This week’s North West appointments

Riven Alyx Buckley and Eleanor Wheeler, UNSHACKLED.com

Tech firm UNSHACKLED.com has added to its digital team with two appointments.

Eleanor Wheeler has joined from online fashion retailer Boohoo.com, where she worked for four years as performance marketing manager. In her new role, her focus will be bolstering the Manchester-based company’s market position through its digital strategy.

Eleanor said: “It’s amazing to join a business that is challenging the status quo at the start of its journey.

“My role will be centred around reaching the business’ commercial objectives through strategic activity across all digital channels.”

She added: “We’ve already set-up key partnerships and are seeing impact from campaigns.”

Riven Alyx Buckley, meanwhile, is UNSHACKLED.com’s content and community manager. Following her appointment, she will use her background in customer services and writing to lead on content generation and social media.

She commented: “UNSHACKLED.com has quickly defined a distinctive brand voice, so now it’s about using that voice to build momentum alongside our advertising campaign.

“I think there’s going to be a revolution in favour of the customer in the mobile market and we’ll be at the core of this.”

UNSHACKLED.com, which offers split tariffs by matching consumers with mobile phone networks and finance providers, was co-founded by mobile retailer Phones4u’s former chief commercial officer John Whittle, former chief financial officer John Morris and former chief legal officer Steven Lloyd.

Julie Snape, the company’s marketing director, said: “We are consumer champions first and foremost and our ongoing strategy is focused on communicating to consumers that there is a better way to buy a mobile.

“Most consumers know that they aren’t getting the best deal but there were limited alternative options available, until now.”

She added: “We are hoping to drive the much-needed change in the mobile industry.”

Image L-R: Ian Waddingham, Jon Pinder, Paul Bennett, Nicola Farrer, Robbie Taberner and Stephen Gregson

Nicola Farrer and Robbie Taberner, Moore and Smalley

Accountancy firm Moore and Smalley has added to its corporate finance team with two new appointments.

Nicola Farrer and Robbie Taberner have joined the company as corporate finance assistants.

Nicola previously worked for Hayleys accountants, while Robbie gained experience with venture capital business Enterprise Ventures.

In their new roles, the pair will work alongside corporate finance director Stephen Gregson, partner Jon Pinder and corporate finance managers Paul Bennett and Ian Waddingham.

Stephen Gregson said: “There has been uncertainty in the economy, but 2016 turned out to be a busy year for us in terms of corporate transactions and for growth fundraising and company restructuring projects.

“Mainstream lenders and alternative funders are showing an appetite to get deals done and this is encouraging. Robbie and Nicola will provide valuable support to our team, giving us increased capacity to help our clients get growing and get deals done.”

The appointments follow a busy year for Moore and Smalley that saw the North West firm advise on corporate deals worth around £15.6m while raising £7.65m in additional funding for clients.

Annabel Plowman, Cast UK

Recruitment firm Cast UK has announced the appointment of a managing consultant at its office in Manchester.

Newcomer Annabel Plowman will manage the company’s retail team, specialising in recruiting for buying, merchandising, supply chain and design roles across the retail and e-commerce sectors.

Annabel has worked in recruitment for two and a half years, prior to which she worked in retail for 10 years.

Commenting on her appointment, Annabel said: “My onboarding experience into Cast UK has been excellent and I can tell that I am going to love it here.

“Both my direct reporting team and the wider office team are very passionate about doing a great job for their clients and candidates and this has been very clear from day one.”

She added: “My expectations have been exceeded on a number of levels since joining the business, the passion to grow and stand out from the rest is infectious and I am proud to be a part of this exciting company.”

Wayne Brophy, managing director at Cast UK, said: “Annabel’s industry knowledge and previous experience is invaluable to her new role and mean that she already has a deep understanding of the roles we recruit.

“We are really excited to have Annabel on board and leading our ever-expanding retail team.”

Paul Shannon, ANS Group

ANS Group, the cloud services provider, has appointed Paul Shannon in the role of chief executive.

Shannon, formerly ANS’ chief operating officer, will take over the role from current CEO Paul Sweeney, who will become the company’s executive chairman.

Having worked with ANS Group for more than seven years, Shannon played a key role in product innovation across the business’ managed and cloud services. He also served as the driving force behind ANS’ Living Wage accreditation and Apprentice Academy.

