This week’s North West appointments

Rick Watson, Dharma Nurse and Stephen Ellison, Business Growth Hub

This week, Business Growth Hub has announced the appointment of three university business development managers to strengthen its Innovation Growth Service.

The Hub’s network of business development managers now includes Rick Watson, who is based at the University of Manchester; Dharma Nurse, at Manchester Metropolitan University; and Stephen Ellison at the University of Salford.

Joining Sue Warburton, who is already established at the University of Bolton, the trio will work closely with the universities’ engagement teams and academic schools to offer companies technical and sector-based advice.

They will also help firms access university resources as they develop new products and services.

Business Growth Hub director Richard Jeffery said: “The world class academic knowledge and research facilities on offer at these universities allow us to create an unparalleled ecosystem of research, knowledge, and innovation with potential to make a real difference to businesses across Greater Manchester.

These partnerships represent a significant step forward in the Hub’s mission to provide a market-leading service for the businesses that seek our support.“

Debora Harrison, Vincents

Vincents Solicitors has added to its clinical negligence team with the appointment of senior solicitor Debora Harrison (pictured left).

Joining from Lytham-based law firm Linder Myers, Debora handles cases involving fatal and life-changing outcomes, including surgical mistakes, GP or nurse errors and misdiagnosis or diagnosis delay.

During her career, she has secured large settlements for clients and their families, including two of £1.5m and a number in the six figures.

She said: “Clinical negligence is one of the most tragic areas of the law, where clients have been let down by the professionals in whom they placed their trust.

“Often their injuries are so life changing that only a significant settlement can allow them to get the on-going care and support they need and try to find a way to live with the physical and psychological effects of what has gone wrong, or to provide for the family they leave behind.”

She continued: “While I am wholly supportive of our NHS and its dedicated medics - and there are masses of patient treatments every day without incident - when something goes wrong it absolutely has to be investigated and addressed.

“We do hope that by bringing these cases and highlighting instances of negligence, that we can not only get justice for our clients but also contribute to the authorities reviewing and improving the service for future patients.”

At Vincents, Debora will work with PI department head Olivia Robinson (pictured right), litigation executive Denise Singleton and personal assistant Hayley Mars in the clinical negligence team.

Olivia Robinson commented: “Debora is a professional and dedicated solicitor with more than 14 years’ experience in this sector, with a passion and commitment to fighting for her clients which really stood out.

“She has an extremely strong track record of achieving significant settlements for her clients, and is known for her compassionate approach which is vital when working with people who have suffered from clinical negligence. We are very pleased to welcome Debora.”

Four appointments, Pareto FP

Pareto FP, the North West financial planning consultancy, has announced four new appointments.

The Manchester-based firm has welcomed Anthony Bruchez and Alex Savage as independent financial advisers, Simon Hawkins as financial services administrator and Maura Zara as paraplanner.

Leeds-born Alex has spent the last six years working as an IFA in the region. Anthony, who brings 10 years’ experience in financial services to Pareto, will look after the company’s portfolio of clients.

Simon, meanwhile, previously worked for Friends Life. Maura has joined Pareto’s paraplanning department and will work closely with the firm’s team of advisers.

Anthony Bruchez commented: “I couldn’t be more pleased to be working for Pareto, a premier firm of financial planners.

“I’m passionate about providing truly independent fee-based advice, and for that there is nowhere better to be.”

John Stevenson, who founded the company nine years ago with business partner George Chantry, said: “We are expecting 2017 to be another record-breaking year for Pareto FP and feel our four latest recruits will help us drive the business towards that goal.

“The challenge now is to continue to recruit high calibre professionals to meet increasing demand for our services, from both our existing clients and new professional introducers.”

Mike Devlin, Manchester Law Society

The head of family at Stephensons, Mike Devlin, has been elected as the new vice-president of the Manchester Law Society.

Mike has served as a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Children Panel Accreditation Scheme since its inception in 1984 (when it was known as the Law Society Children Panel).

He is also chairman of the Salford Diocesan Child Protection Commission and works as a legal advisor to After Adoption’s adoption panel.

Mike said: “I look forward to serving the Manchester legal community. The profession has weathered many changes over the past years, including deep cuts to legal aid, rising court fees and changes to the small-claims limit.

“It is more important than ever for solicitors to remain focused on providing high quality advice and representation whilst adapting their working practices to be able to compete in an ever changing and increasingly competitive market.”

Manchester Law Society chief exec Fran Eccles-Bech commented: “I am delighted to be able to announce the appointment of Mike Devlin.

