This week’s North West appointments

Four appointments, Vardags

Family law firm Vardags has announced a hattrick of promotions at its Manchester office.

Naomi Rainey has been made a senior associate, while Annemarie Bradley has been promoted to solicitor and Bethany Davies to trainee solicitor.

In addition to the promotions, Vardags has taken on Nikki Hale in the role of paralegal.

The company, which is based at Ship Canal House, has grown its workforce from zero to six over the last three months.

Emma Gill, a divorce lawyer described in the Legal 500 listings as “ferociously bright”, heads up the Manchester practice.

She commented: “Vardags is experiencing incredible growth as we continue to push the boundaries and provide a cutting edge legal service to clients in Manchester and across the North West, Cumbria and Wales.

“This is testament to our brilliant Manchester team who work tirelessly to deliver life-changing results for our clients and I am excited see the inevitable further growth in the coming months.”

Founded by divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag in 2005, Vardags has additional offices in Newcastle, London, Winchester and Cambridge.

Sharon Walker, Napthens

Law firm Napthens has appointed Sharon Walker in the role of debt recovery manager.

Sharon, who is a Chartered Legal Executive, will work at the company’s office in Preston, bringing with her close to 10 years’ experience in the recovery of debt from both individuals and businesses.

Her experience includes positions at Marsh Finance Ltd, Bolton firm Keoghs LLP and Manchester-based Ralli Solicitors.

Napthens CEO John Whittingslow said: “Sharon has a realistic and honest approach to debt recovery, which I am sure our clients will value tremendously.

“Feedback we receive from the businesses and individuals we advise means we are only too aware that recovering outstanding payments remains an issue for many, particularly SMEs, and Sharon will play a key role in helping clients secure cash flow.”

Sharon commented: “I was impressed with the debt recovery packages Napthens offers, and believe they offer clients a minimum cost and maximum recovery service.

“I’m looking forward to taking the service forward and continuing to help clients solve issues in ways which can have a real and lasting positive effect on a business.”

Chris Hellawell, Diversity Travel

Manchester travel management firm Diversity Travel has appointed a new head of account management.

Chris Hellawell has joined the company from travel brand Egencia and brings over seven years of experience in the travel industry to his new role.

With Diversity Travel, Chris will work to engage and develop the firm’s account teams, which will include overseeing its expanding portfolio of over 2,000 clients.

The MD of Diversity Travel, Christopher Airey, said: “Rising quickly through the ranks, Chris has consistently delivered a very high standard of customer care throughout his career and his appointment to our senior team further demonstrates our on-going commitment to this.

“Due to the nature of their work, our clients in the academic, charity and not-for-profit sectors often have very complex travel requirements.”

He added: “Chris will ensure the account management team works collaboratively with these clients to identify further cost savings and improve travel processes.”

Commenting on his appointment, Chris said: “It is great to join Diversity Travel during a time of rapid growth. Having worked with the account teams for a short time already, I have seen our staff truly act as an extension of their clients’ teams.

“Using my experience of overcoming challenges to date, I will be developing and implementing processes for customer-facing teams to help them build even stronger bonds with their clients as we continue to grow.”

Diversity Travel has offices in Manchester, London and Melbourne.

Patricia Robinson, Slater Heelis

Solicitors Slater Heelis has appointed Patricia Robinson as an associate and senior member of its family law team.

Joining from Slater and Gordon, Patricia will be based the firm’s Sale office, where she will act for clients across the UK and overseas.

Patricia, a specialist in all areas of family law, has particular experience in high-value divorce cases with complex businesses, trusts and jurisdictional issues.

She is also experienced in settling pre-nuptial agreements, children issues and cohabitation disputes.

The head of the family team at Slater Heelis, Mark Heptinstall, said: “Patricia has an excellent reputation and will be a valuable addition to the Slater Heelis team.

“We’re seeing an increase in demand for our family law services and recruiting specialists like Patricia is essential in ensuring our clients have access to the very best legal advice.”

In addition to her role at Slater Heelis, Patricia serves as the chair of the Manchester Resolution Committee and is also a committee member of the Manchester collaborative group Separation Solutions.

