This week’s North West appointments

Gary Goldsmith, Cast UK

Manchester-headquartered recruitment firm Cast UK has taken on Gary Goldsmith in the role of non-executive director.

Gary, who transformed recruitment company SThree PLC from a UK-only brand to an international business with 41 offices worldwide, will work to drive Cast UK’s next chapter of growth.

With three decades’ experience in recruitment, Gary worked at SThree PLC until 2006 and has since helped high-growth recruitment businesses achieve their ambitions.

Cast UK’s MD, Wayne Brophy, said: “Gary is a man with a phenomenal career story and an appetite for success that has seen him realise his global ambitions.

“Our industry is evolving and where others see challenges we see opportunities.”

He added: “We’re looking forward to working with Gary on seizing those and making them part of the Cast UK success story.”

Commenting on his appointment, Gary said: “It’s a great opportunity to work with a team of agile thinkers who aren’t afraid to disrupt the market and create new ways of working.

“That ability to be bold, to commit to an idea and make it happen will be a massive driver in the future of this business.”

Mark Francis, Collabco

Liverpool-based tech firm Collabco has appointed Mark Francis as its new CEO, ahead of driving plans to roll its myday education software out across the US.

Mark, a graduate of Durham Business School, has held senior executive-level roles within various business management software organisations, including IRIS, PrintSoft and Sage.

He commented: “Given the outstanding nature of myday, I can ever see this business going from strength to strength whilst leading the way in both product innovation and international sales.

“Part of my new role will not only be about breaking into the US market, but to ensure that Collabco can scale to meet the demands that new customers bring, whilst also keeping our existing customers happy.”

Mark continued: “I’ve a true passion for working with high-growth technology companies to improve performance and value.

“It’s innovation, knowledge transfer and mission-driven leadership that inspires others to embrace change and I’m very proud to be working within Collabco as CEO.”

Jim Fox, Gillespies

Jim Fox, a planner and urban designer, has joined the Manchester office of landscape architects Gillespies as the head of urban design for the North.

Jim has been appointed from architecture and engineering firm IBI Group, where he held the role of studio director.

A member of the Design Council (CABE) National Design Review, as well as a chartered member of The Royal Town Planning Institute, Jim holds a Diploma in Town Planning from Oxford Brookes University.

Jim Gibson, a partner based at Gillespies’ Manchester office, commented: “We are delighted that Jim Fox has joined Gillespies’ Manchester office to head up the masterplanning offer for the North and we look forward to integrating this with an established landscape offer working on a range of residential, town centre and infrastructure related projects.

“This new appointment further enhances Gillespies’ established urban design and landscape planning team.”

Michael Allen (above) and Nicole Brock, KPMG

Professional services giant KPMG has made two appointments to shore up its public sector practice in the North.

Michael Allen, a new partner in the firm, will lead KPMG’s management consulting healthcare practice across northern England. Having previously worked as part of a national team at professional services firm EY, where he helped deliver hospital-based cost-reduction programmes, Michael has also held roles within the NHS, including a stint as assistant director of operations at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Michael Allen said: “The rise in patients with multiple chronic conditions and a rapid growth in the elderly population are major challenges for the NHS.

“To respond the service must transform the way it works by making better use of technology and helping patients manage their conditions at home.”

He continued: “It is this focus on the end-user that we must all keep in sight as we work as a collective to improve public services and, with a focus on working differently, we are able to do this while helping clients improve efficiencies that ultimately have a positive impact on the bottom line.”

Pictured: Nicole Brock

Elsewhere Nicole Brock, who first joined KPMG in 2008, has become associate director and will head up the development and growth of the firm’s public sector practice in the North. With over 15 years of experience, Nicole had led various public sector management consulting projects.

Part of Nicole’s new role will see her working with local authorities and healthcare organisations to overcome financial challenges, in addition to supporting health and social care reform.

Nicole commented: “It is a challenging time for those working in the public sector, which continues to operate against a backdrop of cuts and increased pressure to reduce costs.

“There is growing demand for support to help organisations reform radically, as they adapt to the new landscape, from driving revenue generation to implementing new delivery structures.”

