This week’s North West appointments

14 appointments, Deloitte

Professional services giant Deloitte has announced a raft of senior promotions across its North West practice.

The firm appointed three new partners and 11 directors, all of whom took up their new posts on July 1.

Olly Tebbutt, who works in advisory corporate finance, Tim Grogan in audit and risk advisory and Ed Gibson in tax are now all partners.

Olly joined Deloitte over 15 years ago and has since worked with entrepreneurial businesses and private equity.

Tim, who has worked at the firm since 2002, has supported a number of its biggest PLC and private equity-backed audit clients, regionally and internationally.

Ed specialises in international tax, with a focus on large foreign-owned businesses investing in the UK. He also joined Deloitte in 2002.

The 11 newly appointed directors are:

• Glen Frost (financial advisory)
• David Elliott (financial advisory)
• Richard Elgott (financial advisory)
• Simon Hearne (audit and risk advisory)
• Doug King (audit and risk advisory)
• Saul Wadsworth (audit and risk advisory)
• Andrew Gibson (audit and risk advisory)
• Kirstyn Jeffries (tax)
• Greg Dalziel (tax)
• Helen Rylands (tax)
• Steven Huxley (Consulting).

Deloitte’s practice senior partner in the North West, Richard Bell, said: “I am pleased to see such a high proportion of promotions across a number of our core service lines.

“Each individual has demonstrated their ability to support our clients, across both the public and private sector, and have helped us to make a real impact in the region.”

He continued: “Developing people is a major focus at Deloitte and we work hard to attract and retain the very best talent.

“We are proud of the latest promotions and I look forward to working with them all as we enter the next financial year.”

Andrew Blackshaw, MAG Property

MAG Property, the property and development arm of airport operator Manchester Airports Group, has appointed Andrew Blackshaw to the role of strategic asset management director.

Andrew previously worked at Deloitte and has 17 years’ experience in corporate finance and real estate consulting.

At MAG, he will oversee a 28-strong team of property management and facilities personnel, working with CEO Lynda Shillaw as he takes responsibility for the company’s investment estate.

Lynda said: “This is another great senior hire for MAG Property. Andrew has chosen an exciting time to be joining us, as we continue to build a distinctive offer for businesses looking to occupy space at one of our highly connected locations.

“Andrew is a really strong addition to the senior management team and will help us with our goal of being a market leading property and development business.”

Andrew commented: “I’m excited to be joining the senior team at MAG Property at this really important stage in its development. I’m looking forward to be joining such a great group of people and helping to support the business as it grows and develops.”

Image L-R: Silas Heys, John Chesworth and Gavin Wright

Silas Heys, Harrison Drury

Harrison Drury, the Kendal-based law firm, has bolstered its commercial property team with the appointment of Silas Heys.

Silas has joined the company’s Stramongate office following roles with international law firms Hill Dickinson and Fieldfisher, in Liverpool and Manchester respectively.

Specialising in commercial property sales and purchases, property finance, and landlord and tenant issues, Silas advises the region’s developers, landlords, investors, businesses and financial institutions.

Harrison Drury’s property and construction team head, Simon England, said: “We continue to see strong levels of development activity across the region and this brings with it the need for high-quality advice.

“Silas has a broad range of experience and will further strengthen our property team in Kendal.”

Silas commented: “When looking to relocate to Kendal, Harrison Drury really stood out as a forward-thinking and modern law firm.

“They have a level of expertise that allows them to compete with the big city firms. It’s great to be part of the team.”

Victoria Taylor and Kirsty Halsted, Napthens

Law firm Napthens has expanded its litigation and dispute resolution offer with the appointment of two new faces.

Solicitor Victoria Taylor joined the company to advise both commercial and individual clients on a range of disputes. Prior to her appointment, Victoria trained at a law firm in east Lancashire.

Kirsty Halsted, meanwhile, has been promoted to the role of paralegal. Having joined Napthens as a legal secretary in 2013, Kirsty will now work alongside solicitor Stephen Crossley, who is the registrar of the Diocese of Blackburn.

Both Victoria and Kirsty are based at Napthens’ Blackburn office.

Litigation team partner David Bailey said: “We continue to see an increase in demand for our dispute resolution services, and these appointments help to ensure that clients continue to have access to the best possible service in the area.

“Victoria and Kirsty bring a variety of skills to the team and their appointments are not only a commitment to the firm’s litigation service but also to the business community in East Lancashire.”

David Hollingsworth, Powell Williams

National building consultancy Powell Williams has made David Hollingsworth a partner in the company.

A chartered surveyor with over 20 years’ experience, David joined Powell Williams’ Chester office in 2014 as an associate. As the firm’s ninth partner, he will work to grow its insurance-related work and Principal Designr services.

Powell Williams’ managing partner, Andy Williams, said: “We are delighted to welcome David as a fellow Partner, it is a richly deserved promotion.

“His success is down to sheer hard work and excellent delivery of new business within insurance and reinstatement instructions, and development of our PD team.”

He added: “He has proven his ability to generate work and lead a team, and he will be a significant addition to the partnership.”

David commented: “I joined Powell Williams with a view to helping expand the service offering and bring in new clients through my focus on insurance-related work and principal designer expertise.

“This gave us more capacity to assist clients with new and complex areas of work, and allows us to offer a true life cycle service to our clients, an achievement of which I am pleased to have played a part.”

Image: Russ Forshaw (left) with David Lowe

Russ Forshaw, MC Construction

Salford building firm MC Construction has appointed a director to head up its new facilities services division.

Russ Forshaw joined the company from convention complex Manchester Central, where he was director of facilities management.

Before his role at Manchester Central, Russ worked for eight years with builders Shepherd Construction.

MC Construction managing director David Lowe said: “We are delighted that Russ has joined the business to head MC Facilities Services.

“He has an excellent track record in construction and facilities management, and is ideally-suited to this new role.”

David continued: “He’s an experienced senior leader with superb knowledge of a broad range of building disciplines and techniques. We’re confident Russ will be a huge success in his role and will help to drive the company forward towards our £20m turnover goal by 2018.”

Russ commented: “I have known the team at MC Construction for several years and have watched with interest as the company has gone from strength to strength.

“The opportunity to be part of an award-winning team and develop a new service offering for a company with such pedigree was one that I could not turn down.”

Tony Hallwood, Marketing Profile

Marketing, PR and events company Marketing Profile has appointed Tony Hallwood as group director.

Tony was previously head of business development and public relations for Leeds Bradford Airport.

Marketing Profile was founded by his wife, Barbara Hallwood, who said: “As both sides of the business continue to expand attracting clients locally, regionally and nationally it is a perfect opportunity to bring Tony onboard.

“Undoubtedly his business acumen and contacts across Yorkshire will help further grow the business especially across the Leeds City Region.”

Tony commented: “I am excited to be joining Marketing Profile as the business is set to expand into Leeds and Yorkshire.

“I look forward to developing new business, marketing and PR opportunities and we have exciting plans for the future.’’

Bridget Collier, Fieldfisher

European law firm Fieldfisher has selected Bridget Collier to head up its Manchester-based mesothelioma and asbestos team.

Bridget, who has conducted asbestos, industrial disease and accident at work claims for the last 20 years, joined Fieldfisher from GLP Solicitors.

Ian Austin, managing partner at Fieldfisher’s Manchester office, said: “Bridget is a valuable addition to the Manchester office at the Freetrade Exchange on Peter Street.

“She brings a huge amount of knowledge and will only strengthen the mesothelioma and asbestos claims practice which operates across our region.”

He added: “The appointment comes at an important time for us, as we continue to grow our headcount and widen our offer and expertise to a raft of clients.”

Bridget is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers executive committee.

She commented: “The mesothelioma and asbestos claims team at Fieldfisher is market leading.

“I am thrilled to be joining them, growing the Manchester offering, and helping those who have suffered from industrial disease reach settlements for them and their loved ones.”

Fieldfisher’s head of asbestos disease claims, Peter Williams, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bridget to head up our asbestos disease practice in the North West.

“She brings a wealth of experience to our 30-year reputation in asbestos disease claims – which now has a truly national reach.”