This week’s North West appointments

Mike Hardaker and Lisa Pennington, Moore and Smalley

Two accountants at Moore and Smalley, the North West accountancy and business advisory firm, have achieved senior promotions.

Director Mike Hardaker has been promoted to partner, while Lisa Pennington, a senior tax manager at Moore and Smalley, has become director.

Mike, who has been with the firm since 1997 when he was hired as an accounts trainee, will now play a more active role in driving growth and looking after the future of Moore and Smalley

Lisa was hired in 2005 as a personal tax consultant and now leads the the business’ healthcare services team.

As director, Lisa will assume responsibility for the learning and development of the firm’s Blackpool and Nottingham-based healthcare services teams.

Moore and Smalley MD Graham Gordon said of the promotions: “Mike and Lisa are real specialists in their fields and have many years’ experience of helping our clients.

“They’ve built a strong fan base and provide an indispensable service to our clients, so the promotions are well deserved.”

Steve Armitage, UD Group

Energy sector software firm UD Group has appointed Steve Armitage to the role of managing director.

In his new role, Steve will head up the Manchester firm’s commercial and organisational development.

UD Group founder and sales director Paul Hodnett said: “We’ve seen rapid growth as a business over the past 18 months, securing contracts with the energy market’s major players.

“That growth has expanded our reach internationally and, having experienced both competitive wholesale and retail energy markets in the UK, Europe and US, we feel the addition of Steve’s knowledge is the perfect way to support the Group’s continued success.”

Steve has more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector. He founded renewable energy buying company SmartestEnergy in 2001 and grew the enterprise before leaving five years ago to join business energy supplier Gazprom Energy, where he focussed on pan-European commercial strategies.

Steve commented: “The growth of UD Group since forming as a technology start up in 2009 has been hugely impressive and is one of the many reasons I was attracted to the role.

“Our software is now recognised as market leading and we’re seeing demand for it with the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers and further afield internationally.”

He added: “My focus will be to make sure we have the structure in place to serve further expansion, allowing our developers and sales teams to continue to fuel the fantastic growth we’ve had to date.”

Bradley Angel, Knight Frank

Property agent Knight Frank has appointed a new graduate building surveyor to its project and building consultancy team.

Bradley Angel, who landed a First in his building surveying degree at Liverpool John Moores University, has joined the company’s Manchester office.

As a graduate building surveyor, Bradley will work with clients across the North West, on instructions such as workplace consultancy and contract administration, or pre-acquisition and dilapidations surveys.

As part of the project and building consultancy team, which is led by Knight Frank partner Simon Matley, Bradley will now work to achieve RICS chartered status by obtaining his APC (Assessment of Professional Competence).

Simon commented: “Bradley is the second graduate to join our team within the last 12 months and will benefit from our structured training and development programme.

“With a first-class degree, Bradley has the skills to help us grow the team through more instructions and further enhancing the service we provide to our expanding client base.”

Pictured: Tricia Lonorgan

10 appointments, Hillyer McKeown

North West law firm Hillyer McKeown has embarked on a major expansion of its residential property team, with 10 people set to join the department before the end of the year.

Tricia Lonorgan, the firm’s new head of operations in residential conveyancing, has over 25 years of experience in the sector and plans to recruit further in Q1 2016.

Steve Harvey, the managing partner at Hillyer McKeown, said: “The expansion of our residential property department is part of the overall growth strategy of Hillyer McKeown.

“We are in the middle of a major programme of investment which has seen new offices opening in Chester and Liverpool together with a recruitment drive to bring on board talented, ambitious people who are committed to delivering unrivalled client service.”

He continued: “Our residential property department is growing rapidly and we are keen to hear from solicitors, paralegals, conveyancing executives and legal assistants interested in joining our team.

“Tricia has a proven track record of building successful residential conveyancing departments. She believes in the importance of providing the best possible client experience achieved through putting in place rigorous processes and procedures.”

Hillyer McKeown has more than 80 employees working in offices across Liverpool, Wirral, Chester and Deeside.

Emma Greaves, Peter McConville and Max Meadows, Innov8

Innov8, a construction industry health and safety firm based in Merseyside, has announced a triple appointment following a surge in demand for its services.

Emma Greaves has been taken on in the role of office manager, while Peter McConville is Innov8’s new health and safety consultant and Max Meadows a safety advisor.

Managing director Alan Robson said he believes the trio will play an important role in helping Innov8 to drive grow. Last year, Innov8’s turnover rose from £440k to £700k, and the firm plans to pass the £1m mark next year.

Alan said: “Peter, Max and Emma will all perform crucial roles here at Innov8. Peter is an expert in his field and joins us as a Senior CDM Advisor.

“He previously held leading positions at Adonis Construction, ISG, Robinson Low Francis and AA Projects and will expand our CDM knowledge base.”

He added: “Peter has previously worked on projects spanning a wide range of sectors, including education, commercial, retail, private and social housing, with clients including Liverpool and Manchester Universities, Stoke College and Derwent Property Group.”

Speaking further, MD Alan said Emma and Max bring “energy, enthusiasm and dynamism” to Innov8.

Alan continued: “Max has moved across from Lucion Environmental to boost Innov8’s CDM support services.

“His background is in construction, asbestos management and health and safety and his responsibilities include carrying out pre-construction site visits before collating and distributing information.

“Emma joins us from Hill Dickinson LLP. She is the new office manager at our Birkenhead headquarters and benefits from attention to detail and the highest standards in customer service.”

Bromborough-based Innov8 was acquired by independent asbestos consultancy Lucion Environmental earlier this year.

Simon Turner, Lambert Smith Hampton

Property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has appointed Simon Turner to the position of director.

In his new role, Simon will work across LSH’s Manchester-based planning and development and public sector teams.

Simon commented: “I’m excited to have joined LSH. It’s one of the UK’s leading commercial property consultancies and I hope to be able to add to its already vast expertise.

“Now is a time of significant opportunity in the North West; the market is strong and this will only be helped by the government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse agenda.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Prior to his appointment with LSH, Simon worked for three years as a regional director at chartered surveyors Aspinall Verdi, leading the firm’s Manchester office.

LSH’s director of planning and development, Adam Mirley, said: “I have known Simon now for a number of years and he will be a great addition to our team.

“His track record and client base is exceptional and his appointment demonstrates LSH’s commitment to planning and development work in Manchester. We look forward to working with him and are delighted to have him as part of our team.”

Simon has more than 15 years of experience working on planning projects in both the public and private sectors.

The head of public sector in the North at LSH, Richard Platt, said: “In a time of austerity, our public sector clients are under increasing pressure to demonstrate they are getting the best value out of their assets.

“Simon’s considerable expertise in the sector will help LSH to continue offering the best possible consultancy services to these clients. We’re delighted to have him on board.”

Ruth Nelson, Puddle Ducks

Puddle Ducks, a North West firm that provides swimming lessons for babies and children, has appointed a new strategic brand and marketing manager.

Ruth Nelson’s new role will see her focusing her efforts on growing the Puddle Ducks brand nationally and enhancing the company’s offering.

She said: “I am delighted to join Puddle Ducks. This is a brand that you can really be passionate about.

“These are particularly exciting times; Puddle Ducks is now well established and ready for further growth not only of its customer base, but also in expanding its franchise network into new areas.”

After graduating from university, Ruth worked for 14 years at Manchester-based marketing agency Access where she helped clients in sectors such as tourism, retail, charity and government.

Tracy Townend, a co-founder of Puddle Ducks, commented: “We are delighted that Ruth has joined us. Since we set up the business we have achieved steady and consistent growth. We have a solid business and a fantastic team.

“Ruth’s appointment is very timely for Puddle Ducks, as we lead the company into the next phase of our development.”

She added: “Ruth understands the nature of our business and our culture and I am confident she will be an influential part of our future growth and success.”

Wayne Brophy, Lancaster University Management School

Wayne Brophy, the founder of recruitment firm Cast UK, has been appointed as Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS).

Wayne received the appointment from the Department of Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Innovation after winning the Business Growth Award following his success in the business school’s LEAD 2 Innovate programme.

As a LUMS ambassador, Wayne will work on driving the institute’s strategy to link teaching, research and knowledge exchange with the wider business community.

His new role will see him working with students to guide their business ideas.

Wayne said of his appointment: “It’s a privilege to be invited to work with, mentor and guide students at LUMS.

“As a recruitment specialist I am really passionate about nurturing the talent pipeline into industry so this is an excellent means of putting this into practice.”

