This week’s North West appointments

Nine appointments, Cassons

Cassons, the Rossendale-based chartered accountants and business advisory firm, has added nine new staff to its team.

The new appointments include:

• Tom Walker - trainee chartered accountant in the Accounts and Audit Team
• Scott Booth - trainee chartered accountants, also in Accounts and Audit
• Jane Hivey - tax consultant in the Tax Department
• Ryan Donnelly - trainee chartered accountant in the Tax Department
• Melanie Donegan - personal tax assistant, Bar Department
• Rebecca Preston - administrator, bar department
• Niamh Scurr - accounts trainee in the business support unit

Cassons has also taken on James Brown in the role of payroll trainee and Maria Wren as a member of its admin support team.

Les Nutter, the firm’s managing partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome so many new faces to the Cassons family.

“We are delighted to welcome five trainees at A level and graduate level plus four more experienced people. All of our new starters have shown great promise within their respective teams and we look forward to seeing their careers grow and develop as part of the firm.

He continued: “These appointments underscore our commitment to developing and nurturing talent.

“Our recruitment drive is continuing. We currently have a number of vacancies in our audit and accounts, tax and business support teams that we are keen to fill and we’d welcome applications.”

Jennifer Kelly and Joe Rogers, HRC Law

Commercial law firm HRC Law has appointed Joe Rogers as a paralegal in its corporate and commercial team and welcomed the completion of trainee Jennifer Kelly’s training contract.

Jennifer (pictured), now a solicitor in the company’s corporate and commercial team, said: “I’ve seen HRC Law go from strength-to-strength during my training contract.

“What sets the firm apart is the people-centric culture and opportunity to help clients’ businesses succeed and really make a difference. I look forward to developing my career further at HRC Law.”

Joseph said of his move to the business: “HRC’s team is making waves in the regional legal market.

“As a young and ambitious firm with a client base to match, this role presented an unrivalled opportunity to gain hands-on experience working closely with the partners.”

Joseph completed the GDL course at Cardiff University in 2015 and then joined CJCH Solicitors in Cardiff. After moving to Manchester last year, he joined the corporate team at Addleshaw Goddard, where he developed a specialism in M&A, with a focus on private equity.

HRC Law partner Mark Traynor said: “As a team we’ve been very active in the past twelve months with the department, and the firm as a whole, seeing strong growth.

“The most important thing for us as we grow is to continue offering high quality advice to our clients whilst maintaining the collegiate team culture which has quickly become HRC Law’s hallmark.”

He added: “We believe the way to do this is by attracting and nurturing the best talent. With Jen’s qualification and Joe’s appointment I’m confident we have two rising stars of the legal profession.”

Lucy Nicol, Damian Hodkinson and Gillian Hitchen, Irwin Mitchell

Law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed three partners to its Manchester-based Court of Protection team.

All three have joined the company from Slater & Gordon.

Lucy Nicol (pictured), who joined the firm on November 13, will be followed in early 2018 by Damian Hodkinson and Gillian Hitchen.

The managing partner of Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection and Public Law departments, Niall Baker, said: “Our Court of Protection team across the country is the strongest and covers the widest regional area of any law firm.

“Our new recruits add to that strength in depth and will allow us to help even more people, particularly in the North West.”

He continued: “We are ranked number one again this year by the independent legal guides and it is testament to the hard work of our Court of Protection team that we continue to be recognised as the market leader. We are delighted that Lucy, Damian and Gillian have decided to join us enhancing our expertise.”

James Taylor, MAP Design & Engineering

MAP Recruitment Group – a group of businesses focusing on recruiting for sales, engineering and finance roles – has appointed James Taylor as director of its engineering arm, MAP Design & Engineering Limited.

James previously worked for North West engineering firm Cygnet Group for five years. In his new role, James’ remit will include leading the engineering company and delivering its growth plans.

MAP Recruitment Group founder John White said: “Attracting James to the business is a key foundation to our future growth.

“Having worked directly with James for four years, I know the way he works and the passion he has for engineering. It’s exactly what we need.”

James said of his appointment: “It is a huge opportunity to work alongside John in growing the engineering business and also the wider MAP Group.

“The key goal for the business is to be known for delivering the best service across the industry to both candidates and clients.”

Alun Lucas, Now Healthcare Group

Digital healthcare business Now Healthcare Group (NHG) has appointed a new head of ecommerce.

Alun Lucas has business experience in the digital and tech sectors, having previously worked for Google and advertising giant WPP, supporting clients such as General Motors and EE.

Alun said of his appointment: “I am delighted to join a technology company which is at the forefront of disrupting the healthcare industry and has so many exciting opportunities to grow.

“Our Now Patient app has been extremely well-received in the marketplace and we are predicting by the end of 2017, we will be supporting upwards of 20million people across the world through our innovative health tech solutions.”

NHG’s founder and chief exec, Lee Dentith, commented: “Now Healthcare Group has experienced a rapid progress over the last few months and as such, it is a perfect time for Alun to join our management team.

“He brings a great deal of expertise and knowledge to the business and we look forward to working with him as we look to increase our customer reach in 2018.”

Mark Iliffe and Noreen Curtin, Howgate Sable

Executive search company Howgate Sable has strengthened its team with two hires.

Mark Iliffe joined the firm as partner. He previously held the same position at London’s Tyzack Partners.

During his 20-year career, Mark also worked as a senior consultant at Gerard Daniels and head of practice at Redgrave Partners.

He said: “The Howgate Sable brand has true meaning and resonance, carrying an extremely positive reputation within the executive search industry.

“I feel my experience complements the company’s current sectors and I look forward to working with the team to build on this reputation and drive the business forward.”

Noreen Curtin, meanwhile, has brought close to 20 years’ experience in recruitment to Howgate Sable, where she has taken up the role of associate partner.

Prior to her appointment, Noreen worked as a director at Macmillan Davies.

Noreen commented: “Having honed my skills and built up a strong network within contingent recruitment, I’m excited to now take the next step up into executive search, which will allow me to branch out and apply my knowledge to a range of exciting new industries.

“I was keen to join a flexible and forward-thinking practice, which Howgate Sable undoubtedly is – I can’t wait to be part of its journey.”

Howgate Sable partner Neil Humphreys said of the newcomers: “We’re thrilled to have welcomed both Mark and Noreen to the team.

“Their combined experience is sure to bolster our proposition and help us achieve our ambitious growth plans. We look forward to seeing them thrive in their roles and continue to provide the outstanding service we’re known for.”

Chris Pavlou and Victoria Jones, Excello Law

Law firm Excello Law has announced the appointment of employment lawyer Chris Pavlou and commercial property specialist Victoria Jones.

Chris has joined the company from Brabners, where he was a senior associate, and will work primarily across the North West.

Victoria, who will work out of Excello Law’s Chester office, focuses on commercial property acquisitions and disposals, pension fund acquisitions and all aspects of landlord and tenant work, option and overage agreements.

Chris said of his move to Excello Law: “I am looking forward to being part of the future growth of this dynamic and entrepreneurial law firm.”

Excello Law director Jo Losty said: “Chris is a great addition to our team where his employment law expertise will support the wider commercial law and private client services we offer.

“Vicki is joining our fast-growing team in the north west and we are delighted to have her on board. Her significant commercial property expertise complements the broad range of services we are offering across the region.”

Vicki commented: “I am excited to have joined Excello Law. Working within a new-model firm is a breath of fresh air, giving me greater freedom to practice and focus 100% on meeting the needs of my clients.”

Liam Buckley and Simon Taylor, Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher, the European law firm, has made two partner hires.

Liam Buckley joined the company from Clyde & Co and Simon Taylor from Brabners.

Property development lawyer Liam Buckley was head of real estate at Squire Patton Boggs and then at Clyde & Co’s Manchester office.

Simon Taylor, a lawyer focusing on the sport and entertainment industry, has more than 30 years’ experience. He was a partner at Brabners.

The appointments represent the third and fourth partners added to Fieldfisher’s expanding team in the last three months. They follow on from David Bowcock, also from Brabners, who joined the corporate team, and Krista Powell, who joined the real estate team from Freeman Fisher LLP.

Ian Austin, managing partner at Fieldfisher’s Manchester office and head of commercial litigation, commented: “These are our third and fourth new partner hires in a matter of months, and our recruitment drive is showing no signs of slowing down as 2018 approaches.

“Both Liam and Simon are highly regarded in their respective fields, and I have no doubt that they will provide additional quality and expertise for the benefit of our client base and furthermore attract clients to the firm. This I hope will lead to further growth for Fieldfisher in the UK.”

Liam said: “I’m excited to join Fieldfisher and its rapidly expanding Real Estate team. I feel my key objectives are aligned with the firm’s, and we both are keen to focus on continuing to grow our North West network and more generally, our UK presence.”

Simon commented: “I have watched Fieldfisher continue to go from strength to strength in both the North West, national and international field. I know working with a firm that is recognised for its commitment to client service will be an excellent fit for me, and I am keen to help the firm expand its entertainment and sports sector work.”