A string of North West businesses have announced a range of top hires and promotions over the last week.
The likes of The Fragrance Shop, KPMG and a luxury hotel owned by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs and are among those who have made major moves.
Below, BusinessLive rounds up the latest hires and promotions that we feel you should not miss.
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The Fragrance Shop
The former long-serving boss of retail giant JD Sports has been named as the first non-executive chairman of The Fragrance Shop.
Peter Cowgill, who quit his role as executive chairman at the Bury-headquartered group suddenly in May, has taken up his new job with immediate effect.
At the time, his departure from JD Sports was described "as a consequence of an ongoing review of its internal governance and controls" and a decision to "accelerate the separation" of the roles of chair and chief executive.
Haines Watts
Accountancy and business advisory firm Haines Watts has welcomed Sarah Glass as an associate director in Manchester.
She said: "As a proactive, forward-thinking firm, offering a personable approach to clients, the whole culture of Haines Watts in all aspects aligns to my own values, so it felt like a really good fit. I was really drawn to the engagement and development investment in the team too.
"Over the last few weeks I’ve enjoyed settling in to working in Manchester and it’s been great to meet everyone in the team. It’s been good to be able to put names to faces - there’s quite a few of us! Otherwise, starting to get involved in background work and looking at the sorts of projects we’re getting involved with clients has been really interesting."
AG Built Environment Consultancy
AG Built Environment Consultancy, which has offices in Manchester, Preston and Liverpool, has appointed a new chief executive and managing director.
Jonathan Shaw has taken over as CEO and Andrew Whittle as MD.
Mr Shaw said: "After 15 happy years developing the business, and in my role as MD at the firm, I began to notice a shift in what was required from that role.
"The vision and strategies for the business were moving us along, but far more attention was needed on the day-to-day management of the business.
"Along with Andrew Whittle, my friend and business partner, and our fellow board members, we decided we should restructure the board with my focus being on the future strategic direction of the business and planning its next phase of growth, which offers us many opportunities.
"Andrew Whittle will make a fantastic managing director, and I look forward to working alongside him in continuing to build what I think is a great business."
Wates Construction
Wates Construction has appointed Sarah Cooke as regional director for its construction business in the North West.
She has more than 20 years’ experience within the construction industry, gained primarily at contractors including Morgan Sindall, Lendlease and Galliford Try.
Most recently, she spent more than two years at Balfour Beatty as national framework director.
She said: "The North West has a rich pipeline of current and potential development and I’m excited to be operating in the region again, for a contractor that has such solid values clearly evident throughout its business.
"With a strong focus on customer relationships and delivering a quality product, safely, our aspirations to grow the business will develop over the next two to three years and I’m looking forward to leading this expansion."
Cocogreen
Manchester-based Cocogreen has hired Simon Shelbourn as its new chief financial officer.
He previously held the position of group finance director at County Milk Products and has also worked internationally over three decades.
Mr Shelbourn said: “Cocogreen is a hugely exciting company with an enviable customer base, unique products, unmatched technologies, and a globally renowned brand. This, alongside Cocogreen’s clear mission and purpose was a real pull for me.
"When I first met the senior team, the great success they had already achieved became immediately apparent, but more importantly it was clear the company was exceptionally well positioned to capitalise on the increasing global demand for high-performance growth substrates. The next phase of the growth story is set to be an exciting one that I am really looking forward to being part of."
Code Computerlove
Manchester-based Code Computerlove has appointed Gemma Handley as its new managing director.
She first joined the company in 2018 and was previously commercial director.
She will replace current MD Rob Jones who is taking up a new position outside the group.
Gemma said: "The opportunity to lead Code is incredibly exciting! With over fifteen years in both large agencies and client-side roles, I've seen every aspect of how digital impacts businesses.
"Code's core values set out by the founders of doing the right thing by our people, partners and community is something I'm equally as passionate about and intend to protect as we continue to grow."
Stock Exchange Hotel
Matthew Miller has joined the team at Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester as sales and marketing director.
He has previously worked at Hotel Gotham, and more recently, the Lowry Hotel.
Mr Miller said: "I am delighted to announce my latest move to Stock Exchange Hotel. I have an extensive and successful track record in sales and marketing, and I look forward to leveraging my long-standing relationships with companies and individual stakeholders from around the globe, to build on the recent success, and enhance the profile of the Stock Exchange Hotel."
Stock Exchange Hotel is owned by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.
KPMG
Professional services firm KPMG has bolstered its Liverpool office following seven senior promotions.
