Member Article

This week’s North West appointments

Dr Jonathan Hague, Liverpool City Region’s Innovation Board

Unilever Open Innovation Vice President Dr Jonathan Hague is the new chair of the Liverpool City Region’s Innovation Board, responsible for driving the strategic development of the City Region’s Innovation sector, on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Jon takes over from University of Liverpool Vice Chancellor, Sir Howard Newby who has chaired the Innovation Board since it was first formed in 2012.

The appointment comes as the Board is developing an Innovation Plan focused on an ambitious portfolio of activity to accelerate the development and competitiveness of Liverpool City Region’s economy.

Key projects already putting the City Region on the map include the recently announced £65m Materials Innovation Factory and Sensor City, one of only four University Enterprise Zones awarded by Government last year.

Dr Jon Hague, Unilever vice-president for Open Innovation, said: “Working collaboratively with innovation partners regionally, nationally and internationally, as we have demonstrated in Unilever, is absolutely critical to helping all sectors of the economy to be more innovative. This is especially relevant for healthcare and life sciences, creative and digital, advanced manufacturing, water- & land-based biotechnology and sustainable energy.

“I am pleased to take the lead in developing a first class innovation ecosystem for the Liverpool City Region. We have a great foundation to build on and I am excited to be able to help take this important sector forward.”

Jon Nuttall, Medlock FRB

Oldham-based construction and fit-out firm Medlock FRB has recruited Jon Nuttall to the newly-created post of support service manager. Jon, who lives in Stockport, has joined Medlock from Wates Construction.

Medlock director Colin Drury said: “Jon will play a key role in the Medlock business. He will be responsible for our project aftercare service, ensuring our customers receive a speedy, consistent approach to dealing with any issues that may affect their business.

“Jon will work closely with our project teams and I am confident his proactive, positive and professional approach will ensure Medlock continues to provide a ‘best in class’ service to our clients.

“This is an entirely new role, which demonstrates our commitment to constantly innovate and improve our service to clients.” Medlock FRB is a fit-out, refurbishment and build contractor which specialises in the leisure, hotel, commercial and retail sectors.

The company, which has 55 staff, operates throughout the UK, carrying out projects ranging in value from £10,000 to £2m for clients including Greene King, Whitbread, JD Wetherspoon and Caffé Nero Group.

Jon said: “I’m relishing my new role at Medlock and looking forward to using my experience and skills to help the business meet the needs of its growing client base.”

Bob Holt, Inprova Group

Inprova Group, a Warrington-based procurement outsourcing service company has appointed Bob Holt, who drove the expansion and stock market flotation of property repairs giant Mears Group plc, as chair.

Newly-formed Inprova Group, set up by the founders of Warrington purchasing firm CEL Procurement, will benefit from Bob Holt’s 40 years’ of business expansion experience.

CEL Procurement, which has been providing procurement services since 1987, will be re-branded as Inprova in preparation for the Group’s ambitious growth strategy.

Paul Kennedy, Inprova Group chief executive said, “Typically procurement companies have a service based proposition or they offer complex IT systems.

“Very few integrate the two effectively. Inprova will fill this gap by combining the strength of our existing technology platform alongside our category expertise and our experienced procurement resource. I think it’s a blended offer that will appeal right across our target markets.”

David Evans, Stephensons

Stephensons, national full service law firm, is today announcing the appointment of solicitor David Evans to its industrial disease department.

David, who will be based at the firm’s Bolton office, has over twenty years of experience in dealing with serious industrial diseases, as well as clinical negligence and personal injury cases.

Previously he spent 13 years with a Trade Union firm, focusing on industrial diseases, personal injury cases, accidents at work.

David also has a background in Employers’ Liability, which he gained at Michael Halsall Solicitors and has been exposed to high value personal injury and clinical negligence claims at Paul Rooney solicitors.

Explaining his move to Stephensons, David said: “I was well aware of the firm and knew it had a stellar reputation. I was interested in the range and complexity of cases that would be on offer. It’s also a very friendly place to work at!”

Head of Personal Injury, Kate Sweeney, said: “We’re delighted that David has joined our team. Industrial and Occupational diseases are a growing issue throughout the UK and many cases can be complex and detailed. We’ve been growing in expertise in this area for a decade now and David’s experience is second to none.”

Richard Perkins, Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub

Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub has further strengthened its growth service team with the appointment of Richard Perkins as business growth advisor.

Richard has over 14 years’ experience in banking, specialising in the commercial arena. Prior to his current role, Richard has worked at a number of established banks, having started his career at NatWest before moving to RBS for over seven years, where he supported a range of SMEs from start-ups to charities and international businesses.

At Business Growth Hub, Richard will be providing advice to companies in the area of Oldham and Tameside. His responsibilities include assisting in areas of innovation, finance, international trade and operations.

Richard Perkins, growth advisor at Business Growth Hub, said: “Business Growth Hub has already been a fantastic partner for firms looking to expand in the Greater Manchester area. The Growth Hub is continually looking for SMEs which are looking to achieve their ambitious growth objectives and realise their full potential. I am incredibly excited to be joining the growth service team as it goes from strength to strength.”

Hilary Centeleghe, senior growth manager at Business Growth Hub, added: “Richard will be a fantastic addition to the team. With his extensive experience in banking, particularly his focus on SMEs, Richard already has a proven track record of providing businesses with advice right through the growth curve from start-up to disposal.”

Ruth Harrison & Matthew Hildon, Thoughtworks

Former chief marketing officer at Crabtree & Evelyn, Ruth Harrison, and former head of Mobile and Social at The Co-operative Group, Matthew Hildon, have joined software firm ThoughtWorks as director of retail strategy Europe and digital strategy consultant, respectively.

They will be a part of the ThoughtWorks Manchester office as the group expands. The pair will be supporting clients based in the UK and Europe.

ThoughtWorks, whose head office is in Illinois in the US, aims to grow its retail business unit’s European revenues from $22m (£14.6m) to $40m (£26.5m) by 2016. In addition to Harrison and Hildon in Manchester, the company has hired five senior retail strategists in the UK overall.

Mark Collin, Head of ThoughtWorks Retail Europe said: “We work with some of the best known brands in retail and plan to expand our global footprint even further,

“For years clients have turned to us with their major opportunities and challenges and we have tackled them using technology. In a world where it is hard to separate strategy and business planning from technology dependency, we know the time is right to add to our ‘tech at the core’ capability.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .