Member Article

This week’s North West appointments

Claire Furnival, Helen Binns, Chris Johnson, PM+M

PM+M, the Blackburn based chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group, has today confirmed a series of promotions across the business. The first promotion is Chris Johnson who becomes a director in the firm’s corporate services team. Chris joined PM+M 15 years ago and was previously a corporate services manager.

Helen Binns has been promoted to director and head of the Burnley office. She was previously a manager in Run My Business, which is PM+M’s dedicated fixed fee package covering bookkeeping, accounts, payroll, VAT and tax returns. Helen has worked at the firm for nine years.

The third promotion is Claire Furnival. Claire joined PM+M in 2008 and is now assistant manager in the corporate services team. Prior to her promotion, she worked as an audit senior.

Managing partner Jane Parry commented: “As a business, we know that our success is firmly based on the talents of our team.

“These three promotions are hugely deserved as each person embodies what PM+M is all about as they all strive to offer the very best service to our clients.

“We are also committed to the development of all our team so it’s great when are able to recognise talent and promote from within our ranks.”

Rebecca Kay, Preston College

Preston’s College has appointed a new operations manager to coordinate its iSTEM teaching provision in preparation for the opening of its new £13m iSTEM Centre in September.

Former Preston’s College student, Rebecca Kay, from Ashton-on-Ribble, has a wealth of iSTEM (Innovation and STEM) experience, built up over a five-year career with the further education provider as an advanced skills technician for science and work-based assessor.

As iSTEM operations manager, the 26-year-old will be responsible for ensuring high-quality teaching is delivered consistently across the curriculum in both traditional and non-traditional iSTEM subjects - ensuring Preston’s College delivers skilled, work-ready learners.

Chris Wood, principal for excellence and learning at Preston’s College, added: “Rebecca has an outstanding track record in STEM and promoting her to the position of iSTEM operations manager was a natural fit for her skills base.

“Her core understanding of our values and exceptional work ethic will prove crucial in helping us to achieve our long-term vision in becoming the North West’s leading provider of advanced iSTEM education.”

Kirsty Tinsley-Fenney, FDR Law

Full service law firm, FDR Law has appointed a new Commercial Property Partner Kirsty Tinsley-Fenney, as it continues to invest in its Commercial services division.

Kirsty joins the Warrington based firm from the Manchester office of Eversheds, where she has built up an impressive reputation in real estate practice, specialising in investment work and asset management on behalf of institutional landlords and local market clients.

Head of the twelve strong commercial property team at the firm, Stephen Woodall said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Kirsty to FDR Law and look forward to her playing a pivotal role in the continued growth of the business.

“Kirsty’s appointment, along with that of associate solicitor Lynne Cook who joined us recently from DWF, demonstrates our commitment to the booming commercial property sector and our ability to attract the best lawyers.”

Rafal Maćkowiak , Ben Woodward, Britplas

Warrington-based glazing contractor Britplas has strengthened its team with two new appointments, with Ben Woodward joining as commercial development manager and Rafal Maćkowiak as design manager.

Ben joins the company from Kaye Building Systems and has a strong background in the architectural glazing/façade industry. Having learnt his trade on the shop floor before progressing through the ranks to a business development position, Ben brings significant technical expertise to the role, with experience in the design, fabrication and installation phases.

Rafal Maćkowiak is also a seasoned façade industry professional. With a wealth of experience across a broad range of glazing and building envelope systems, working on various multi-million pound projects throughout the UK, Rafal will be taking responsibility for overseeing the Britplas design department.

Operating from a 40,000 sq ft factory on Kingsland Grange, Woolston, Britplas has a particular specialism in the healthcare and mental health markets, with its patented and award-winning Safevent window being widely specified by the NHS and private healthcare groups. The company now employs over 70 people.

The two new appointments support a strategic move by the business to increase their presence in the wider architectural glazing and façades sector, in response to client and market demand.

“Britplas have an exceptionally strong reputation for specialist windows within the mental health and healthcare sectors” commented commercial director John Blackwell.

“Although we have always done other types of glazing, we have identified a definite opportunity in the wider building envelope and façades sector, particularly as we have our own factory and installation teams. The appointment of Ben and Rafal supports our commitment to the growth of this area of the business.”

Harriet Smith, Rebecca Sowerbutts, James Worthington, DTZ

James Worthington joins as Senior Surveyor in Residential, Rebecca Sowerbutts as a Consultant in Planning and Harriet Smith as Graduate Consultant in to its Development Consulting team.

