This week’s North West appointments

The IF agency, the Manchester-based creative agency, has announced the appointment of three new members of staff to its account management team.

The first new starter is Myke Hamilton who is the agency’s newest senior account manager.

He has worked in advertising for over 10 years and he joins IF from gyro: Manchester.

Myke will be handling the day-to-day management and growth of the Chef & Brewer, Knowsley Safari and Scapa Group accounts.

Laura Jones is IF’s latest account manager. She will be overseeing several accounts including Fayre & Square, Wacky Warehouse and Aqua Pura.

Laura has worked in marketing agencies in both Devon and Shropshire since graduating with a degree in Marketing, Advertising and PR in 2013. She joins IF from M3 Communications.

The final new member of the team is Matthew Austin who joins as a senior account executive. Matthew’s role will see him support various accounts including Knowsley Safark, Kevin Glancy and The Little Treats Co.

Matthew graduated in 2014 from the University of Sheffield and joins IF from We Are Result.

All three new starters will report into Stuart Hornby, IF’s client services director.

Christian James, managing director at IF, commented: “The last year has seen a positive transition for the agency following the successful restructuring of our core services and the launch of our data division.

“Our focus has been on delivering an inspirational response to every one of our client projects but this can only be achieved if we boast the most exceptional talents within our business.

“These three new members of the team bring with them varied experiences which are already adding value.”

Alana Mustill, Carter Law

Manchester-based Carter Law has appointed Alana Mustill as its first PR & Marketing Executive.

Alana brings with her over 2 years’ experience in PR & digital marketing from across different industries including agency and fashion.

Alana completed her undergraduate degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion at The University of Huddersfield in 2014.

Upon graduating Alana joined The Manchester Fashion Network as the PR & Events Assistant, which led to her creating her own freelance PR & Digital Marketing business, Tropical PR.

Whilst running her own business, Alana was also the PR & Social Media Assistant for the E-commerce fashion brand NaaNaa.

At Tropical PR, Alana helped a variety of clients gain outreach for their new, small businesses using digital marketing strategies and PR campaigns.

The clients Alana worked with varied from illustration artists, PR agencies and videographers to name a few. Alana has a proven record of successful outreach for companies resulting in social follower growth, brand awareness and increased sales.

Alana said: “This is an exciting time for me; I am thrilled to get started on helping the business to continue their growth since 2010 and to see Carter Law become a household name”.

Kathryn Maclennan and Richard Da Roza, Hill Dickinson

Hill Dickinson has strengthened its insolvency team with two new appointments.

Kathryn Maclennan has joined the firm as Legal Director whilst Richard Da Roza has been appointed to the position of Associate.

Kathryn’s arrival at Hill Dickinson takes the size of the insolvency team to seven.

Kathryn has particular expertise in contentious bankruptcy and complex IVA cases and successfully represented the debtor in the landmark case of Green v Wright which is due to be heard in the Court of Appeal later this year.

Kathryn has appeared on Radio 4’s “Moneybox” programme and has written articles for the trade body R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals) on issues arising in IVA cases.

Richard qualified as a solicitor in May and will assist the team on contentious matters.

Partner Paul Spence said: “Kathryn has an extremely high profile in her specialist field of personal insolvency work and it is a real coup for the firm to have secured her. The team has seen significant growth despite continued challenging market conditions and Kathryn’s appointment is a signal that we intend to further increase our work in this area.”

Kathryn will be based at the firm’s Manchester office but will service clients nationally.

On joining Hill Dickinson, she said: “Having previously worked with Paul Spence becoming part of his wider team was an extremely attractive proposition. Hill Dickinson has an unrivalled reputation and I’m looking forward to getting involved and employing my experience to expand the network of the team.”

Edwina Harkin, Emma Underwood and Jennifer Carr, Paul Crowley & Co

Paul Crowley & Co, which has offices in Liverpool city centre, Anfield and West Derby, welcomed solicitors Jennifer Carr and Edwina Harkin to the family law department, alongside admin assistant Emma Underwood.

Specialising in children law and domestic abuse cases Edwina joins the firm from Canter Levin & Berg, having qualified as a solicitor in 2012.

Jennifer also brings a wealth of expertise to the firm with six years’ experience in the industry and will be specialising in private client divorce and matrimonial finance cases.

