This week’s North West appointments

Weber Shandwick (Manchester) Bill Ranatunga and Dean Gallagher

Public relations firm Weber Shandwick has appointed two new consultants for its growing corporate team.

These hires come on the back of client wins across the education, financial services and property sectors, alongside significant organic growth of integrated campaigns on key accounts, which will see the team’s revenues boosted by £300,000 this year.

Bill Ranatunga joins the team as a senior account manager from Weber Shandwick’s Glasgow office where he worked for more than four-and-a-half-years.

Joining Bill is account manager, Dean Gallagher. A journalism graduate from UCLan, Dean spent four years at Fettle PR in Lancashire where he was seconded to sister company Lancashire Business View, in a marketing manager role.

Jo Leah, managing director and chair English regions & Wales, said: “2014 has been a stellar year for the corporate team Manchester which is going from strength-to-strength. We’re delighted to welcome Bill and Dean to the team. It’s crucial that we recruit the very best talent our industry has to offer as we strive to grow through delivering standout campaigns with solid commercial results.”

Jessica Wilkinson, group account director for the corporate team, added: “The best thing about the team’s growth is that it’s been achieved through growing existing accounts and referrals from our clients. This truly is testament to the quality and boldness of the work and ideas delivered.

“All of this is underpinned by a string of award wins already under our belt, including an international honour for our Manchester Business School at the IPRA Golden World Awards and a PRCA Dare Award for a corporate and financial campaign for the Castel Residential Property Fund.”

HURST, Jo Warburton, Kate Olivier and Sam Turnock

Accountancy firm HURST has embarked on a recruitment drive to support growing demand as the economic recovery gathers pace.

Jo Warburton, 29, has joined the Stockport and Manchester firm as a business services manager after eight years at Ernst & Young.

Kate Olivier and Sam Turnock will join HURST as graduate trainees later this month.

Further appointments across HURST’s tax, business services and payroll teams are expected in the coming months along with new support staff.

Tim Potter, HURST’s chief executive, said: “We’re seeing a marked improvement in business activity as the economic recovery gathers pace, which is creating increased demand for the services we provide.

“This, combined with our recent move to larger offices in Manchester city centre, means we are in the process of seeking further experienced recruits to add to our team.

“Jo brings a wealth of experience which will be of great benefit to our client base. We are passionate about investing in, attracting and retaining the best people to help us to continue to grow.”

Bollington Insurance Brokers, Phil Jee

Former rugby ace Phil Jee has joined Bollington Insurance Brokers as a corporate account manager.

He will be based in the firm’s Altrincham office.

Phil, 52, scored more than 1,000 points for Sale between 1982 and 1996, during which time he played in every position in the back line.

He then spent five years at Manchester Rugby Club, where he was a player and coach. During his time there, the club won the Lancashire Cup and three promotions. Phil hung up his boots in 2001.

Phil said: “I’m delighted to be joining Bollington at an exciting time for the business. I like its culture and forward-thinking outlook, and I look forward to helping it to continue its recent growth by winning new business while also looking after key corporate accounts across a range of sectors, including property, manufacturing and recruitment.”

Bollington chief executive Paul Moors said: “We are very pleased to appoint Phil to our team of account managers. He is an experienced and respected insurance professional who will add to our capabilities.

“Phil is the latest in a line of key appointments during 2014 as we look to continue the progress we have made since the management buyout of the business in 2013.”

Gateley (Manchester) Richard Clitherow, Avril England, Stuart Evans, Simon Maddox, Emma Butterworth, Michelle Whetham and Sarah Jenkins

Top 50 national law firm, Gateley, has announced a number of promotions and appointments following a year of continued growth.

Seven of Gateley’s Manchester team have been promoted with Tax specialist, Richard Clitherow, being made legal director. Three employees were promoted from associate to senior associate – Simon Maddox from the Real Estate team, Employment lawyer, Avril England and Stuart Evans, from the Pensions team.

Employment team member, Emma Butterworth, has been promoted to associate along with Sarah Jenkins in Pensions and Nicholas Murrills, who is part of the Corporate Dispute Resolution team.

In addition to the promotions, the firm has expanded its staff numbers with a host of appointments, including paralegal, Michelle Whetham, who’s joined the Construction team and John Whatnall, who has been appointed as a Banking professional support lawyer.

Rod Waldie, head of Gateley’s Manchester office, said: “It’s been another significant year for our team which, despite operating in a challenging and competitive market, has seen us flourish as we approach our fifth year.

“Our success has been spear headed by a number of multi-disciplinary deals with clients such as Cains Brewery and Palatine.

“While we can be extremely proud of the financial success, we maintain that our people are the backbone of our business and certain individuals have enjoyed fantastic career progression.

“For example, Real Estate partner, Paul Rose, was recently named as LawWorks fellow and head of Family law, Elizabeth Hassall, was appointed as chair of the Collaborative Family Law Group. “

LSH (Manchester) Stuart McGill and Joe Johnson

Commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton has further strengthened its Manchester office with the appointments of senior surveyor Stuart McGill to property and asset management and surveyor Joe Johnson to the building consultancy team.

Abid Jaffry, head of LSH’s Manchester office, said: “As the city’s commercial property sector enjoys continued growth, we’re pleased to be welcoming such talented new members to our building consultancy and property and asset management teams.

“Stuart and Joe bring expertise in relocation, acquisitions and dilapidations, not to mention their combined knowledge of the regional market. We’re looking forward to supporting them in their new roles and to the contribution each will make to our ongoing projects in the area.”

The Shield Group, Stuart Pizzey

Stuart Pizzey, MBE, has been appointed Police Liaison & Commercial Risk Advisor at The Shield Group, the UK’s largest independent Total Security Solutions (TSS) provider.

Pizzey will be joining The Shield Group to develop relationships with businesses across Greater Manchester and throughout the North-west, advising on business risk and solutions.

Pizzey will be based in the Manchester office, where he will be working closely with The Shield Group Special Liaison Unit, headed up by Ken Stewart QPM, to identify and sustain partnerships with the Police Service throughout the UK, supporting non front line duties and responsibilities.

Chief executive of The Shield Group, John Roddy said of Mr Pizzey’s appointment: “We are are delighted and very proud to welcome such a distinguished individual as Stuart Pizzey to The Shield Group. Stuart has made a significant and lasting impact on his community through his role at Greater Manchester Police.

“We have been fully aware for some time of Stuart’s key relationships and advisory skills and we are very pleased that he has decided to join The Shield Group to both enhance our overall capability in the North West and to support our programme to further develop our growing relationship with the Police Service.”

Stuart Pizzey said: “The chance to join The Shield Group presents a great challenge and an opportunity to utilise my skills and experience to better serve our customers nationwide.

“I am particularly impressed with the company’s efforts to foster a working relationship with the police service and provide support in non front line duties and responsibilities.

“I look forward to working with this innovative and ambitious team whose commitment and services to security are testament to their recent upward growth.”

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