This week's North West appointments

Sarah Brewster, Flow Creative

Northern Quarter-based design and video production agency Flow Creative has appointed a new account manager.

Sarah Brewster was previously a production manager at film company Chief Productions and account manager at design agency The Neighbourhood.

Sarah’s new role will see her working alongside creative director Karl Doran as the project lead for a client portfolio that includes Manchester City Council, the BBC and Arts Council England.

She said: “Having keenly followed Flow over the last two years, and watching its exciting growth, now seemed like the perfect time to join.

“Its impressive raft of clients will allow me to apply the skills I learnt and honed in my former roles. Flow’s such a forward-thinking and ambitious agency that I’m excited to help it grow over the coming years.”

Flow expects to recruit five more team members this year and move into larger studio space.

Karl Doran commented: “Sarah joining marks a significant milestone for us particularly as we place a real emphasis on the quality of our personal relationships with clients and excellent customer service. With her support and experience, we plan to take it to the next level.

“As Flow expands and we get busier, Sarah’s role means we can deliver high standards when communicating with clients and managing workload. It also enables the team of animators, illustrators and designers to focus solely on what they do best - creating amazing work.”

He continued: “Sarah joined the team in March and has already had a significant impact on the team and the way we work with our clients and has added an extra dimension to Flow’s offering.”

Nicola Finbow, Clough & Willis

Bury-headquartered law firm Clough & Willis has appointed a new head for its private client department.

Nicola Finbow previously worked for Temperley Taylor Solicitors and, before that, Butcher & Barlow.

With Clough & Willis, she will focus on a variety of core work, including wealth and succession planning, inheritance tax advice, wills, lasting powers of attorney and estate administration.

Nicola will be primarily based at the company’s Bury HQ but will also have a presence at its Bolton office.

Clough & Willis’ managing partner, Lee Marston (pictured left), said: “Nicola is one of the region’s leading private client lawyers so we are delighted that she has joined Clough & Willis.

“I’m sure her experience will add real value and direction to the department and wider firm.”

Nicola commented: “I’ve respected Clough & Willis for many years so I am really pleased to have joined the firm.

“I’m now looking forward to building on the established reputation that the Private Client team already has.”

Stuart Hadfield and Amy Hamilton, Studio KMA

Studio KMA, the Oldham-based architecture practice, has taken on two new staff members.

Stuart Hadfield has joined the company as a director. He was recruited in response to an increase in client demand for a full delivery service for projects.

Prior to his appointment, Stuart worked for a tier one contractor in Manchester. His background also includes 17 years at associate level with another architectural practice.

Amy Hamilton (pictured) has been hired for the role of architectural assistant. She previously worked for Oldham-based Nicol Thomas.

At Studio KMA, Amy will receive support towards her final architectural qualification. Using her experience in the residential sector, Amy will support architect Richard Hamill on commissions such as high rise apartment schemes, large private dwellings and later-life living accommodation.

Studio KMA founder Andy Titterton said: “Studio KMA remains a niche practice with over 90% of our business supporting the front end of the development process.

“That said, having been consistently asked by our clients to build out our planning approved projects, we felt that an equally focussed and specialist delivery team required an correspondingly experienced, dedicated BIM specialist to ensure our delivery capability provides the same level of consistency and quality that our clients have come to expect from our service.”

Alex Hall and Heather Cox, CLB Coopers

Accountancy and advisory firm CLB Coopers has welcomed Alex Hall and Heather Cox to its corporate tax team.

Alex previously spent 11 years at the Manchester office of professional services giant Grant Thornton. He has taken on the role of senior manager.

Heather joined CLB Coopers from PwC in Manchester, where she was a tax manager.

Both are experienced in providing compliance and advisory support for SMEs, owner-managed businesses, corporate clients and international groups.

Rob Wardle, senior director at CLB Coopers’ Manchester office, said: “It is fantastic to welcome two candidates of such high calibre to our team.

“We have made a number of key senior appointments in recent months and have built the strongest tax team in the history of the firm.”

He added: “The experience that Alex and Heather bring, coupled with their impressive track record of working with the region’s businesses, will only add to that.”

