This week’s North West appointments

Julie Webster, Mitchell Charlesworth

Accountancy firm Mitchell Charlesworth has added to its corporate recovery and insolvency team with the appointment of Julie Webster.

Julie, who previously worked for RPG Business Recovery, joined the company’s Manchester office in the role of associate.

She has 19 years of experience in restructuring and insolvency across sectors such as retail, leisure and construction.

The head of the corporate recovery and insolvency team at Mitchell Charlesworth, partner Jeremy Oddie, said: “Julie joining Mitchell Charlesworth is great news. With her extensive experience and skills she will add greatly to the range of services that we offer.

“I am sure that she will prove a fantastic member of the team and a great addition to the Mitchell Charlesworth family.”

Julie, a licensed insolvency practitioner, commented: “I am very excited to join Mitchell Charlesworth, a well established and ambitious firm with an excellent reputation.

“I believe that this role, working alongside Jeremy Oddie and his team, will give me the opportunity to fully utilise my skills and experience to assist underperforming and distressed business and their stakeholders to achieve solutions to their problems.”

Suzanne Bradbury, Business Growth Hub

Business Growth Hub has appointed Suzanne Bradbury in the role of startup advisor.

Suzanne has more than 25 years of experience in professional services and management consultancy.

She also established her own business supplying lighting and audio equipment internationally and is qualified with both a law degree and MBA.

At Business Growth Hub, she will work alongside advisor Tony Ward and the strategic growth team at Trafford Council.

Cllr David Hopps, the authority’s Executive Member for Housing and Strategic Planning, said: “It’s great news that small businesses in Trafford now have two expert advisors to help them grow and add to the economic prosperity of the borough.

“The Growth Hub is an excellent initiative and the council is working closely with it to ensure our entrepreneurs get the best support.”

Business Growth Hub director Richard Jeffery commented: “Suzanne will add a new dimension to business support in Trafford, helping young businesses to grow and establish themselves in Greater Manchester’s business network.

“Anyone who has recently started a business, or is thinking about starting one, should get in touch with Suzanne to find out how the Hub can help.”

Prof. David Healey, WSP

The Manchester office of professional services and engineering consultancy WSP has appointed Prof. David Healey as its director of Smart Energy.

The appointment is part of the firm’s continuing expansion of its energy business, which is aiming to play a key role in the UK energy sector’s transition to a low carbon, sustainable economy.

David has over 25 years’ experience in the energy and utilities industries.

In his new role at WSP, he will be responsible for building a new Smart Energy team that offers specialist sustainable energy services.

David said: “WSP is focused upon playing a leading role in the energy sector revolution which will form the basis of a future low carbon global economy.

“I believe as part of the WSP team, we can assist our clients to effectively embrace this transition in our urgent battle against the impacts of climate change.”

Paul Glendinning, head of WSP’s power networks discipline, commented: “We’re excited to bring David and his wealth of expertise on board.

“This will enable us to meet the demand from a growing number of businesses looking to introduce innovative low carbon energy solutions to their projects, and support the adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as new storage systems or renewable technologies which will help facilitate the transition to a smarter grid.”

Briony Fawcett, PHX Training

Lancashire training company PHX Training has announced a new senior appointment.

Joining the firm as contacts director, Briony Fawcett will use her experience in employability, welfare to work and skills to PHX expand its services across Preston, Blackpool and Morecambe.

Briony said: “We are working closer than ever with the learning programme contractors to make sure every part of the process is constructive for the learner, the employer where they get involved, and for those organisations involved.

“It’s all about delivering the key skills to help get people into relevant jobs across the board from individuals who need help in core skills such as English and maths to others more specifically.”

She added: “Employers want to know that the courses will add skills to those they are supporting, while other learners want to see opportunities opening up.”

PHX Training managing director Dan Scott commented: “Briony is a great asset and will help us to grow relationships through our process from provision of these courses to final delivery and the difference it makes to people.”

Vikki Harris, Marketing Lancashire

Destination management organisation Marketing Lancashire has appointed Vikki Harris as its new marketing and partnerships director.

Vikki most recently worked at Manchester United, where she headed up the marketing of several high-profile projects. She also previously worked for tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire and digital agency Wunderman.

Vikki said of her appointment: “I am incredibly excited to be joining the Marketing Lancashire team and showing the world what the county has to offer as a world-class tourist destination from its glorious coastline to its thriving food scene.”

Marketing Lancashire chief exec Ruth Connor commented: “Vikki brings with her a wealth of experience that will further strengthen the Marketing Lancashire team and the company’s growth ambitions working with partners to attract more interest, investment and visitors to the county from national and international markets.

“With Vikki’s focus on both marketing and partnership our aim is to further develop more platforms and opportunities to raise the profile of Lancashire and its many strengths and assets generating more enquiries and business for our partners across the county.”

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