Member Article

This week’s North West appointments

Marketing communications agency, The Write Angle, has snapped up two new recruits as part of a long-term strategy to provide its growing client roster with a full-service integrated offer.

The Chorley-based agency welcomes Ryan Gibson and Helen Wardley as account managers from Manchester agencies, Tangerine and SLG Marketing Ltd, respectively.

As part of Tangerine’s B2B team, Ryan delivered award-winning integrated marketing campaigns for national and international brands such as ARI Fleet, Barbour ABI (part of UBM), law firm DWF and Environmental Scientifics Group.

Helen, who was born in Chorley, brings a wealth of experience providing integrated marketing solutions for some of the UK’s most well-known trade brands, including Polypipe, Rada (part of the Kohler Group) and Sika.

Both Ryan and Helen will work alongside The Write Angle’s new director, Tracy Archer, to drive the agency in a bold new direction.

Tracy commented: “Recruiting talent in such a competitive industry is extremely difficult, and to find people with the right blend of PR, brand, social and content marketing skills is an even harder task. That’s why we’re thrilled to have found two at once!

“The fact that high-calibre candidates such as this have made the move out of big city agencies is a huge testament to The Write Angle’s long-term vision, which really boils down to bringing brand stories to life no matter what the channel.”

Karen Wilson, Alternative Futures Group

A new managing director has been appointed by North West charity Alternative Futures Group (AFG).

Karen Wilson has more than 15 years’ experience at chief executive and director level with her most recent role as executive director of nursing at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.

Every year, Alternative Futures Group, whose head office is in Prescot on Merseyside, supports more than 1200 people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. This is achieved by providing around the clock support within the community, in peoples own homes or in one of eight specialist treatment and recovery centres.

Chief executive of AFG,Neil Campbell, said: “Karen has the right skills to take AFG forward at a time of great change in the sector and help us deliver our vision.

“That vision and our values are focused on putting the people we support in control of their lives.

“Karen’s skills and experience and the talented team around her ensure we are well placed to continue providing a high level of support to our service users while at the same time continuing to be innovative and to invest in our employees.”

Catherine Paul, Designer Habitat

Manchester-based Designer Habitat – the kitchen and homewares product specialist – has appointed former B&M buying manager, Catherine Paul, as it embarks on an ambitious recruitment drive.

The company sources and supplies functional, practical and innovative products suitable for the kitchen and home. Ranges are produced under the company’s two main brands – VonHaus and VonShef – both of which have been developed in-house at Designer Habitat’s head office in Manchester.

Mark Januszewski, CEO of Designer Habitat, said: “Catherine’s appointment is a major coup for Designer Habitat. She has a wealth of experience working with large, national retailers, in sourcing a wide range of products for multiple categories.

“We are set to grow our workforce by 50 per cent by the end of 2017. It’s our aim to be a go-to employer for talented individuals looking for the next step in a retail-focused workplace.”

Rob Bickerstaffe, Ludlow Wealth Management.

Rob Bickerstaffe joins the wealth management group as its 19th consultant and will be helping clients in the region to achieve financial peace of mind. He will also be responsible for expanding the group’s high net worth individual client base in the Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire regions as the firm hopes to reach £1billion of assets under advice within five years.

Rob, who lives in Bamford, Greater Manchester, will be working across the North West but will be based at Ludlow’s Blackburn office.

Rob said: “Ludlow has an excellent reputation in the region and a vision and ethos which sets it apart from other wealth management firms. It was this that impressed me combined with how the firm’s clients are at the centre of everything it does.

“The Ludlow philosophy, which is focused on helping clients achieve financial peace of mind enabling them to live their lives, also struck a chord with me. The prospect of working in a business that has a well-defined proposition placing it head and shoulders above the competition compelled me to join Ludlow.”

Tim Cornes, Business Doctors

This month Cheshire businessman Tim Cornes will be joining Business Doctors, the support service for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

There are currently 42 Business Doctors operating throughout the UK. The network is geared to drive business growth, from strategies for sales and boosting profits, to advice for effective people management, accessing finance and acquiring other companies.

Rod Davies, the network’s co-founder, said: “We are delighted that we are still growing our presence in Cheshire.

“Tim joining the operation is giving us fantastic coverage across the county – a definite asset to the local business community.

“Each Business Doctor has proven proficiency, and is able to provide advice and support, based on real experience. Tim implicitly understands what business owners need and will give top class support, helping them grow and achieve their ambitions.”

Nick Hynes, Cheshire East Council

Cheshire East Council has appointed a top commercial property expert to lead a key advisory panel to review and drive forward the redevelopment of Macclesfield town centre.

Nick Hynes, a chartered surveyor, spent 26 years as managing director of Macclesfield-based property company Magnus before leaving to set up his own consultancy business earlier this year.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Nick Hynes. Getting a business leader of his calibre on board shows just what a high priority we are giving to the redevelopment of Macclesfield town centre.

“Nick, who was born and bred in Macclesfield and knows and loves the town as much as we do, is totally committed to making things happen so that we create a town centre fit for the 21st century.

“I have given Nick the remit to listen. We want him to get this right and make sure we listen to all opinions on the development and investment in Macclesfield Town Centre.”

The role as chair of the Macclesfield Design Board is not a full-time position and Mr Hynes will continue to provide strategic sales and leasing consultancy for Airport City Manchester.

Ian Gabrielides, Pickerings Lifts

Pickerings Lifts has announced a new senior appointment to its North West office in Manchester, that will see the company significantly grow and strengthen its heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) business stream.

Ian Gabrielides joins the company with two decades’ experience gained at the cutting edge of the heating and cooling industry, working across both public and private sectors in a variety of senior positions.

The new role will see him leading a multi-skilled team of engineers to help businesses across the country keep their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems legally compliant and operationally efficient, as well as avoid costly, unplanned breakdowns and critical failures through effective maintenance regimes.

Ian Bowers, Managing Director at Pickerings Lifts said: “While our core business is lift maintenance and repair, in recent years we have diversified into new business streams with a great deal of success.

“HVAC is a growing area for us, and presents huge potential. Without a doubt, Ian is the right person to deliver this for us, and we’re extremely happy to be welcoming him to the team.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .