This week’s North West appointments

A roundup of the latest appointments from across the North West.

Adam Taylor, ClientsFirst

Macclesfield marketing agency ClientsFirst has selected graphic designer Adam Taylor as its new head of design.

Adam worked at phone retailer Phones4u for six years, during which time he was responsible for print and digital collateral for over 700 high street stores.

He also worked on joint campaigns with Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Samsung and other global tech brands.

ClientsFirst MD Jon Pittham said: “It’s an exciting time for the agency. We’ve worked hard over the last year putting the foundations in place ready for further growth and the appointment of Adam has been an integral part of this.

“Head of design is a pivotal role in the business and we’re delighted that Adam has decided to join our growing team. He has all the creative and personal attributes we, and our clients, are looking for in a leader of design and we’re looking forward to seeing what brings to the agency during 2017 and beyond.”

Adam Taylor commented: “I’m delighted to join ClientsFirst at what is an exciting time for the agency. I’m looking forward to leading the studio and producing award-winning creative work for our growing client base.”

Rebecca May, NJL Consulting

Real estate consultancy NJL Consulting has appointed Rebecca May to the role of planner.

Rebecca has joined NJL from Gladman Developments, where she was responsible for preparing and submitting major housing applications on projects across the UK.

She commented: “I look forward to joining the growing team at NJL Manchester.

“I’ll be applying the knowledge and experience I have gained so far in my career to the various new and exciting instructions NJL’s residential team has secured.”

NJL Consulting associate director Katie Delaney said: “Rebecca has significant experience in managing major and complex applications on behalf of landowners.

We’re delighted to have her join the team, enabling us to continue to provide an excellent service to our growing number of clients in this sector.“

Image L-R: Nik White, Andrew McGregor, Victoria Trigwell and Ioana Ghiurco

Three appointments, Brabners

Brabners, the commercial law firm, has bolstered its commercial, intellectual property and sports practices with three appointments.

Victoria Trigwell has joined the firm’s commercial and intellectual property team in the role of associate along with intellectual property and trademark administrator Ioana Ghiurco.

Andrew McGregor, meanwhile, has been taken on as an associate in Brabners’ sports practice.

Victoria has 12 years of experience specialising in commercial contracts and EU public procurement law. Ioana qualified in Spain and focused on intellectual property before moving to the UK.

Andrew focuses, who has over eight years’ experience, specialises in dispute resolution.

Brabners’ head of commercial and IP, partner Nik White, said: “We are continuing to invest in talent and together Victoria, Ioana and Andrew offer specialist knowledge and sector expertise that will strengthen the teams’ capabilities.

“Not only will this help us to deliver the highest-quality service to clients, it puts us in a strong position to drive future growth in a rapidly changing business environment.”

Helen White, Select Property Group

Property investment firm Select Property Group has appointed Helen White, formerly its brand and communications director, as the new MD of its private rented sector (PRS) business Affinity Living.

Helen has worked at Select since 2013 and played a prominent role in the creation of the group’s brands, including its Vita Student arm.

Discussing Helen’s appointment, CEO Mark Stott said: “Affinity Living will be our third brand to launch and I’m confident it will deliver exactly what the rental market needs.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Helen and her team deliver this outstanding product and instilling Select’s commitment to customer experience throughout the business.”

Helen, who has experience running a PR consultancy and preparing a tech enterprise for growth and acquisition, said she is looking forward to the fresh challenge with Select Property Group.

She commented: “Affinity Living caters for a generation of young professionals who don’t view renting as a second tier option but consider it a lifestyle choice.

“They are sociable, collaborative, digital natives who choose to consume not own. All of these characteristics have helped shape the brand, creating buildings that encourage community rather than the closed door culture synonymous with traditional apartment living.

“Affinity Living will be an amazing place to live and I’m hugely excited about the challenge and opportunity.”

Iain Jenkinson, CBRE

Real estate advisory firm CBRE has promoted Iain Jenkinson to head of national planning.

Working from the company’s Manchester office, Iain will be responsible for the team’s strategic planning capabilities and development advisory services.

Iain’s experience lies in advising on mixed-use and city centre commercial schemes, with a specialism in providing town planning and funding advice for complex developments.

