This week’s North West appointments

Katie Johnson, DS.Emotion

DS.Emotion, the Leeds-based creative agency, has hired a new business development and account manager at its studio in Manchester.

Qualified surveyor Katie Johnson has experience in commercial property marketing, with senior roles at property agents Hurstwood and asset management firm Northern Trust.

DS.Emotion director Angus Armitage said: “We are delighted to welcome Katie to the team in Manchester.

“She has a very strong background in property, particularly in the North West, which fits exactly with our growth strategy and expertise.”

He added: “I am sure Katie will bring tremendous benefits to the business through her extensive contacts and sector knowledge and enable us to leverage our potential in property and destination marketing further.”

In addition to business development, Katie will take on a managerial role for DS.Emotion’s existing clients, including real estate companies CBRE and Colliers International.

Pictured: Lauren Dale with global COO Mark Blackhurst (left) and global CEO Justin Blackhurst (right)

Lauren Dale, Digital Next

Manchester-based marketing agency Digital Next has taken on Lauren Dale as its new social networker.

In her new role, Lauren will help Digital Next grow its digital PR department.

Lauren said: “The buzz of working in a busy digital agency has always attracted me, which is why I was delighted to be approached by Digital Next.”

Speaking further about her appointment, Lauren said the position will see her “pulling together the social, content and PR team as one.”

She continued: “2016 is the year of earned media by generating content that engages customers and finding a suitable home for it to gain traction for clients.

“In this endeavour, ensuring that there is an end goal in the form of a sale or an inbound enquiry is pivotal to success.”

The appointment comes after a year of growth for Digital Next. In 2015, the firm hit a turnover of £2.5m and has set its sights on achieving toward £3m next year.

Digital Next’s CEO, Justin Blackhurst, said: “I have been watching [Laura’s] prominence across the Manchester business scene for the last two years.

“It was only at a recent meeting with Lauren that I realised that she had the steel and determination to flourish at Digital Next, whilst benefitting our clients with her unique outlook.”

Justin added: “This is the key piece of the jigsaw that will really help us push on in the UK with a strong, experienced and integrated stance.”

Pictured L-R: Samantha Marcus, Martin Hoare and Claire Beaumont

Claire Beaumont and Samantha Marcus, Gorvins Solicitors

North West law firm Gorvins has bolstered its commercial property offering with a new appointment and promotion.

Claire Beaumont, who previously worked at Laytons Solicitors’ Manchester office, has joined the firm as its newest partner.

Samantha Marcus, meanwhile, has been promoted to partner. Having joined the company from from DWF LLP Manchester back in January 2014, Samantha has risen through the ranks at Gorvins and today advises on all aspects of commercial property.

Martin Hoare, a partner at Gorvins and head of the firm’s commercial property team, said: “These are exciting times at Gorvins and strengthening the commercial property offering with two such talented and quality partners is a great boost to the delivery of our strategy of continuing to grow the strength and depth of our proposition to the market.”

Gorvins’ managing partner, commercial property lawyer Lorraine Lockie, commented: “Claire and Samantha are two exceptionally talented lawyers who are making their mark and are an inspiration to others.”

Five new consultants, Cast UK

Recruitment firm Cast UK has welcomed five new faces at its Manchester head office.

The company has hired Emily Hardy, Patty Buwaj, Tessa Woodhead, Usman Hameed and Andrew Barrett in consultant roles.

The newcomers will help Cast UK drive its continued growth strategy, which this year saw the firm’s profits rise by 40%.

Wayne Brophy, founder and MD of Cast UK, said of the appointments: “We’re really pleased to welcome our five new team members who will help to take Cast UK forward and reinforce our expertise across the sectors, working with SMEs through to FTSE 500s.

“It’s been a solid year for growth and we look forward to continued success in 2016.”

Emily has joined Cast UK as a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University, where she studied International Business. Patty, meanwhile, has eight years’ experience in supply chain roles at US paper firm International Paper and tech giant Hewlett Packard

Tessa has eight years of experience in buying and merchandising, while Usman’s expertise lies in transport, warehousing, logistics and freight.

Elsewhere, Andrew brings experience to the role from his previous position at outsourced sales firm CPM.

