This week’s North West appointments

Five promotions, ReThink Recruitment

ReThink Recruitment has invested in staff development with the promotion of five members of its team.

Ben Bargh, who has been with ReThink for less than six months, has been promoted to senior recruitment consultant.

Recruiters Aled Pugh and Nicola Haslam, who have also worked at the Manchester-based firm for less than six months, have likewise been promoted.

Elsewhere, Katy Dunn has become ReThink’s head of delivery, and her colleague Humza Khan is now head of practice for software development.

The regional manager at the Manchester office, Alex Belford, said: “Our people are the core of our business, each offering exceptional services to clients around the country.

“To uphold that level of service it is imperative that we invest in our team, nurture their talent and reward performance with these kinds of promotions.”

Alex added: “Congratulations to each of them on their hard work.”

ReThink Recruitment is part of Rethink Group.

Andy Lord, the group’s COO and chief people officer, said of the promotions: “We place a strong emphasis on personal development and career progression across our business, investing around £150k per year on training and helping people fulfil their real potential.

“These promotions demonstrate how committed we are to giving our people the tools that will help them flourish. I would like to congratulate them and their regional director Alex who has followed our mantra and helped them reach the next level of their careers.”

Richard Life, HRC Law

Manchester-based solicitors HRC Law LLP has strengthened its corporate team with the appointment of Richard Life.

Richard, the former head of legal at fashion company Bench, has joined HRC in the role of corporate and commercial partner, bringing the clothing brand with him as a client.

The fifth partner to join HRC, Richard trained and spent eight years at law firm Addleshaw Goddard.

Now, he will work closely with partner Helen Marsh – whose clients include retailers Sock Shop and Fragrance Shop, among others – to develop HRC’s retail and consumer goods sector offer.

Richard also has experience in private equity, which he will develop at HRC with corporate partner Mark Traynor.

Discussing his appointment, Richard said: “Having spent a large part of my early career in private practice, I was keen to go back to my roots when the right opportunity arose.

“HRC is the perfect firm to re-enter the fold and I am excited to be part of an ambitious and successful firm.”

He added: “The rapidly expanding team at HRC has a wealth of business acumen, which means the firm is already punching above its weight across multiple sectors and specialisms.”

HRC managing partner Simon Whitehead commented: “Our commitment to being an approachable business partner means we will always remain partner-led as the firm grows.

“As a result, striking a cultural match is crucial when bringing new partners on board, together with identifying complementary expertise for existing clients.”

Simon continued: “This is precisely what Richard brings to HRC and we’re confident that he will build on the success that Mark Traynor has had with our corporate team so far.”

Tim Scott and Julia Stokes, Knights

Knights Professional Services has bolstered its non-legal offering with the appointment of two corporate finance advisors and chartered accountants.

Tim Scott and Julia Stokes, who together bring over 35 years of experience to Knights, have joined the company in the role of partner and senior associate.

Following their appointment, both Tim and Julia will work with Knights’ existing North West client portfolio, in addition to clients based in Staffordshire and North Wales, offering strategic advice on business growth and succession.

Tim, who will work from Knights’ Chester and Newcastle-under-Lyme offices, said: “During my career, a number of owner managers have said it would be great to have all transactional advice including corporate finance, tax and legal in one place and at Knights we can now offer that full service solution on deals.

“I have a real passion for local businesses and to be able to provide robust high-quality advice on transactions locally, rather than business owners having to travel into London or Manchester is a unique proposition and will be a real advantage to our clients.”

Commenting on her appointment, Julia said: “Before my career move to Manchester, I spent more than seven years working in the Staffordshire area so I’m really excited to be returning to an area I already know so well.

“I’ve spent the last ten years focussing on transaction support and worked primarily with private-equity funders, banks and corporates, supporting more than 60 transactions.”

She continued: “Recently I supported Camerons Brewery on its £30m refinancing with HSBC Bank Plc and Foresight Group LLP on its recent investment in Euxton Group Limited.”

Knights CEO David Beech said the the appointments mark a pivotal point in the company’s growth.

David explained: “Both Julia and Tim bring a wealth of expertise to Knights that will allow us to deliver a greater breadth of non-legal services that our clients are asking for,” he said.

“Recently we appointed more people to our residential and commercial planning team and accountancy and corporate finance are other areas we are looking to grow further.”

Karen McLaughlin, BPS Family Law

Manchester- and Cheshire-based BPS Family Law has grown its headcount by taking on solicitor Karen McLaughlin.

Having formerly held positions at law firms Merrick and DWF, with BPS Karen will work within the company’s matrimonial and family division, bringing the department’s headcount to seven.

Caroline Swain, a partner in the firm, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Karen to the BPS Family Law team.

“We pride ourselves on delivering an out of hours’ service to meet clients’ needs and Karen understands our ethos.”

She continued: “She has the experience, the understanding nature and tenacity to deliver for clients across family and matrimonial disputes.”

In her new role, Karen will focus on the Children’s Act and proceedings that involve disputes over parental contact.

Karen, who moved to Manchester in 2007 and worked in employment law for Manchester-based Peninsula Business Services before completing her training contract with DWF, commented: “Working for a family law firm which focuses on the whole family and offers an accessible and dependable service is really inspiring. BPS Family Law’s commitment to customer service and care has ensured their growth and I’m looking forward to being part of an expanding firm.”

Chris Knowles, RoC Consulting

Civil and structural engineering consultancy RoC Consulting has boosted its senior team with the appointment of Chris Knowles as a principal structural engineer.

Joining Manchester-based RoC from engineering business AECOM, Chris has brought more than 20 years’ experience of engineering across the energy, leisure, commercial, residential and education sectors to the role.

With RoC, Chris will add further depth to the firm’s consulting offer both in the North West and nationally.

Chris, who will work alongside principal engineer Mike Newman and design director Jon Smith, said: “Having worked on a wide variety of projects over the last two decades, ranging from high-level project concept engineering through to more detailed design work, I’m looking forward to applying the knowledge I’ve gained to some of the exciting projects RoC Consulting is currently working on and has in the pipeline.”

RoC MD Rory O’Connor commented: “With our distinct emphasis on delivering unrivalled quality and expertise with the service expected of a local, boutique business, it’s crucially important for us to have the right people on board.

“Chris demonstrates a clear understanding of complex engineering problems as well as an ability to develop innovative and practical resolutions.”

Rory added: “We’re looking forward to seeing Chris progress at RoC Consulting and help us continue to deliver outstanding, award-winning work for our clients.”

Ian McCulloch, Begbies Traynor Preston

Business recovery and insolvency firm Begbies Traynor has promoted Ian McCulloch to the role of insolvency director at its Preston office.

Ian, who has worked with Begbies Traynor in the North West for the last eight years, is a licensed insolvency practitioner and, prior to his appointment, held the post of corporate insolvency manager.

Following his promotion, Ian will lead the firm’s seven-strong Preston-based corporate insolvency team.

He said: “With Begbies Traynor investing in the Preston office and across the North West it’s a great time to be stepping up to the new role.

“Despite last quarter’s fall in the rate of corporate insolvencies across the UK, our insolvency team is bucking the trend and in recent months we have seen an increase in the number of appointments.”

He continued: “Low cost borrowing is currently helping to stave off financial problems for many businesses but post-referendum uncertainties are likely to throw up challenges and as specialist advisers we are here to help.”

Begbies Traynor Group is headquartered in Manchester and listed on AIM.

John Murphy, Morris & Spottiswood

Morris & Spottiswood, the £88m-turnover fit-out contractor based in Warrington, has appointed a new operations director to target facilities management contracts across the UK.

John Murphy has taken on the role of divisional director of maintenance with a key mission of targeting the facilities management sector.

His previous roles include positions at infrastructure group Balfour Beatty, support services company Carillion and facilities management firm EMCOR.

Jon Dunwell, Morris & Spottiswood UK group managing director, said John’s role will include increasing the firm’s ‘soft facilities management’ offer including cleaning, security and health and safety.

Jon commented: “A key aim for the last two quarters in 2016 and beyond is to target facilities management, maintenance and technical services contracts.

“Morris & Spottiswood has developed a strong reputation for delivering ‘hard facilities management’ work covering areas such as building fabric, mechanical and electrical services.”

He continued: “However, we see great potential to increase delivery of softer services such as grounds upkeep, pest control, helpdesk, reception and janitorial services. We have brought in John Murphy to lead on this specific initiative due to his considerable knowledge and experience.”

Prior to his appointment, John most recently worked as general manager for COELFY, where he delivered facilities management projects across sites such as hospitals, forensic psychiatric units, business centres and schools.

Commenting on his appointment, John said: “It’s an excellent time to be joining Morris & Spottiswood – a firm which thoroughly understands its markets and is growing with purpose and intent.

“It’s a family business with strong traditions but also has a progressive and dynamic outlook. I have observed that one of Morris & Spottiswood’s greatest strengths is its ability to combine a national delivery model with highly skilled local service providers.”

Fabien Robineau, dock10

dock10, the MediaCityUK-based media services company, has appointed Fabien Robineau as its new head of platform managed services.

Fabien has joined dock10 from telecoms firm Arqiva, where he worked in various commercial positions in his 14 years with the company. Most recently, he held the post of European director of sales within Arqiva’s satellite and media division.

In the newly created role in dock10’s senior management team, Fabien will utilise his experience of media management, playout and distribution and his UK- and Europe-wide customer relationship network.

Fabien said: “dock10 has great technology infrastructure and is so much more than a studio and post service provider, with new solutions to offer to the broadcast industry.

“The company is on a strong growth path which, having enjoyed helping Arqiva grow to the service business it is today, is a challenge I relish and I look forward to bringing new options for content production and media management to the broadcast and wider enterprise market.”

dock10 CEO Mark Senior commented: “Fabien’s experience in this sector is second to none which is why we wanted him to head up this important division and oversee the expansion of our services.

“We have a world class infrastructure here at MediaCityUK and Fabien’s network will enable us to introduce our unparalleled services to clients that are new to us.”

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