Elsewhere, CBRE has promoted Jonathan Stoddart to head of London planning and appointed Will Lingard as a senior director in the team.

In a joint statement, Iain and Jonathan said: “We look forward to taking on new challenges and building on the success of the Planning team to date.

“We will continue to invest in new talent in line with client demand. There are already several new hires in the pipeline for 2017, in what we anticipate will be a busy and dynamic year.”

Andy Roberts, Medicash

Medicash, the Liverpool-based healthcare cash plan provider, has promoted its head of finance.

Andy Roberts, who has joined the board as finance director, started his career with professional services giant PwC and joined Medicash in 2011, becoming head of finance in 2015.

Commenting on the appointment, chief executive Sue Weir said: “Andy has consistently played a key role in our progress working on a variety of important strategic projects.

“We are delighted to welcome him to the Board and are confident he will continue to make an important impact on our future development.”

Andy said: “This is an exciting opportunity. Medicash is an ethical and ambitious organisation and I am very much looking forward to making a valuable contribution to Medicash’s next phase of growth.”

Phil Dibbs and John Landers, Reparo Finance

Reparo Finance, the Manchester-based business lender, has added to its team with the appointment of two senior executives.

Phil Dibbs has been chosen for the role of new business director and will cover both Yorkshire and the North East.

He previously worked for accountants Grant Thornton and BDO, as well as Bank of Scotland.

Phil said: “It’s exciting to be joining a small, fast –growing business like Reparo. Its products give the SME market a really flexible and much-needed alternative to mainstream lending, and I am looking forward to helping the firm to continue to grow by making more businesses across the north aware of the choices available to them.”

Phil is joined by John Landers, who has been appointed as a new business consultant covering the South Midlands and London.

Reparo MD Andrew Ward said: “It’s great news that Phil and John have joined our team and will be driving our business development activities.

“With their extensive experience in financial services, they have a real understanding of the funding challenges facing SMEs and will play a key role in communicating our offering to businesses further afield.”

He continued: “Having recently launched an eight figure fund to support medium term business funding, we are now able to help even more businesses in need of rapid access to working capital and we expect our team to continue to grow in the coming months in line with increasing demand.”

Louie Dunkin, Moorhouse’s

Burnley-based independent brewery Moorhouse’s has welcomed a new face to its sales team.

Louie Dunkin has joined the company in the role of regional sales executive.

Prior to his appointment, Louie worked as a key accounts and general operations manager for hospitality-focused Bliss Supplies.

Louie said: “I am really looking forward to developing business for Moorhouse’s brands with both regular ale enthusiasts and the new wave beer drinkers in Manchester’s vibrant pubs and bars.

“It is a very exciting time for the brewery to grow in the city and Stray Dog has already been very well received.”

Moorhouse’s sales director, Mark Boardman, said: “This is a key appointment for the brewery.

“With Louie’s experience and enthusiasm and our very strong brands, now including Stray Dog, we are looking to build long term business relations across the city’s booming hospitality sector.”

Seb Salisbury, Frank Whittle Partnership

North West architecture firm Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) has promoted Seb Salisbury to associate partner.

During his 10 years with FWP, Seb has been involved in various high-profile design projects across the UK, including the multi-million pound regeneration of Preston’s Guild Hall.

David Robinson, managing partner at FWP, said: “The decision to make Seb an associate partner of the practice reflects his commitment and development over the last 10 years and it is thoroughly deserved.

“Seb initially joined as a student and has matured into an architect with very strong commercial instincts.”

He continued: “In recent years he has sourced numerous new opportunities for FWP and he has helped to strengthen our relationship with some key clients in a range of sectors.

“He has a clear understanding of their requirements and is a highly-skilled concept designer. Seb has grown into an important member of the multidisciplinary team we have here.”

Seb, who studied at the Manchester School of Architecture, commented: “I’m delighted to have been made an associate partner.

“I joined FWP as a student and the senior team here has played an important role in my career development. I’m extremely grateful for their support and encouragement.”

He added: “It’s also been tremendously rewarding to work in a practice that has such an interesting and varied portfolio of architectural and design projects.”