James Todhunter (left), Napthens

Napthens, the law firm with offices across Lancashire and Cumbria, has announced a new appointment to drive growth in Cumbria next year.

The company’s new head of Cumbria, James Todhunter, has joined Napthens from Lloyds Bank Commercial, where he worked as a relationship director for eight years.

The company will use its new office in Kendal to provide services in the south of the county, while its Penrith office will focus in the north.

Napthens’ chief executive, John Whittingslow, said: “Our presence in Cumbria over the past three years means we’ve been able to listen to and understand the needs of the market, and have provided tailored, specialist advice to local businesses, organisations and individuals.

“The region provides exciting growth opportunities for Napthens and we look forward to working with the business communities in the county and growing our presence in Cumbria. James is a welcome addition to the team.”

John continued: “He’s a well-respected and well-connected local man who shares the firm’s values in delivering class-leading advice for our clients.

“He’s passionate about the commercial development of Cumbria and this will translate in ensuring our clients will seize the opportunities available to them.”

Discussing his appointment, James said he has “huge admiration and respect” for Napthens.

He said: “Napthens already has a fantastic client base in Cumbria so the platform is strong to take the offering much further.

“I also want Napthens to play a leading role in championing Cumbria as a place to do business and capture the benefits of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ initiatives.”

James added: “There’s huge investment planned in Cumbria over the forthcoming years which will benefit the whole supply chain and the local communities – we want the firm to fulfil needs of Cumbrian businesses and families alike.”

Pictured L-R: Ryan Brookes, Philip Millson, Guy Freeman and Rob Davies

Ryan Brookes, Rob Davies and Guy Freeman, Millson Associates

Architecture and planning consultancy Millson Associates, which has offices in Manchester and London, has strengthened its management team with a director-level appointment and promotion.

Following an 11-year tenure with the firm, Ryan Brookes has been promoted to a director-level role.

He commented: “Working at Millson has afforded me some wonderful experiences – culminating in this promotion.

“This is a great opportunity for me to strategically input into the future of the business, whilst continuing to work with some of the North’s most successful builders and developers and to strengthen our reputation for innovative design and technical excellence”

Millson has also appointed Guy Freeman, a chartered building surveyor, to the role of associate operations director. In his new role, Guy will work on helping Millson achieve growth and secure new projects in commercial and residential sectors.

Guy has 30 years’ experience in property, having held senior positions with companies across the UK. He also spent most 12 years running his own Manchester practice.

Guy said: “This is just the kind of new challenge I relish. Millson is an exciting business and I am really looking forward to working with the talented MA team taking us to the next level – bringing in new people and projects.”

Elsewhere, Millson has hired building surveyor Rob Davies, bringing its staff count to 20.

Philip Millson, managing director of Millson Associates, said: “Millson is very much looking forward to continued growth in 2016 building upon the longstanding relationships we have and in unveiling some of the exciting projects we have in the pipeline.

“This work will create new jobs in Manchester and London.”

He continued: “We are particularly excited about the new leisure sector projects we are attracting – something which comes from our involvement in the high profile and highly successful, Albert’s Schloss venue in Manchester city centre, which has attracted excellent feedback.”

Philip Whitehurst and Lucy Nelson, DTM Legal

DTM Legal has announced two appointments across its North West offices.

The law firm has welcomed Philip Whitehurst as a partner in its Liverpool-based corporate and commercial team, and Lucy Nelson as a trainee solicitor in the dispute resolution team at its Chester office.

Bringing with him over 20 years of experience, Philip previously headed up the corportate and commercial department of law firm Hillyer McKeown. His specialisms include acquisitions and disposals, restructurings and shareholder agreements.

Philip said of his appointment: “DTM has a growing corporate presence in the North West legal market.

“As well as developing our relationships and client base in Liverpool, I am very much looking forward to working closely with the team in Chester to strengthen our corporate and commercial offering across the region.”

Lucy gained litigation experience as a paralegal in clinical negligence and commercial law with firms such as Slater and Gordon and Flint Bishop LLP, before which she completed her Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Law School.

DTM Legal’s head of corporate and commercial, Edward Barnes, said: “Philip and Lucy are both stellar additions to DTM and will be a real asset to their respective teams.

“They bring with them significant experience and their skills are a perfect fit for our growing client base.”

Edward continued: “Their appointments are the perfect way to close what has been a very successful year for us, and with Philip and Lucy on board we envisage even more progress being achieved in 2016.”

Jimmy King, Pierce

Blackburn-based Pierce Business Advisory and Accountancy Group has promoted Jimmy King to its board of directors.

Following his promotion, Jimmy will help steer the firm’s future while continuing to develop his own client portfolio.

Jimmy said: “My board appointment reflects the emphasis Pierce places on providing younger members of staff with opportunities to develop their careers.

“What initially attracted me to Pierce was the chance to develop a broad range of accountancy and business skills while working on behalf of a varied business community.”

He continued: “It’s been a real privilege to offer support and guidance to those companies and I look forward to helping them to meet the challenges they face while also playing a more strategic role in Pierce’s future.”

Jimmy joined Pierce as a trainee accountant in 2002, after graduating from Liverpool University with a degree in Economics. He qualified as a chartered accountant four years later.

Pierce’s managing director, Paul Warren, commented: “Developing the emerging talent that will drive Pierce forward is of vital importance to us and something we take great pride in.

“It means that Pierce’s clients will always benefit from a team that is both experienced and in tune with the latest challenges and opportunities.”

Kinga Drzewiecka, HURST

Accountancy and business advisory firm HURST has appointed its first dedicated deal originator.

Kinga Drzewiecka has been hired from Manchester-based investment banking company Zeus Capital, where she worked in its private company and private equity team as a corporate finance executive.

In HURST’s corporate finance team, Kinga will identify potential buyers on behalf of business owners who are looking to sell their enterprises.

The head of corporate finance at HURST, Nigel Barratt, said: “This is an entirely new role within our team and Kinga’s impressive track record makes her the ideal person for the position.

“We have a strong pipeline of businesses to sell, and Kinga will enhance our offering by identifying potential buyers in the UK and overseas.”

Having grown up in Poland, Kinga moved to the UK 10 years ago and graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in accounting and finance.

Before her position at Zeus Capital, she worked in the Manchester office of professional services firm Deloitte as a corporate finance executive.

Kinga said of her appointment: “I’m delighted to join HURST Corporate Finance and look forward to using my skills and experience to enhance the services we can offer to our client base.”

Sophie Southworth, AD

Digital agency AD has appointed Sophie Southworth to the role of business development director.

Sophie brings more than 10 years of marketing and communications experience to the role, joining AD from brand communications firm Journey9, where she worked in a similar position.

Sophie said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining AD, particularly during such an exciting period of growth.

“The team’s work is something I’ve admired for a while, and I can’t wait to help take their knowledge to new sectors and clients.”

The appointment follows a year of growth for the firm. In the last 12 months, AD launched its first Manchester operation after acquiring digital agency Fluid Creativity and launched We Are AD Inc, its new US branch.

David Johnstone, the managing director of AD, commented: “Sophie’s appointment is a fantastic ending to one of our most exciting years yet.

“Manchester is a home of ours now and we’re thrilled to have such a respected name, not only helping us expand our profile further afield, but also continuing our integration with local businesses.”

Eight promotions, Matthews & Goodman

Property advisory firm Matthews & Goodman has announced eight promotions across its offices in Liverpool, Manchester and London.

Those promoted to salaried partner level are Peter Thomas (Central London Agency) and Piers Collacott (Valuation), both of the firm’s City office, and Alex Cocking (Building Surveying) from its West End office.

Elsewhere, Chris Morrow (Rating) from the City office and Simon Pratt (IT) at Matthews & Goodman’s West End Office, as well as Suzanne Leo (Building Surveying) from the Liverpool office, have all been promoted to senior associate level.

Rachel Wharton (Management) from the Liverpool office and Richard Elton (Valuation) of the Manchester office have been promoted to associate level.

Commenting on the promotions, partner Philip Silby said: “The promotions come at the end of a successful calendar year for Matthews & Goodman.

“We have made significant steps towards achieving our ambition of becoming one of the leading independent firms of commercial property advisors, delivering best of class advice to our clients.”

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