This week's North West appointments

Four appointments, Forbes Solicitors

Northern legal practice Forbes Solicitors has announced four promotions.

The law firm promoted Shirley Wignall and Gill Carr from associates to partners.

Forbes Solicitors, which has offices across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire, also elevated Jenny Burke and Amy Stirton from solicitor to associate level.

Senior partner Siobhan Hardy said: “These well-deserved appointments underline the strength in depth which we have at Forbes and our track record for nurturing talent and helping people to build careers with us.

“The fact that all four promotions involve women underlines our commitment to equality and diversity and bring the total of women partners in the firm to over 40%.”

Sarah Batton and Lee Catterall, Sigma Capital Group plc

Development and urban regeneration business Sigma Capital Group plc has hired two project managers.

Lee Catterall has over 10 years of experience in housing project management, most recently at Michael Dyson Associates. With Sigma, Lee will focus on managing the delivery process to ensure housing developments are completed on time and within budget.

Sarah Batton joined the Sigma team from professional services firm Capita, where she was involved in Urban Vision – the firm’s joint venture with Salford City Council and building company Galliford Try.

Matthew Townson, development director at Sigma, said: “We have been steadily growing our team of professionals throughout the UK for the last three years, so we are delighted to welcome Lee and Sarah to Sigma.

“They bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, that will complement our existing team’s skills, and assist us in achieving further growth in the future.”

Sigma Capital Group is currently delivering 26 sites across Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

Last year, the company launched Manchester-based real estate investment trust The PRS REIT plc.

Carol McLachlan, The Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants

The Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants has appointed a new president.

Carol McLachlan will head up the organisation for 2018/19, taking over from outbound president Andrew Lloyd of accounting firm RSM.

Carol McLachlan is the founder of theaccountantscoach.com. She qualified with EY in London before moving back to her roots in Liverpool.

In the new role, Carol will support LSCA members from across Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man as she oversees the delivery of services such as CPD courses, technical and networking events and the Society’s annual dinner.

She will also work to represent the interests of chartered accountants in the wider business community.

Carol said: “It is with great pleasure, and more than a little excitement, that I take on the presidency of the Liverpool Society.

“In this era of fast paced, relentless change, our Society is about to enter its 150th year of operation. With its rich heritage and roots in the 19th Century, I am truly proud of the legacy bestowed on me to take the reins at this pivotal point.”

She continued: “I am honoured to take on this leadership role and look forward to supporting our members and the wider community in the coming year.”

James Kirk, Kaleidoscope

Liverpool-based creative agency Kaleidoscope has chosen a new managing director.

James Kirk joined the business in 2015 as strategy director.

His appointment will enable co-founder Mike Edwards to take on a more advisory role at Kaleidoscope, which marks its 30th year in 2018.

Mike said: “This is a landmark year for the business, and it’s been a great opportunity to reflect on our achievements but more importantly to identify what we needed to do in order to build the agency for the future.

“After a growth in fee income of 50% since 2015 the business is well positioned for its next chapter and I now feel is the right time to take a step back from the day to day operations.”

He continued: “James has worked closely with me over the last three years and has become a key part of our talented team. He has the skills we need to lead the business as we continue to evolve our strategy and capabilities.”

James commented: “I am really proud to have the opportunity to become Kaleidoscope’s next business leader.

“Over a period of 30 years, we have earnt a fantastic reputation for delivering wonderful creative combined with top-level client service, and we will be focused on using this as our foundation for future growth.”

Paul Rigby, Maria Plachecka and Greg Cockcroft, Clothes2order.com

Trafford Park-based clothing business Clothes2order.com has announced the creation of new management roles.

Paul Rigby joined the company as warehouse manager from e-commerce company The Hut Group, while Greg Cockcroft (pictured) has been promoted to client services manager and Maria Plachecka joined as a production planner from food manufacturer Soreen.

Clothes2order.com also recently welcomed a raft of new faces in its business development team.

Managing director Sam Jones said: “We continue to see strong growth across all business channels and we have created a number of roles to cater for the increased demand.

“At the same time, we have promoted from within in line with our strategy of nurturing our own talent.”

He continued: “Further recruitment is planned as demand for personalised products continues to rise, and we are especially interested in finding experienced production staff for both print and embroidery.”

Jill Williams, Mercia Fund Managers

Mercia Fund Managers is expanding its equity team with a new investment director.

Jill Williams will work out of Mercia’s office in Manchester, where she will focus on investing in high-growth SMEs and managing portfolio companies.

Jill previously worked for food and agriculture investor Wheatsheaf Group and professional services giant PwC, where she was a chartered accountant in the firm’s corporate finance and corporate tax teams.

Most recently, she was an investment director at London-based RJD Partners.

Investment director and fund manager Wayne Thomas, who leads Mercia Fund Managers’ EV Growth team, said: “We are really excited to have Jill on board the Mercia team as we continue to raise awareness of the new EV Growth II fund and source strong deal flow from the North West regions and beyond. She has considerable experience, having spent over 10 years in private equity investment, within several sectors including business services, leisure, travel, education, and IT services.”

Jill commented: “I am delighted to be joining Mercia’s EV Growth team in Manchester. They have a very successful track record, and the recently raised EV Growth II fund is in a strong position to invest in some of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic SMEs across the North and other UK regions.”

“I am looking forward to working with the Mercia team to back ambitious management teams to grow their businesses.”

Julie Radcliffe, ICAEW Manchester

The Manchester branch of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has appointed a new president.

Julie Radcliffe, audit director for professional services giant KPMG in Manchester, has taken over the position from Anthony Woodings.

She said of her new role: “I am looking forward to the next 12 months. We’ve done some in-depth work over the past year of how we best serve our membership locally and I’m eager to embed this and get out to meet our members.

“It’s an exciting time to be representing Manchester’s voice, with Andy Burnham pledging to see Manchester as the modern industrial capital of the UK once again, it’s a great time for our members to be supporting business and enterprise to thrive.”

As president of the organisation, Julie will champion access to the profession and embrace diversity in the workplace.

She added: “Some of our member firms are real trailblazers here for the new apprenticeship schemes, and we really want to showcase that we are an institute for all”.

William Ngan, HRC Law

Commercial law firm HRC Law has welcomed William Ngan to the role of corporate associate.

Corporate law and tax specialist William previously worked for Jolliffe & Co LLP, and before that Addleshaw Goddard and Brabners.

HRC Law corporate partner Mark Traynor said: “William joins at a time of huge opportunity for the firm; we continue to grow at a rapid pace, with a strong client base that values our fresh, clear approach as much as our knowledge and specialist sector expertise.

“We continue to focus on attracting the most talented legal professionals - at all levels - and we’re pleased to have William on board. I’ve no doubt he’ll be a real asset to the firm.”

He continued: “William’s tax expertise and the network he has built of tax professionals across the region means he’s ideally placed to add real value to our existing clients and speak the language of other advisers involved in transactions and wider corporate work.”

William commented: “HRC Law is a highly entrepreneurial and ambitious firm, which was a significant draw for me. The firm really embodies the beliefs that I also share and, coupled with a solid reputation and a talented team, presented a great opportunity.

“I look forward to using my expertise to support both new and existing clients as the firm continues to grow.”

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