This week’s North West appointments

Ian Mylrea and Patricia Banno-Thornton, Irwin Mitchell

Law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed two new associates in the team at its Manchester office.

Ian Mylrea, who has joined Irwin Mitchell’s pensions team from Clyde & Co, has experience in offering pensions law advice, as well as support with corporate M&A and restructuring exercises, funding negotiations and pensions litigation. In his previous roles, Ian built his expertise by working with executive, international and overseas pension schemes.

The company has also taken on Patricia Banno-Thornton as an associate in the real estate team. Joining from DLA Piper’s Manchester office, Patricia has experience in non-contentious real estate matters such as acquisitions and disposals, investment property and property management.

The head of business legal services at the Manchester office of Irwin Mitchell, Roy Beckett, said: “These two appointments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to expanding our business division and ensuring that we provide a first-class service to all of our clients.

“We are delighted that both Ian and Patricia have chosen to join us at this exciting time for the firm and we look forward to building on this investment with additional recruitment within Manchester in the coming months.”

Irwin Mitchell is currently involved in the major scheme, headed by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, to create a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the centre of Manchester.

L-R: Tim Dennis, Samantha Smith, Sharron Coleing and Belinda Price

Tim Dennis and Sharron Coleing, Linder Myers Solicitors

Chester-based Linder Myers Solicitors has strengthened its medical negligence team by promoting Tim Dennis to the position of associate and taking on a new nurse.

Sharron Coleing has joined the company from the Countess of Chester Hospital, where she helped establish a project to carry out retrospective reviews of people’s healthcare needs. Her previous experience includes work in moderate and end-stage dementia, as well as support for ex-armed forces personnel affected by PTSD.

Commenting on her new role, Sharron said: “Having worked in healthcare for 17 years I enjoy caring for people and helping them through difficult times in their lives.

“Sadly, there are incidents when patients are let down by a medical professional and I’m looking forward to helping those who find themselves in these difficult circumstances.”

Linder Myers Solicitors’ head of medical negligence, Trevor Ward, said: “We have a strong team of specialists in Chester led by Tim Dennis who has recently secured £5m for a client and whose promotion recognises his growing expertise in this complex field.

“Sharron brings strong skills in investigation techniques and will be supporting the team with our increasing number of enquiries providing invaluable medical insights from her nursing background.”

Andrew Cowking, PM+M

PM+M, the Blackburn-headquartered accountancy and business advisory firm, has shored up its Run My Business team by appointing Andrew Cowking as its newest partner.

Andrew previously worked at the Manchester office of accountants Baker Tilly. In his new role at PM+M, he will advise SMEs in various sectors on accounting and taxation matters.

Discussing his appointment, Andrew said: “I’m really excited about joining the firm as I feel that it is the right fit for my clients and my own way of working.

“The firm also boasts a high level of expertise and a culture that is firmly focussed on delivering a first class service.”

Run My Business head Jackie Fisher called Andrew a “great addition” to the team.

She added: “The last 12 months have seen Run My Business grow month on month so I’m sure he will help to further expand our client base across the North West and beyond.”

Zoe Wallace, Agent Academy Community Interest Company

Agent Academy Community Interest Company (CIC), a sister organisation of Liverpool-based Agent Marketing, has taken on an additional team member.

Zoe Wallace, the new head of Agent Academy CIC, previously worked as telecoms firm O2’s North West regional training and development manager.

Paul Corcoran, managing director at Agent Marketing, said: “We’re delighted to have found the right leader for Agent Academy CIC.

“It’s a really exciting time for our social enterprise: after two extremely successful programmes, we are now about to launch programme three.”

He continued: “Zoe already has some big ideas for Agent Academy CIC, and is currently in the process of putting the finishing touches to the upcoming programme, which is due to start at the end of this month. We know that it’s going to be outstanding.”

Agent Academy CIC aims to tackle youth unemployment by offering a free 12-week programme through which participants can gain hands-on marketing experience.

Zoe said of her appointment: “The second I heard about this role, I knew that it was perfect for me. It provides me with the opportunity to work with young people and support them to fulfil their potential.

“It’s going to be challenging, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Zoe added: “Agent Academy CIC has so much potential, as it’s so important to connect local businesses to the marketing talent of the future. I am keen to empower the young people of Liverpool, opening up new dimensions to the programme and pushing it in interesting new directions.”

Matt Gardner, EC Harris

Built asset consultancy firm EC Harris has appointed Matt Gardner as a partner at its office in Manchester.

In his new role, Matt will oversee the promotion and delivery of environmental consultancy services provided in the North West by ARCADIS, the global design and consultancy company for natural and built assets, of which it is a part.

Commenting on his new role with EC Harris, Matt said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining a company that has some of the most diverse capabilities in the industry.

“Operating in the environmental field, it is essential that we can bring together the many disciplines needed to deliver a tailored solution for our clients.”

He added: “Whether that’s clearing up land for development, implementing new technologies, creating new facilities, or meeting increasingly complex legislative and planning requirements, it’s a real benefit to be in a position where we can respond to a client’s needs at any stage in the project lifecycle.”

A hydrogeologist with close to 20 years of experience in contaminated land management and ground engineering, Matt has previously specialised in the regeneration of brownfield land, with expertise gained from roles at companies such as professional services firm Capita and engineering company Parson Brinckerhoff.

Allan Hemphill, the managing partner at EC Harris’ Manchester office, commented: “Matt is a key strategic appointment and signals our intent to expand our services within all sectors, both nationally and regionally.

“Matt’s experience of working for local and international clients in both private and public sector markets gives him a valuable and pragmatic perspective when considering property development opportunities.”

Harry Jones, NorthEdge Capital

Private equity firm NorthEdge Capital has boosted its Manchester team by appointing Harry Jones to the position of investment executive.

Harry, who previously worked as a chartered accountant in the Corporate Finance M&A Advisory team of professional services company Deloitte, will work on NorthEdge Capital’s investment opportunities across the North West.

Harry said: “NorthEdge is one of the best-known and most prolific private equity houses in the North of England, with a strong and distinctive brand.

“I have worked closely with NorthEdge in the past and have seen the difference it is able to make through its collaborative and passionate approach to investing in exceptional businesses.”

He added: “I look forward to working with the team and building the business across the North.”

Over the last two and a half years, NorthEdge has made more than £140m of investments into businesses in the North.

Grant Berry, NorthEdge Capital’s managing partner, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Harry to the NorthEdge team at such an exciting time for the firm.

“Harry brings with him some excellent skills and experience and has already worked on some of the region’s most high profile deals.”

Grant added: “It is a particularly strong time for NorthEdge as we expect to complete a number of investments over the next few years, continuing to help companies across the North achieve their ambitions.”

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