Pictured above is CLB’s Manchester corporate tax team, with (L-R) senior manager Alex Hall, manager Heather Cox, senior director Rob Wardle, director Amanda Sayle and senior director Colin Abrahams

Jack Harris, James Smith and Adam Turnell, Base Architecture & Design

Base Architecture & Design has announced three appointments at its Chester office.

James Smith (pictured) and Jack Harris have joined the company as Part 2 architectural assistants, while existing team member Adam Turnell has qualified as an architect.

MD Carl Huntley said: “The expansion of our team underpins the growing demand for our services.

“2017 saw us working on more projects than any other year in our history and indications are that this will continue into 2018 and beyond.”

Base launched in Chester at the end of last year. The company has another office in Shrewsbury.

Director Harry Reece commented: “The recent opening of our Chester office to serve our growing customer base in the North West and Wales has been a very positive step and the new appointments will strengthen our team and support our plans for growth.”

Katherine Sibley, Napthens

Law firm Napthens has appointed a specialist in construction and engineering litigation at its Kendal office.

Katherine Sibley’s background includes roles with DLA Piper, where she qualified, and Lake District legal practice Baines Wilson.

Most recently, she worked in-house for Capita Business Services Ltd and handled disputes in the firm’s strategic services division.

Katherine will now work within Napthens’ litigation and dispute resolution team, advising Cumbrian and Lancashire companies on pursuing and defending disputes through the courts.

Napthens’ head of Cumbria, partner Jamie Allison, said: “Napthens is continuing to grow its presence in Cumbria with a number of recent high-profile appointments.

“Katherine joins an expanding team and brings to the table a range of specialist expertise which will greatly benefit our clients in Cumbria and across the region.”

Jamie added: “We continue to actively recruit in the area and have become particularly known for our strength in property, rural and litigation advice as well as key private client service areas.”

Mark Siney, Now Healthcare Group

Digital health company Now Healthcare Group (NHG) has appointed Mark Siney as finance director.

Mark joined NHG from business services firm Ellis Whittam. His background spans finance and operations, including securing private equity and maximising business performance and growth.

The appointment follows the launch of NHG’s Now Patient offering, which it said is the UK’s first AI-led tele-pharmacy app.

Since its release in October last year, the app has been downloaded more than 25,000 times.

Lee Dentith, NHG’s chief exec and founder, said: “Mark has joined us at an opportune time and will play a pivotal role in the financial journey of the business, especially as we explore options around our next stage of investment.

“As a leading digital health company, we are always looking to push boundaries and find innovative ways in which to support the health of the nation and Now Patient has been a game-changer in the marketplace – literally putting healthcare solutions into the hand of our patients.”

Mark commented: “Lee is a real entrepreneur and passionate about creating products to change lives and to revolutionise the health service in the UK and he founded Now Healthcare Group to deliver pioneering health care solutions for our ever-increasing population.

“It is an exhilarating time for the business and I’m looking forward to working with Lee and all the team on the next stage of the growth journey.”

Rebecca Thomas, Your Legal Friend

Your Legal Friend, the Birkenhead-based law firm, has taken on solicitor Rebecca Thomas to strengthen its asbestos-related illness team.

Rebecca has more than six years of experience in asbestos claims. Her career includes roles with Roberts Jackson Solicitors, Birchall Blackburn Solicitors and GHP Legal.

Solicitor Joanne Candlish, department manager for asbestos at Your Legal Friend, said: “The number of asbestos related industrial disease claims we’re looking after is rising, so we’re investing in hiring specialist talent who complement our established and successful team.

“Rebecca has a strong track-record and the right attributes to help us provide the highest level of support to victims of employer negligence and their loved ones, in what is a highly complex and sensitive area of law.”

Rebecca commented: “I’m excited to be joining at a time of rapid development in this specialist department. Your Legal Friend has a fantastic reputation for its professional and caring manner for both its clients and staff.

“I’m looking forward to working amongst an already very experienced team and developing my own knowledge and skills through the firm’s comprehensive personal development programme.”