This week’s North West appointments

Debra Cooper, Squire Patton Boggs

Legal services company Squire Patton Boggs has announced the appointment of Debra Cooper as its new financial services partner.

Joining the business’ expanding Financial Services Practice Group from the Manchester office of law firm Pinsent Masons, Debra has 10 years of sector experience with a focus on real estate finance.

The EMEA head of Squire Patton Boggs’ global Financial Services Practice Group, Andrew Knight, said: “Financial Services is an area of strategic investment for our firm and Debra is the latest in a number of senior appointments we’ve made across the UK during the course of the past 18 months, significantly strengthening our financial services offering.

“Debra is well-connected and has generated a broad base of instructions from the North and in London.”

He added: “Her experience also presents synergies with our Real Estate Practice, particularly since some of her work originates off-shore and has cross-border components.”

Claire Shepherd, The head of Squire Patton Boggs’ Manchester-based financial services team, said Debra is “highly regarded” by both the banks and the business community.

She continued: “The depth and breadth of Debra’s real estate finance expertise, as well as her experience in acquisition finance, complements that of our Northern team, our Financial Services Practice in the UK and globally.”

Graeme McFaull, Suttons Group

Suttons Group, the logistics and supply chain firm, has appointed Graeme McFaull as its new chairman following the death of former longstanding chairman Michael Sutton.

Graeme, a chartered accountant, previously worked as the chief executive of Wincanton Plc, the European logistics company.

Suttons Group CEO John Sutton said: “The group board is unanimously agreed that Graeme McFaull is an ideal candidate to chair Suttons at this exciting stage in the company’s history.

“Graeme’s leadership abilities, coupled with his significant board experience and knowledge of our dynamic industry will be invaluable to the ambitious, competitive, global group that Suttons has become.”

John continued: “[Graeme] understands the competitiveness of our industry and also has a strong empathy with our culture and commitment to serving our customers. We are delighted that he will be joining us.”

Commenting on his appointment, Graeme said he is “delighted and privileged” to be joining Suttons.

He said: “I fully endorse the group’s strategy of developing the number of services they provide to customers while maintaining and growing the world class bulk logistics network across the UK and overseas.

“I look forward to being part of the team that builds upon the strong position we hold in the market today.”

Graham Boulnois, Medicines Technologies Catapult

Graham Boulnois, an academic professor and life sciences businessman, has taken on the role of chairman of the Medicines Technologies Catapult at Alderley Park.

Graham is the founder and managing director of B-V Life Sciences Ltd, a company that provides consultancy support to healthcare firms.

He said: “With its outstanding, global reputation for medicines discovery, Alderley Park has the facilities and people to make the catapult a great success in the delivery of innovative technologies to enable the discovery of new, high quality medicines for the benefit of patients.

“I look forward to working with the Catapult team and our business and academic partners to build a vibrant organisation which will be recognised as the leading place to develop these new technologies.”

Graham added: “In doing this I believe we can contribute positively to the local and national economy.”

Prior to founding B-V Life Sciences Ltd, Graham worked as a partner at venture capital firm SV Life Sciences for 12 years.

Jo Johnson, the Universities and Science Minister, commented: “The government’s investment in the Medicines Technologies Catapult is securing a bright future for medical innovation in the UK.

“Graham’s impressive experience across industry and academia will be important as he leads this exciting project.”

He continued: “Under his guidance, the Catapult will play a pivotal role in bringing new technologies to a global market that will benefit our health, create new jobs and cement the UK as the best place in Europe to innovate.”

Anthony Wong (pictured), Seb Haack and Edward Ross, Quint Group

Cheshire-based financial technology firm Quint Group has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of three new faces from the UK’s online gaming sector.

Anthony Wong has joined Quint from Paddy Power PLC, while Seb Haack has been hired from Full-Tilt Poker and Edward Ross from Sky Bet.

Quint CEO Greg Cox said: “The online gaming sector is well known for its cutting edge use of technology and online marketing methods, which we believe are directly transferable to consumer finance.

“We’ve had Anthony on our radar for some time as a leader in the digital and affiliate marketing industry, and were finally able to convince him to move over thanks to our ambitious growth plans and desire to innovate across different financial sectors.”

He added: “We are pleased that all three, who come with some heavyweight reputations, have been attracted by the opportunities and prospects offered by one of the UK’s most innovative fin-tech companies.”

With more than 15 years of online marketing experience gained in Europe and Asia, Anthony has been appointed to the role of group marketing director.

Seb Haack, meanwhile, is the company’s new international development director and brings with him more than 13 years of international development experience.

Edward Ross, Quint’s head of product, oversaw the management of various apps that collectively generated revenues of $150m while at Sky Bet.

David Owen, Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator

A director at the Chester-based architectural and planning consultancy Cassidy + Ashton has taken on the role of monitoring surveyor with the new £25m Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator.

David Owen’s new position makes him responsible for overseeing the multi-million pound project to maintain compliance and quality and report on budget to its investors.

The five-level facility, located on the grounds of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, will provide offices and lab space across 70,000 sq ft. It is due to open in June next year.

David commented: “Whilst the position of monitoring surveyor is becoming more common in today’s competitive market, it is an honour to have been appointed to such a prestigious project.

“Building work is already well underway and I, along with many others, will be reviewing the project’s progress until it comes to practical completion.”

John McLean, PSS

PSS, the Liverpool-based social enterprise, has appointed John McLean as its new head of quality and compliance.

In his new role, John will work with staff from a range of services across the UK, including health and wellbeing initiatives and projects supporting people with dementia.

John, who has been hired from Bury Council, where he led on insight and performance, commented: “I feel my background is a perfect fit for PSS. I share its values and hope to embed them in the work that we do in the team.

“I will be working with all of our services, which are incredibly wide and diverse and making sure our policies, procedures and, ultimately, the services that we deliver, are of the highest standards.”

Following his appointment, John hopes to use his experience to boost PSS’ national influence.

PSS chief exec Lesley Dixon said: “We place great importance on providing innovative, quality services and we are confident that John will be a great asset to the organisation.

“Quality audits took place last year and in our constant quest to make things even better, we set up a special group to review the process and see where we can make improvements. John will be at the forefront of this.”

Sheona Southern, Marketing Manchester

Promotional agency Marketing Manchester has appointed Sheona Southern as its new managing director.

Sheona Southern, who previously worked as a director at strategic marketing firm Cairn, has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles across sectors such as retail, tourism and media.

At Marketing Manchester, Sheona will be responsible for showcasing Greater Manchester to visitors, businesses and investors.

She said: “I’m delighted to be joining Marketing Manchester as managing director at what is undoubtedly a pivotal moment for the city and Greater Manchester.

“I take the mantle from the wonderful Andrew Stokes who led the organisation for the best part of two decades and I am looking forward to raising the profile of Greater Manchester to the next level with a new senior management team in place.”

Marketing Manchester is part of the Manchester Growth Company (MGC).

Emily Speak, MAG Property

The property and development arm of Manchester Airports Group has appointed Emily Speak to the role of asset manager.

Emily, who joins MAG Property from builders’ merchant Travis Perkins plc, will lead property management across MAG Property’s portfolio at its London Stansted and Manchester airports.

MAG Property CEO Lynda Shillaw said: “We are continuing to develop the MAG Property business by strengthening the team with high-calibre recruits with specialist expertise and broad experience, which is really important for us as we move into the next phase of our growth.

“MAG Property is well placed to capitalise on its knowledge and expertise gained as a leading property company within the aviation sector.”

David Fowlds, MAG Property’s director of asset management, said he believes Emily’s experience will be “invaluable” in managing its £623m mixed-use commercial portfolio.

He continued: “MAG Property has aspirations to realise the full potential of the 5.67m sq ft property portfolio situated at key airport locations across the UK and Emily will provide valuable support at Manchester and London Stansted airports.”

Richard Clark, berg

Richard Clark, a former operations director with law firm Irwin Mitchell, has joined legal services provider berg as its new managing director.

Richard, whose experience lies in business strategy, organisational development and operations management, holds an MBA from Bradford University School of Management and a post-grad diploma and certificate in management from the Henley Business School.

He commented: “I know I am joining a firm which has serious ambition for significant growth.

“The senior team at berg have made the firm renowned for its championing and campaigning for the interests of independent business.”

berg’s senior partner, Reuben Berg, said the appointment demonstrates the company’s drive to look after the interests of independent business.

Reuben continued: “Our way of doing business, like many successful industries in the past which came from the North West is founded on integrity, resolve, hard work and the constant desire to get the best for our clients.”

Ruth de Arostegui, Hazel Gee and Mary Meadows, Deloitte

Business advisory firm Deloitte has announced three new senior hires in its North West-based private client services team.

Ruth de Arostegui has been appointed to the role of director after working in the London-based private equity and M&A team of professional services giant PwC.

Hazel Gee and Mary Meadows, meanwhile, have been taken on as senior managers. Also joining from PwC, Hazel and Mary have experience in handling tax issues for entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals.

All three will work alongside Sean Beech, a tax partner and head of the company’s Liverpool office.

Beech said: “We’re delighted to welcome all three on board as we enter an exceptionally busy period for the business.

“They each have considerable expertise when it comes to advising on personal tax matters and will be able to build strong relationships with clients across the North West.”

Graham Dentith and Jessica Edwards, Mattel Play!

The minds behind Mattel Play! Liverpool, which is due to open this spring, have appointed the management team for the Albert Dock-based family attraction.

Graham Dentith, who has been hired as general manager, has around three decades of experience in managing family attractions across the country.

Jessica Edwards, meanwhile, has been appointed as commercial manager due to her experience working in a number of children’s play centres across the North West. Previously, she was a resort team manager for Thomson Holidays.

Graham commented: “I am delighted to be working with a prestigious global brand and look forward to helping make Mattel Play! Liverpool the premier family experience in the city.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to bring my experience to one of the most exciting new attractions in the UK.”

Tourist attraction management organisation Heritage Great Britain owns and runs Mattel Play! Liverpool.

Its CEO, Allan Leech, said: “At Heritage Great Britain we understand the importance of recruiting the right people for the right roles.

“I’m confident that Graham and Jessica will bring their considerable experience and skills to make our latest family attraction a tremendous success.”

Sanjay Patel, Hope Capital

Hope Capital, the Bootle-based bridging lender, has appointed a new business development manager to drive growth outside the North West.

Sanjay Patel, who has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services market, will focus on growing the business in the Midlands.

Commenting on his new role, Sanjay said: “I look forward to utilising my experience and network of contacts to build valuable working relationships and making a real difference to company and the broker community.

“I will also strive to help Hope Capital to continue to raise its profile while also increasing its market presence.”

Hope Capital’s CEO, Jonathan Sealey, commented: “Sanjay’s understanding of the importance of service when it comes to short term lending will help us to ensure our service standards to brokers and borrowers remain exceptionally high.

“We are continuing to expand throughout the UK and I am confident that Sanjay’s recent appointment will prove to be vital to the continued development of Hope Capital.”