Derek Nesbitt, Residential Director at DTZ North West in Manchester comments: “I am delighted that James, Rebecca and Harriet have chosen to join us at DTZ.

“As activity levels and opportunities increase in the sector, their appointments will grow our residential, development consulting and planning team to 13.

“Growth of the team is crucial to meet the requirements of an expanding project portfolio across a number of key sectors, including residential, higher education, public sector, and corporate occupiers.

“These appointments match with DTZ’s growth ambitions at a regional, national and international level, and grows DTZ’s residential, planning and development consultancy capability further.”

Dr Bina Rawal, The North West Coast Academic Health Science Network

The North West Coast Academic Health Science Network (NWC AHSN) has appointed a new Non-Executive Director to work with the organisation. The network, which launched in 2014, is one of 15 academic health science networks in England. It covers Cheshire, Merseyside, South Cumbria and Lancashire, serving a population of approximately four million residents. Its primary role is to bring together NHS organisations, universities and businesses to achieve measurable results, ensuring that innovation is spread through the healthcare system at scale and pace. Dr Bina Rawal has been appointed to the post and will work alongside the Chair and Vice-Chair of the AHSN Board together with the Executive Team of the organisation to set the strategic direction, provide effective leadership, support and challenge to the Board. Chief executive of the North West Coast AHSN, Dr Liz Mear, said: “We are thrilled to have Dr Rawal join our team, bringing with her extensive industry and healthcare experience, which will support the network in driving innovation in technology and new ways to working to improve the health of residents.”

Alaina Chesney, Les Armitage, Constant Group Ltd

British single source precision sheet metal component manufacturers, Constant Group, are delighted to continue strong growth through 2015 with two key new appointments to the Design & Development Teams.

Alaina Chesney has been appointed as Digital Marketing Manager for the Group, a new post at Constant. Alaina has been brought on board to develop the on and offline identity, marketing and PR of the suite of seven brands, as well as developing the companies websites. Alaina boasts over 13 years in the digital field, with 10 in the manufacturing industry so she brings a range of new expertise to the Business Development team.

Managing Director of Constant, Matt Garlick, said: “We’re delighted to welcome two new team members at Constant with a breadth of experience between them. The new appointments have been made possible by the significant growth we’ve had this year. I’m delighted that we’ve also hired additional local welders, expanding our shop floor capabilities to offer more services to our existing and new customers.”

Mike Dawber, Ian Hampson, FBW Engineering Services

Cheshire based FBW Engineering Services has announced the expansion of its board of directors and a record turnover of over £2 million.

Founding directors Alan Forshaw and Martin Bleasdale are now joined by longstanding employees Mike Dawber and Ian Hampson.

The foursome will form a new senior management team which will help continue the expansion of the business as it works with more clients in the UK and overseas and builds on its milestone of £2million sales.

Speaking of the news, FBW managing director Martin Bleasdale said: “I am delighted to have reached this milestone, one which comes as we strengthen our leadership team.

“Mike and Ian have demonstrated their long term commitment and unwavering loyalty to FBW and have in recent years played a pivotal role in expanding our client base and we credit their involvement in our growth. It is for those – and many other reasons – that Alan and I decided to expand our board with them.”

Fred Wolff, Hans-Jurgen Koot, Mark Foster, TOMY

TOMY has pulled off a spectacular coup in recruiting former Hasbro European Marketing Director Mark Foster to the role of Head of Marketing EMEA for the Japanese toy giant. With a recently appointed Senior Vice President of EMEA Operations and a new UK Sales Director, TOMY is now poised for a major offensive across Europe.

Hans-Jurgen Koot is one of the key figures in ensuring that potential is realised in the newly created role of Senior Vice President of EMEA Operations. Hans-Jurgen Koot has over 20 years experience in retail having been Country Operations Director for L’Oreal in the UK, Belgium, Germany and Austria. He has wide experience of managing highly complex restructuring, optimisation and merge projects in different European countries.

Fred Wolff is the new UK Sales Director. He has European consumer sales and marketing experience with organisations such as Proctor & Gamble, Reckitt Benkiser and most recently Phillips. His focus will be on creating a more strategic relationship with TOMY’s UK retailers.

Summing up the changes to his Senior Management Team, Executive Vice President Europe, Nicolai Lindhardt, commented: “We have recruited from both inside and outside of the toy industry, to put together a management team I believe is as strong as any in the global toy industry. This is our investment in talent as we plan for substantial growth across Europe.”

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