This week’s North West appointments

Jessica Heywood, Robson & Liddle

Penrith-based chartered surveyors firm Robson & Liddle has taken on a new student surveyor.

Jessica Heywood will be part of a team working with farmers and landowners in the North of England and Southern Scotland.

She is currently two years into studying Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University.

Jessica’s appointment at Robson & Liddle will see her undertake a year of work experience, assisting with valuations, planning, landlord and tenant issues and estate visits before going on to complete her degree.

Jessica said: “It’s really interesting to be able to put my studies to practical use when visiting clients.

“I’m really enjoying estate management and the valuations, but there’s so much more that I can’t wait to learn about.”

She added: “This experience is really important for my future.”

Robson & Liddle director Julie Liddle commented: “Investing in the next generation of professionals is something that’s important to us as a company.

“These placements enable students to get valuable hands on experience. It is great to have Jessica on board.”

Mike Hoyle, Sellick Partnership

Professional services recruiter Sellick Partnership has chosen Mike Hoyle as its new finance director.

Mike joined Sellick in 2014 and most recently held the role of financial controller. Before that, he worked for accountancy and business advisory firm BDO, where he specialised in audit and built his technical accounting knowledge in a range of sectors.

In his new position, Mike will head up the internal finance team while working closely with MD Jo Sellick and the board to drive the company forward.

Mike said: “I am looking forward to my new role as finance director at Sellick Partnership and working with the board to ensure our future organic growth.

“In my new role I aim to maximise the quality of service provided by our internal finance team to all of our stakeholders by leading and enabling every member of our team to reach their full potential.”

He continued: “Sellick Partnership is a market-leading recruitment firm in every sense and is respected throughout the UK, I hope with my input we can continue to set records for company financial performance and build on the company brand.”

Jo Sellick commented: “We are delighted that Mike is joining the board as finance director.

“Mike is extremely focused on getting the right outcomes for our business and has demonstrated his ability to successfully lead people towards a common goal, which gives me great confidence.”

Jo added: “Mike’s extensive knowledge of the recruitment sector, as well as his breadth of experience from his time in practice will be crucial as we continue to develop our recruitment offerings in the months and years to come.”

Paul McCarren, Aberla

Energy and M&E contractor Aberla has appointed Paul McCarren as its managing director.

Paul previously worked as energy director at Bolton contractor Forrest and project manager for energy giant British Gas.

In his new role with Warrington-based Aberla, Paul will lead the management team and drive the firm’s growth strategy.

Paul said: “With the UK energy market certainly showing no signs of slowing down my appointment at Aberla is a really exciting opportunity.

“We are looking to grow turnover by targeting new sectors, diversifying into new technologies and increasing knowledge collaboration with our partners.”

He added: “In addition to our recent rebrand, and our new office relocation, we are currently recruiting a number of key roles within the organisation, so it really is all go.”

Aberla chairman Mike Fletcher commented: “I’ve known Paul for a number of years and am impressed by his entrepreneurial spirit. His appointment has already initiated new investment into the business and he also brings with him a new senior management team which will assist in the tactical growth plan.”

Dave Furlong, Maven Capital Partners

Private equity manager Maven Capital Partners has announced the appointment of Dave Furlong as an investment director at its Manchester office.

Dave, who has 20 years’ experience, joined the Maven team from Infinity Debt Capital Management.

Dave was a partner and head of debt fund in his previous role, overseeing the launch and management of a new SME/mid-market regional debt fund.

At Maven, Dave will source and execute new investments for the NPIF Equity Finance fund and advise portfolio businesses across the NPIF.

Maven investment director Ryan Bevington, fund manager for NPIF Maven Equity Finance, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Dave to our North West team, where he will invest in high-growth SME companies in support of the NPIF Maven Equity Finance fund and work closely with portfolio companies across the region.

“Dave brings extensive experience of transacting SME debt and equity investments in the North West and around the UK, and will enhance a highly-resourced NPIF investment team delivering the fund.”

Katie Dillon, Hall Brown Family Law

Hall Brown Family Law has appointed associate Katie Dillon to lead a new division launched in response to the rising number of complex cases involving children.

Katie, a member of family lawyers’ group Resolution, joined the company from Stowe Family Law.

She is the 15th fee earner and 22nd overall member of staff hired at Hall Brown.

Sam Hall, who co-founded the company in April 2016 with business partner James Brown, said: “Katie has developed great expertise in supporting families finding themselves in such a predicament over the course of almost a decade and we will be recruiting other individuals to add to our capabilities in the coming months.

“Her talents mean that she is able to deal with the more frequent types of family case as well as this single, very complex strand of casework.”

Sam added: “Nevertheless, we believe that in establishing a specific division, we are making a strong commitment to parents who need assistance should they experience these difficulties.”

James Higgins, AccessPay

Business payment software company AccessPay has hired James Higgins for the role of product director.

Bringing over 10 years of banking sector experience to AccessPay, James will work to help the firm innovate in payments and next-generation financial services.

Prior to his appointment, James held roles with Bank of New York Mellon and Morgan Stanley.

Anish Kapoor, CEO of AccessPay, said: “James brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative thinking to the business and we are delighted to have him on board.

“James shares the same desire for Manchester being a leader in the exciting future for the finance and payments industry and he will play a key role in helping AccessPay achieve its ambition of growth.”

James commented: “I am passionate about the opportunities in leveraging technology to revolutionise financial services and I have joined a team that has a broad spectrum of talented individuals who don’t possess any baggage of how the financial and banking sector has previously operated.”

Peter Thorman and Moyra Williams, Holchem

Hygiene technology firm Holchem has added to its Brewing and Beverage division with the appointment of a new UK sales manager and technical sales consultant.

Peter Thorman will lead a team covering UK and international customers as the division’s sales manager.

Now a Master Brewer, Peter started his lifelong passion by brewing with a home brew kit, going on to gain a degree in Brewing and Microbiology from Heriot Watt University. He has worked in the brewing industry for 14 years.

Newly appointed technical sales consultant Moyra Williams (pictured), started her career in the industry when she also gained a BSc in Brewing and Microbiology from Heriot Watt University.

She went on to work as a brewer in the South for more than 15 years before moving to Australia’s Yarra Valley to work for Domaine Chandon winery.

Managing director Simon Bell said: “We’re delighted that we have appointed both Peter and Moyra who come to Holchem with a wealth of experience between them.

“They have known each other a number of years so it’s a real coup for us to be able to bring them together as a team again as their combined knowledge of the industry is second to none.”

He continued: “Both of them bring with the fantastic technical knowledge having worked in breweries and wineries both here and abroad. Peter’s work as an auditor also gives us additional expertise in the sector as we continue to grow our customer base.

Image L-R: Sam Price, Nick Foster, Matthew Blane and Clark Ross

Four appointments, ICS

Contractor accountancy firm ICS has strengthened its services for SMEs with the appointment of four senior managers.

The Lancaster-based business has appointed Matthew Blane as head of sales, Sam Price as corporate account manager and Nick Foster and Clark Ross as business partnership managers.

John Lyon, managing director of ICS, said: “The combined experience of Matthew, Sam, Nick and Clark will certainly bolster the business development side of ICS.

“They will all play key roles in driving the company forward in our plans to spread the word about our strengthened services for SMEs and we are all extremely pleased to welcome them to the ICS team.”