Admin assistant Emma is currently completing a Legal Practice Course alongside her work at Paul Crowley & Co, with the view of securing and training contract with the firm and qualifying as a solicitor in the future.

Tracy Thompson, managing partner, said: “It has been an incredibly exciting year for Paul Crowley & Co. Since celebrating our 25th year in the industry back in January there has been a significant period of growth within the firm with a host of new appointments across three key departments.

“Having to instruct a family lawyer can be a daunting and even traumatic experience for clients and we know how important it is to have a core support network in place.

“That’s why we have worked hard to build a team who offer expert legal advice, whilst providing the highest levels of client care and support.

“I am confident that Jennifer, Edwina and Emma will all thrive within our family law department and am delighted to welcome them into the team as we continue to grow together as a firm.”

Gareth Martin, LHS Solicitors LLP

LHS Solicitors LLP (LHS) has appointed Gareth Martin to its regulatory team.

Gareth joins from Thompsons Solicitors. Before that he was at Irwin Mitchell for two years and was a partner at Nikolich & Carter Solicitors for six years.

Gareth specialises in criminal defence, particularly Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs) and large scale fraud cases (MTICs). He also advises professionals in regulated sectors including healthcare and education.

Murray Fairclough, director of Legal Services at LHS, said: “Gareth is a leading professional in the field of criminal and regulatory law.

“He will make a fantastic impact on our esteemed regulatory team. We can’t wait to welcome him on board.”

Gareth Martin said: “I can’t wait to join the esteemed regulatory team at LHS. As winners of the ‘Regulatory Team of the Year’ at Manchester Legal Awards 2014 and 2015, I’m hoping 2016 will be a hat trick win for the team.”

Jon Pickering, NorthEdge Capital

NorthEdge Capital has promoted Jon Pickering to Head of Manchester to lead the firm’s investment operations across the North West.

Jon has worked in the North West private equity market since 2002 and joined NorthEdge in 2013.

During his time at NorthEdge, he has led seven deals plus a number of follow-on portfolio acquisitions. This includes investments into SAAS solutions provider Utiligroup and composite door manufacturer Solidor and subsequent acquisitions to create DW3 Products Group.

More recently, he led the investment into the niche logistics provider, Abbey Logistics.

Working alongside Ray Stenton, Partner and Head of New Business at NorthEdge, Jon will lead a six-strong New Business team at the firm’s Manchester office.

He will be responsible for sourcing investment opportunities, managing key intermediaries and leading the firm’s investment operations across the North West.

Ray Stenton, Partner and Head of New Business at NorthEdge, said: “Our North West presence remains a core principle of the NorthEdge strategy. We have seen great success in the past 12 months thanks to the knowledge and relationships we have across the region, culminating in record levels of investment activity. It is important that we continue to build on that.

“Jon’s ability to leverage relationships and source deals has proven invaluable for a number of our investments.

“His promotion reflects our commitment to ensuring the North West remains a stronghold for us and I am confident that in this new role he will continue to deliver investment opportunities that will cement our position as the market leader in the North West.”

Alexis Darby, Roland Dransfield

Roland Dransfield, the Manchester PR and marketing agency, has appointed account manager Alexis Darby.

The Spinningfields-based firm will now be providing PR and digital to support Liveman Properties on the Dock Office scheme in Salford Quays, as well for engineering consultancy SGi Shepherd Gilmour.

Liveman is currently refurbishing the Grade II listed Dock Office - constructed in 1927 - into 67 luxury apartments which will include several high spec duplex apartments.

The Roland Dransfield team has worked closely with agents Julie Twist, Harvey Nichols and Neighbourhood bar and restaurant to organise an exclusive event to launch the penthouses in early November 2016.

SGi Shepherd Gilmour, a leading civil, structural and environmental engineering company, appointed Roland Dransfield to deliver a media relations programme and new website to showcase its recent growth.

Roland Dransfield Senior Account Manager Alexis Darby is working on both campaigns.

Alexis has worked for PPS Group, providing consultation, community and media relations support for a number of residential and energy clients.

Prior to that she worked at Ketchum PR in London and as a Campaign Manager for the Labour Party and in the House of Commons for several MPs.

Lisa Morton, Managing Director of Roland Dransfield, said: “It has been an exciting few months for the agency as we celebrate our 20th year in business and we are delighted to have Alexis on board.

“With her years of experience in public consultation and public affairs she is proving to be a great asset to the team and really strengthens our public affairs offering.”

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