“He is a highly regarded and nationally renowned leader in the field of children law whose contribution to the Manchester legal community has been second to none.”

Fran added: “We look forward to working with Mike Devlin in the years to come”.

Steven Stewart, Morris & Spottiswood

Morris & Spottiswood, the construction fit-out company, has appointed a new business development manager.

Steven Stewart was hired to build the Warrington-based firm’s presence in the housing arena, using his his expertise in construction, refurbishment and maintenance to secure work across the sector.

Morris & Spottiswood’s operations director, Gordon Clyne, said: “We have proven experience in the market and the appointment of Steven Stewart will give us the focus to go out and grow our presence in the housing sector.

“He will help us to build our name in a market where we see great opportunities.”

He continued: “There is an increasing appetite to build new homes across the country and we know there is a need to create more housing. The aim of our housing division is to build better homes and create neighbourhoods people are proud to live in.

“Steven has great experience and good all round knowledge of the construction sector and we are delighted to welcome him in his new role.”

Steven started out in his career with Costain, the construction and civil engineering group. Since then, he has worked in various parts of the industry, particularly in the supply side.

He said: “Morris & Spottiswood has vast experience and knowledge; my role will be to use that and its record of delivery to open the door to new opportunities.

“I feel the company is a real ‘sleeping giant’ in the market.”

Katharine Marshall, Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors

Lancashire law firm Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors has selected Katharine Marshall to lead and expand its family law department.

Katharine has joined the company’s Bury office from Makin Dixon Solicitors, where she worked for four years in the role of associate solicitor and headed up its offices in Rochdale and Todmorden.

With over 10 years’ experience in family law, Katharine holds the Higher Rights of Audience qualification, which enables her to appear before the High Court.

Katharine, who completed her training contract at Burnley-based Waddington and Son Solicitors, said: “I’m excited to have joined the team and look forward to working alongside Mark Taylor and Carolyn Ford to expand the department, while assisting families in this specialist area of law.”

Partner David Connor commented: “As a firm, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall is dedicated to recruiting the best legal professional out there, ensuring our clients have the best access to expert legal advice and we’re thrilled to have Katharine on board.”

Philip Barnes, Paul Crowley & Co

Liverpool law firm Paul Crowley & Co has welcomed Philip Barnes to its management team as operations director.

Philip has more than 25 years of experience in driving strategic development and delivering operational improvements.

Following his appointment, Philip will continue to serve as a supervisor for the University of Manchester’s Global MBA Programme.

Senior partner Paul Crowley said: “I am delighted to welcome Philip to our management team. Philip’s vast experience will be invaluable in helping to direct and guide our strategic development.

“Philip has proven track record for designing and delivering successful business strategy programmes, and I am keen to see where this new partnership will now take the firm, as we look to continue our impressive growth and success.”

Philip Barnes commented: “Paul Crowley & Co is a highly successful firm, which delivers a professional and quality service to its clients and so I am keen to build on this strong foundation and develop the firm even further.

“I believe that there is great potential here for further growth and success, which will be aided by a new strategic plan to enhance productivity, skill sets and performance.”

Qesma Mohammed, Kaytie Evans-Jones and Emma Croasdale, BioClinics

Salford-based testing firm BioClinics has taken on three new members of staff through its graduate recruitment programme.

The company added to its clinical team with the appointment of Emily Croasdale, Kaytie Evans-Jones and Qesma Mohammed.

Qesma and Emily, who graduated from the University of Manchester in biomaterials and biosciences respectively, have joined BioClinics as clinical administrators.

In their new roles, they will be responsible for receiving samples for lab testing, managing client appointments, tracking test results and compiling reports.

Kaytie, joining BioClinics as a clinical adviser, graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in biomedical sciences.

Following her appointment, Kaytie will handle private client and commercial inquiries for the company’s testing services, offering technical information and helping them choose the right test for their circumstances.

BioClinics carries out workplace alcohol and drug testing and DNA, weight-loss and polygraph testing services through its network of 170 testing clinics and 80 mobile sample collection officers in the UK and Ireland.

The firm’s founder and scientific director, Nichola McChrystal, said: “Emily, Kaytie and Qesma have demonstrated an ability to quickly learn about the business and our industry, and have an excellent grasp of the science behind the testing services we provide.

“They are able to put their knowledge into action by dealing with clients on a daily basis and communicate with them in a way which inspires confidence and assurance in the testing process.”

She continued: “With the increasing diversity and complexity of the testing services we provide, and with our focus for growth on emerging technologies, the need to recruit high-calibre graduates is more important than ever.

“We envisage further graduate recruitment towards the end of this year.”