This week’s North West appointments - Part 1

Kate Salt and Lauren Derbyshire, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has appointed two new North West-based relationship managers to strengthen its support for the region’s healthcare sector.

In their new roles, Kate Salt and Lauren Derbyshire will work on building and managing the bank’s portfolio of healthcare customers, offering help with day-to-day support, funding and acquisitions.

The newcomers, both of whom have over 10 years of experience in the financial services and banking sectors, have joined from fund management firm FW Capital

Kate said of her appointment: “I am really looking forward to working in a team of sector specialists in what is an exciting and dynamic time for the healthcare industry.

“By working closely with our customers in the sector we can support their growth ambitions and enable them to respond to the opportunities that are out there.”

Kate and Lauren will work with Ken Garvie, the bank’s senior manager of healthcare and education in the North West.

Lauren commented: “Healthcare is a specialist industry that requires tailored support and advice, and we can offer a range of products and services to keep them in good health.

“We know that healthcare businesses have unique financial needs and we work hard to providing the specialist guidance they need, so they can get on with caring for the communities they serve.”

According to Ken, the appointments demonstrate Lloyds’ drive to support the region’s healthcare professionals.

He said: “It is great to be able to bolster our specialist team, which will only enhance our knowledge and support for this important sector.

“We understand the banking needs of healthcare businesses and our local managers provide business support and an accessible range of banking services and resources focused on their specific needs.”

Alex Belford, Rethink Group

Recruitment management firm Rethink Group has appointed a new regional head at its Manchester office.

The firm will now be led by Alex Belford, who has 16 years of industry experience and worked for over a decade at IT sales recruitment company Howard Jackson.

Commenting on his appointment, Alex said: “I really cannot wait to get started and grow Rethink as we head into a new year.

“I’m passionate about Manchester and the people within it so growing this office is going to be a real joy.”

Alex was selected for the role by the board at Rethink.

Speaking further, he said: “It was a really attractive proposition because there are so many opportunities for me to scale the business up and there’s the added appeal of coming to work for a business that has placed staff development as its number one priority.

“My role now is to find the right people. We’ll be creating lots of new jobs early in the New Year so I want to talk to prospective team members and get them in here to join this fantastic team.”

Elsewhere, Rethink’s Manchester-based team has welcomed a further seven new members of staff.

The firm’s chief operating officer, Andy Lord, commented: “We’ve enjoyed an incredible year at Rethink and I’m so happy to now have the right senior team in place ready to take our head office to the next level.

“Their priorities are to grow and retain our team and by ensuring we have those right people in place we can continue to perform for our clients.”

Nicola Beamish, Metronet (UK)

Metronet (UK), the Manchester-based internet service provider, has announced the appointment Nicola Beamish as its new finance director.

Nicola, who has held senior financial positions with both private equity-backed and public companies, has more than 20 years’ experience spanning private equity, management culture development, mergers and acquisitions, employee engagement and profit and cashflow improvement.

She commented: “I am delighted be part of the Metronet (UK) team, especially at such an exciting time for the business.

“I have spent a significant part of my career working in successful, customer focussed businesses and I look forward to continuing that with Metronet (UK), providing advanced connectivity solutions to our current and future customers.”

The firm’s CEO, Elliott Mueller, said he is “delighted” to welcome Nicola on board at a time when the business is experiencing rapid growth.

He said: “[Nicola] brings with her a wealth of experience and her strategic analytical skills will be instrumental in leading the company strategy into 2016 and beyond”.

Clive Wratten, CTI

Business travel provider CTI has appointed Clive Wratten as its new CEO.

Clive was hired by the Manchester-based company last June as commercial director and will now replace former CEO Ian White, who will become CTI’s value innovation partner.

CTI chairman Dick Porter said: “Clive has made a considerable positive impact on our company since he joined us earlier this year and is absolutely the right person to lead our company forward following Ian’s successful stewardship of CTI over many years.

“These changes are part of our long term strategic plan for CTI, and Clive’s role will be to lead CTI in its next phase of growth and evolution.”

Clive previously worked as the UK general manager for UAE-headquartered carrier Etihad Airways, where he delivered a new commercial strategy that saw the firm’s UK revenues increase by £185m.

He said of his appointment: “I look forward to working with CTI’s excellent team of employees to build on this success, and grow our business further.”

Tony Smith, M&Y Maintenance and Construction

M&Y Maintenance and Construction, the St Helens-based building services company, has appointed Tony Smith as commercial director.

Part of Tony’s new role will see him working to ensure the company maintains “controlled and managed” growth, with an understanding of the risks, as it looks to move into construction in 2016.

Discussing M&Y’s expansion plans, Tony said: “Although maintenance services are the solid foundation of the business and the backbone of the company, we have an ethos that we can do anything.

“We’re going in new and different directions and, although it’s a very competitive market out there, these are exciting times for M&Y.”

Tony, who is a quantity surveyor by trade, has a background in commercial management and has been involved with a range of construction projects, from social housing and urban regeneration to warehousing, retail units and office space.

