This week's North West appointments

Four appointments, Eric Wright Group

Property and construction firm Eric Wright Group has appointed some of its divisional directors to the board as managing directors.

The changes span its Maple Grove Developments, Applethwaite Homes, Eric Wright Health and Care, and Eric Wright Water businesses.

Karen Hirst is now managing director of Maple Grove Developments, having joined the company 18 months ago as a divisional director.

Colin Hetherington, meanwhile, is the new MD of Applethwaite, Christine Winstanley the MD of Eric Wright Health and Care, and Neal Whittle MD of Eric Wright Water.

Jeremy Hartley, managing director of Eric Wright Group, said of the changes: “As we continue to grow across the group, extending the reach of our property businesses in terms of both sector and geography, it’s vital that we have the right level of skills and leadership within our senior team and a synergy of strategy across the group.

“All divisions will continue to work in partnership to achieve the wider objectives of the Group, putting strong succession planning in place and ensuring that we continue to leverage our strengths across the interdisciplinary team. I’d like to congratulate all our new managing directors on their new roles.”

Patrick Swanney, WHN Solicitors

Lancashire law firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has announced the appointment of solicitor Patrick Swanney.

Patrick’s specialisms include estate and tax planning, will preparation and Court of Protection work.

He will be based at WHN’s Accrington office, alongside head of wills and probate Stephen Parr.

Prior to his appointment, Patrick worked for a year as a solicitor with Smith Sutcliffe in Padiham. Before that, he spent eight years at Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors, two of which were as a partner/director.

Patrick said: “I am delighted to be working in a great team of professionals at WHN. They are a widely respected firm with a forward-looking approach and are continually expanding their people, skills and areas of expertise.”

Stephen Parr commented: “Having Patrick on board enables us to strengthen and deepen our specialist offer to older clients. He brings considerable technical knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment and I am confident his career will continue to flourish at WHN.”

Amanda Callaghan and Dai Durbridge, Browne Jacobson

Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed health partner Amanda Callaghan (pictured) as the new head of its Manchester office and education partner Dai Durbridge as deputy head.

The changes are part of a strategy to establish new office leadership roles across its bases in Birmingham, Exeter, London and Manchester.

Amanda joined Browne Jacobson in 2013, launching the firm’s now-established health team in Manchester.

Dai leads Browne Jacobson’s education team in the North West and advises schools, academies and colleges on frontline education matters.

Amanda said: “Both Dai and I feel privileged to be appointed the firm’s first head and deputy head of office for Manchester.

“The office has been one of the fastest growing across our network and we want to ensure this growth continues.”

She continued: “Our recent move to No.1 Spinningfields and the arrival of Jonathan Edwards to head up our banking team in the region is a strong indication of the scale of our ambitions.

“Over the next few years we will focus on further expanding our service offering in the North West whilst continuing to place the needs of our people and our clients at the heart of our business.”

Browne Jacobson managing partner Iain Blatherwick commented: “I would like to congratulate both partners on their appointment which will further strengthen our existing management structure and ensure the Manchester office has a strong voice both regionally and at the heart of our business.

“We have ambitious plans to grow our five offices over the next few years and the new heads and deputies will play an integral part in helping us to deliver that strategy.”

Heena Kapadi, Siobhan Howard-Palmer and Jo Handler, HRC Law

HRC Law has made a trio of appointments in its employment team.

Jo Handler, Siobhan Howard-Palmer and Heena Kapadi are the three newcomers.

Jo joined the company as an associate, following 11 years with Eversheds and a period at Almond Solicitors.

Siobhan previously held an in-house role with a Fortune 500 supplier to the international oil and gas industry.

Solicitor Heena, meanwhile, will advise clients on a range of employment law matters, ranging from TUPE transfers to tribunal claims and director/partnership disputes.

Partner Simon Whitehead said: “As HRC Law continues to grow, we need a team of people who are technically excellent, who will retain our unique culture and help our clients succeed. It’s important that we are able to maintain a nurturing environment in which ambitious individuals can thrive.

“Jo, Heena and Siobhan all epitomise HRC Law’s proactive and client-focused approach and I look forward to working with them all.”

Simon Bullough, Tower Hotel Management

Manchester’s Tower Hotel Management has appointed Simon Bullough in the role of development director.

Simon has over 30 years of experience in the hotel sector, including positions with Best Western Hotels, Ramada and Choice Hotels Europe.

He said: “I’m excited to be joining Tower Hotel Management as it gears up for growth in the UK hotel management contract sector.

“The team offers a wealth of hotel operating experience and with access to an unrivalled range of in-house support services as part of The Peel Group, we are well placed to expand our contract business.”

Tower Hotel Management MD Peter de la Perrelle commented: “I’m personally delighted to welcome Simon to the Tower Hotel Management team.

“He brings a wealth of very relevant experience to this role and I look forward to working with him. His appointment underpins the Peel Group’s commitment to becoming a significant force in this expanding sector.”

Steve Grant, Assetz Capital

Manchester-based peer-to-peer lender Assetz Capital has appointed a new relationship director for the North West and North East regions.

Steve Grant previously worked for United Trust Bank, where he spent two years in the role of business development manager for the North.

His background includes Barclays Corporate Real Estate, where he was a senior real estate manager in the North West and North Wales, and 31 years in the finance space at HSBC.

Steve said: “Assetz Capital has a truly entrepreneurial approach to lending. The ability to think outside the box and provide unique forms of finance is the reason Assetz has such a strong reputation in the market, and as a result, the client base is growing at a rapid rate.

“I’m looking forward to working with Damien and the team as we continue to help ambitious companies in the North West and North East.”

The firm’s head of intermediary sales, director Damien Druce, commented: “In a period of rapid growth for the company, it’s key that we continue to hire quality RDs to handle the growing influx of enquiries we receive.

“Steve’s experience in the property finance space speaks volumes about his ability, and we’re confident he will have a huge impact at Assetz Capital.”

Peter Hudson, Voicescape

Customer engagement firm Voicescape has taken on Peter Hudson (pictured left) as commercial director of its Housing Contact arm.

Peter joined the company from social housing software firm Mobysoft, where he was head of business.

At Housing Contact, Peter will work to drive expansion as an increasing number of landlords use the company’s technology.

He said: “It’s a very exciting time to be joining Housing Contact. In recent years there has been a significant increase in landlords utilising new technologies to create more efficient and effective ways of working.

“Ensuring that current staff resources are focused on activities that will have the biggest impact is key to landlords in mitigating the impact of new government legislations. Housing Contact has been a big part of that shift.”

Housing Contact managing director John Doyle (right) commented: “It’s great to welcome Peter on board as our new Commercial Director.

“Peter brings a strong track record in delivering positive results for housing providers. With more landlords now using Housing Contact technologies for support across their business, Peter will be a major asset to our team.”

David Loseby, Barkers

North West commercial consultancy Barkers has added to its team with the appointment of David Loseby.

Joining the company as an associate partner, David has more than 25 years’ experience at board level, including with FTSE 100 companies.

He has held various chief procurement officer roles and also has a PhD in behavioural sciences.

Barkers director Warren Ward said: “We’re delighted that David has joined the team. His delivery record and reputation speak for themselves, enhancing, and demonstrating our focus and commitment on providing solutions based on what works in the real world.

“From SMEs to FTSE 100 companies and the public sector, David understands what it takes to deliver timely, sustainable bottom line results. His well proven capabilities give us the opportunity to take our business transformation capability to the next level.”