Sweeney commented: “Paul has an acute understanding of the company and its customers having worked in many strategic roles across the business, from pre-sales through to managed services and operations.

“He’s got all the tools to be successful and this is a natural progression for him.”

Shannon said: “I’m incredibly proud to become CEO of a company that takes pride in innovation, customer service and being a brilliant place to work for our team.

“We are already a huge success story, but we still have so much more potential. Growing the company and delivering for customers is our aim, and it’s a task that I am relishing.”

After stepping down as CEO, Sweeney will maintain an active role in developing customer relationships and offering strategic guidance alongside ANS Group founder Scott Fletcher.

Four appointments, Ultimate Finance Group

Ultimate Finance Group, the Manchester-based finance provider, has announced four senior appointments across its business.

Vince Tovey (pictured above) will head up the firm’s national trade finance and northern regional sales teams, while Rob Mercer will take on the role of senior regional director for the group’s specialist lending arm Ashley Finance.

Ultimate Finance CEO Ron Robson said: “This is an exciting time for Ultimate Finance, as we build for the future.

“A key part of this is investing in the right people, who are the heart of the company and are core to our growth success.”

He added: “We are delighted to welcome Vince and Rob to the team, who are both well-respected in the sector and will bring some fresh perspective to the team in Manchester.”

Elsewhere, Ultimate Finance Group has appointed Steve Noble as its new chief operating officer and Jenna Forbes to manage its direct sales and telemarketing team.

Robert Parkinson, Davis Blank Furniss

Manchester- and Glossop-based law firm Davis Blank Furniss has strengthened its residential conveyancing department with an appointment at its office in Manchester.

Robert Parkinson, who has joined the company from Bolton-based Cyril Morris Arkwright Solicitors, obtained his law degree and LPC qualification at UCLan.

At Davis Blank Furniss, Robert will handle the sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold properties and advise on buying a council house, remortgaging residential property, transferring ownership and shared ownership matters.

Richard Hamilton, the firm’s head of property, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard to the practice and I’m sure he will be a valuable addition to the team.”

Robert commented: “I’m really excited to be joining Davis Blank Furniss and I’m now looking forward to helping further grow both our client base in Manchester and across the North West.”

Andrew Koffman, Bermans

Commercial law firm Bermans has appointed a new partner in its litigation and dispute resolution team.

Joining Bermans from Didsbury-based Salehs Solicitors, lawyer Andrew Koffman (above right) has 30 years’ industry knowledge with experience in property litigation; partnership, shareholder and contract disputes; and litigation for secured lenders.

Andrew will use his knowhow to act for owner-managed businesses, professional practices and other organisations, as well as individuals.

Bermans’ head of insolvency and financial rescue, partner Philip Farrelly (pictured left), said: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to Bermans and I believe his wealth of experience will bring many benefits to the firm.

“His addition reflects our commitment to continual development to ensure that our national clients have access to the best service possible.”

He added: “I’m confident that Andrew will play a key role in providing high quality services to our clients moving forward.”

Andrew commented: “I am delighted to have joined Bermans. They are an innovative and forward-thinking firm with a strong presence in litigation.

“My skills and experience will complement those of my colleagues in helping to drive the firm forward, especially in Manchester where I have worked for most of my 30 years in the law.”

Chris O’Hanlon and Dave Jones, Cassidy + Ashton

Architecture practice Cassidy + Ashton has recruited two new architectural technologists, raising its Chester headcount to 14.

Chris O’Hanlon will bring 19 years of experience to his new role. Having completed an HNC in Construction at Yale College in Wrexham, Chris spent the majority of his career in North Wales working on new-build and refurb schemes with budgets ranging from £100k to £10m.

Dave Jones, who obtained an Architectural Design & Technology degree from Cardiff Metropolitan University, has experience delivering BIM Level 2 education projects across Wales and London.

He is currently training towards MCIAT status with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Cassidy + Ashton director Dave Owen said: “Bringing in technical talent at this level is critical for the growth of the business and to build capacity.

“Both Chris and Dave have solid local knowledge and expertise in BIM and Revit, and join us an exciting time of expansion and high demand for our services nationwide.”

Cassidy + Ashton employs over 50 staff across offices in Preston, Chester and Mold.

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