This week’s North West appointments

Tazim Ahmedabadi, Jackson Canter

North West law firm Jackson Canter has announced the appointment of family solicitor Tazim Ahmedabadi in its Manchester office.

Tazim, who has eight years’ experience in her field, will work on a variety of family law matters in her new role with Jackson Canter, including divorce, dissolution and relationship breakdown.

The head of the firm’s family department, Haley Farrell, said: “We have seen an increase in the need for family law support and representation in Manchester.

“We aim to find solutions to family law problems in a compassionate yet practical way.

She added: “Tazim will be key in supporting as many people as possible through a tumultuous time in their lives. I’m delighted to welcome her to the team – or should I say family!”

Jackson Canter currently employs more than 160 people across three offices in Manchester and Liverpool.

Commenting on her appointment, Tazim said: “I’m excited to be joining such a revered and well-placed firm like Jackson Canter.

“I look forward to bringing what I can to the team and continuing to support Manchester’s families as I have done for nearly a decade.”

She continued: “The firm is the right place for me to continue making access to justice as easy and convenient as possible.”

Paul Brennan, Steve Baker and Mark Brennan (L-R), Freshfield

Marketing communications consultancy Freshfield has bolstered its digital team with a new new appointment and dual promotion.

Paul Brennan has joined the Preston company as a support developer, wile existing employees Steve Baker and Mark Brennan will become lead developer and senior digital marketing adviser respectively.

Freshfield MD Simon Turner said: “Every client mandate has a digital element and digital is a landscape that will keep evolving, so it’s vital we have a strong in-house capability.

“We created a new strategy five years ago to build a genuine hybrid communications agency to help clients take advantage of a changing marketing world.”

He continued: “This has led to significant investments in new people, training and development and the agency infrastructure, and we’re seeing this investment pay off with quality client results, agency growth and new business opportunities.”

Freshfield currently employs 19 staff at its base in Winckley Square.

Steve Jeffers, Institute of Recruitment Professionals

The HR director at a recruitment firm headquartered in Altrincham has been appointed to the role of North West regional director by the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP).

Steve Jeffers, of Meridian Business Support, will work on raising awareness of the IRP and improving standards within the industry in his new position with the organisation.

The IRP’s regional directors comprise members of both IRP and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

The chief executive of the REC, Kevin Green, said: “Our industry is very dynamic and is all about making personal connections.

“So in addition to the traditional methods of communication like email and mail-outs to our members we rely on our regional directors to make those personal connections with their colleagues and peers to help spread the word about the IRP.”

He added: “We’re really glad to welcome Steve to this new role in the North West and look forward to working closely with him to help promote the professionalism and quality in recruitment that the IRP stands for.”

Matthew Lawson (pictured) and Jon Owen, Ribble Cycles

Bicycle manufacturer and retailer Ribble Cycles has announced a double appointment in its senior team.

The Preston-based company has chosen Jon Owen for the role of chief executive officer, while Matthew Lawson has been appointed as chief digital officer.

Jon has joined the firm from online retailer Shop Direct, where worked as the director of the Very.co.uk brand. Prior to his position at Shop Direct, Jon served as supermarket chain Asda’s marketing director.

Matthew, meanwhile, has a background in online marketing, with previous roles including ecommerce director with travel website loveholidays.com and head of conversion for electronics retailer ao.com.

Jon said of his appointment: “I’m delighted to be joining Ribble. It’s a strong, well-run business making a great range of road bikes. With the investment and support of True Capital, and the energy and commitment of the management team, we’ve got ambitious plans to grow the business over the next few years.”

Following the dual appointment, the Ribble Cycles’ managing director, James Dove, will become the company’s brand director.

Matthew said: “It’s a very exciting time to be joining Ribble and I’m looking forward to implementing my knowledge of how to get customers to convert online, which will be pivotal during the launch of our new website. The brand has an exceptional heritage and we have a number of new ideas to put in motion as the brand reaches its 120th birthday.”

Founded in 1897, Ribble Cycles is today owned by True Capital asset management business True Capital.

Paul Cocker, the co-founder of True Capital, commented: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract people with the kind of talent and experience that Jon and Matthew will bring to the business.

“It is indicative of the huge opportunity that Ribble has to grow as a brand and I am confident that, together with James, we now have a world-class management team that can execute on our ambitious plans for the company.”

L-R: Martyn Ward, Chris Lever and Nick Barrett

Martyn Ward and Nick Barrett , Bindatex

Cutting services provider Bindatex has appointed two new senior members of staff.

Martyn Ward, who has joined the Bolton firm from Bodycote Heat Treatments as its new operations manager, will be responsible for developing service and production capability and implementing improvement practices.

Bringing over 20 years’ experience to the role, Martyn will also be responsible for maintaining high standards of safety and quality standards.

Nick Barrett, meanwhile, has become the firm’s new business development manager.

Joining from materials tech firm Cytec, at Bindatex Nick will focus on increasing sales and using his 40 years’ experience in the composites industry to help drive growth.

Bindatex’s managing director, Chris Lever, said: “With the aerospace industry taking off and further industrial applications being discovered for composites in a variety of sectors, we’re ensuring we’re ready to take advantage of increasing demand.

“We’re thrilled to have grown the team and moved into the new unit, and look forward to further technological, financial and workforce developments over the next few years.”

Andrew Ashworth, Nolan Redshaw

A new associate director has been announced at Bury-based surveyors Nolan Redshaw.

Andrew Ashworth, who joined the company 2008, will focus on professional, investment and development work following his promotion.

The firm’s director, Mike Redshaw, commented: “Andrew has made a significant contribution to the business and his promotion is in recognition of his achievements and consistent hard work.

Nolan Redshaw recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Josh Hellawell, Edel Barr and Maria Utting (L-R), PWA Planning

PWA Planning, the Lancashire-based planning consultancy, has appointed three new members of staff to support its continued growth.

Josh Hellawell has taken on the role of assistant planner. Prior to his appointment, Josh worked for solar firm Green Switch Solutions, where he produced planning applications for solar energy farms around the UK.

Maria Utting, meanwhile, is PWA’s new planning and administrative apprentice, and Edel Barr a personal assistant to the management team.

PWA’s director, Paul Walton, said: “We’re a growing business and we need both the technical expertise and a strong support team to enable us to continue being successful.

“Josh, Maria and Edel will enable us to continue providing a great planning and development service to our clients.”

Paul continued: “Josh brings with him experience of working on some high-profile planning applications in the renewable energy sector, boosting our expertise in this specialist area of planning.”

Founded in 2013, the company now employs a team of eight.

Kieran Lawton, Tom Wildig and James Painter, Palatine Private Equity

Private equity firm Palatine has welcomed three new faces in its Manchester-based team.

Kieran Lawton, who is now Palatine’s investment director and brings over, was hired from BDO Corporate Finance, where he was the firm’s leisure and hospitality M&A team director. Kieran has brought 10 years of experience in corporate finance to his new role.

Elsewhere, Palatine Private Equity has appointed Tom Wildig as investment manager. Boasting four years of corporate finance experience, Tom previously worked as an assistant director with professional services firm Deloitte.

James Painter, meanwhile, previously worked for professional services firm KPMG and is now an investment executive at Palatine.

Palatine Private Equity’s managing partner, Gary Tipper, said of the appointments: “We have experienced significant growth over the last couple of years having completed 12 new deals and completed five successful exits.

“In addition we raised our third fund in June 2015 as well as opening an office in Birmingham in December 2015.”

He continued: “To ensure we continue to grow our business successfully it’s essential we bring in good people and in recruiting Kieron, Tom and James that is what we are doing.

“They are all excellent additions to the team who will make our business stronger and even more successful.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →