This week’s North West appointments

Dean Curtis, Mitchell Charlesworth

Mitchell Charlesworth, the accountancy firm with offices across the North West, has taken steps to strengthen its corporate finance division, MC Vanguard Corporate Finance, with the appointment of a new executive.

Dean Curtis has held a number of assurance and business advisory roles with professional services firms, including a corporate finance company based in Manchester.

As a corporate finance executive with Mitchell Charlesworth, Dean will work on management buy outs and buy ins, acquisitions and mergers and valuations, in addition to raising finance.

Dean said of his appointment: “I’m delighted to have joined MC Vanguard during a period of significant growth for the team.

“2015 has seen more confidence in the Corporate Finance market and we expect more interest in 2016 and we will be able to add value by advising our clients and introducing them to our contacts.”

He added: “MC Vanguard has built a strong regional reputation and the team has significant experience and I am sure I will learn a lot from them as well from the variety of deals I will be working on.”

Brian McCann, a partner at MC Vanguard, said Dean has been appointed during a period of growth for the division.

He continued: “We are very pleased to welcome Dean into the team. From the outset he has shown the attributes and experience to help continue the growth of our division.

“Adding Dean to our already experienced team means we can continue to offer a first class service.”

Dean graduated with a degree in Accounting and Law from the University of Manchester in 2005 and is also a chartered certified accountant.

Jonathan Cooke, Davenham Asset Finance

Manchester-based Davenham Asset Finance is aiming to grow its national reach with the latest appointment in its business development team.

Jonathan (Jonty) Cooke, who has a number of years’ experience in asset finance and sales environments, will work on managing broker enquiries.

He said: “I am incredibly proud to have become a member of such a dedicated business development team at Davenham, focussing on the South West and South Wales area to help expand their ever-growing national coverage.”

Commenting on the appointment, Davenham Asset Finance’s head of sales, Paul Lovelock, said Jonty brings great experience during a crucial period of growth.

He continued: “[Jonty] has already proved an invaluable member of the team. His modern approach complements our traditional values and as a result, we have seen more enquiries through our digital platforms.”

Jonathan Wright and Sandy Ratcliffe, Matthews & Goodman

The Liverpool-based valuation team of commercial property advisors Matthews & Goodman has grown with the appointment of Jonathan Wright and Sandy Ratcliffe.

Joining from property firm Venmores, Jonathan’s appointment marks a return to Matthews & Goodman, where he worked between 1989 and 2002. He has over 30 years’ experience in the property sector, with previous roles prior to Venmores including a position in the property services department of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Sandy, meanwhile, has been hired on Matthews & Goodman’s graduate training programme. As a recent graduate of the University of Reading, where he obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Real Estate, the two-year programme will see Sandy rotating between Matthews & Goodman’s eight service lines. He is currently working towards his APC qualification.

The head of the firm’s Liverpool office, partner Chris Weights, said: “The appointments of Jonathan and Sandy follow a period of growth for Matthews & Goodman’s valuation service line and will significantly enhance our capabilities, not just in the north but on a national basis.

“We are delighted to have them both on board.”

Angela Moores, SAS Daniels

North West law firm SAS Daniels LLP has expanded its geographical reach with the appointment of a new partner, Angela Moores, to its family law team.

Angela, who has gained more than 25 years’ experience in family law by running her own legal practice and working for a number of North West firms, specialises in handling all aspects of divorce, separation, civil partnerships, cohabitation and children.

Upon joining SAS Daniels’ Stockport office, Angela brought with her an existing client base from her home town Saddleworth, near Oldham.

She commented: “I am delighted to join SAS Daniels, a firm I chose because of the high levels of service it offers clients who are experiencing divorce or other stressful family issues.

“Family matters can be complex and upsetting so our clients need support from someone who is able to empathise but can also offer clear advice.”

Angela continued: “I bring a wealth of experience to SAS Daniels and a proven expertise in complex high value cases, many of which include business assets.

“I look forward to helping SAS Daniels build on its reputation for excellence in family law.”

Angela is accredited as a specialist lawyer in financial settlement stage II with Resolution, a family lawyer association.

Senior partner Jonathan Whittaker said: “Angela is extremely well regarded as a family law practitioner and we are delighted that someone with her level of experience and reputation for high standards is joining our team.