Carla Kennaugh has been made partner in the business’ latest round of promotions, having audited listed groups, privately-owned entities and subsidiaries of multinational groups for over 20 years.
Mark Booth, who leads KPMG’s corporate finance team in Liverpool, has been promoted to managing director in its deal advisory practice.
Pete Short, Dan Wright and Jaini Shah have each been promoted to audit director. Meanwhile, Lucy Titchner is promoted to tax director leading KPMG’s transfer pricing team in Liverpool, with Zealah Bindley promoted to director in its consulting team.
DAC Beachcroft
Law firm DAC Beachcroft has appointed Philip Harman as the new location head for its Manchester office.
He will take over from Ian McConkey and serve a three-year term effective from January 1, 2023.
Mr Harman is a partner at DAC Beachcroft and heads up the Manchester employment team.
He said: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of Location Head in Manchester. This office has continued to go from strength to strength under Ian’s leadership, and I am committed to building on his achievements and supporting its ongoing success.
"I look forward to working with all my colleagues to promote the high quality work we do for our exceptional client base, build on our progressive and modern approach to flexibility and employee engagement, and expand our profile, reputation and market share."
Jackson Lees
Law firm Jackson Lees has welcomed a new employment lawyer in Liverpool.
Hannah Dowd joins the firm with more than 10 years’ experience in the legal sector.
She said: "I’m extremely proud to join Jackson Lees and I’m eager to apply my broad experience in employment law to help support clients through any legal challenges they face in the workplace.
"I was attracted to work at Jackson Lees because their culture is focused on making a positive difference and creating access to justice for the people who need it most.
"There are so many opportunities for development through training and working with like-minded professionals, but also a heavy focus on work-life balance, which is so invaluable to me as a mum of two young boys."
Realm Recruit
Altrincham-based Realm Recruit has appointed a new recruitment consultant.
Bill Szajna Hopgood has joined the team and will work alongside associate director Kelly Reid within Realm’s private client division.
Managing director Duane Cormell said: "I’m delighted to welcome Bill to the team. His arrival will enable us to further increase our coverage of the private client market and take on an enhanced number of roles to help more private client lawyers across the North West, Yorkshire and the West Midlands to find their next opportunity.
"He's joined the team at a really exciting time, as we continue to grow as a business, settle into our new office and start the next stage of Realm’s journey."
Cheshire Business School
Cheshire Business School has recruited former England rugby player Chris Jones to its advisory board.
The 42-year-old ex-Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Leeds Tykes forward played under England World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward and is now a financial advisor.
He said: "To join Cheshire Business School as an advisory board member is an honour.
"The founder Rachel Kay has brought forward a leadership and training concept that is concise, clear and respectful of time management.
"People from all walks of business life have been attending the short, sharp Mindful Monday sessions held so far and I look forward to helping Cheshire Business School realise its ambitions."
Hollis
Real estate consultancy Hollis has made a new hire and two promotions at its Manchester office.
Nathan Hooper joins as an associate specialising in project management after previously working on the delivery of Radisson RED Liverpool.
James Clark has been promoted to senior associate. He joined Hollis as a chartered building surveyor in 2015.
Nick Higson has been promoted to senior chartered architectural technologist. He joined Hollis as an architectural technologist in 2014 and became chartered in September this year.
The new hire and promotions come after the firm hired Alan Wales as an associate in June.
Intelligent FS
Former construction minister and leading Conservative peer Lord Richard Harrington has joined Manchester-based Intelligent FS as chairman and Director.
Lord Harrington will advise the company on its growth plan, governance arrangements and provide strategic counsel on its priority to tackle unsafe cladding on buildings across the nation.
The business has major construction projects underway in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds and is set to strengthen its cladding work portfolio across the UK even further in 2023.
Lord Harrington recently served as Minister of State for Refugees jointly in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office between March and September 2022.
Elected as Conservative MP for Watford in May 2010, he was previously construction minister at the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy from June 2017 to March 2019.
Frank Roberts & Sons
Frank Roberts & Sons in Cheshire has announced the appointment of Bill Thurston as managing director.
He was managing director for Dawn Foods and senior vice president for CSM Ingredients.
He said: "I want to share the good practices I have learnt and capitalise on the experiences I have had.
"Roberts is proud to be a highly respected fourth generation family-owned business with over 130 years of baking heritage.
"We want to build on that heritage and take it to a wider customer base across the UK, while maintaining and developing our heartland customers."
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