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This week’s North West appointments

Rob Jones, Stagecoach

Transport operator Stagecoach has promoted Rob Jones, current Operations Director of its Merseyside and South Lancashire operations, to Managing Director of the business. He replaces Elisabeth Tasker, who has become Managing Director for Stagecoach Manchester.

Jones began his career in the bus industry as a cleaner at a local bus company 26 years ago, and since then has held a number of mangerial roles in the industry, including Operations Manager for Stagecoach North West and General Manager for one of the operator’s depots during the London Olympics.

Robert Montgomery, Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director, said: “I would like to congratulate Rob on his promotion. His experience over 26 years in the transport industry, and, in particular, as an Operations Director for the past six years, will stand him in good stead to take on this role.

“I believe Rob has the skills and experience to deliver growth and further customer improvements as well as developing the relationships he has already established to drive forward partnership working and further raise the standards of bus travel in Merseyside and South Lancashire.”

Rob Jones added: “I am delighted to be taking on this role at a company I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of for the past few years. We have a great team of employees and I look forward to working with them, and our local partners, to continue delivering high-quality, affordable bus travel and excellent customer service for the millions of people that rely on our services every year.”

Spencer Jinks, HW

Manchester-based headhunters HW have appointed Spencer Jinks as their new Chief Executive Officer, taking over from founding director John Wakeford.

Jinks’s promotion comes after almost a decade at the executive search consultancy, which he joined in 2007 after six years as Executive Recruitment Director at the Caudwell Group.

Working between the firm’s Manchester, Leeds and London offices, he will continue to head up the firm’s consumer division which counts some big global clients including Kellogg’s, Mars and GSK Consumer Healthcare.

Commenting on his new role, Spencer said: ““It is evolution rather than revolution as far as the business is concerned, ensuring all the directors play to our key strengths. “Over the past decade we have developed a broad range of both local and global clients across various industry sectors and specialisms, and thanks to John’s leadership we are on a firm financial footing, with the business well positioned to further invest and push on. “We are now moving in to a new phase with an emphasis more on brand communication, nurturing global client relationships, building deeper knowledge in the digital and big data arena, whilst investing heavily in systems and developing core talent within the business. We are also pursuing potential merger and acquisition opportunities to help us achieve our ambitious growth strategy.”

Michael Cambden, BDP

The Manchester studio of multidisciplinary architectural, design and engineering firm BDP has appointed Michael Cambden as Architect Director.

Since joining the practice in 2008 Michael has worked within BDP’s multi-disciplinary education team, designing and delivering university and school buildings, including a feasibility study for Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Outside of the education sector, Michael has also worked on major workplace and mixed-use schemes including the Blackburn Cathedral Quarter redevelopment, Royal Bank of Scotland projects in Spinningfields, Manchester, and Chapel Wharf in Salford.

Gavin Elliot, Chairman of BDP’s Manchester studio, commented: “Michael has been doing an excellent job in the education team and this promotion is a testament to the strength of his leadership roles on projects such as Manchester Metropolitan University and Enterprise South Liverpool Academy. Michael will now use the experienced gained in these projects to enable BDP to further grow our education team,both in the UK and abroad.”

Martin Hoare, Gorvins

Stockport solicitors Gorvins have appointed Martin Hoare as Managing Partner.

Martin, who currently heads up the commercial team at the North West law firm, has specialisms in commercial and residential development and investment and has advised the likes of H2O Urban, NPL Group PH Property Holdings, Seddon Developments and Urban Splash.

Commenting on his new role, Martin said: “We pride ourselves in standing out from the competition with our quality, partner-led teams teams delivering commercially savy advice, projects and transactions for clients.

“We have a client base to rival many bigger firms thanks to the fantastic lawyers working at Gorvins. I`m looking forward to overseeing the firm as it goes forward to grow its market share.”

He takes over from current Managing Partner Lorraine Lockie, who commented: “During my time as Managing Partner, the firm has grown in breadth, expertise and turnover, thanks to our bank of talented and committed lawyers. Having worked with Martin for many years, I’ve no doubt Gorvins will continue to flourish. I wish him every success in the job.”

Gary Harding, BDO

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has appointed Gary Harding in its Manchester office as audit partner, who joins from Ernst and Young.

He has extensive expertise in handling AIM and mid-cap listed companies, as well as private equity-backed and entrepreneurial businesses through all stages of the business cycle, along with experience in the US, Europe and Asia.

Gary said: “It’s a great time to be joining the team at BDO which is going from strength-to-strength at every level. I was particularly impressed by the focus placed on the success of clients’ businesses. The combination of having access to an impressive global network and local market expertise puts BDO in a position of strength.”

Ed Dwan, Partner and Head of BDO in the North West added: “We’ve made our intentions to concentrate on talent and technology very clear. We’ve forged a partnership with Microsoft among other developments on the technology side.

“We’re also promoting the best talent within the firm and attracting standout, like-minded advisers like Gary from across the industry. We’re pleased to have Gary on board and are looking forward to him playing a crucial part in our growth strategy.”