“We are no ordinary law firm and Angela shares our values of delivering outstanding client service with a straightforward approach that will deliver the best possible outcome for our clients.”

Pictured: Craig Booton (left) with Nick Wightman

Nick Wightman, Redsun Developments

Redsun Developments, a Liverpool-based land acquisition and construction firm, has hired Nick Wightman as its new director.

Nick, who has been part of Redsun’s core development team for the past four years, has been appointed to the firm’s board following a busy 12 months.

Redsun has more than 230,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace currently under construction over 14 acres of land, with three live development sites spread across Merseyside.

Managing director Craig Booton said: “These are exciting times for the company. Nick will continue to play a big part in moving Redsun into its next phase of growth.

“2015 has been a very busy year for us and we have a number of major developments planned for 2016 which we hope to announce before the year end.”

In October, the firmcompleted phase one of its innovate:speke development at Venture Point business park in Speke, Liverpool.

Andrew Morton, Kennedys

Law firm Kennedys has strengthened its travel practice with a new appointment at its Manchester office.

Andrew Morton, who was previously the head of travel at Pannone LLP and Minster Law, has been hired as a senior associate to lead Kennedys’ travel business across the North.

In his new position, he will work alongside Claire Mulligan, Justin Collins and a 20-strong travel and tourism team operating from London, all of whom joined Kennedys earlier this year from legal practice Plexus.

Andrew has 25 years of personal injury and insurance litigation experience, 10 of which were spent running the travel team at law firm Pannone.

He said: “I am excited to be joining Kennedys. The firm has an outstanding reputation and a first-class travel practice, with impressive growth in recent years.

“I’m excited to be helping establish the North West branch of the travel team and working with Claire and her team.”

The head of Kennedys’ travel practice, Claire Mulligan, said she is delighted to welcome Andrew into his new role.

She commented: “With Andrew and Kennedys there were immediate synergies in terms of our clients and market focus.

“His experience will be of immense benefit to the firm and our clients, and I’m looking forward to working with him to further grow the practice in the north and across the UK.”

Michael Flemming, Nisyst

Nisyst, an electronic point of sale (EPoS) company, has appointed Michael Flemming to the role of software trainer.

Michael will use his 15 years’ experience with EPoS technology to deliver training sessions at Nisyst’s Bolton HQ, as well as on-site with the company’s customers in the charity sector.

Joining from department store Beales, where he worked as operations manager, Michael’s new position will also see him providing customer support and technical guidance.

Michael said: “Nisyst’s system for charities is innovative and purpose-built for customers and my aim is to make sure staff and volunteers feel confident and motivated to use the system.

“Collaboration with clients is at the heart of everything at Nisyst, so to join such a customer-dedicated firm is fantastic. I’m looking forward to be working closely with charities and our in-house development teams to bring new ideas to the table.”

The appointment follows a series of promotions at Nisyst. Lee Armstrong is the firm’s new project manager, while Daniel Ruddock has been made account manager.

Nisyst’s managing director, Bob Chunilal, commented: “We recognise the importance of adding value at every stage and we hired Michael to act as a single point of contact for the training needs of our customers and help to improve overall user experience.”

Cyril Chitolie, James Briggs Ltd

Chemicals and aerosol manufacturer James Briggs Ltd has taken on Cyril Chitolie as its new head of market development.

Cyril has joined the Oldham-headquartered company from automotive refinishing product manufacturer U-Pol, where he worked as business development manager.

Working in the newly created position, Cyril will take responsibility for researching and developing business in new geographies and product markets.

James Briggs’ CEO, Tim Pugh, said: “We have an ambitious strategy of organic and acquisitive growth over the next few years, and bringing on a business development specialist of this calibre was a key part of our plans.

“Cyril’s pedigree is second to none, and I expect his experience and expertise in the sector to be a real asset to us.”

He continued: “Our own brand products are going from strength to strength and have the potential to have a pan-European presence.

“With Cyril on board, I’m certain we’ll achieve this goal in the near future.”

Earlier this year, the firm acquired the brand assets of Premiere Products, a janitorial company based in Cheltenham, and secured a UK-wide distribution deal with DIY chain B&Q.