This week’s North West appointments

Four appointments and two promotions, Cassidy + Ashton

Architecture firm Cassidy + Ashton has announced a string of appointments and promotions across its offices in Chester and Preston.

The company’s associate architect Lawrence McBurney is now a director after joining the business in 2000. Guy Evans has also been promoted to the role of director, from his previous position as associate chartered town planner. Guy joined Cassidy + Ashton in 2009.

Elsewhere, the firm has bolstered its team with the appointment of Andrew Morris and Ian Mather at its Chester base, both as architectural technicians. Andrew gained an architectural degree at Wrexham University and has since worked for a modular buildings specialist and small architectural practice, while Ian has 14 years of industry experience and an architectural degree from Liverpool Community College.

Thomas Weinmann has also joined the Chester office as a senior building surveyor, bringing with him 10 years’ experience.

Lastly, Cassidy + Ashton has welcomed Gillian Allmark to its Preston team. Gillian has taken on the role of architectural technologist, having obtained a degree in the subject at Sheffield Hallam University. Previously, she worked for nine years at an interdisciplinary practice in Manchester.

Director Lawrence McBurney said: “Cassidy + Ashton’s success is built on high calibre work, full integration between disciplines and a proactive approach to answering the brief and anticipating challenges.

“It is an approach that has led to significant demand for our services from across the UK and these additions to the team will ensure that we manage growth to maintain service levels as the company develops further while creating opportunity for advancement within the firm for our talented team.”

Martin O’Rourke, Birchwood Park

Birchwood Park, a business park near Warrington, has announced the appointment of Martin O’Rourke as its new commercial director.

Martin has joined Birchwood Park, which is managed by Patrizia UK, from Manchester-based commercial property investment and asset management firm Riddell TPS Limited.

Following his appointment, Martin will manage all of Birchwood Park’s existing buildings.

He commented: “I’m looking forward to a new challenge at Birchwood Park. My previous roles have involved multiple site management across the UK so this is an exciting and refreshing opportunity to manage a single site of this scale and success.

“Birchwood Park,has a unique spirit and philosophy, and an infectious pride that grows not only from the onsite team but spreads within the companies on the park - something I have heard on more than one occasion since my arrival.”

He added: “I am looking forward to working with existing occupiers to build further on success to date, as well as attracting new companies to Birchwood Park.”

Patrizia’s head of portfolio asset management – business parks, Jonathan Walsh, commented: “Martin joins the team at an exciting time, with a number of developments recently completed and considerable interest from potential occupiers.

“Companies should expect more from their workplace, which is why we continue to invest and enhance the working environment at Birchwood Park.”

He continued: “Our existing occupiers will benefit hugely from the wealth of expertise Martin brings to the role, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”

Tom O’Neill, Farleys

Farleys, the North West law firm, has promoted Tom O’Neill to the role of equity partner.

The commercial property lawyer was hired in 2005 after qualifying and currently leads the firm’s commercial property team.

Farleys partner Ian Liddle said of the promotion: “Tom is an outstanding lawyer and is well regarded by clients and colleagues alike.

“His promotion to the partnership here at Farleys is deserved recognition of his invaluable contribution to the firm’s success.”

Tom’s experience covers various aspects of property work, such as acquisitions and disposals, development agreements, development site preparation and option agreements.

He commented: “I am delighted to become a partner here at Farleys and look forward to continuing the ongoing growth and success of the firm, and in particular the commercial property team.”

Carl Cross (pictured) and Richard Greenhalgh, Investec Wealth & Investment

Investec Wealth & Investment (IW&I) has announced new heads for its offices in Manchester and Liverpool.

The company has chosen its senior investment director, Carl Cross, to lead its Liverpool office. Carl has worked with IW&I for 20 years, managing funds for private clients as well as pension funds, charities and trusts.

He has replaced Jon Seal, who retired after heading up the Liverpool office for 13 years.

Chief exec Jonathan Wragg said: “I am very pleased to be announcing Carl’s appointment as the new head of our Liverpool office.

“He has played an important role in expanding our presence in and around the city and region, and will continue to ensure we provide clients with the highest level of service.”

He added: “Under Jon’s leadership, we have seen the Liverpool office grow considerably and I would like to formally thank him for all of his work and commitment over many years and for the considerable contribution that he has made to the wider group.”

Elsewhere, the company has appointed Richard Greenhalgh (pictured above) to lead its Manchester office.

Richard, also a senior investment director, joined IW&I in 2007. He has replaced Jonathan Quick, who has retired. Before IW&I, Richard worked for eight years with professional services giant PwC.

Jonathan continued: “[Richard] has already played an important role in expanding our presence in and around this fast growing city and will continue to ensure we provide clients with the highest level of service.”

John Flint, Clarke Willmott LLP

Law firm Clarke Willmott has strengthened the commercial litigation offer at its Manchester base with the appointment of John Flint.

As a partner at Clarke Willmott, John will lead the North West dispute resolution team operating at the company’s Spring Gardens office.

Having trained at Blackburn-based Forbes and Partners, John has experience in contractual disputes, shareholder issues and disputes between business partners and directors, among other areas of litigation.

Before joining Clarke Willmott, John served as a partner at Manchester-based Linder Myers solicitors since November 2014.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining such a high profile team here in Manchester and am very much looking forward to contributing to the continued success of the practice both in the North West and nationally.

“Our clients continue to face a varied and constantly changing set of challenges both at home and abroad and need forward thinking, pragmatic and commercial lawyers to protect their interests.”

Roy Crozier, the head of Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office, commented: “Ed Foulkes and the corporate team have experienced a surge of instructions and last year we were able to add a commercial property team led by Mark Niven which is already extremely busy.

“I am delighted that we are now able to provide a full service offering to our clients in the Manchester business community. We are expecting more high profile recruits as the year progresses.”

Richard Williams, Cast UK

Recruitment firm Cast UK has taken on Richard Williams as a senior consultant at its HQ in Manchester.

Following his appointment, Richard will work alongside the firm’s FTSE 500 client base to recruit for purchasing and supply chain roles.

His previous experience includes senior roles with The Co-operative, meat processing business Dunbia and food company Kraft Heinz.

Richard said of his appointment: “Career decisions for candidates are equally as pivotal as resourcing decisions for businesses, so choosing a recruiter is not something to be taken lightly.

“I’ve always been really impressed by Cast UK as they live and breathe their specialist sectors and combine knowledge and insight with a real passion for building rewarding relationships.”

Cask UK’s MD, Wayne Brophy, said: “Richard joins us with a breadth of industry experience which ensures he fully appreciates the changing dynamics of our markets and the skills challenges they face. His expertise, alongside his drive and ambition, means he is a great fit with our team and a key appointment as part of our continued expansion.”

Kate Allsop, Bromleys

Bromleys has increased its staff count past the 50 mark for the first time with its latest recruitment drive, which included the arrival of solicitor Kate Allsop.

Kate has joined the Ashton-under-Lyne law firm’s child care team. Prior to her appointment, she worked for eight years at the Bury office of Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall solicitors.

Her experience includes representing children, parents and family members during care and adoption cases, as well as acting on social services disputes, guardianship matters and domestic abuse cases.

Kate commented: “Bromleys is a long-established firm with a formidable reputation.

“It’s a real privilege to be part of its highly-experienced and respected care team.”

The head of Bromleys’ child care department, Keith Platts, said: “We are seeing a significant increase in demand for our services and we are delighted to welcome Kate to the team.

“She brings a wealth of experience in child care matters and I am sure she will be an excellent addition to what is already the largest specialist team of its kind in the Tameside and east Manchester area.”

Elsewhere, Bromleys has recruited Tahera Khatun-Ali in the role of case progressor, and Sarah De Vial and Holly Wiles as support staff.