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This week's North West appointments

A roundup of the latest appointments froma cross the North West.

Rachel Birkett, Zeus Capital

Independent investment bank Zeus Capital has appointed Rachel Birkett as research analyst in its Manchester office.

Rachel, who is a qualified chartered accountant, joins from Brown Shipley where she spent two years as a company analyst and fund manager.

In this role, Rachel researched the consumer discretionary sector of the FTSE350 to identify trends and support investment cases, as well as managing a concentrated portfolio of £90m fixed income investments.

Rachel also worked for three years as an Audit Assistant Manager at business advisory firm Deloitte, covering field managing statutory audits across a range of industry sectors.

Having completed an ACA qualification during her time at Deloitte, she has developed an extensive knowledge of both UK and international accounting standards.

Rachel’s appointment is the latest in a series of hires across Zeus Capital’s research team, which focuses on mid and small-cap clients across both public and private market.

The firm also has experts in other sectors including healthcare, construction, natural resources and automotive.

Mike Allen, Head of Research at Zeus Capital, said: “Over the past few years, Zeus Capital has advised on a number of significant transactions in the small cap space.

“We have done this by hiring the best talent in the industry who can spot the latest developments and identify top quality management teams.

“Rachel’s extensive expertise will make her a great addition to the team and she will play a vital role in developing our deal pipeline across a range of key growth sectors.”

ACC Liverpool Group

The ACC Liverpool Group has expanded its sales team with a series of new appointments.

The organisation, home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool, has recruited five new members of staff to reflect the diversity of its events portfolio.

Vikki Langan joins as exhibition account manager and Maaike Houtenbos as corporate and agency sales manager.

Gemma Swain, Samantha Shannon and Debbie Watson have been recruited as data co-ordinator, sales support executive and contracts executive respectively.

The venue expanded its campus in September last year with the opening of Exhibition Centre Liverpool, making it the only purpose-built interconnected arena, convention and exhibition centre in Europe. Pullman Liverpool, a 216 bedroom four-star headquarters hotel, opened in February.

Kerrin MacPhie, director of conference and exhibition sales, said: “Our enhanced team reflects the different markets that we operate in and the range of events that we host at our multi-function venue.

“As well as managing our existing diverse client base and calendar of sales activity, the team work behind the scenes, developing opportunities through a number of different organisations, to ensure events are secured years in advance.

“We look forward to working on the opportunities that our new recruits, in addition to the wider sales team, will generate.”

Richard Sneideris, Quilter Cheviot

Quilter Cheviot has expanded its Manchester-based office with the appointment of new Investment Manager Richard Sneideris.

Richard has returned to Quilter Cheviot from the North Wales branch of wealth management company Hargreave Hale. After living in Wales for over three years, Richard recently relocated back to the north of England.

Prior to his employment at Hargreave Hale, Richard worked at Quilter Cheviot for three and a half years as an Investment Manager.

Richard will report to Quilter Cheviot’s Manchester Head of Office, David Rothburn. As well as managing assets for new and existing clients, Richard will support business development, helping to build relationships with private clients and intermediaries for the Manchester office.

Commenting on his new appointment, Richard, who is a Chartered Fellow of The Institute for Securities and Investment (FCSI), said: “I am very happy to be back with the Quilter Cheviot team in Manchester. In my opinion, Quilter Cheviot is one of the best- if not the best- companies in its field.

“It has a really good blend of clients and has a wide variety of resources at hand, as well having access to some of the best systems, all of which helps us to conduct thorough research for our clients.”

Phil Medlicott, First Bus

First Bus has announced the appointment of Phil Medlicott as the company’s new Managing Director in Greater Manchester.

Phil will join the business on 1st January 2017 from Stagecoach North East, where he held the position of Managing Director, and will take over from current First Manchester Managing Director, Teresa Broxton, who has been promoted to Director of Business Change within the division.

Phil Medlicott said: “I’m delighted to be joining First Manchester at a time when there’s so much opportunity to develop the business through working in partnership.

“I look forward to getting to know the team and building relationships with local stakeholders, to ensure we work together to improve services for Manchester’s many bus users.”

Phil will report to Dave Alexander, Divisional Director for First Bus. Dave said: “Phil is one of the bus industry’s most respected leaders.

“He has delivered successfully in his roles to date and brings with him a wealth of experience and a passion and flair for customer service and stakeholder engagement. We’re delighted that he has made the decision to join our team at First Bus.”

Bob Ward, EY

EY has appointed Bob Ward as the new Senior Partner for the North West of England with effect from 1 January 2017. Bob takes over from Simon Allport who has held the role since 2008.

Ward trained and qualified in Manchester, working for 15 years in the North West before moving to London in 2000.

He joined EY as a restructuring partner in 2008, most recently heading up the London restructuring team as well as being the London national markets leader for the firm’s Transaction Advisory Services business.

Bob said: “I am thrilled to take on this role. It’s fantastic to return to a region where I spent so many years building and developing my skills and experience.

“The North West has a thriving economy with some truly remarkable businesses, as well as strong public sector leadership in response to devolution.”

Join us next monday for more North West appointment news.