This week's North West appointments

Four appointments, Hall Brown Family Law

Hall Brown Family Law has announced a series of promotions.

The Manchester- and London-based company elevated Laura Guillon, Abigail Lowther and Katie Dillon to senior associate level and made Alice Couriel and Ellen Walker associate solicitors.

Senior partner Sam Hall, co-founder of the firm, said all five employees have been “instrumental” in laying the foundations for Hall Brown’s future success.

He said: “A decision about whether to promote someone shouldn’t ever be taken lightly and, in this case, we are underlining our appreciation for the way in which our colleagues have not only driven this firm onwards but begun realising some of the vast potential within our team.

“We are perhaps a little unusual in not only paying attention to their efforts in growing the caseload which Hall Brown handles on behalf of clients both at home and abroad.

He added: “When we recruit individuals, we’re looking for already capable performers who we believe can develop their expertise still further.”

Ros Bever, Irwin Mitchell

Law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed a new regional managing partner at its Manchester office.

Ros Bever will take over the role from Roy Beckett, who is stepping down to focus on leading the company’s Manchester-based real estate team.

The appointment, in effect from May 1, will put Ros in charge of more than 260 people working across Irwin Mitchell’s personal injury, private wealth and business legal services divisions.

Ros will also retain her existing role of national head of family law.

Andrew Tucker, group chief exec at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Ros’ promotion recognises the contribution she has made to the Manchester office, most recently in her role as partner and head of the Manchester family law team.

“I know she will bring huge energy and enthusiasm to the role, complementing her significant experience of the industry as a partner at Irwin Mitchell.”

Ros commented: “I am thrilled and extremely proud to be appointed as regional managing partner in Manchester and I’m excited to be building on the excellent work of my predecessors, Roy Beckett and Grahame Codd.”

Jonny Beckwith, Allied Irish Bank

Allied Irish Bank (GB) has appointed Jonny Beckwith as its business centre leader for Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales.

Jonny has 20 years’ banking experience. He previously worked for Lloyds Banking Group, most recently as a relationship director.

His new role, based at the bank’s Liverpool office, will see him reporting to regional director Tony Kelly.

Jonny said: “I am delighted to join the team at Allied Irish Bank (GB) and I am passionate about working with great people and their businesses, supporting growth ambitions and adding value.

Tony Kelly commented: “Jonny is a very experienced banker and we are delighted to welcome him to the team to share his knowledge and expertise with our customers and staff.

“The Liverpool team has a strong track record of success and pipeline of deal activity and Jonny’s addition to lead the team is sure to enhance this further.”

Keith Litherland, Bridging Finance Solutions

Short term finance provider Bridging Finance Solutions (BFS) has taken on Keith Litherland for the role of regional business development manager.

Keith’s remit will cover the Midlands and Wales as he liaises with brokers, professionals, intermediaries and clients, supporting them with the provision of bridging loans and development finance.

His financial sector experience ecompasses both commercial and buy-to-let mortgages, in addition to short-term lending.

Keith said: “I’m really pleased to join the team at BFS. This is a really exciting company to be part of – their approach is refreshing and unique, they are incredibly proactive and innovative in their outlook.

“I look forward to raising the profile of BFS across my territory, working closely with existing finance connections whilst exploring new opportunities.”

He added: “I’m keen to demonstrate to existing and potential clients that bridging can be delivered in a simple, straightforward way, explaining the many benefits and different ways that bridging can be used.”

Bridging Finance Solutions’ head of sales, John Hardman, commented: “Having Keith on board is a definite coup for BFS.

“He is well known in our industry and has developed a reputation for diligence, in addition to taking a commercial approach to deals with a can-do attitude.”

He continued: “His in depth knowledge of this market, particularly across the Midlands, will be invaluable to him in terms of this new role which will ultimately support our own ambitious growth plans.”

Ricardo Seixas, Media Agency Group

Media Agency Group (MAG) has appointed an international digital specialist and ex-Google lead to run its recently overhauled digital division, ClickTap Media.

Ricardo Seixas’ background includes delivering digital campaigns for big brands around the world, including in the US and Brazil.

In joining MAG, which has offices at MediaCityUK and in Mayfair, Ricardo brought his former Google team with him to capitalise on their knowledge of the UK and Irish markets.

At Google, he led PPC experts and Google AdWords campaign specialists as they supported thousands of brands.

John Kehoe, CEO of MAG, said: “The lines between traditional and digital media have never been so blurred and ClickTap Media was organically born through a growing digital need by our clients.

“Ricardo is one of the leading players in the digital world and he and his former Google team are a phenomenal asset to our business.”

He continued: “We have an amazing array of clients working with us and since Ricardo’s arrival we have already been winning work from national rivals and clients including The Crystal Maze Experience, Herbalife and CuraPROX”.

Ricardo commented: “Media Agency Group is one of the UK’s leading integrated agencies and I am thrilled to head up ClickTap Media. The growing team is formidable with best in class expertise in all online paid channels and some excellent clients, and I look forward to work collaboratively with brands to help them grow and compete where it matters the most: online.”

Laura Carstensen, AJ Bell

Investment platform AJ Bell has appointed a new non-executive director to its board.

The Manchester-headquartered company, which is preparing to list on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), said appointing Laura Carstensen will add ‘significant experience’ to its board.

Laura is currently non-executive chairman of voucher and gift card business Park Group plc and non-executive director at The Co-operative Bank.

She previously spent 20 years with law firm Slaughter and May, where she was a partner and board member, and also served as deputy chairman of the Competition Commission.

AJ Bell will launch its initial public offering (IPO) on the LSE’s main market towards the end of 2018 or early next year.

AJ Bell chairman Les Platts said: “Laura adds significant experience to our Board which I believe will be invaluable as we prepare for an IPO and beyond.

“We operate in a fast growing sector of the financial services market and our continual focus on the needs of our customers is resulting in controlled and sustained expansion.”

Les added: “Laura therefore joins us at a very exciting time and will help us continue this momentum through the next phase of our growth and development.”

Laura Carstensen commented: “AJ Bell is a fantastic business with values that I greatly admire. It has an unwavering focus on helping its customers to invest and the market for those investment services is growing rapidly.

“I am looking forward to working with Les and the rest of the AJ Bell Board to help steer the company through the planned IPO, whilst maintaining the commitment to customer service that has served it so well for many years.”

Richard Bell, Deloitte

Deloitte North West practice senior partner Richard Bell has been appointed to lead the professional services giant’s UK financial advisory practice.

Deloitte’s UK financial advisory arm comprises its transaction services, advisory corporate finance and restructuring services offering, as well as its Deloitte Forensic and Deloitte Real Estate operations.

Richard has 18 years of experience as an advisory partner. He joined Deloitte in 1987, leading the company’s transaction services team in the UK regions for over a decade. He has been North West practice senior partner since 2013 and managing partner for the UK regions since 2015.

Richard said: “I’m delighted to be taking over at an important strategic period for the UK. Working closely with my predecessor Neville Kahn, we will continue to drive closer international collaboration across our Advisory practices in Europe and beyond.

“I have been very fortunate to have worked in the North West region for many years, and with some of the country’s most interesting and forward-thinking businesses.”

He added: “I therefore am delighted to be continuing in my role as North West practice senior partner, and look forward to working closely with our fantastic local team as we continue to support and grow our vibrant and thriving regional economy.”

Four appointments, RSM

RSM, the audit, tax and consulting firm, has announced four promotions in the North West.

Adam Krupski in Stoke and Nicky Warburton and Karen Musgrave in Preston, all members of RSM’s audit department, have been made partners.

Claire Spencer has been promoted to corporate tax partner at RSM’s Manchester office.

Jill Jones, RSM’s regional managing partner for the North West, said: “We’re an ambitious firm and attracting and developing talent is a central part of our strategy to be first-choice advisers to middle market leaders in the UK, which is why it’s great to see such a strong cohort of colleagues reaching partnership.

“Our new partners will all play an important role in delivering high quality advice to help regional clients achieve their medium to long term strategic goals.”