She added: “At the same time the matter of making the most of the opportunities presented by devolution across the north is an exciting prospect.”

Paul Battye, North West Institute of Directors

The North West Institute of Directors (IoD) has chosen Paul Battye as the chair of its branch in Manchester.

Paul, whose appointment was given the thumbs up by the national IoD board at a meeting last month, has taken up his new position with immediate effect.

He commented: “I am delighted to formally take up this role, extending the work I’ve been doing as acting chair.

“Manchester is home to major industries which impact greatly on the boarder UK economy; it’s my role as branch chair to help promote them and maximise the potential and opportunities we have in this city and across the broader city region.”

Paul is the founder and chief exec of London-headquartered search and talent management consultancy Moorlands Human Capital.

The IoD’s director for the North West region, Rachel Smith, commented: “Paul brings decades of business experience to the region and we’re pleased to be welcoming him on board.

“He will be acting as representative for local business leaders in the Manchester community, ensuring that the training, events and networking opportunities delivered by the North West IoD respond to their individual needs.”

Ian MacArthur, Business Growth Hub

Ian MacArthur has been announced as the new head of the Business Growth Hub’s Sectors Programme.

Ian’s experience includes a raft of senior-level positions within public and third-sector organisations, including North West regional director of Groundwork and a consultant in environmental health management with the World Health Organisation.

In his new role, Ian will manage a programme offering sector development and support for SMEs, covering advanced materials, digital, creative, life sciences and manufacturing, among other sectors.

Ian commented: “Greater Manchester is seeing growth across a number of exciting industries.

“The Sectors Programme has been developed to provide specialist support to help SMEs either grow or diversify within their field of expertise.”

He added: “I am delighted to join the Business Growth Hub as the firm continues to make great strides in supporting entrepreneurial businesses.”

Business Growth Hub director Richard Jeffery said: “Our new programme has been developed as a response to the growing marketing demand for sector specific business support.

“We’re thrilled that Ian has come on board, his experience and network in this area is a fantastic asset to the programme and we look forward to seeing how the projects underway develop.”

John Barnes, Shieldyourself

Shieldyourself, a compliance provider based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, has hired John Barnes as its new strategic advisor.

John, the former head of local delivery with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), qualified as an environmental health officer in 1977 and has since built up over four decades’ experience in improving food safety and public health standards.

With Shieldyourself, John will work alongside members of the firm’s senior team, helping them achieve their growth goals and drive product development.

John said of his appointment: “Shieldyourself is a growing company with excellent products to support food businesses.

“It’s now one of the UK’s leading food and health and safety consultancies in the Hospitality sector, which in my view operates one of the best food safety control systems in the world.”

He continued: “Current regulatory delivery models will change significantly in the next few years, due to a reducing public sector, so companies like Shieldyourself and its products will be increasingly important in assuring business compliance, and enabling regulators to target their resources on those businesses without a good understanding of risk and proper controls.

Shieldyourself was founded in 2003 by Mark Flanagan, who saw a market gap for online software that helps clients manage safety obligations.

Welcoming John into his new role at Shieldyourself, Mark commented: “The experience and expertise that John has is outstanding and to have someone with his reputation join our team is a big milestone for us.

“His insights and advice are going to be invaluable and everyone is looking forward to learning from him as we take our business to the next level.”

Mark added: “There are so many changes happening in the compliance industry at the moment and we are going to hugely benefit from John’s strategic role with Shieldyourself.”

Rob Collins, Zeus Capital

Zeus Capital, the investment banking firm with offices in Manchester, London and Birmingham, has made its first foray into the oil and gas and mining sectors with the appointment of a new corporate finance director and head of natural resources.

Prior to his appointment, Rob Collins worked as head of oil and gas banking for financial services firm Evolution Group, and head of natural resources with investment banking company Canaccord.

Darren Ellis, Zeus’ chief operating officer, said: “We believe that these sectors fit well into our strategy and that we are building a specialist team at the right point in the resource cycle.

“We look forward to Rob leading our growth in this important sector.”

The company plans to announce further appointments in the coming months.