This week’s North West appointments

Gemma Ashton and Zoe Foster-Arnold, Emirates Old Trafford

Manchester venue Emirates Old Trafford has added two new recruits to its in-house events team.

Gemma Ashton joined the company as event sales agent from city centre hotel Principal Manchester. She will help sell event spaces at Emirates Old Trafford.

Zoe Foster-Arnold, who has taken on the role of business development support, previously worked at The Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel. In her new position, Zoe will help the department source new business opportunities, create contacts and organise venue visits.

Elsewhere at Emirates Old Trafford, former event sales agent Jessica Gore has changed to business support executive.

The venue’s conference and events team now boasts 12 members.

Angela Hodson, head of sales, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Zoe and Gemma onboard – the conference and events side of the business is continually growing and these new appointments are another example of how far we’ve come.

“We’re proud to already have a large portfolio of high-profile clients, including Amazon and Google, but to continue as a leading venue both locally and nationally, our sales and business development roles are crucial.”

She added: “We’re looking forward to seeing what the future has in store at Emirates Old Trafford!”

Aisha Kolawole, Skuuudle

Skuuudle, the Trafford-based price and product intelligence analytics company, has welcomed a new recruit.

The firm appointed Aisha Kolawole for the role of junior business analyst, which will make her responsible for scrutinising millions of products, prices and market intelligence.

James Hilton, managing director at Skuuudle, said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for our price consultancy services.

“Aisha will be consulting with clients to help them maximise their returns from our data and help solve challenges they are facing in the ever-increasingly congested world of ecommerce.”

Aisha, who has a PhD in economics, commented: “After more than two years as an Associate Lecturer at Oxford Brookes, I was looking for a new challenge.

“I cannot wait to get my teeth stuck into the data and help our clients become even more competitive in the world of online retailing.”

She added: “The team at Skuuudle are very forward thinking with lots of exciting projects in the pipeline and I cannot wait to get started.”

Ann Cojeen and Dominic Canning, Browne Jacobson

Law firm Browne Jacobson has boosted its health and social care property practice in Manchester.

Commercial property lawyer Ann Cojeen, who has more than 17 years’ experience acting for public and private sector clients, joined the company as an associate.

She previously worked at law firms Pinsent Masons and Hempsons Solicitors, both in Manchester.

Browne Jacobson also appointed solicitor Dominic Canning, who previously worked in Hill Dickinson’s Liverpool-based health property team. He qualified in 2017.

Victoria Thourgood, partner at Browne Jacobson, said: “Health and social care is a key focus of the firm and has been one of our fastest growing areas in recent years. We’ve seen this growth, across both the public and independent parts of the sector.

“Ann and Dominic will be great additions to both our growing Manchester and national health and social care property team.”

She added: “Their expertise and skills will also complement our wider real estate practice and further enhance our offering to clients not just in the region but throughout the UK.”

Andrew Gardiner, Lambert Smith Hampton

The Manchester office of commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton has appointed office agent Andrew Gardiner.

Andrew is also the North West chair of the Office Agents Society. He joined LSH from TSG Property Consultants, which he set up in 2011.

Prior to his work with TSG, Andrew held senior positions at property firms Jones Lang LaSalle and DTZ.

At LSH, he will drive acquisition and disposal activity across the North West, particularly in Manchester city centre.

Gayle Taylor, LSH’s head of North West operations, said: “Manchester’s office market remains very active and we’re keen to increase our market share of agency instructions.

“As such it’s a real coup for us to appoint someone as well-known and respected as Andrew. We’re confident that his significant industry insight, expertise, and connections will enable LSH to capitalise on more of the opportunities available.”

Simon Guest, TSK

Office design and fit-out business TSK has appointed Simon Guest as construction director.

He will be based at TSK’s Manchester office, where he will use his experience to help the firm build its capabilities in the coming months.

Simon, who previously spent 22 years with interiors company Claremont, commented: “TSK is a well-respected business that has seen consistent growth thanks to the strength of its vision and ambition, its established position within the market and its talented team.

“I look forward to utilising my expertise to extend TSK’s capabilities, providing clients with the very best service, from in-depth consultancy right through to delivery.”

TSK’s joint managing director, Iain Holden, said: “Simon’s appointment is a real coup for the business – his expertise in the industry will be hugely valuable as we continue to develop our offer.

“With our ambitious growth targets in place, we are focused on attracting more top talent during the coming months.”

Patrick Hart, Hidden Retreats

Bramhall-headquartered Hidden Retreats, part of travel company Inspire, has taken on a new head of sales.

Patrick Hart’s remit will focus on positioning Hidden Retreats as the leading brand in the high end, bespoke holidays market.

To do this, he will drive new marketing and consumer-focussed initiatives while developing a network of home-based luxury travel advisers.

Patrick has almost 30 years’ experience in the travel industry. He started out at Thomas Cook and went on to own a business – Handforth Travel, which later rebranded to Travel-ism.

Inspire Group MD Keith Herman said: “Patrick’s appointment will be a game changer for the Hidden Retreats brand, with his three decades of experience and his personal passion for quality, luxury experiences – his knowledge and expert views are unrivalled.

“Patrick will certainly be a key cog in the wheel driving the development and growth of the business as we continue to strive to position Hidden Retreats as the leading luxury travel specialist.”

Patrick commented: “Having left the travel industry for a short time to teach, the opportunity of working with a brand like Hidden Retreats was too good an opportunity to miss.

“Travel has always been a personal passion for me and I’m looking forward to sourcing and experiencing the newest destinations to ensure Hidden Retreats offers the best possible holidays for its customers.”

Rahul Parmar, Champion Accountants

Business advisory group Champion Accountants has appointed a new accounts assistant at its Preston office.

Rahul Parmar, who has two years’ experience in the financial sector, is currently studying towards his Level 3 AAT at Preston’s College.

At Champion, he will review financial information, prepare VAT returns, bank reconciliations, management accounts and liaise with the group’s SME clients.

Champion Accountants director Stephen Robinson said: “It’s an exciting time to join our Preston office as we’ve recently strengthened our senior team.

“We’re pleased to welcome Rahul on board. He’s a bright and ambitious individual, who brings a commitment and willingness to learn, as well as fresh ideas and thinking to the business.”

Rahul commented: “Champion is a very well respected and established accountancy practice in Preston and they have great opportunities for me to continue learning.

“I’m looking forward to developing my career with Champion.”