This week’s North West appointments

Jennifer Lee, KPMG

Business advisory firm KPMG has promoted Jennifer Lee to the role of tax director at its Liverpool office.

Jennifer has provided tax advice across Liverpool and the wider Merseyside business community for 15 years.

She first joined KPMG in 2001, when she qualified as a chartered accountant and tax advisor.

Jennifer said: “The tax landscape for businesses is constantly evolving at both a national and local level.

“Of course, with such political and economic uncertainty, we are focused on making sure our clients in the region have access to the latest guidance, insight and expertise that can help their business remain competitive, compliant and responsible.”

KPMG’s office senior partner in Liverpool, Chris Fry, commented: “Liverpool has proven its resilience in recent years and continues to chart its own development story with ever-growing ambitions in emerging sectors – from digital and creative technologies to maritime and logistics.

“In tandem, we are building the city region’s most comprehensive range of audit, tax and advisory services that can provide the support our local business community deserves and needs.”

Chris hailed Jennifer as an “excellent tax and business advisor” and said she is “a tremendous asset to both our Liverpool office and also to the Liverpool business community generally”.

He continued: “[Jennifer’s] promotion and our new intake of graduates and school leavers embodies our commitment to invest in existing and future talent.”

Helen Cowley, Cassons

Chartered accountancy firm Cassons has appointed a new partner.

Helen Cowley, who has been with the company since 2012, is a key member of the team responsible for business development and has, according to Cassons, a “wealth of technical tax expertise”.

Since joining the company, Helen has taken a lead on international tax matters and is an active member of the BKR International EMEA tax committee.

The firm’s managing partner, Les Nutter, said: “Helen is a highly experienced, versatile and expert tax consultant and her appointment as partner is fully deserved.

“Since joining the firm Helen has also demonstrated significant international tax skills and knowledge, and has become a key member of the business.”

Les added: “Her appointment reinforces our ambition to grow the firm, as well as our absolute commitment to provide outstanding development opportunities for our people.”

Cassons has offices in Manchester and Rossendale.

Greg Clayton, Mark Enright and Emma Merchant, Nothing But Epic

Manchester digital agency Nothing But Epic has added to its growing team with three new appointments.

Greg Clayton has taken on the role of lead web developer, while Mark Enright is joining the company as head of content.

Additionally, Emma Merchant has been appointed as social media executive.

Nothing But Epic was established 18 months ago by University of Manchester graduate Mike Anderson and business partner Craig Tomkins.

Craig said: “Greg, Mark and Emma join us at a pivotal time and will help us to expand our B2B offering, increase our influencer marketing service and also bring an added dimension to our content marketing team.

“We will continue to invest further into the team to ensure that we have the best talent in place to take us forward in 2017 and beyond.”

He continued: “The past 18 months have been an incredible journey for us and our rapid growth has exceeded all of our early expectations.

“In September we won the Business Growth Hub’s £30,000 Venturefest prize and on the same day we were also highly commended in the Northern E-commerce Awards for Best Small Digital Agency.”

The latest round of appointments brings the firm’s team to 10, with plans in the pipeline to hire five new staff in the next six months.

Andy Lord, Rethink Group

Recruitment and talent management company Rethink Group has appointed Andy Lord as its CEO.

Following his appointment, Andy will now control the business from his office in Spring Gardens, Manchester.

Andy has worked in recruitment for over 20 years. As one of Rethink’s founding directors, he has held senior positions on the group’s board since it was established in 2005.

He commented: “I am thrilled to be CEO of this fascinating business and currently have a huge smile on my face which I imagine will remain for years to come.

“I’ve watched Rethink grow from humble beginnings into the multi-million pound, international operation it is today. 2016’s been a year of change which has resulted in us having a spectacular portfolio of flourishing recruitment brands – something bolstered by our launch of Digital Gurus in Manchester just a few weeks ago.”

He added: “I’ll be building on that portfolio as we continue to help our clients with our suite of market leading offerings.”

Speaking further about his new role in the company, Andy has outlined the issues he plans to tackle as part of his tenure. A big focus for him will be addressing the digital skills gap and advising clients on strategic talent management.

Andy continued: “My priority here will be to invest in our people and networks to ensure Rethink is perfectly placed to holistically advise clients as they battle recruitment issues.

“There’s a prevailing skills gap in the digital sector and, as CEO, I’ll do everything I can to help clients tangibly address this, including training and nurturing my colleagues to ensure they’re equipped to make change happen.”

Two appointments and two promotions, Clough & Willis

Bury- and Bolton-based law firm Clough & Willis has announced two new appointments and two promotions.

Susan Mackintosh has joined the company as a residential conveyancing and private client solicitor. She qualified in 1991 and was most recently employed by Bury law firm Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall, where she worked for 15 years.

Daniel Rostron, meanwhile, has become Clough & Willis’ new marketing and business development executive. Daniel has a background in IT, having worked for the NHS, Enterprise PLC and IDH Group.

Clough & Willis has also made two internal promotions; Sally Cook, head of the firm’s private client team, is now a salaried partner, while Dominique Oliviero has been made an associate solicitor in the property team.

Clough & Willis’ managing partner, Shefali Talukdar, said: “The last 12 months have been strong for the firm and the arrival of Susan and Daniel further consolidate our position.

“Both bring a wealth of talent and experience which I’m sure will add great value.”

Shefali continued: “Sally and Dominique are first class lawyers so their promotions are hugely deserved – especially as they are both committed to always offering the very best possible service to their clients.”

Ian Vicary, Excello Law

Senior corporate lawyer Ian Vicary has joined the Liverpool office of national commercial law firm Excello Law.

Ian, who previously worked for law firm Weightmans LLP as head of corporate, qualified in 1990 at the Chester College of Law and specialises in significant acquisitions, disposals and refinancing, in addition to shareholder disputes, banking and general commercial transactions.

His 25 years of experience have seen him hold a number of senior positions across the North West, including head of corporate for Aaron & Partners and partner at Hill Dickinson LLP.

Excello Law’s MD and founder, George Bisnought, said: “Ian is a major corporate lawyer across the North West and has been involved in some of the region’s largest transactions.

“He brings a wealth of expertise and first-class contacts to our growing business across the region and will be a great asset as we continue to expand our legal services and capabilities.”

Ian commented: “I was attracted to the Excello Law business model due to the flexibility it offers lawyers to focus on developing our services to clients in the way we see best, complemented by a collaborative culture across a national team of senior, commercial lawyers.”

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