This week’s North West appointments

Alice Davies, Freshfield

Marketing communications firm Freshfield has announced a new addition to its team.

The Preston-based company has taken on Alice Davies in the role of senior digital marketing and content executive.

Alice, whose specialisms include content marketing, digital strategy and SEO, previously worked for creative agency Heckford, web design company Fat Media and digital agency Clicky Media.

Freshfield MD Simon Turner said: “Alice has some great experience and a deep digital knowledge which will be invaluable to our clients.

“She brings new skills, thinking and energy to the business. This is all part of us continuing to strengthen our digital marketing offering.”

He added: “It means we can offer clients better insights into their target audiences and how they can improve their marketing activity to connect with those audiences.”

Alice commented: “Freshfield invests heavily in its CPD programme and that’s something that really appealed to me, as well as the opportunity to be part of a wider team in a full service marketing environment.

“The agency has a determination to make a real difference to its clients.”

Amanda Bailey, Sally Pilott and Oliver Andrews, DTM Legal

Law firm DTM Legal has added to its core team with several key promotions and appointments across its offices in Liverpool and Chester.

Associate Amanda Bailey (pictured) has joined DTM Legal from Chester law firm Knightsi, where she specialised in wills, trusts and tax planning and gained particular expertise advising business owners on succession planning.

With DTM, Amanda will work at the Chester office and use her background in advising on domicile issues, estate administration and powers of attorney to strengthen the firm’s corporate, commercial and private client offer.

Elsewhere, DTM Legal has promoted an associate and a trainee at its Liverpool base.

Former associate Sally Pilott, who was recognised in the 2016 Legal 500, has been made a partner in the company. An experienced legal professional, Sally specialises in sales and acquisitions, commercial landlord and tenant, and portfolio management.

Trainee Oliver Andrews, meanwhile, will permanently join DTM’s property department when he qualifies in mid-January.

DTM Legal’s head of commercial property, Anna Duffy, said: “DTM Legal continues to go from strength to strength and these recent promotions and new hires are a clear reflection of that success.

“Amanda is a highly skilled operator who has gained valuable experience working with a renowned national private client practice. She is due to become a full member of the Society of Trustee and Estate Practitioners in May 2017 and will be a key addition to our already thriving office in Chester.”

She continued: “We’re pleased to see our existing employees Sally and Oliver, continue to develop within the business. During their time at DTM Legal, both have made an excellent contribution to the firm, strengthening the DTM brand and reputation.

“As a board member for the Chester Growth Partnership, Sally put Chester on the map for property leaders in 2016 demonstrating great determination in securing and developing invaluable business links for DTM Legal.”

James Myatt, Appleyard Lees

UK and European patent and trade mark attorney Appleyard Lees has announced a promotion at its office in Manchester.

James Myatt has been promoted from patent attorney to associate in recognition of his contribution to the company’s growth.

James works with Appleyard Lees clients across the food science, specialist materials and fuel chemistry sectors, specialising in prosecuting and managing patent portfolios.

Elsewhere, the firm has also promoted Christopher Mason from patent attorney to associate at its Leeds office.

Appleyard Lees’ managing director, Joanne King, said of the promotions: “We are delighted to announce James and Chris’s promotions at the start of what we anticipate will be a very exciting year for our business.”

William Ngan, Jolliffes

Chester-based law firm Jolliffe & Co LLP has announced the appointment of William Ngan as a senior associate in its corporate and commercial team.

In addition to being a corporate lawyer, William is also the only qualified tax lawyer outside Manchester and other big UK cities, according to Jolliffes.

William qualified in 1999 and, since then, has worked at Brabners Chaffe Street in Liverpool and Addleshaw Goddard, Manchester. He is a member of the Law Society and the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Jolliffes’ head of corporate and commercial, partner Simon Williams, said: “William has a proven track record with over 15 years’ experience in legal and tax matters a unique combination for this region.

“We look forward to welcoming William to Cheshire and the Jolliffes team. This appointment, after key appointments already this year in the family and commercial areas of the practice, is further evidence of the continuing evolution and development of Jolliffes in its new offices.”

He added: “We are delighted William has chosen to join us.”

William is fluent in Cantonese and lives with his wife and eight-year-old son in Manchester.

Anne Kelly, Project Octo

Project Octo can, the Manchester-based digital agency, has appointed a new digital marketing account manager.

Anne Kelly has joined the company following a career at a number of digital agencies, including Brass, Amaze and MediaCom in the UK. She also previously worked at Paris-based Carat Interactive.

At Project Octo, Anne will provide top-level strategy and client-facing support while developing the agency’s culture to match the best practices in the industry.

Director Adam Pritchard (pictured above right) said of the appointment: “We wanted to make a statement of intent and bring in someone who could help shape the business at a crucial time in our development.

“With more client and employee acquisition on the horizon, it was essential to find someone who could help us develop the team aspect of the business and build great relationships with our clients. We’re looking forward to a great 2017.”

Anne commented: “I’m delighted to join the Project Octo team at such an exciting time in the development of the business.”

Project Octo has also taken on Salford University student Lewis Briffa in the role of trainee developer. Lewis, who is on a sandwich year, has joined the firm to pick up vital experience in the private sector.

Helen Lucking, Napthens

North West law firm Napthens has named Lawyer Helen Lucking as the new head of its family and divorce team.

A partner in the team, Helen has now taken over from former department head Simon Gledhill, who is set to retire.

Helen advises clients on all areas of family, matrimonial law and children matters. She is also an accredited member of the Law Society Children Panel and family lawyer association Resolution.

Helen, who has worked at Napthens since 2007, following its merger with law firm Cuddy Woods and Cochrane, said: “We have a great team here and I’m looking forward to leading the department as we continue to develop our offering and provide clients with the highest levels of service.”

Matt Cody, Bluestones Investment Group

Chester firm Bluestones Investment Group (BIG) has taken on a new group marketing director.

Matt Cody, a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), has previously worked for FTSE 250 and AIM-listed organisations.

With Bluestones, Matt will oversee the marketing functions of the company and the 30+ ventures within its portfolio.

Discussing the appointment, group CEO Stuart McBride said: “This is a significant appointment for the group.

“We’ve experienced tremendous growth over the last 12 months and as a result, we are investing heavily in the support functions of the business.”

He added: “Matt’s experience is impressive and we’re looking forward to the positive impacts he will have on the business as we continue to grow.”

Matt commented: “The group is growing rapidly and continuing to invest in its support functions, including marketing.

“There are plenty of interesting challenges and opportunities across both the group, and in the individual businesses, and I’m excited to take on this new role.”