This week’s North West appointments - Part 2

Barry Flynn, Business Finance Solutions

A former managing part of professional services firm EY’s Liverpool office has been hired by financial organisation Business Finance Solutions (BFS).

Following his appointment, Barry Flynn will work with the BFS Co Angel team to drive investment into the ambitious and growing businesses of Greater manchester.

Barry’s role with the BFS’ Co Angel Investment service, which is supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, will see him leading on corporate and institutional relationships.

BFS director Paul Breen said: “Barry has unrivalled experience and expertise in working with investors and startup businesses and we are privileged to welcome him to the BFS team.

“As we take the Co investment schedule to the next stage and into its second year with over 100 private investors on board we will continue to identify the best and brightest early stage businesses that the region has to offer and to match them with investment teams that can support their drive and ambition.”

Barry worked with EY for 36 years, 21 of which were spent as a partner in the firm. Throughout his career, he has worked with a number of companies across the North West, from startups to FTSE 250 firms.

Commenting on his appointment, Barry said: “Joining the BFS team really fulfills my long-held ambition to develop my career-long experience of supporting hundreds of companies across many industries, all stages of development, and at all points on the success spectrum with expert advice and help in areas including investment appraisal, due diligence, deal structuring and post investment support.

“The Co programme has already leveraged a remarkable amount of support for GM businesses and to have a significant investor base to work with is an enormously exciting challenge for the future.”

Amy Beresford, Journey9

Manchester-based marketing agency Journey9 has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of Amy Beresford.

Amy, who has been with Journey9 since 2010, has been promoted to the position of client relationship director.

Amy’s promotion follows the recent appointments of Nigel Bennett, as creative director and non-executive director, Charles Moyle, the former managing director of Grass Roots Live.

Since she was hired five years ago, Amy has worked on various live campaigns, including projects with carrier Qatar Airways, airport operator Manchester Airports Group and the Northwest Football Awards.

In her new role within the senior team, Amy will take responsibility for the company’s client relationships, working with Journey9’s team of operational professionals on exposure marketing, internal communications and other areas of the business, including its new sports division.

Journey9 MD Laura Wolfe said: “Amy’s appointment is an especially exciting one for me, having seen her journey over the past six years. There is no one better to look after our clients and work with me to build our position as the North of England’s premier live brand experience agency.

“We are about to announce a major rebrand for the agency, which will go live on 18th January, with a new name, a new website and a new identity. Amy will be an integral part of the next stage of our journey.”

Pictured: Mark Brandwood (left) and Peter Barlow

Peter Barlow, Brabners

Brabners has boosted announced the appointment of a new partner.

Property lawyer Peter Barlow has joined the commercial law firm to lead its Manchester-based housing and regeneration team.

Peter, who previously worked as a senior equity partner at legal practice Hill Dickinson, has experience in multi-million pound acquisitions and sales, Golden Brick arrangements, commercial leases, development agreements, funding and joint venture agreements, and management agreements.

He commented: “I am delighted to have joined a firm of Brabners’ stature and very much look forward to working with my new colleagues to enhance our offering to both existing and new clients.”

In his new with Brabners, Peter will support clients with strategic legal advice.

Brabners’ managing partner, Mark Brandwood, said: “Peter has an excellent reputation and brings with him a proven track record of success.

“With Peter’s valuable expertise, we will enhance the strength and depth of the property advice we offer and further broaden our support for ambitious businesses.”

Anthony Smith, Electio

Electio, delivery management platform, has chosen Anthony Smith for the role of national sales manager.

Anthony, who has close to 20 years’ experience, joins Manchester-based Electio from parcel carrier GFS.

The national sales manager position at Electio, which is part of software company MPD Group, makes Anthony responsible for developing direct relationships with the UK’s ecommerce retailers and managing channel partnerships.

MPD Group CEO David Grimes said: “Anthony will be joining us with a proven record in managing multichannel partnerships. Having been part of the team that brought CollectPlus to market, Anthony certainly has a history of making the projects he works on a success.

“Our recent appointments demonstrate just how seriously we’re being taken by the industry as we challenge the status quo in delivery management.”

Anthony’s experience includes roles with delivery firms HDNL (now called Yodel) and CollectPlus.

He commented: “I’m delighted to join the team in bringing this exciting new product to market. I know from talking to retailers that customers are demanding more convenient delivery options all the time.

“The market has been crying out for new technology that provides more delivery choices, quickly and efficiently.”

Anthony continued: “Electio presented me with an opportunity to work with the right product at exactly the right time. We’re currently in a one-dimensional industry that’s ripe for change so to be a part of the team that’s delivering the answer is quite thrilling.”

Rachel Simms, Eva Slater and Cath Pearson (pictured L-R with Carlos Lopez) Vincents Solicitors

Vincents Solicitors has invested in its personal injury business with a raft of new support staff and fee earners.

Former Inghams solicitor Cath Pearson has been made the law firm’s head of the RTA division, where she will oversee a seven-strong team.

Cath commented: “Vincents is dealing with more and more PI (personal injury) work, with clients coming from our across the country and even overseas to get support with claims regarding accidents and injuries sustained while in the UK.

“Helping victims of RTAs has long been my area of expertise and I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to put together a hand-picked team of specialists to help grow the department further.”

Cath’s team includes the recently hired litigation executive Eva Slater, who can speak five languages, including German and Polish.

Elsewhere, the firm has expanded its clinical negligence division after welcoming Rachel Simms, formerly of Birchall Blackburn Law, as its newest trainee solicitor.

Director Carlos Lopez said: “Rachel’s extensive experience of managing both claimants and defendants will allow her to provide vital support to senior team members, including helping to investigate claims and liaise with medical experts. She also understands the complex issues involved with clinical negligence cases, so can support clients throughout the process ensuring professionalism and empathy at all times.”

Looking ahead, Vincents is make further appointments in its employers, public liability, RTA and personal injury teams.

Melanie Quinn, CTI

Travel provider CTI has appointed a new director of client management to strengthen its client services offering.

Melanie Quinn has joined the Manchester-based company from Etihad Airways, the UAE-headquartered airline, where she worked as sales manager for the North for close to five years.

CTI’s chief executive officer, Clive Wratten, said: “I am delighted to welcome Melanie to the CTI team.

“She has an exceptional track record in leading innovative and customer focussed client management teams and we’re sure she will be a great asset to the team from the offset.”

Working alongside Clive in the firm’s senior management team, Melanie will be responsible for building client partnerships and developing customer service.

Melanie commented: “I am very excited to be joining the CTI team, a trusted and reputable travel partner for business.

“With my background in managing both local and global contracts with SAS and the Star Alliance, I look forward to my experience playing a role in the company.”

Alex Bell, Roland Dransfield PR

Roland Dransfield PR has appointed former Manchester Evening News journalist Alex Bell as its new head of media.

A former business writer who worked at the MEN for nearly eight years, five of which were spent as a crime reporter, Alex will oversee editorial-led content and manage various client accounting in his new role with the Manchester-based PR firm.

Alex said: “I’m really excited about joining Roland Dransfield. The agency has a great reputation for quality delivery and also has ambitious growth plans in place.

As head of media, Alex will report to Lisa Morton, managing director at Roland Dransfield, and the firm’s associate director, Caroline Aspinall.

He continued: “Being here feels like a natural move, my colleagues are great and it’s exciting to already be working with the interesting businesses that RDPR has as clients.

“I’m also still very much working within the business community and have a lot of relationships and contacts within the region, who I will hopefully continue to work with, just in a slightly different way.”

MD Lisa Morton said: “Alex is an expert at building audiences and creating communities through storytelling, and as a former journalist has an acute nose for a story and what will get into print.

“He is also extremely well-connected and will use his extensive media contacts and knowledge of the modern newsroom for the benefit of all our clients.

Brian Johnston, Rachel Stanley and Linzie Strickland, Axon Resourcing

Recruitment firm Axon Resourcing has made three appointments in its professional services and public sector teams.

Brian Johnston is now the firm’s head of estates practice, a newly created role within Axon’s public sector team. In his new role, Brian will drive the company’s estates practice by providing strategic, project and operational support for its public sector clients.

Rachel Stanley is another new addition to the firm’s public sector team. With a career spanning over 16 years, Rachel has relationship development experience with charities, housing associations and organisations in the education sector.

Linzie Strickland, meanwhile, brings eight years of experience to her new role at Axon Resourcing’s Warrington office, where she will assume responsibility for the recruitment of transactional finance professionals, as well as both part- and fully qualified accountancy interims

The managing director of Axon Resourcing, Andy Edwards, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rachel, Brian and Linzie to the Axon Resourcing team.

“This is an exciting time for the business in the run up to our 2016 re-brand, following the merger with Watson Moore earlier this year. The business now spans six offices nationwide, with more than 60 staff.”

He added: “Further key appointments are in progress and I would be delighted to engage with other experienced recruitment consultants who would be interested in joining us as we continue to grow.”

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