This week’s North West appointments

Karen Johnson, Barclays

Barclays has expanded its North West corporate banking team with a new head of large corporate banking.

Karen Johnson has been hired to lead the team of relationship directors responsible for clients with turnovers in excess of £50m.

Commenting on her new position, Karen said: “I am delighted to have joined the Barclays North West corporate banking team – at a time of great opportunity to build on our market leading position.

“I have worked in the corporate marketplace for many years and I am keen to utilise my skills and experience to support both existing and new clients.”

She added: “My primary objectives are to ensure we continue to serve our clients well and to develop Barclays’ competitive position by embracing and converting commercial opportunities.”

Karen has more than 25 years’ experience in various roles for the Royal Bank of Scotland in the North West.

Michael Hartig, Barclays’ North West MD, commented: “Karen’s appointment will bring an added dimension to our business across the region and greatly enhance our customer proposition. I look forward to working with her and welcome her to the team.”

Stephen Cowperthwaite, Bilfinger GVA (Liverpool)

Real estate firm Bilfinger GVA has promoted Stephen Cowperthwaite to the position of regional senior director at its office in Liverpool.

Stephen has assumed the role to allow Patrick Whitby, his predecessor, to lead on the firm’s expanding estate services contract with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

He said of his new position: “There are exciting times ahead for the Liverpool office and the wider Liverpool City Region.

“I am very much looking forward to guiding the team forward and further developing the profile of Bilfinger GVA.”

Stephen’s new role will see him leading the Liverpool team’s Northern offer. With more than 25 years of experience in the property market, and in particular the retail sector, Stephen has worked with companies such as high street retailers and major grocers.

Bilfinger GVA managing director Malcolm Whetstone said: “These changes will strengthen our business both with the NDA, a key national client, and also within the Merseyside region with Stephen taking on the role of office head.

“He is well-known locally and his proven leadership skills will enable further development and growth of the office.”

Jason Spencer and Karen Mann, Horwich Farrelly

Horwich Farrelly, an insurance industry law firm based in Manchester, has appointed two new partners, Karen Mann and Jason Spencer.

The pair bring more than 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry to the table, allowing Horwich Farrelly to continue to extend its services.

Karen Mann, who specialises in personal injury law, has joined the company from Manchester solicitors Greenwoods, where she headed up the Counter Fraud Group.

She commented: “Horwich Farrelly already has a well established reputation for its fraud work and I am looking forward to developing this from the London office.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to provide a strong base of expertise in the south for clients tackling a variety of fraud issues as well as enhancing the company’s credit hire services.”

Elsewhere, new partner Jason Spencer will be based at the company’s office in Manchester. He previously served as a partner at Liverpool claims handling business Parabis, and before that worked with Merseyside-based commercial law firm Hill Dickinson.

Commenting on his new role, Jason said: “Having built a strong reputation in the insurance industry I am excited at the opportunity to support Horwich Farrelly in its diversification and strategic growth in the non-motor area.”

Curtis Bennett, Springhill Care Home

Springhill Care Home in Accrington, Lancashire, has taken on a new general manager.

In his new role, registered mental health nurse Curtis Bennett will be responsible for the care home’s day-to-day running.

Curtis started his career as a cadet nurse and then spent the next 35 years owning and managing various care facilities.

He said: “I was attracted to the role at Springhill because of its reputation and its core values which put people first.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know our residents and their friends and families, while working with the team to make sure we maintain Springhill’s position as one of the leading homes in the North West.”

Curtis also holds the registered care home manager qualification.

Springhill Care Group’s managing director, Donna Briggs, said: “Curtis will use his knowledge and vast experience to ensure Springhill maintains its reputation for delivering the highest quality in care and specialist services.

“The quality of leadership he brings is essential as we progress our services across the board in care, nursing, dementia, rehabilitation and supported living.”

Phil Jones, Institute of Directors

The managing director of Brother UK, the Manchester-headquartered IT business, has been awarded fellowship status at the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Having been Brother UK’s MD since 2013, Phil originally joined the firm in 1995 as a fax machine salesman.

Phil said: “I’ve been a member of the IoD for many years and I’ve benefitted from its membership throughout my career.

“It plays a vital role in enabling business leaders to collaborate and share insight and experience, both nationally and across the North West, so it is a real privilege to receive this recognition.”

In 2014, Phil became the president of community foundation Forever Manchester.

The chair of IoD North West, Mike Perls, said: “Having been a long-standing champion of business, both regionally and nationally, Phil’s fellowship is richly deserved.

“Under his leadership, Brother has become a pillar of the North West business community, renowned for its commitment to employees.”

