This week’s North West appointments

Mike Anderson, Brother UK

Technology business Brother UK has appointed Mike Anderson as its new marketing head.

In his new role with the Manchester-based firm, Mike will lead a team of 25 marketing professionals and take on strategic responsibility for various aspects of marketing, including advertising, corporate communications, events, mobile, digital and public relations.

Mike said: “Brother UK operates in a dynamic, fast-paced sector and in order to make a positive impact on the bottom line it is essential that all marketing activity underpins our wider business strategy.

“Building successful customer and partner relationships is fundamental to that strategy and I’m looking forward to using my experience of working directly with our customer base to further understand how we can enhance such relationships through the delivery of tailored content and insight.”

He added: “With the support of such a strong team I am confident that we will continue to deliver award-winning campaigns that deliver real results for the business.”

Mike, who has over 13 years’ experience in both traditional and digital marketing, has worked at Brother UK since 2010, most recently in the role of market development manager.

Commenting on the appointment, Brother UK’s managing director, Phil Jones, said: “Mike has played a fundamental role in the development and execution of our marketing activity over the past five years and his knowledge and insight of the business, as well as the wider technology sector means he is well placed to spearhead the next stage of our strategic development.”

Roxanne Buckley, Napthens

North West-based law firm Napthens has appointed Roxanne Buckley to its employment and HR team.

Having completed her training at Manchester-based Glaisyers Solicitors LLP, Roxanne has joined Napthens from the lender services department at law firm Shoosmiths, where she worked as a litigation case handler.

She obtained her degree in law from Manchester Metropolitan University.

In her new role, Roxanne will advise clients on issues relating to employment law, in addition to assisting Napthens’ corporate team on matters pertaining to redundancy, acquisitions and business disposals.

Napthens’ head of employment and HR, Chris Boyle, said: “With several key appointments and promotions made so far this year, and the launch of our dedicated HR consultancy service HR3 People, Roxanne’s appointment reflects the ongoing expansion of this department.

“Her specialist expertise surrounding settlement agreements, disciplinary, grievance, maternity and statutory sickness pay means she will play a key role in providing the highest level of support to our clients.”

Alex Paterson, Glendale

Glendale, the Chorley-headquartered green services provider, has appointed a new regional director for the North.

Alex Paterson has joined Glendale from resource management firm Veolia, where he worked for six years as a director for the Merseyside area.

In his new role at Glendale’s Lancashire head office, Alex will take on responsibility for the firm’s operational and financial performance across the North of England.

Alex, who has 12 years’ experience in the chemicals, energy, waste and environmental sectors, said of his appointment: “I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead, working with the team of experts at Glendale and contributing to the development of the business.

“I’m keen to build relationships and engage with staff, to clearly outline our objectives going forward.”

Discussing the appointment, Glendale MD Andy Corcoran said it comes at an important time for the company.

Andy said the firm has: “a 650% turnover rise forecasted in one of its key contracts, North West Estates, and the team continuing to expand.

“Alex has extensive experience of senior management and brings skills in finance, health and safety, leadership and strategy, having been involved in a number of high value projects, which makes him the perfect person for the role, allowing Glendale to continue its current growth while maintaining the highest standards in green service delivery.”

Elaine Chan, Ward Hadaway

The Manchester office of law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Elaine Chan as a new partner in its commercial litigation team.

Elaine has more than 14 years’ experience advising on commercial and insurance litigation cases, primarily in the retail and manufacturing sectors.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining such an excellent team at Ward Hadaway. The firm’s reputation in Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution really goes before it and this award win further underlines that.

“Business is very much a global game, as events this week have shown with the state visit of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, and it is important for companies trading in other jurisdictions to have confidence in the partners they are dealing with and to have recourse to solutions if disputes arise.”

Elaine continued: “The increasing investment in the North West and across the UK by Far East businesses is very positive for the economy and is hopefully part of a long-term trend.

“By being able to advise on practical commercial solutions when things don’t quite go to plan, hopefully we can play our part in this process as well.”

Elaine’s work for a number of clients, which includes a FTSE 100 company, has seen her work with manufacturers in the USA, China, Germany, France and Italy.

Ian Collinson, Ward Hadaway’s head of commercial litigation, said: “We are really pleased to have Elaine on board.

“Her experience, particularly in international dispute resolution matters, adds a further dimension to what is already a highly talented team.”

Ian added: “I have no doubt that she will prove to be an excellent addition to that team and a real asset to our clients.”

Elaine has joined Ward Hadaway in the wake of the company being named UK Regional Law Firm of the Year for Dispute Resolution in the latest Legal 500 ranking.

Ward Hadaway’s Manchester-based executive partner, Paul Johnson, commented: “It is terrific to be able to welcome Elaine to the growing team at our Manchester office.

“Her skills and experience, particularly in matters with an international dimension, are a great addition to our lineup and the fact that we have been able to attract someone of her ability to the firm speaks volumes about our standing and reputation.”

Nick Hougham, Well Pharmacy

Independent pharmacy chain Well Pharmacy has taken on Nick Hougham as its new head of acquisitions.

In his new role, Nick will work on identifying and acquiring new branches via existing pharmacy businesses, and has committed to growing Well’s branch network from 780 to 1,000 in the next three years.

The Manchester-headquartered company hopes to hit a turnover of £1bn by 2019.

