This week’s North West appointments

Lauren Luke, Degree 53

Lauren Luke has been appointed as a business development manager at Manchester-based digital agency Degree 53.

In her new position, Lauren will focus on growing the Degree 53’s client base and helping the firm to expand into new industries.

Lauren, who has 11 years of digital marketing experience, will work alongside MD Andrew Daniels and Adam Smethurst, a fellow business development manager at Degree 53

Lauren said: “Degree 53 is an exciting digital business and I have been tasked with introducing our offer to new markets. The key thing for me in this role is working in partnership with our existing and new customers nurturing our long term relationships and supporting their success.

“I love the fact that Degree 53 is incredibly customer focused and work in project teams rather than departmental teams, meaning collaboration on a customer’s project is always unified. It’s fantastic to be part of such a supportive and forward-thinking team.”

Lauren has joined from Altrincham-based Interact-Intranet, where she supported the business as it expanded into additional markets.

Andrew Daniels, the managing director of Degree 53, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Lauren to Degree 53. Her appointment is an exciting step in the growth and development of the company.

“I am certain her skills and expertise will pave the way to further commercial success for us.”

Based in Manchester’s The Sharp Project, Degree 53 employs over 50 people.

Matthew Hunt and Catrin Hughes, Bartletts Solicitors

North West law firm Bartletts Solicitors has promoted two of its staff following a period of business growth, with further job creation planned for 2015.

The Chester-based company, which also has an office in Wrexham, recently promoted employees Matthew Hunt and Catrin Hughes to the roles of trainee solicitor in its personal injury department.

Matthew, who works in the company’s office on Frodsham Street in Chester, said: “I’ve been with the company for a two years now, having joined as a paralegal in the summer of 2013 before being promoted by the personal injury department into my new role.

“Even before gaining this role, I felt I’d learnt a great deal over the past two years. I’m excited about what lies ahead now – all the hard work, long days and even longer nights of study, to become a qualified solicitor.”

Having just recently increased the size of its workforce, Bartletts Solicitors now plans to take on more members of staff before the end of the year.

Catrin commented: “Before this promotion, I was working as a paralegal […] I’ve greatly enjoyed my time with Bartletts and love working in the Wrexham office. As I can also speak Welsh, this has proved a real bonus so far in my chosen career.”

Shelley Kemp, One Manchester

Housing group One Manchester has chosen a new head of its marketing and communications efforts.

Shelley Kemp has joined the organisation from Merseyside firm Speedy Hire plc, where she served as head of corporate responsibility. In her new role, Shelley will help the organisation create opportunities for people in the Manchester area and work to transform local communities.

One Manchester’s chief executive, Dave Power, said: “Shelley brings a wealth of experience with her and will be a great asset to the One Manchester team.

“With Shelley on board we are now strongly placed to develop our partnerships with existing stakeholders, as well as forming new networks for the business.”

He added: “There will also be a number of high-profile campaigns to deliver in the coming months as we continue to grow the business and meet the needs of a constantly evolving sector.”

Formed in 2015 after City South Manchester and Eastlands Homes merged, One Manchester has a portfolio of more than 12k homes and over 30k customers in east and south Manchester.

Shelley commented: “I’m delighted to join the team at One Manchester; it’s a unique organisation that goes far beyond its core purpose as a social housing provider. I’m looking forward to helping the organisation tell the stories that really matter within its communities.

“With its ambitious growth plans, I also think One Manchester is strongly placed to deal with recent policy changes and step up to the challenges that face the UK housing sector.”

She added: “I’m really looking forward to playing a part in this and helping to shape the company’s future.”

Angela Metcalfe, Story Homes

Residential property developer Story Homes has appointed a new assistant site manager to its team at the Waters Edge development in Whitehaven, Cumbria.

Angela Metcalfe has more than 10 years of experience in the construction sector and previously worked for Carlisle firm Senator Homes, York-headquartered Persimmon Homes and Lovell Partnerships.

Story Homes’ chief executive, Steve Errington, said: “Story Homes is committed to building the finest quality houses from start to finish – and this means ensuring our team is fully equipped with talented employees.

“Angela has clearly demonstrated her capability in delivering large and complex projects in the property sector and we’re really excited to have her on-board as our very first female assistant site manager.”

The site at Waters Edge, which comprises two, three and four-bed houses, has experienced a surge in sales recently, with 82% of the properties already sold.

Angela commented: “Story Homes is renowned for delivering exceptional homes, and this stems from its meticulous site management processes and staff development programmes.

“These internal structures not only make it a fantastic place to work, but ensure that customers’ expectations are always exceeded.”

She continued: “I’m absolutely thrilled to continue my career at Waters Edge and look forward to supporting the team at this exciting time.”

Joanne Lofthouse and Nassar Hussain, Nuffield Health

Health and wellbeing facility operator Nuffield Health has grown its Manchester team with the appointment of Joanne Lofthouse as its new clinical commissioning director and Nassar Hussain as its imaging services manager.

Joining the company from Great Ormond Street Hospital, Joanne will help to deliver Nuffield Health’s new centre currently under construction off Hathersage Road, which is due to be completed in 2017.

A key element of her role as clinical commissioning director will be to establish the organisation’s new diagnostic suite, which is being built at the Citylabs biochemical centre in Manchester and includes X-ray, MRI, CT, mammography ultrasound services and cardiac scans.

Joanne commented: “I am excited to be joining Nuffield Health’s Manchester team at such an exciting time. I look forward to working alongside the wider team and contributing towards the future of healthcare in Manchester.”

As imaging services manager, Nassar, who previously worked for BMI Healthcare, will deliver the diagnostic suite’s imaging services.

He said: “The opportunity to work for Nuffield Health and to help fulfil their plans for the delivery of integrated health services across the city was too great to turn down!

“The vision to increase the health and wellbeing of the population of Manchester with an integrated approach to healthcare, including the development of an academic relationship with Manchester Metropolitan University, is exciting. To be involved in this vision is a privilege.”

Mark Finucane (pictured left), Steve Powis (right) and Paul Chadney, Bridging Finance

Bridging Finance, a short-term finance provider based in Cheadle, has grown its team with the appointment of three new regional development managers.

Steve Powis, who has 22 years’ experience in corporate and commercial banking with companies like HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, will be responsible for South Wales, Worcester, Hereford, Oxford and Gloucestershire.

Mark Finucane, a former employee of First Title Insurance plc with more than 20 years of experience in the property market, will be responsible for the Midlands.

Meanwhile, Paul Chadney will be joining Bridging Finance later this month as its regional development director of the South.

The appointments form part of Bridging Finance’s ongoing expansion efforts. Together with its sister company, Auction Finance Limited, the firm processed £22m in transactions in July.

Discussing the company’s expansion, Chris Baguley, the managing director, said: “The fact that we are in a position to expand our regional development team with such a high calibre of vastly-experienced property and business development professionals speaks volumes about the success we’re enjoying as a business.

“We’re keen to expand our services more widely across the UK to really take advantage of the strong performance of the specialist finance market.”

He continued: “With newly recruited regional development managers in place, we are confident we can continue to expand our operations and enjoy further growth.”

Shirley Shacklady, Hampson Hughes Solicitors

Liverpool law firm Hampson Hughes Solicitors has taken on Shirley Shacklady as the head of its new financial mis-selling department.

The appointment will see Shirley leading a team that provides financial redress on various mis-sold products, including PPI.

Speaking about the launch of the new department, Shirley said: “The PPI mis-selling scandal is bigger than all industry experts predicted. Of over £22.2bn set aside by banks for PPI alone, only £11.5bn has been paid out in redress so far – the end is not nearly in sight.

“Our aim at Hampson Hughes Solicitors is to right financial wrongs and we will strive to deliver the best customer service and to provide the right advice to all of our clients.”

With over 14 years of experience in the industry, Shirley was the first person to offer redress of PPI on a credit card and the first to provide redress on a mis-sold mortgage, according to Hampson Hughes Solicitors.

The firm’s joint managing director, Paul Hampson, said: “We’re incredibly excited to launch this new service area which represents further growth for Hampson Hughes Solicitors.

“Mis-sold financial products continue to dominate the headlines with millions of people affected. We’re therefore delighted to have Shirley on board to spearhead this new department.”