Alan Wilkins, Glendale

Green services company Glendale has added to its senior team with the appointment of a regional director for the North.

Following his appointment, Alan Wilkins will oversee the firm’s financial performance across the region by maintaining strong client relationships, stimulating business development and ensuring health and safety compliance.

Alan has been hired from Ground Control Ltd, where he worked as operations director. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the industry, having started his career as a tree surgeon and later working for the British armed forces in West Berlin as a grounds maintenance officer.

The appointment marks a return to Glendale for Alan, who worked for the company as a contract manager in the 1990s.

Alan said: “Because I have spent many years gaining valuable industry experience, I fully understand the issues which affect day-to-day operations and will be able to relate to all staff by establishing a strong support network.

“I’m really looking forward to guiding the North region to maintain technical excellence, setting the standard for profitability and building excellent client relations across the company.”

He added: “Having worked at Glendale previously, I know how the company truly values its people and I’m pleased to be back on the team.”

Glendale’s operations director, Alex Paterson, commented: “Alan’s extensive knowledge and experience means he’s well placed to take charge of the North and achieve success for the region, helping to maintain the highest level of service delivery.

“I’d like to welcome him back to the company.”

Paddy Wells, Forward Role Recruitment

Bolton-based Forward Role Recruitment has welcomed Paddy Wells as its new interim recruitment manager.

At Forward Role, Paddy will lead the team responsible for growing the firm’s interim and contract recruitment offer.

Steve Thompson, the managing director of Forward Role, said: “We are seeing more of our customers on both the agency and client side requesting interim resource, whether that be to cover project based work, seasonal demand or because permanent resource is in short supply.

“We’ve received a large number of briefs this year in the interim design, digital, UX, marketing, comms and analytics spaces. We’ve listened to what our clients are demanding and built out our capability across those areas over the last 12 months and Paddy will be a fantastic addition to our offering in that space.”

Paddy has joined the company from recruitment firm Michael Page, where he focused on recruiting contract and interim marketing and digital specialists.

Pete Wrathmell, Social Communications

Social Communications, the public affairs, PR and creative agency, has promoted Pete Wrathmell to the role of board director.

Pete’s promotion comes at a time of continued growth for the company, which recently expanded into London and took on eight new employees to meet a growing demand for its services.

The managing director of Social Communications, John Quinton-Barber, said: “Pete’s commitment, drive and hunger to help grow our young company into a business that can compete with more established agencies has been absolutely fundamental to our recent success.

“On a personal level and also speaking on behalf of our entire team, we’re all absolutely delighted for Pete.”

He added: “His appointment marks the next step for our progression as we put together a strong board that will meet the demands of our services across a range of new sectors.”

Pete, who has worked with the company since 2014, commented: “During Social Communications’ short journey so far we have been able to achieve a huge amount – both in respect of growing an exceptionally talented team and the clients who we now work with.

“With a new London office now open, major national and regional client wins and exciting plans for further growth, there have already been some incredible highs during my time at Social Communications – and I’m looking forward to this new challenge in my career.”

Tom Moss and Ben Smith, RMS PR

Marketing agency RMS PR has taken on two new account executives.

Tom Moss, a former European Junior Freestyle swimming champion, has joined the Altrincham-based company as a PR and marketing executive.

In his new role, Tom will manage internal and external comms at the agency while handling a select number of financial sector clients.

English graduate Ben Smith, meanwhile, has joined the company’s PR team and will work with clients including baking firm Warburtons and confectioner Swizzels.

The agency’s managing director, Ruth Shearn, said: “To grow, we need the people and the strategy. We now have both.

“For 25 years, all of our work has come from referrals and recommendation. While we’re proud of this, it’s time to take a new approach and proactively seek out new clients. As well as being good for the balance sheet, this will help ensure everyone in the team remains excited and engaged.”

She continued: “I’ve been caught on the back-foot in the past when a sudden surge of new clients has meant recruiting under duress so I was determined to spend time getting the right people in place ahead of a new business push.

“I can’t remember the last time I was this happy about the company’s direction and the amazing work we’re producing across all departments. Love it, love it, love it.”

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