This week’s North West appointments

Susan Trudgeon, Clough & Willis

Law firm Clough & Willis has welcomed a new face in its Bolton-based property team.

Susan Trudgeon, who has joined the company as a licensed conveyancer, will handle a portfolio of residential property work in her new role.

Having worked in legal sector positions for 12 years and been qualified as a conveyancer for the last seven, Susan’s previous employers include law firms Russell & Russell, Countrywide Conveyancing Services and Fieldings Porter.

Clough & Willis managing partner Shefali Talukdar said: “We are delighted to welcome Susan to the practice. She has some great experience and is a valuable addition to our existing Property team which is based at our Bury head office.”

Commenting on her new post, Susan said: “I’m really excited to be joining Clough & Willis. It’s an exciting time for the firm following the recent opening of the Bolton office.

“I’m now looking forward to helping grow both our presence and reputation in the town.”

Lee McLean, Vita Student

The former director of Unite and student accommodation firm Mansion Student, Lee McLean, has joined accommodation provider Vita Student in the role of managing director.

Lee, who brings more than 17 years’ experience in property and operations to the role, has worked for Vita’s parent company Select Property Group for more than a year.

In his new role, Lee will work under Vita CEO Trevor Moore to ensure the firm’s existing brand standards are maintained across the Vita portfolio as the company expands into new sites.

Lee said of his appointment: “We are not just about building incredible buildings, we are about providing an unrivalled experience. In just two years Vita Student has become known for the level of service it offers its students; winning national awards and beating global hotel chains, such as the Dorchester collection. I’m looking forward to driving its evolution.”

CEO Trevor Moore commented: “It’s a pleasure to hand over leadership of Vita Student to Lee. Having worked across the group, he understands that customer experience is at the heart of everything we do, and that it is our attention to detail which really sets us apart from the crowd.

“We are extremely confident that with his knowledge of our business, systems, people and ways of working that he will be an outstanding leader of Vita Student during a truly exciting time for the brand.”

Trevor added: “His knowledge, experience and guidance will be a huge asset to the entire team.”

Marcus D’Souza, Martyn Wright and Scott Montgomery, INNSIDE Manchester

One year on since its launch, the INNSIDE Manchester hotel has appointed three new managers.

Marcus D’Souza (pictured above), Martyn Wright and Scott Montgomery have taken on management roles across the F&B, reservations and sales departments respectively.

Marcus was hired from the Thistle hotel in Manchester, where he worked as restaurant manager, while Scott has joined INNSIDE from the Thistle hotel in Liverpool, where he held the post of senior sales manager.

Martyn, meanwhile, previously worked for the Radisson Manchester Airport.

In their new roles, the three will work with INNSIDE Manchester’s general manager, Adam Munday, and sales director Nikki Corcoran.

Adam said of the newcomers: “Martyn, Marcus and Scott all join us with a wealth of valuable experience in their respective fields.

“Their skills have been honed through previous roles in some of the finest hotels in the North West and we look forward to seeing what they will bring to the table.”

Stuart Wood, BDO

BDO LLP, the accountancy and business advisory company, has promoted Stuart Wood to the role of audit partner at its Manchester office.

The promotion, which will be effective from July 2, is one of nine made across BDO’s UK offices.

Stuart said: “It goes without saying that being promoted to Partner is a proud day for me professionally and I’m grateful to the firm and team around me.

“I look forward to working with the rest of the Partner group in driving and realising the firm’s ambitions over the next few years.”

Stuart, who qualified as a chartered accountant while at KPMG 13 years ago, first joined BDO in 2011 as a senior manager. With experience as a US licence holder and expertise in US GAAP and GAAS, Stuart’s previous work has seen him focus on mid-market and large corporate clients, particularly across the leisure, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Lead partner Ed Dwan commented: “Within BDO, our culture is the most important aspect of what makes us tick.

“Stuart typifies this culture as he demonstrates exceptional client service, tenacity and a technical expertise that is a genuine credit to the firm and an inspiration to other team members.”

Sarah McCarthy and Joanne Raisbeck, Hill Dickinson

Hill Dickinson LLP, the international law firm, has strengthened its family law offer with a new appointment and promotion.

Sarah McCarthy has been appointed as chartered legal executive, while Joanne Raisbeck has been promoted to legal director.

Bringing 15 years of experience working for high-net worth individuals to the role, Sarah also has experience handling complex matrimonial disputes and private children law matters.

Joanne Raisbeck first joined Hill Dickinson in 2013 from solicitors Pannone LLP.

Hill Dickinson’s head of family, Tricia Cottrell, said: “Sarah is an extremely talented lawyer and will add a real strength and depth to our offering. We are at a point of significant growth and this appointment coupled with Joanne’s well deserved internal promotion are the first steps in supporting this across the team.”

Sarah commented: “I worked alongside Tricia for 11 years in a previous role and I am looking forward to joining an expanding team with such a brilliant reputation.

“The firm has real aspirations for growth so it’s an exciting time.”

Aimee Johnstone, Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks

UK-headquartered agency Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks has promoted Aimee Johnstone to the role of brand strategy director.

Aimee has worked for Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks for 14 years, with the past eight spent as an account director.

As brand strategy director, Aimee will collaborate closely with client services director Zoe Telfer on strategy for both new and existing clients.

Aimee commented: “I’ve been part of the Milk Jnr’s & Kidworks team for many years and over that time I have expanded my knowledge and experience so becoming the agency’s brand strategy director is a real milestone in my career.

“Helping to developing results driven marketing strategies has always been a passion of mine so I’m now looking forward to doing more of it and in turn adding value to our clients’ businesses.”

Zoe said: “Aimee does an amazing job for her clients and since joining she has become a trusted member of our senior team.

“Her promotion is hugely deserved and is a clear reflection of her talent.”

Mark Green, Brian Clarke and Emily Huggins, Oltec FM

Oltec FM, a facilities management firm based in Wigan, has announced the appointment of three new senior members of staff.

Mark Green (pictured above), Brian Clarke and Emily Huggins have all joined the business as it continues to drive its UK-wide growth plans.

Mark has joined Oltec in the role of North West regional manager, having previously worked with a security consultancy in the oil and gas industry.

Brian, meanwhile, is Oltec’s new regional manager for the East Midlands and joins the company from facilities management firm OCS.

Emily has been appointed as regional service manager. With Oltec, Emily will oversee the company’s work with one of its biggest clients, soft drinks firm Britvic.

Oltec CEO Olivier Cavaliere said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark, Brian and Emily into their new roles at Oltec FM.

“Their individual skillsets mean they will all be great assets to the business at a time when we are working hard to expand our services and refine our offering to clients.”

Phillippa McGrath, Birch Green Care Home

Care professional Phillippa McGrath has been hired by Skelmersdale-based Birch Green Care Home for the role of general manager.

Registered general nurse Phillippa has worked in senior management positions for the last 17 years.

In her previous post, Phillippa served as a care quality manager for care home operator Flightcare.

With Birch Green, Phillippa will be responsible for the home’s day-to-day running and ensure that high standards are maintained across its services.

Phillippa said: “Since joining Birch Green I have enjoyed getting to know the staff, residents and their families here and I’m looking forward to leading the team as it continues deliver the highest quality care.

“I have always believed that one of the keys to quality care is working with the residents and their families to deliver truly personal care, tailored to the individual and I want to make sure we are doing this in the best ways possible.”