He added: “As a fellow, I am confident that Phil will continue to be an extremely influential voice for the region, and will help the North West nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Nikki Waud, Seddon

Construction and maintenance firm Seddon has chosen a new business development manager as it reopens its Flintshire offices.

In her new role with the firm, which has an office in Bolton, as well as Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, Nikki will be responsible for both the North West and North Wales.

Nikki commented: “Wales represents a key market for Seddon and we are already looking to talk to suppliers and subcontractors. We are also keen to bring Seddon’s training and development ethos to the area.

“The company delivers real value to the area it works in through its apprenticeships – something we are keen to explore with our social housing clients both new and existing.”

Nikki, who has more than 10 years’ experience in the industry, has joined Seddon from Bullock Construction where she worked for three years in a similar role.

The company’s managing director, Jonathan Seddon, said: “Nikki’s appointment is part of a big step for the company as we expand our operations into Wales.

“Nikki joins us at a very exciting time – 2015 has already seen us take on large contracts, purchase new offices in Birmingham and increase the number of frameworks we are listed on.”

Corina Boyle and Jessica Smith, Mi

Mi, the creative production studio based in Salford, has added two new professionals to its team.

Corina Boyle has joined the company as its newest senior creative account manager, while Jessica Smith has been taken on as Mi’s creative studio manager.

Corina previously worked at Manchester-based healthcare communications company Havas Lynx. Working for Mi, Corina will be responsible for relationship building and client management.

Meanwhile, Jessica has joined the company from the corporate team at PR firm Weber Shandwick, where she took charge of finance, property and education accounts.

Mi’s production editor, Adam Dickinson, said: “Due to new business wins, we are expanding our team and broadening skill-sets to meet the changing needs of clients and to ensure high standards are maintained.

“Our new recruits join a well-established team of experts here at Mi, and we’re pleased to continue attracting new talent to the business.”

Kate Deakin, Bilfinger GVA (Manchester)

Property consultancy Bilfinger GVA Manchester has added a new principle surveyor to its nine-strong independent healthcare team.

In her new role, Kate Deakin will be responsible for carrying out valuations of healthcare properties all over the country for clients such as charities, banks and private investors.

She commented: “I am excited to be joining Bilfinger GVA’s independent health team, with its excellent reputation and range of high-profile clients.

“My move to Bilfinger GVA was prompted by my ambition to build on the expertise that I already gained in the healthcare sector and joining the team offers the opportunity to specialise in the industry even further, as well as particular expertise in the medical and childcare sectors.”

With more than 10 years of experience in the field, Kate has previously provided valuation advice to large corporate institutions, high street lenders and individuals with a high net worth. Since 2010, she has specialised in solely trading properties.

The team’s director, Cirion Plant, said: “We are pleased to welcome Kate into the team. Her appointment strengthens our team’s offering, as she brings a wealth of industry knowledge and unrivalled experience.

“Over the past year, we have continued to invest in our Independent Health team to provide a full range of services throughout the North West.”

Neil Garton Jones, Paul Chambers, Sarah Clenshaw and Richard Hayward, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

The Manchester office of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, the professional services company, has made four new senior hires.

Neil Garton Jones has been appointed as an associate in the firm’s highways team and will work on growing the business across the North West and North Wales. Neil has joined from Wales-based Gwynedd Consultancy, where he worked on the £7.6m Tywyn Coastal Defence scheme project.

The highways team has also welcomed the addition of Paul Chambers as its new team leader. Paul has close to 30 years’ industry experience, with 13 spent as a chartered engineer. His new role will see him working to strengthen WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s business in the North West, as well as the Merseytravel framework.

Meanwhile, Sarah Clenshaw has been hired as an associate in the company’s sustainability and energy team. Joining from NIFES Consulting Group, Sarah will bring more than 20 years of experience in project managing and designing mechanical building services. In her new position with WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, Sarah will work on Energy Saving Opportunity Schemes (ESOS).

Elsewhere, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has appointed Richard Hayward as principal engineer of its development and infrastructure team. Richard, who studied civil engineering at the University of Salford, has more than 10 years of experience in the industry. Previously, he worked at Curtins Consulting Ltd.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Manchester-based location director, Mark Hurley, said: “These latest hires are part of an ongoing recruitment drive across the company which will help us grow the business in the North West and achieve our ambitions for both clients and teams.

“This is an exciting time for the region with many opportunities presented by the Northern Power House, HS3 and a burgeoning property market.”

He added: “Our extensive range of expertise puts us in a great position to seize the opportunities presented by a growing number of contracts in the North West and beyond.”

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff employs more than 590 people over its Oxford Road and Salford Quays sites.

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