This week’s North West appointments

Karen Yates, Napthens

Regional law firm Napthens has bolstered its wills and estate planning team with the appointment of solicitor Karen Yates.

Working from the company’s Preston office, Karen will use her 10 years of experience as a qualified solicitor to advise clients on estate planning matters such as making and reviewing wills and lasting powers of attorney.

Karen, from Bury, is a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

The head of wills and estate planning at Napthens, Kathryn Harwood, said: “Growth in demand for advice on estate planning matters has continued to be strong, and following a number of appointments last year we are once again strengthening the team.

“Karen has valuable experience and will play an important role in ensuring our clients continue to have access to the high quality advice they expect.”

Camilla Thornberry, Slater Heelis

Law firm Slater Heelis has appointed Camilla Thornberry in the role of associate solicitor.

Joining from international law firm Trowers & Hamlins, Camilla will work in Slater Heelis’ Manchester-based commercial property team with a focus on residential development.

Camilla has experience in a range of general property work, with a particular knowledge of site acquisitions and disposals, setting up sales schemes and other residential development matters.

Commercial property team head Will Henson said: “We have a hugely experienced commercial property team at Slater Heelis and Camilla’s expertise will only serve to strengthen this further.

“Camilla is the second addition to our team this year as we continue to cater for a growing increase in demand for our services.”

Camilla commented: “The Slater Heelis Commercial Property team has an excellent reputation for providing a high-quality service to all clients. This strong reputation and the stand-out ethos of the firm were what drew me to this role.”

Tony Bochenski, Aaron & Partners LLP

Chester-based legal practice Aaron & Partners LLP has added to its strategic planning team with the appointment of a consultant to the board.

Tony Bochenski brings over 35 years’ in-house and private practice legal experience to his new position, having previously held senior roles with Bank of Scotland and Capital Bank. Most recently, he worked as the head of banking and an equity partner at law firm DWF.

At Aaron & Partners, he will advise the board on the firm’s future strategic direction and a host of other topics.

Senior partner Simon Edwards said: “We are delighted to welcome Tony to Aaron & Partners.

“He’s been at the cutting edge of business, finance and legal practice with several high profile UK companies and he is someone that we have known and admired for many years.”

He added: “His considerable experience and knowledge as both a client and a provider of legal services, will provide us with valuable perspectives from both sides as well as helping us deliver on our strategic aims and objectives.”

Tony, who qualified as a solicitor in 1976, commented: “I am incredibly excited to have the chance to work with Aaron & Partners.

“The firm’s reputation in the locations and sectors in which they specialise is second to none and I want to help them build on that by offering my experience, suggesting new ideas and keeping the team focused on delivering a clear and concise strategic plan.”

He continued: “I’m really looking forward to playing my part and helping the business grow and thrive in the months and years ahead.”

Robert Sheffrin, UCLan

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has announced the appointment of an investment director to support Lancashire SMEs.

In his new role, Robert Sheffrin will work to build the university’s Investment Readiness programme, which provides businesses with investors’ insight into strengthening their potential for securing equity investment.

Robert has 25 years of venture capital investment experience, gained both in the UK and abroad.

He is a former director of the British Business Angels Association and also served as president of the Manchester Society of Chartered Accountants.

Robert said: “An investor led investment readiness programme has been the missing link in supporting deal flow to equity investors.

“With my investment experience and knowledge of international investment readiness programmes, I look forward to developing quality businesses for introduction to investors nationally.”

Pete Leather, director of UCLan’s Investment Readiness programme, commented: “We are delighted that Robert has joined the Investment Readiness team to deliver this exciting and novel approach to investment readiness support.

“Robert has a wealth of experience and knowledge from the equity investment market, and his insight into how businesses can best prepare to increase their chances of securing equity investment and his network of contacts in the sector will form a core component as we support ambitious businesses across Lancashire.”

Ian Ayre, ACC Liverpool Group

Former Liverpool FC chief executive Ian Ayre (pictured right) has joined the ACC Liverpool Group as its new chair of the board.

The organisation, which encompasses the Echo Arena, BT Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre Liverpool and ticketing agency TicketQuarter, confirmed that Ian will take over when current chair David McDonnell steps down.

Ian was the chief exec of LFC for 10 years until February, when he left to become the MD of German football club TSV 1860 Munich.

Before joining Liverpool, Ian was the chief executive of Total Sports Asia. He has also previously served as non-executive chairman of the Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy board.

He commented: “I am honoured to have been appointed chair of The ACC Liverpool Group board as I embark on the next phase of my professional career.

“It was important to me on leaving Liverpool Football Club to remain involved with the city when my day to day role will now move to Munich, Germany.”

He continued: “I can think of no better organisation than The ACC Liverpool Group to allow me to continue to make a contribution to the region.

“Its significance to the area cannot be overestimated, particularly for the profile it brings on a national and international scale. I look forward to bringing my own experience of guiding large organisations.”

The ACC Liverpool Group chief exec Bob Prattey (pictured left) commented: “We are extremely grateful to David who has been a fantastic chair since he was appointed in 2010.

“Ian is the perfect candidate to take over this role thanks to his comprehensive experience at commercial organisations and high profile venues such as Liverpool Football Club.”

He added: “This is an exciting time for us as we head towards our tenth anniversary next year and we are pleased that Ian will join us on the next phase of this journey.”

Chris Ellett, Well Pharmacy

Pharmacy chain Well has made Chris Ellett its new transformation director.

Chris is bringing 13 years’ experience in business transformation and excellence to the company.

Prior to his appointment, Chris was group head of transformation at Co-op.

Working from Well’s Manchester head office and reporting directly to CEO John Nuttall, Chris will lead the company’s IT, programme management office and innovation functions to shape and define the future strategy of Well Group.

Chris said of his appointment: “I’m excited to be joining Well at such an important time. As consumer behaviours, expectations and needs change, and the market landscape continues to evolve, we have a unique opportunity to deliver true convenience, clinical effectiveness, and make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our customers.

“With 780 stores nationwide, we know we can play an even greater role in alleviating the current pressures on the NHS and harness technology-led solutions to make community pharmacy truly valuable, while delivering the outstanding customer-care people have come to expect from their local Well pharmacy.”

Well CEO John Nuttall commented: “We want to be at the forefront of innovation and technology developments, and Chris will play a vital role in driving our transformation programmes.

“I’m confident that with his expertise and leadership, we will overcome the challenges the sector is facing to become an industry-leader.”

John continued: We have bold ambitions to modernise community pharmacy, and we are just at the start of this journey. Chris’ experience in leading transformational change, coupled with his multi-sector experience makes him the perfect fit to drive Well’s future growth.“

Lee Gilmore, Bridging Finance Solutions

Bridging Finance Solutions (BFS) has taken on corporate and commercial banking specialist Lee Gilmore in the role of consultant.

Lee, a former relationship director at HSBC, will now support BFS’ growing business development team, working to raise the company’s profile in the North West and seeking new business opportunities in the financial sector.

His remit will also include providing the team with coaching and mentoring, while helping it make informed investment decisions within the business.

Lee said: “I intend to utilise my in-depth knowledge of the banking sector to support BFS’ strategy on receiving more referrals from the banking industry.

“I have constantly been involved in business development with the north west professional sector for over 20 years and it is this experience and depth of contacts that will assist my BFS colleagues with their own business development.”

He continued: “It’s a really interesting time in the banking and lending industries where we’re seeing bridging playing a more important role in the economy by permitting asset rich and temporary cash poor individuals to make progress and buy time.

“By educating the professional sector, bridging can provide a quick and temporary fix for their clients and help them cement their client relationships.”

Bridging Finance Solutions MD Steve Barber commented: “Lee joining the BFS team is a definite coup for us.

“He is a well-established and recognised figure within the North West banking sector and his experience, contacts and wider understanding will undoubtedly support us in terms of our ambitious future growth plans.”

Four appointments, Cast UK

Recruitment firm Cast UK has announced a trio of new hires and a promotion.

Ben Oliver Campbell has joined the company’s procurement team in the role of principle consultant and will focus on interim procurement recruitment for the manufacturing, engineering, public sector, professional services, energy and pharma sectors.

Charlie Lambert, meanwhile, has joined the company’s retail team. Charlie specialises in recruiting buying, merchandising and design roles in London and the South East.

Ben Smith has joined Cast UK’s business change and transformation team, where he will focus on contract and interim business change and transformation roles in the retail and FMCG sectors.

Elsewhere, the firm has promoted Rowan Kimmins to the business change and transformation team from his previous role as business support executive.

Cast UK MD Wayne Brophy said of the appointments: “This is an exciting period of growth for us and we’re pleased to expand the team with three fantastic new hires.

“I’m also delighted to see Rowan progress into our sales team, we have high hopes for him and his experience within our Business Support function sets him in good stead for his career in recruitment.”