This week’s North West appointments

Josh Garside, Rachael Pegram and Claire Lambert, Visualsoft

Teesside-headquartered ecommerce and digital agency Visualsoft has announced three appointments in the North West.

Rachael Pegram, Josh Garside and Claire Lambert have all joined the company’s Manchester office.

Content writer Rachael previously held content positions with iProspect, Lakestar McCann and JAMpr.

Graduate Josh, meanwhile, has joined Visualsoft as an outreach executive and Claire Lambert as a PPC executive.

Lead SEO strategist Jonny Pennington said: “This year has been an exciting time for Visualsoft in Manchester, and we’ve seen growth in both our SEO and PPC teams thanks to a constant flow of new client wins.

“Our expansion is set to continue as we attract new brands within the fashion and footwear sectors and we’re already looking at further recruitment in Manchester. As we’re approaching capacity at our 24 person office, we are actively exploring opportunities to increase this space for new hires.”

Nathan Woods, GHD

Engineering, environmental and advisory services company GHD has appointed Nathan Woods as operations director at its Chester office.

Nathan is a chartered civil engineer and has worked with the company for close to 20 years, delivering multi-faceted engineering projects for the energy, water and waste markets.

GHD hailed Nathan’s experience and collaboration with clients as a “cornerstone” in the firm’s “reputation for innovation, client service, safety and quality”.

He commented: “I feel privileged to be part of such a great team here in Chester and my aim is to help facilitate our continued growth by enhancing cross office collaboration across the UK and our global network of 8,500 people.”

Nathan is taking over the ops director position from Craig Stockton, who will continue as GHD’s managing director for the UK.

Craig said: “I am delighted to welcome Nathan to his new role. Nathan’s focus will be to maintain and further develop the multidisciplinary capabilities in Chester and our reputation for technical and client service excellence.”

Barry Cochrane, ResponseTap

ResponseTap, the Manchester-headquartered marketing technology company, has chosen Barry Cochrane for the newly created role of head of customer success.

Barry has over 20 years’ experience in customer service, having started his career in the insurance sector.

His previous positions include senior manager of customer operations for North East software giant Sage, where he worked for nearly a decade, and more than seven years supporting the growth of tech startup Just Accounts.

Dave Hutton, ResponseTap’s chief revenue officer, said: “When a customer signs a contract, this isn’t the end of our relationship with them – it’s only the beginning.

“Barry and his team will therefore ensure a seamless transition through the onboarding process, and the all-important delivery of ongoing customer support and account management.”

He added: “It’s all part of us ensuring customers get the most value from our market-leading Call Intelligence technology.”

Barry, who will lead a 13-strong team at ResponseTap, commented: “There is a drive [at ResponseTap] to challenge the norm as the company looks to further its market share, and I am impressed by a philosophy that places as much onus on relationships as it does tech-based innovation. My job title is evidence of that mentality.

“Having worked for both start-ups and software giants, always with a view to bridging gaps between product and service, I think my experience is perfectly suited to the role.”

Peter Jenkins, BDP Nippon Koei

Global design company BDP Nippon Koei has appointed Peter Jenkins as its group-wide head of transport.

Peter, architect director at the firm’s Manchester studio, has previously acted as lead architect on a number of rail station projects, including the city’s Piccadilly and Victoria stations.

His work included the Ordsall Chord, a project to create a single-span network arch bridge linking the two stations.

John McManus, chief executive of BDP, said: “We are now embarking upon a new and ambitious international development plan that will not only strengthen and consolidate the practice’s current international studio network but will lead to the establishment of more BDP studios outside the UK.

“Our partnership with Nippon Koei will increase the significance of the transport sector for the practice over the coming years and I am very happy to advise that Peter Jenkins has agreed to assume the leadership role for the sector.”

Transport architect director Peter Jenkins commented: “I’m very proud to have been part of the team which has designed, developed and constructed the Ordsall Chord, this massively significant project for Manchester and the North of England.

