This week’s North West appointments

Seven appointments, Galliford Try Partnerships

Housing and regeneration company Galliford Try Partnerships has bolstered its North West team with six appointments and a senior promotion.

The new starters are:

• Riaz Bapu (quantity surveyor)
• Joseph Campbell (assistant quantity surveyor)
• Jack Donald (assistant quantity surveyor)
• Callum Short (graduate quantity surveyor)
• Tom Pepper (commercial assistant)
• Sara Stewart (buying assistant)

Martin Opara, who joined Galliford Try Partnerships in February last year, has been promoted to managing surveyor.

Commercial manager Eoin O’Donnell, who leads the department with the new starters, said: “Following the new appointments, we now have a wealth of new talent and expertise to draw upon and strengthen our team.

“We’ve had a positive twelve months at Galliford Try so it’s great to see growth in the team and also give people who are just starting their careers an opportunity to develop.”

L-R: Duncan Rawlinson, Tracey McCambridge and John Chesworth

Tracey McCambridge, Harrison Drury

Law firm Harrison Drury has taken on Tracey McCambridge to head up its Preston-based residential property team.

Bringing with her more than 25 years’ experience in the sale and acquisition of residential properties, Tracey joined the company from Slater and Gordon, prior to which she was head of conveyancing with Fieldings Porter Solicitors.

Harrison Drury’s residential property team forms part of its Home and Family division.

Director Duncan Rawlinson, head of the Home and Family division, said: “Our clients have come to learn that we care about providing a quality service above all else.

“With her vast experience and excellent customer facing skills, Tracey is ideally placed to help us continue making it possible for our clients.”

Tracey commented: “Clients appreciate that personal service more than ever, especially when it comes to dealing with property.

“They want to be kept informed where everything is up to and know that their purchase or sale is progressing as quickly as it possibly can be.”

She added: “That’s something Harrison Drury does successfully. The culture of the firm is all about building lasting client relationships. These are exactly the skills and qualities I’m looking to bring to this role.”

Jayne Cottam, Jessica Malone and Katie Leather, Assura

Warrington-based healthcare property investor Assura has added three new specialists to its team.

Jayne Cottam (pictured) joined the firm as its new chief financial officer, filling the vacancy created when Jonathan Murphy became CEO earlier this year.

Qualified accountant Jayne previously worked for Morris Homes, where she was finance director for operations.

CEO Jonathan said: “We’re delighted to have Jayne on board, bringing our executive team back up to full strength.

“Not only does Jayne bring a wealth of experience in finance, her experience with one of the UK’s largest private national housebuilders gives her a unique perspective on primary care property as social infrastructure for new and growing communities.”

Elsewhere, surveyors Jessica Malone and Katie Leather have joined the company’s growing portfolio management team, which supports GP tenants around the UK on property issues.

Assura property director Andrew Darke commented: “We’ve seen incredible growth in our portfolio management team this year and that’s because our top priority is our relationships with our GP tenants and the customer service we offer – it’s a hallmark of our business and we’re absolutely delighted to have Katie and Jessica joining the team.”

L-R: Christopher Whelan, John Riley, Ken Smith, Steve Welsh, Michael Bagot and Grant Prescott

Six appointments, Buttress

Architecture firm Buttress has announced a raft of promotions.

Associates Michael Bagot, John Riley, Christopher Whelan and Ken Smith, along with senior technician Steve Welsh, have been promoted to the newly created role of studio principal.

Managing director Gavin Sorby said of the new studio principal role said: “At Buttress, we have always maintained a very high bar for our associates.

“We have been aware for some time that among our associates we have some extremely good, experienced individuals who are highly regarded both inside and outside the office for their technical, design and project delivery skills.”

He continued: “Internally, they have become respected points of reference for younger members of staff. The studio principal role has been created in recognition of the valued contribution these individuals make to the practice, and I’d like to congratulation them all on the well deserved promotion.”

Senior architect Grant Prescott, meanwhile, was promoted to associate.

Speaking further, Gavin said: “Grant plays an integral role within our heritage team and in recent years has invested time developing his professional network, securing his own workload as well as running significant projects on site.