He commented: “I have a wealth of expertise gained from working on projects costing a few hundred thousand pounds to others running into many millions of pounds.

Tony has forecast that by next year, M&Y will be constructing homes for private sale, affordable rent and shared ownership.

Gurmeet Jakhu, Knights

Chester-based professional services business Knights has added a new lawyer to its team.

Gurmeet Jakhu has over 15 years of experience in franchising litigation, in areas such as franchise agreements and franchise-related contractual documentation, termination rights, IP rights and dispute resolution.

He said of his appointment: “I’m looking forward to using my franchise expertise for the benefit of both regional and national clients.

“The litigation service is already extremely strong and with my background and experience I will be able to further expand Knights’ highly regarded franchising offering.”

David Beech, the CEO at Knights, said Gurmeet brings “a very niche area of expertise” to the business.

He said: “[The appointment] will really enhance our litigation offering and fits well with our strategic plans.

“Having lectured on behalf of the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the British Franchise Organisation I am confident he will be a very strong asset to Knights.”

Outside its Cheshire base, Knights also operates in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire, in addition to Oxfordshire and Greater Manchester following its acquisition of law firm Darbys Solicitors.

Chris Barry, Influential

PR firm Influential has appointed a senior business journalist as PR director at its office in Manchester.

Joining from news site The Business Desk.com, where he worked as managing editor of its North West, Midlands and Yorkshire regions, Chris Barry’s role at Influential will see him focusing on B2B PR campaigns.

The managing director at Influential, Sara Wilde-McKeown, said: “Chris is one of the most respected business journalists in the North of England whose market insight and work ethic are known to all who have encountered him. He is a genuine character with a tough but fair modus operandi.

“These qualities, along with his professional integrity have over many years earnt him in the position of being a trusted figure with civic and business leaders, able to secure exclusive after exclusive.”

She added: “He is deeply rooted in the business community, a son of Manchester and someone who can help us grow Influential.”

Chris launched The Business Desk.com’s North West edition in October 2008, before which he worked as the business editor at Manchester Evening News.

Influential’s Manchester team handles the national PR of two listed firms, drug developer Redx Pharma and construction company Morgan Sindall, in addition to regional briefs for law firm Shoosmiths, business advisors Grant Thornton and various other North West companies.

Chris said of his appointment: “After more than 20 years in journalism, it was a really big decision to move.

“I know I have found the right ‘home’ at Influential – I think its vision for growth, the calibre of its people, quality of clients and the fantastic results it delivers, set the agency apart. I’m very excited about this new chapter in my career.”

Fiacre O’Donnell, Encirc

Encirc, the Chester-based glass manufacturer, has appointed a new head of strategic development.

In his new role, Fiacre O’Donnell will join Encirc’s senior leadership team and drive the firm’s communication strategy. Additionally, he will assume responsibility for launching a new corporate social responsibility programme and putting together a 10-year roadmap to strengthen Encirc’s sustainability activity.

Fiacre, who previously worked as Encirc’s marketing manager, said of his new position: “I joined the company in 1998, and have been privileged to watch it evolve with the market and grow into the company it is today.

“Now we have a fantastic opportunity to build on Encirc’s current position to support customers to further boost the efficiency of their supply chain, while helping the business to become one of the most sustainable manufacturers in the industry.”

The managing director at Encirc, Adrian Curry, called Fiacre a “highly valued member” of the team.

Adrian commented: “[Fiacre has] played an integral role in developing our brand and raising the profile of our product offering with customers.

“He has produced incredible work for the business and, with this promotion, will help us further strengthen our place in the industry in the future.”

Matthew Wincott, Kai Ansari and Phoebe Benta, Equilibrium Asset Management

Equilibrium Asset Management has welcomed three new faces in its Wilmslow-based team.

Matthew Wincott and Kai Ansari have been hired as client managers, while Phoebe Benta has been appointed to the role of events coordinator.

Joining from from Risk & Reward consulting, Matthew has nine years of financial management experience, while Kai has two years’ experience in funds and investment and previously worked for threesixty services LLP, the Cheadle-based financial and business consultancy.

Phoebe, who has worked on events such as the Tour de France Grand Depart, is joining Equilibrium from Cheshire hotel and events space Mottram Hall.

Equilibrium’s managing partner, Colin Lawson, said: “Quality, motivated staff that love working with clients and have a passion for our business are our absolute asset and we always seek out these exceptional individuals when recruiting.

“Matthew, Kai and Phoebe are bright, switched on people with a fantastic knowledge of their specialist areas. They will complement our current team while benefitting from guidance from our team of experts.

He added: “I am thrilled to be welcoming them to the business and wish them all the best in their new roles.”

Equilibrium currently works with 790 clients to oversee more than £478m worth of assets.

Speaking further, Colin said: “Moving forwards we are always keen to hear from individuals looking for a career in finance and wealth management and will be continuing our recruitment drive in 2016.”