“It’s a matter of great professional pride to take the leadership role for the rail sector in the practice and our work on the Ordsall Chord is opening up rail infrastructure opportunities for BDP Nippon Koei around the world.”

Lyndsay Clark, Paul Crowley & Co

Liverpool law firm Paul Crowley & Co has strengthened its crime department with the appointment of Lyndsay Clark.

Lyndsay is now a member of the company’s specialist motor offence team, which deals with matters ranging from speeding to causing death by dangerous driving.

Senior partner Paul Crowley said: “We are pleased to welcome Lyndsay to our crime department, and I am confident that she will be a great addition to the growing motor offence team.

Lyndsay, who is police station accredited and also serves as duty solicitor at both the Liverpool and South Sefton Magistrates Courts, commented: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Paul Crowley & Co.

“With many new driving laws introduced in 2017, including tougher speeding fines and changes to child car seat regulations, it’s really important that the public know their rights and seek expert legal advice.”

She added: “I’m looking forward to working with the motor offence team and delivering expert advice and representation for our clients.”

Joseph Tantram (pictured) and Michael Vincent, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Credit Union

Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Credit Union (BFWCU) has added two new members to its board.

Following their appointment, Michael Vincent and Joseph Tantram will help oversee BFWCU operations and support the area’s borrowers and savers.

Both were invited to join the board for their professional skills, knowledge and local links.

Michael is a founding partner at Blackpool law firm MJV & Co Solicitors and has been a Wyre Borough Councillor since 2007.

Joseph is a qualified chartered accountant and partner at Blackpool and Poulton accountants Rawcliffe & Co, where he specialises in business development and recovery.

BFWCU board chairman Ron Bell, said: “In Michael and Joseph, we have found two highly qualified and community-minded members with a wealth of business, financial and legal expertise, and we look forward to benefiting from their specialist insight as well as their strong local links, which will help us to deepen our relationship with the community.

Stuart Rogers, Faithful+Gould

Project management consultancy Faithful+Gould has taken on Stuart Rogers as its regional director for the North West.

Stuart has joined the firm’s Manchester office from environmental consulting company RPS Group.

Following his appointment, he will support Faithful+Gould’s strategy for growing its project and programme management expertise and capabilities in the region.

Stuart developed his commercial property sector career in working on projects such as the Airport City Masterplan at Manchester Airport, and the Leaf Street and Royce Road developments in Hulme.

He said: “I’m delighted to have come to Faithful+Gould at this time. I have joined a growing team and I am aiming to significantly expand our project and programme management expertise.

“Faithful+Gould is working on a number of iconic and ground breaking projects in Manchester, including Manchester City Council’s prestigious Our Town Hall project, Airport City, Mayfield and Manchester New Square, and I am really looking forward to getting started.”

Kieran McManamon, director of Faithful+Gould, commented: “Stuart is a great addition to our team. His experience in commercial property, particularly in the Manchester area, will support our growth in the sector and bring valuable expertise to our growing team.”

Matthew Walsh and Harry Stratford, Benoit Properties

Property investment business Benoit Properties International has made two appointments at its office in Manchester.

Matthew Walsh, joining as marketing manager from student accommodation specialist Luxome, has more than seven years’ experience in marketing roles.

Harry Stratford, appointed to the role of property consultant, previously worked for finance company Zuto.

Matthew said: “Benoit has established a worldwide reputation as a trusted source for property investment and is experiencing rapid growth. It’s an opportunity to build the brand internationally and drive growth in new markets.”

Harry commented: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Benoit. I’m looking forward to working with our client base of international property investors, helping them to build their property portfolios and visiting different locations worldwide to assess local investment opportunities.”

Benoit Properties International director Matt Lavin said of the appointments: “Benoit’s UK operation has seen steady growth since its launch two years ago, which reflects the strong interest in property investment at home and overseas, and we continue to expand the team.

“The appointment of Matthew and Harry will help us to build relationships with our clients around the world and raise our profile internationally.”

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