“We are pleased to recognise Grant’s hard work and success with this promotion and we look forward to seeing him develop in the role.”

Jeff Jackson, Manchester Royal Exchange

Manchester Royal Exchange has appointed a new building manager.

Jeff Jackson served 22 years in the British Army before going on to rack up nearly 14 years’ experience in shopping centre and retail management.

Originally from the East London Essex Border, Jeff started his career in retail as the facilities manager of a centre in Essex. He ran shopping centres in East and North West London before moving North.

Sharon Bloodworth, director of retail asset management for Hines UK, Manchester Royal Exchange’s landlord, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jeff to the team; he brings invaluable retail experience and has established close working relations with the city centre business community.

“These are exciting times for the building and we are pleased to have Jeff on board to help take us to the next level.”

Jeff commented: “Manchester Royal Exchange is an amazing Grade II-listed building with a fantastic offering; it’s a premium retail destination with its eclectic mix of established brands and independent boutique shops; it’s the place people head for when looking for that special one-off gift, or a treat for themselves.”

Nia Thomas, HURST

Accountancy firm HURST has appointed a new manager in its tax advisory team.

Nia Thomas has 13 years of experience as a personal tax specialist. A Welsh speaker, Nia returned to the North West after three years working for Dixon Wilson in London.

Before that, she worked at Chester-based Morris & Co and the Manchester office of Ernst & Young.

Nia said: “I’m delighted to be back in the north west and to join the growing tax team at HURST.

“The firm has a varied range of clients and I look forward to working with them to advise on their tax matters.”

The head of HURST’s tax team, Rachel Murphy, commented: “Nia is a well-regarded specialist with extensive experience of advising high net worth individuals on all areas of tax.

“Her skills add greatly to our existing capabilities in helping our clients manage their personal tax affairs.”

Paul Clarke, UK Business Mentoring

UK Business Mentoring (UKBM), a consultancy offering support for entrepreneurs, directors and business owners, has appointed a new North West director.

Paul Clarke, who has previously supported thousands of growing businesses during a 30-year career in banking, will lead the organisation’s work in the region.

Prior to his appointment, Paul worked across the North West region and North Wales for Royal Bank of Scotland and Future Williams & Glyn.

He said: “It was a great privilege to support so many customers during my banking career and I am now excited to be able to share the benefits of my experience with ambitious North West business owners.”

“The UKBM approach has been tremendously successful in the south of England and I am delighted to be leading their activities in the North West”

UKBM’s founder and managing director, Joe Hinton, commented: “Paul has an excellent track record in supporting business customers and I am delighted that he has agreed to join us as UK Business Mentoring’s North West regional director.

“With his network of business contacts and extensive experience in the North West region, he will be a real asset for us.”

Four appointments, Clarity

Travel management firm Clarity has announced the appointment of a new marketing team.

Alexandra Kington, who will lead the team as head of marketing and communications, will be responsible for brand leadership, lead generation, driving growth through customer engagement and setting external and internal communication strategies.

She has 13 years’ experience in marketing and experience in senior roles at PwC and pro-manchester.

Her team comprises: online marketing manager Phil Quinton, marketing executive Asma Younus and marketing assistant Heidi Elliot.

By the end of the year, Clarity will complete the team with the appointment of a product marketing manager.

Alexandra said: “Marketing is critical to the continued growth of Clarity and my objective is to establish a commercially driven department.

“An expert marketing team is essential at this stage in Clarity’s growth. A new brand and several new products mean that we need a new way to go to market.”

She continued: “Personally, my strength is in unifying all internal and external stakeholders, delivering the highest possible ROI through collaboration and strong teamwork - and I’m looking forward to leading a team that will deliver this, day in, day out.”

Clarity’s director of sales and account management, Paul Casement, commented: “For the next stage of Clarity’s growth, we need to ensure we are highly visible and have real standout in the marketplace.

“Alexandra and her team have embraced the Clarity ethos of offering a brighter way of doing business, by coming in with fresh ideas, a different approach and brand new skill sets. They are already planning some very exciting activity, unlike anything we’ve ever done before.”

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