Ian Gordon, an Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) and leader of the LEAD 2 Innovate programme, commented: “I was originally appointed with a brief to be a ‘cultural irritant’ – to question ways of working and challenge assumptions.

“We have a cohesive network of EiRs now in place, each with a proven track record in business, ensuring that LUMS continues to be globally competitive and well placed to develop business talent of tomorrow.”

Fiona Bousfield and Paul Davis, Equilibrium Asset Management

Cheshire-based Equilibrium Asset Management has welcomed two new faces to its marketing team.

The firm has appointed Fiona Bousfield as marketing communications executive and Paul Davis as graphic designer.

Fiona, who holds a BA in Politics and an MA in English, previously worked in the charity sector. She said of her appointment: “I am excited to work with a group of likeminded people who are all working with the same vision to make a positive difference to clients.”

Paul, meanwhile, has a BA in Graphic Communications and formerly worked at Staunton Rook Marketing. With Equilibrium, Paul will design the firm’s quarterly newsletter, Taking Stock, as well as Equinox, its half-yearly magazine. Further, Paul will be involved in website design and marketing mailers.

Colin Lawson, a managing partner at Equilibrium Asset Management, said: “We are delighted to welcome such talented additions to our expanding marketing team.

“Our growth over the last twenty years is without doubt a testament to the whole Equilibrium team generating brilliant results year-on-year for our clients.”

Equilibrium, which has offices in Chester, Knutsford and Wilmslow, oversees more than £484m in assets for 790 clients.

Laura Lewis and Richard Garside, Custard

SEO and content marketing agency Custard has boosted its manchester-based team with two new appointments.

Laura Lewis and Richard Garside have both taken on the roles of senior PR executives to support Custard’s clients in the events, energy and insurance sectors.

Formerly an account executive at PR and social media firm Tangerine, Laura has more than two years’ B2B experience.

Richard, who previously worked as a marketing manager at sports data firm Redwood International Sports, has experience spanning a mix of PR and marketing.

Custard’s managing director, Sam Allcock, said: “2015 has been a really exciting year for Custard. Thanks to MediaCity, Manchester has a great reputation for media and communications. After moving to the city centre and seeing our content marketing and digital PR enquiries increase, we knew it was time to expand our team.

“SEO is a changing market and, as an agency, we have to adapt to that. With Richard and Laura’s appointments, Custard is able to adapt services faster and provide clients with an online PR offering.”

Les Yates, Parcel2Go.com

Bolton-based delivery comparison firm Parcel2Go.com has appointed a new global head of marketing.

With over 10 years of marketing experience, Les will take responsibility for SEO, paid advertising and affiliate schemes, among other channels, on the company’s three main websites.

Les said: “This is an exciting challenge for me. My goal is to continue to shape and improve the current processes in place to help Parcel2Go.com to further cement its place as an industry leader.”

“Parcel2Go.com has been growing ever since its inception, thanks in part to its strong relationships with couriers and continued commitment to providing an excellent service to everyone from business users to private individuals.”

He added: “I am delighted to have taken on a role where I get to be part of the team moving forwards into a bright future.”

The role of global marketing head will also see Les coordinating Parcel2Go’s marketing team, working to ensure all efforts focus on the continued expansion of the firm’s customer base.

Trevor Hough, Neil Jones and Mike Nevitt , Bardsley Construction

Greater Manchester-based building firm Bardsley Construction has made three senior appointments in an effort to accommodate an increasing workload.

The firm, which also has an office in Leeds, has appointed Trevor Hough as its new operations director and Neil Jones and Mike Nevitt to the roles of development manager and senior design manager respectively.

Bardsley Construction’s procurement director, Ged Rooney, said: “These appointments at a senior level brings three highly valued and experienced operators to Bardsley as we enhance our staff resource to accommodate a growing project workload across both the private and public sectors.”

Trevor, whose career in the sector spans 35 years, has joined Bardsley after working in senior roles at property group Lend Lease and building firm BAM Construction. In his new role on the board of directors, he will secure projects across the education and commercial sectors in the £10m to £20m bracket.

Neil, meanwhile, has 15 years’ experience in development within the affordable housing sector. As development manager, he will work with authorities and social housing firm in the North West and Yorkshire to deliver new homes.

Mike has had roles in the construction sector for 24 years, joining Bardsley after working on major schemes for organisations across the North West and Midlands, including the University of Manchester and Christie’s Hospital.