This week’s North West appointments

Katy Evans, Asons Solicitors

Asons Solicitors in Bolton has appointed Katy Evans as its new head of human resources.

For the last 15 years, Katy has overseen the HR needs of SMEs and startups, as well as helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses and working to improve management.

Katy has joined Asons from Kinetica Energy, where she worked for four years on the firm’s business strategy. She has said she is excited about Asons’ planned move to new premises next year, which will double the business’ capacity.

Commenting on her appointment, Katy said: “I want to ensure that Asons continues to be the leading B2C law firm in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies To Work For and is worthy of its Investors In People Gold standard accreditation.”

With three appointments announced in August, Asons is preparing to reveal another in September.

Dan Scott (top) and Spencer Harrison, PHX Training

North West training firm PHX Training has made changes to its senior management team in a bid to take advantage of new growth opportunities.

Former MD Dan Scott is now the company’s chief executive officer, while PHX’s operations manager, Spencer Harrison, has taken on the role of managing director.

With 13 years of industry experience, Spencer joined PHX Training in November last year from Manchester-based Ashley Hunter Training Academy, where he worked on growing the business over an 18-month period.

Dan, who launched PHX Training with his wife Jayne 12 years ago following redundancy, believes the restructuring will allow the business to focus its resources on achieving further growth.

Dan commented: “By making changes at management level, we have acknowledged the need to strengthen our team to meet the demands of our ever increasing number of contracts.

“As someone who is committed to making a difference to the lives of our learners, Spencer is the perfect candidate to take my place as managing director.”

He added: “Our team has the experience, drive and determination to continue to take the business forward and maintain PHX Training’s position as a leading source of training and support, to give people the qualifications and skills they need to get into work.”

The news comes in the wake of a number of new appointments at the company. Pam Wadcock was hired as quality manager from Manchester-based training provider Skills Solutions, while Steven McKenzie was taken on to identify potential new contracts. Elsewhere, Lisa Green was appointed as PHX’s workplace learning contract manager.

Mike Wood, inEvidence

Macclesfield company inEvidence, which provides customer case studies to sales and marketing teams, has promoted Mike Wood to the position of head of video.

Mike joined the firm last year as director of photography as the consultancy expanded its video production team.

inEvidence MD Robin Hamilton said: “We are delighted with the progress being made by our video team. Mike’s promotion reflects the leadership he has shown in expanding our video offer and capability.”

With more than three decades of experience in broadcast and corporate productions, Mike has previously worked as a freelance photography director for the BBC, as well as global broadcasters and independent TV production companies.

Additionally, he has worked on the production of videos for companies such as British Airways, AstraZeneca, Cisco, Barclays Bank, Kellogg’s and Co-op Bank.

Mike commented: “Video has never been in more demand and our blue chip clients, including Honeywell Aerospace and HP, are turning to us because we are able to support them with high quality productions from anywhere in the world and in any language.

“Most of our work has involved creating high quality video case studies but in the last year we have also produced corporate videos and social media campaigns.”

Jason Rawsterne, Freshfield

Freshfield, the marketing communications consultancy based in Preston, has bolstered its digital team by appointing Jason Rawsterne as its newest digital developer.

With more than 15 years’ experience in digital development and offering technical advice to companies, Jason previously ran a digital consultancy as a sole trader.

In his new role at Freshfield, Jason will work within the firm’s digital team, assisting clients with website development, search strategy and communications campaigns.

Freshfield’s managing director, Simon Turner, said: “Jason not only has the relevant technical skills but he has an ability to articulate technical subjects in a marketing and commercial context. He’s a strong addition to the team.

“Our digital service works hand in hand with all our disciplines; advisory, PR and content; and design, and as we grow our portfolio, our digital service will naturally grow with it. We have some really exciting projects on the books.”

Freshfield currently has a team of 18 and clients in a number of sectors, including financial and professional services, retail, leisure and healthcare.

Rachel Jackson and Richard Smethurst, HURST

HURST, the North West-based accountancy and business advisory firm, has promoted two of its staff members to assistant manager positions.

Rachel Jackson and Richard Smethurst took on trainee graduate roles with HURST in 2003 and 2007 respectively. While Rachel is part of the company’s tax department, Richard works in business services.

HURST, which has offices in Manchester, Stockport and London, has also revealed plans to grow its graduate intake from four to six in 2015, further extending the programme to include it corporate and tax divisions instead of just its business services team.

The company’s director of practice development, Partner Simon Brownbill, said: “We are expanding our graduate scheme to meet growing demand and to address a shortage in the market of experienced junior tax and corporate finance people.

“We are committed to promoting from within where we can and Rachel and Richard are shining examples of this policy, having both joined the firm as graduate trainees.”

He added: “We are continuing our recruitment programme beyond graduate level, with a focus on expanding our tax team by bringing in experienced practitioners up to senior manager level.”

Meanwhile, HURST has taken on Siouan Oliver as its newest payroll executive.

Shaun Critchley (right) with MD Tim Hunt

Shaun Critchley, ADVANCE

Shaun Critchley, the founder of law firm CRS Solicitors, has been appointed to the board of directors at Chester-based ADVANCE, a workforce management company.

In his new role, Shaun will lead the way on technical matters and development projects.

Shaun said: “I was attracted to ADVANCE as the company’s core values match my own. It is a young, innovative and practical company that is setting new standards for the industry, with great potential for the future.”

ADVANCE provides accountancy, employment and support services to freelancers, contractors and temporary workers, as well as recruitment companies.

Tim Hunt, the managing director, commented: “I’m delighted Shaun has agreed to join our board; his expertise and experience will be crucial as we enter the next stage of our growth plan.

“We pride ourselves on the world-class expertise we provide and wanted to focus on bringing more of that unique knowledge in house.”

He continued: “This appointment will give ADVANCE the ability to look at further investment opportunities and move into new areas and market sectors. It also shows we are leading the sector in facing head on the challenges presented by forthcoming legislative changes.”

Rob Kenmare, Danbro Accounting

Lytham firm Danbro Accounting has appointed Rob Kenmare as it new group finance director.

The appointment comes as part of Danbro MD Damian Broughton’s intention to double the business’ turnover and client base over the next four years.

Rob, who joined the company in November 2013 as its group development director, commented: “Much of my work on strategic development and acquisitions has involved working closely with the financial function so this is a natural progression.

“We now have some idea of how proposed legislative changes in our marketplace will affect us and what our response will be.”

He added: “The industry needs to concur on the best way to provide services for recruitment agencies and end users.”

Born in Blackpool, Rob went to Rossall School in Fleetwood, Lancashire, before attending Loughborough University to study economics with accountancy.

Rob continued: “It is our ambition to grow the business – right across the group. The contractor market or contingent workforce is here to stay and will continue to grow and need us.

“We will continue to ensure we grow the business, products and services, in the right way for our customers and staff.”

Having qualified with Ernst & Young as a chartered accountant in the mid ’90s, Rob spent 15 years in merger and acquisitions, first at Ernst & Young and then at Moore and Smalley. At the latter firm he became a partner and then went on to become a director for Barclays Corporate.