Nick said of his appointment: “‘I’m thrilled to join Well. The role offers me a fantastic opportunity to utilise my pharmacy and healthcare knowledge, along with my broader business development experience.

“Well’s focus mirrors my own personal values - we’re committed to putting pharmacies at the centre of communities. I’m excited to work within a business with ambitious growth plans.”

Well Pharmacy, which was The Co-Operative Pharmacy before a £620m buyout by multinational conglomerate Bestway last year, intends to drive its growth plans by investing £200m between now and 2020.

Seven appointments, Salford Professional Development

Conference and training provider Salford Professional Development (SPD) has taken on seven new members of staff to deal with a growing demand for its services.

The new arrivals at the Salford-based firm bring its employee count to 34, up from 20 at the beginning of 2015.

Richard Fletcher has joined SPD as a conference programme manager, while Matthew Innes and Jonathan Palmer have been added to the company’s sponsorship team as account managers.

Elsewhere, Stuart Crossley has been appointed as a credit control manager and David Daniel as a business development executive.

Sabrina Testoni, meanwhile, is SPD’s newest digital sales executive, and Seb Halstead has joined the company as a digital marketing executive.

SPD has also promoted Elka Lamb, who joined in August 2014, as its head of marketing and communications.

Paul Bolton, SPD’s deputy chief executive, said: “We’ve seen massive growth in the business and, as we see more delegates coming through our doors, these new roles reflect our drive and determination to maintain and improve on the customer service experience.

“Feedback from our delegates and event sponsors has been overwhelmingly positive in relation to our conferences and courses, and now we are ready to increase the number of events we offer, which means growing our staff base accordingly.”

SPD was founded three years ago as a subsidiary of the University of Salford.

Helen Griffin, Harrison Drury

Law firm Harrison Drury has strengthened its litigation offering with the appointment of Helen Griffin as an assistant solicitor.

Helen is joining Harrison Drury, which has offices across Cumbria and Lancashire, after three years at East Anglia-based solicitors Hayes + Storr.

In her new position, Helen will offer specialist legal advice to businesses on various aspects of commercial disputes, such as resolving partnership and shareholder disagreements and advising on issues related to acquisitions.

Harrison Drury’s director of dispute resolution, Colin Fenny, said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of new instructions on commercial disputes over the last couple of years.

“Helen’s appointment brings the number in the team to nine and means we are well placed to meet this increasing demand from our clients. It demonstrates Harrison Drury’s ability to attract the best lawyers, both within and outside of the region.”

He added: “Helen’s experience and expertise in commercial litigation means that she will be a great addition to the team.”

Helen qualified five years ago after completing her training contract at Jordans Solicitors in West Yorkshire.

Commenting on her appointment, Helen said: “I’m looking forward to helping Lancashire and Cumbria business owners in resolving disputes on a range of contentious matters.

“I also have strong family roots in Preston so I’m thrilled to have moved to the area.”

Sylvia Bowden, CapitalStackers

Peer-to-peer property lending platform CapitalStackers has added Sylvia Bowden, who has experience as an investment fund manager and chartered surveyor, to its team.

Before joining Stockport-based CapitalStackers, Sylvia worked for more than 10 years structuring bank debt for property investments and developments.

The firm’s managing director, Steve Robson, said: “I’m delighted Sylvia is joining us. The appointment affirms CapitalStackers’ growing presence in property finance.”

Discussing her appointment, Sylvia said the decision to join the company was driven by her “desire to make a difference”.

She said: “Real estate finance has been in the doldrums for too long and initiatives like CapitalStackers will be the catalyst to get the country building again.

“I’m really looking forward to writing new deals.”

The company’s chairman, Nigel Bennett, was positive about the new hire.

He commented: “This is another step forward for the company and its plans to improve the funding options for property borrowers and provide attractive secured returns for investors who lend to them.”

George Potts and James Marshall, NorthEdge Capital

Private equity firm NorthEdge Capital has promoted two of its employees to the position of senior investment executive.

George Potts, who joined the Manchester-based company in 2011, is responsible for the firm’s environmental, social and corporate governance practices. He currently sits on the boards of manufacturing companies Accrol Papers and Fine Industries.

Commenting on his promotion, George said: “I am delighted to have taken on a more senior role at NorthEdge.

“It was fantastic to be part of the team that established NorthEdge as one of the leading private equity firms in the North.”

He added: “I look forward to continuing to support the best management teams across the North and in taking more of a lead role on new investments.”

James Marshall, meanwhile, is based at the firm’s Yorkshire office and works on the origination and execution of deals in the region.

He commented: “With a number of new deals in the pipeline, it is a particularly exciting time to be working at a more senior level within the firm.

“I am really enjoying working with such high quality management teams here in Yorkshire and the North East, and I am looking forward to supporting their growth aspirations in the coming months.”

James sits on the board of Yorkshire-based boiler installer HelpLink.

NorthEdge’s managing partner, Grant Berry, said of the promotions: “Both George and James have been huge assets to NorthEdge, and their promotions are a formal recognition of their hard work over the past few years.

“Both are passionate about investing in the North and developing our legacy here, so it is important that we uphold our commitment to investing in young talent.”

Grant continued: “Both have achieved a lot in the time they have been with the firm, and I look forward to seeing them develop over the next few years.”

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