Businesses based all over the North West have announced a string of high-level appointments and promotions over the last week.
The likes of Manchester Airports Group, Deloitte and Bibby Financial Services have all made major moves.
Below, we round up the latest hires and promotions that we feel you should not miss.
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If you have a new or recent appointment or promotion that you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail jon.robinson@reachplc.com.
Manchester Airports Group
The owner of Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports has announced a new chief executive as its boss prepares to step down after 13 years.
Ken O'Toole will succeed Charlie Cornish in the role at Manchester Airports Group (MAG) on October 1.
Mr O'Toole is currently the group's deputy CEO, with responsibility for the strategic development of its three UK airports.
Agent
Agent, a brand & communications agency in Manchester and Liverpool, has hired Anna Wharton as head of communications and Rhys Buxton as senior partnerships manager.
Anna Wharton joins Agent from her former position as an associate director at tigerbond, where she worked across various high-profile brands, including Specsavers and Biffa.
Rhys Buxton comes to Agent from Kaefer, where he worked as a proposals manager.
Houlihan Lokey
Three members of Houlihan Lokey’s Manchester-based corporate finance team have been promoted to vice president - James Grundy, Durgesh Panchani, and Ben Wood.
Mr Grundy joined from Barclays in 2016 and is a member of the global technology team. Mr Panchani is also a member of the global technology team and joined the firm as an M&A analyst in 2010.
Mr Wood is a member of Houlihan Lokey’s industrials group and joined the firm last year from Deloitte.
Poke
Liverpool-based marketing agency Poke has expanded its team.
Account manager Emily Kench has joined after designer Alex Pankhurst was hired in March.
Established in 2020, Poke currently works with Professional Liverpool, Liverpool Cathedral and Oxford River Cruises.
ArmstrongB2B
Chester-based marketing agency ArmstrongB2B has appointed Carl Holden as deputy creative director.
Mr Holden said: "The level of creative thinking and craft at ArmstrongB2B is truly impressive and the work they do for the industrial sector is second to none.
"It’s exciting to be joining such an enthusiastic and talented bunch. I’m especially looking forward to working closely with the younger creatives and to see what we can learn from each other."
AG Built Environment Consultancy
Preston-headquartered AG Built Environment Consultancy (AG) has appointed Michelle Brooke as its new head of business development.
With over 20 years’ experience, she was previously the head of client development at European real estate firm Hollis. At AG, she'll be responsible for helping grow the practice's service lines and footprint across the UK.
Michelle Brooke said: "What struck me about AG was the energy there is in the business. It's ambitious, but its growth plans are pragmatic and achievable."
Clear Start Accountants
Clear Start Accountants, a North West-based practice, has added seven new recruits.
The firm’s customer service department has expanded with the appointment of Fezan Bhatti, Suad Sidi, Fawad Ahmad, Paige Staniforth, Anthony Dale and Muhammad Taha.
The business has also welcomed Aimee Collier to the team, who takes up the position of administration assistant.
Simpson Millar
Consumer law firm Simpson Millar has appointed Helen Melling to the role of injury practice area director in Liverpool.
She will now lead the firm’s injury division, including its clinical negligence, personal injury, catastrophic injury, industrial disease, travel and military teams.
She takes over from Chris Johnson who will leave Simpson Millar this summer to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Bibby Financial Services
Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has appointed Colin Johnson as corporate manager – corporate North in Manchester.
Mr Johnson joins BFS with more than 34 years’ experience in the financial services sector, having most recently held the position of head of corporate sales at Novuna Business Finance.
He said: "With over 30 years’ experience supporting small businesses, this new role is a great opportunity to shape the future success of a business that I’ve always admired. My existing knowledge will be invaluable to the team, as we continue to expand our offering and product portfolio."
TLT
TLT has expanded its UK-wide employment team with the appointment of Amy Stokes, employment partner, in Manchester.
Joining from Forbes Solicitors where she was a partner in the employment team, she brings over 15 years of experience.
At TLT, she will be working across a number of sectors providing specialist employment law guidance and strategic advice to support on the continued growth of this practice area.
Browne Jacobson
Law firm Browne Jacobson has hired specialist data privacy partner Francis Katamba.
Mr Katamba, who is Manchester based but will support the firm’s UK &I client base, will aim to enhance Browne Jacobson's capabilities in the data privacy and compliance space.
He joins from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) where he was the organisation’s senior commercial lawyer and key advisor.
Slalom
Slalom, a business and technology consulting company, has hired ex-Accenture executive Caroline Grant as managing director of Slalom Manchester.
She will be responsible for building Slalom’s relationships with clients and its brand presence across the region.
She said: "I’ve been watching with interest since Slalom’s inception in the UK. The culture – living purpose-driven values – has become increasingly important to me. It’s easy to say you’re a people-first organisation but it’s rare to see it evidenced in real life as it is at Slalom."
Deloitte
Deloitte in the North West has promoted four new partners across its audit and assurance and tax and legal groups.
The new partner appointments were part of the firm’s new financial year promotions in the region, that also included a total of 17 new directors.
The latest promotions take the total number of partners across its North West practice to 61, the highest number in any region outside of London.
PM+M
Blackburn and Bury-based PM+M has made a key appointment to its accounting and advisory team after naming Judith Dugdale as a partner.
In her new role, she will be focusing on delivering compliance services as well a range of strategic advice.
She said: "My entire working life to date has been spent at the same firm so I knew my next move had to be right. PM+M’s values and vision really stood out which was the biggest draw combined with their commitment of delivering for their clients and nurturing their own team."
Travel Counsellors
Manchester-based Travel Counsellors has appointed Melanie Quinn as its head of corporate.
She brings nearly 30 years’ experience in the travel industry, beginning her career in commercial aviation sales with BMI and Scandinavian airlines, before going on to lead the North England and Scotland sales teams for Etihad.
In 2015, she joined CTI as commercial director and in 2020 she took on a position at Clyde Travel Management as head of sales and customer relations.
Chameleon Agency
Manchester-based Chameleon Agency has announced the appointment of Chelsea Tantum to account manager and producer.
She has over 10 years of experience in creative strategic project management, starting her career at People Activation.
She said: "I’m delighted to be back working with Joe on events that support business’ strategy and bond teams. I get a lot of satisfaction working on corporate events, by making people happy and feel like they are part of a team."
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