimisation firm PRWD has welcomed four new hires to support its growing client base, which includes comparison website MoneySuperMarket and furniture retailer Harveys.

Chris McCormick is the firm’s new optimisation strategist and joins from a management role at online retailer Shop Direct. Chris Todd, meanwhile, has joined PRWD as its new optimisation executive and previously worked at sports retail company Kitbag.

Additionally, Phil Williams is PRWD’s new UX designer and brings 10 years of design experience to the company. Another new recruit, Lisa Patel, has come on board as the firm’s new front end developer. She previously worked at digital marketing firm Amaze.

PRWD’s founder, Paul Rouke, said; “We’ve taken the time to find a truly talented group of individuals to strengthen our team. Chris McCormick in particular brings priceless experiences from Shop Direct, who are regarded as an industry leader amongst UK businesses that are growing through conversion optimisation.

“With our new team members we have the skills and expertise to provide clients with a full service optimisation offering.

Paul added: “We can now deliver everything from conversion optimisation strategy, in-depth lab based consumer research, data analysis and creative design ideas, right through to the tests being implemented by our in-house team with no tech resources required from our clients.”

Kevin Burke, Preston’s College

Preston’s College has appointed Kevin Burke as its new head of iSTEM. The position will see him managing the delivery of the college’s new ‘real work skills’ curriculum.

Kevin Burke has 34 years’ experience working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) positions and has joined the college from the organisation STEMNET.

Commenting on his new role, Kevin said: “I was instantly attracted to the college’s vision of educating young people in such a different way. Lots of education providers are building STEM Centres, but Preston’s College flipped the system on its head.

“People are far more interested in STEM than a decade ago and my number one goal is to drive Preston’s College forward to becoming the leading provider of STEM education in the north of England within the next three years.”

The college’s new £13m iSTEM Centre is set to open next month.

The principal of Preston’s College, Dr Lis Smith, said: “Kevin’s STEM achievements, particularly in engineering, are exemplary and his passion for these skilled subjects and their application in the classroom and workplace shone through.

“Welcoming Kevin on board is a major coup for Preston’s College showing our determination to have both the best facilities and industry-experienced staff and will further transform our vision of delivering the most employable learners in Lancashire.”

James Harper, Jacob Bolton and Liam Lewis, Agent Marketing

Agent Marketing, based in Liverpool, has announced the appointment of three new team members.

James Harper, who has joined Agent Marketing from the charity Marie Curie as a videographer, will work on developing the firm’s digital media and audio-visual offering.

Jacob Bolton, a graduate of the University of Liverpool, has been welcomed as the firm’s new public relations executive, a role that will see him enhancing Agent’s copywriting and communications.

Additionally, Liam Lewis is the company’s newest apprentice and has taken on the role of project support officer.

They will work at Agent’s offices in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool, as well as London’s Hoxton.

The MD of Agent Marketing, Paul Corcoran, said: “This year has already proved to be a very exciting time for our agency and the appointments of James, Jacob and Liam will enhance Agent’s output across our three departments – strategy, creative and communications.

“These appointments reflect the continued growth of our agency and will equip Agent’s arsenal of skills with new ways of thinking and new ways of delivering through the introduction of fresh talent.”

He added: “As a growing business, James, Jacob and Liam will each play a key role in our expansion across the rest of the UK and enable the agency to super-service our growing client base.”

Matt Heaney, Carfinance247

Online motor finance specialist Carfinance247 has appointed Matt Heaney as its head of sales strategy.

Matt has more than 15 years’ experience in the automotive financial sector. Joining from car finance firm Zuto, he will oversee Carfinance247’s sales strategy and work on improving efficiency.

The firm’s MD, Reg Rix, said: “Matt is a key appointment for us. We wanted an industry expert to drive forward our sales strategy and build upon the remarkable success we’ve seen; his skills are perfectly matched for this demanding role.

“Having worked in motor finance since he was 16, Matt brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Reg added: “Personally, he is articulate, professional and very analytically minded, which will add an extra dimension to our existing management team, helping to continue our fast-paced growth and push us on to the next level.”

Commenting on his new role at Carfinance247, Matt said: “I’m really excited to join the team at such a fantastic time, when the company is breaking all records and going from strength-to-strength.

“I come from an environment that was used to high levels of growth in a short period of time, so I hope to utilise that experience to accelerate the tremendous expansion that Carfinance247 has enjoyed recently.

Matt continued: “I’ll be helping to deliver the organisation’s overall sales strategy by streamlining internal and customer-focussed processes and systems.”

Neil Brailsford, Branded Hotel Management

Hotel operator Branded Hotel Management, which is behind the upcoming Pullman venue in Liverpool, has recruited a general manager for the business.

In his new role, Neil Brailsford will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the hotel when it opens in January 2016. The 216-bedroom site will be part of the new Exhibition Centre Liverpool, which is due to open next month on the city’s waterfront.

Neil, who already has decades of experience in the industry, said: “I am delighted to be involved in such an exciting project and look forward to both working and living in Liverpool. The completed hotel will be superb and my focus is to ensure the service we offer our guests is also of the highest quality.”

One of Neil’s key responsibilities will be recruiting the rest of the team for the new Pullman hotel, which is the second to open in the UK and the first to be newly built.

The group operations director of Branded Hotel Management, Garin Davies, commented: “The Pullman Hotel will bring a new level of contemporary design and service to the Liverpool hotel scene and Neil’s wealth of experience is ideal for this type of project, we welcome him to Liverpool.”