This week’s North West appointments

Ruth McCarthy, berg

Law firm berg has taken on a new partner for real estate and property finance.

Real estate specialist Ruth McCarthy has 15 years of experience in property law and previously held roles at law firms Slater Heelis, Linder Myers and, most recently, Gunnercooke.

Ruth’s background has seen her involved in the acquisition and development of major land holdings across the UK, as well as lending transactions for UK banks, peer-to-peer lenders and short-term funders.

Commenting on her appointment, Ruth said: “I have always admired the independent berg culture along with the energy, enthusiasm and ambition of the firm, so when the opportunity arose I had no hesitation to take it.

“There are lots of opportunities to develop the real estate offering at berg, as a result of the excellent litigation practice, and I look forward to working with the team and build on this platform.”

Richard Clark, the managing director at berg, commented: “The appointment of Ruth is another high profile one for berg and demonstrates our commitment to developing the firm’s reputation in the real estate and property finance sector.”

Mike Mahoney, UD Group

Energy and utilities sector software provider UD Group has appointed Mike Mahoney to the role of director of operations.

Mike, who has more than 20 years of experience in the retail and wholesale energy markets across the UK and Europe, formerly worked as the head of trading (global retail) at Gazprom Energy.

UD Group’s CEO, Steve Armitage, said of the appointment: “As the demand for our software continues to grow, we are now looking towards expansion into global markets.

“We’ve developed a strong suite of products that are already transforming the way that energy and utilities are managed in the UK, and Mike’s years of international energy experience in the market is going to be invaluable in driving both our continued domestic growth and international expansion.”

Amanda Wyatt, CBRE

The Manchester office of commercial real estate firm CBRE has welcomed Amanda Wyatt as a surveyor within its asset services team.

Amanda has joined CBRE from property development firm Emerson Group, where she worked for the past three years as a portfolio surveyor.

With CBRE, Amanda will help clients maximise commercial real estate value.

The asset services team’s associate director, Sophie Weinnman, said; “We are delighted to welcome Amanda to CBRE’s busy North West team.

“We are confident that with Amanda’s current knowledge and experience within the industry, she will bring plenty of skill and talent to our expanding department.”

Amanda commented: “I am delighted to join CBRE and I look forward to working on the team’s diverse and high-profile client base.”

Claire Robinson, Down at the Social

Down at the Social, the MediaCityUK-based PR agency, has welcomed Claire Robinson to its eight-strong agency.

Claire, who previously held the role of account director with PR firm MC2, has worked with a number of national and international brands, including leisure operator Merlin Entertainments and Krispy Kreme UK, a subsidiary of US doughnut giant Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.

She said: “Down at the Social has such an exciting portfolio of clients already, so I’m excited to be getting involved with them as well as building relationships and great successes with the new clients that we plan to get on board.

“Both the work ethic and personality of Down at the Social match mine exactly, so I know it’ll be a great match!”

In her new position, Claire will focus on team development and training, as well as growing the company’s destination and food and drink divisions alongside owner and MD Daisy Whitehouse.

Daisy commented: “Having worked with Claire in a previous role I know she has the right skills and attitude to fit in perfectly as an integral part of the Down at the Social team.

“In recent years she has proven her expertise working with some of the UK’s best brands and she will be the perfect person to spearhead our plan to grow our food and drink and destination divisions.”

She added: “I can’t wait to get stuck in working with her on our plan for the year and beyond.”

Heather Horrocks, Swimtime

Swimming lesson franchise business Swimtime has announced the appointment of Heather Horrocks as its new swimming technical manager.

A Swimming Teachers Association (STA)-qualified swimming tutor, Heather will work at the company’s North West headquarters, where she will oversee compliance and ensure franchisees are following industry regulations and working to the business format franchise model.

Heather said of her new role at Swimtime: “Managing compliance is particularly important for franchise businesses to ensure a streamlined operation across the board.

“After working as a swimming tutor for many years, I’m delighted to take my career to the next level with Swimtime and help boost the current support team and its core values.”

Swimtime’s brand director Linda Price, who is also chair of northern forums for the BFA, commented: “As a franchise, ensuring consistency and maintaining our high standards can be a challenge.

“Last year, we implemented new company literature to ensure brand guidelines are met across the board and Heather’s appointment will help us achieve a constant message.”

She added: “With Heather’s wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, we’re confident she will become an invaluable part of the business as we continue to expand.”

Steve Jackson, Together

Together, the Cheadle-based specialist lender, has strengthened its commercial team with three senior appointments.

Financial services professional Steve Jackson, who has over 29 years’ experience in the sector, is Together’s regional development director for the North West. In his most recent role prior to his appointment, Steve was Co-operative Bank plc’s head of syndicated lending.

He commented: “It’s an exciting time to join Together, with its strong funding position and appetite to lend.

“I’m looking forward to working with businesses of all sizes across the North West at this time of economic growth for the region, as we move closer to the vision of the Northern Powerhouse.”

Property and commercial finance specialist Bob Stones, meanwhile, has been hired from NatWest, where he worked as a bank manager. In his role with Together, Bob will serve as a regional development manager for the Yorkshire region.

The third new addition to Together’s senior team is Jon Elliott, who is taking on the role of regional development manager for London and the South East, bringing with him 37 years’ experience and a knowledge base grounded in commercial banking and property.

Together’s commercial director, Chris Baguley, said: ’’With the UK economy forecast to build on the growth delivered in 2015, our commercial department is expanding rapidly to meet the demand for fast and flexible finance, and the opportunities moving forwards are fantastic.

’‘Steve, Bob and Jon bring with them a wealth of experience in the property finance sector and we’re looking forward to working with ever more businesses and property investors, and replicating the success we’ve enjoyed in the North West across other regions.’’

Luisa d’Aprano, Allied London

Developer Allied London, which owns Manchester’s Spinningfields business district, has appointed Luisa d’Aprano to head up its new dedicated in-house PR, marketing and events team.

Luisa has previously worked with a number of international companies, including sportswear giant Nike and automaker BMW.

Spinningfields estate director Chris Reay said of the appointment: “I am delighted to welcome Luisa to the Spinningfields team and her experience of brand-building and world-class activations will support us in evolving the Spinningfields’ brand, as we continue to reach out to regional, national and international audiences.”

Following a recent drive to bolster its in-house marketing expertise, which also led to the appointment of PR manager Daisy Barnes and commercial project manager Rochelle Silverstein, Allied London is hoping to cement Spinningfields’ status as one of the North West’s most important business hubs.

The firm’s chief executive, Michael Ingall, commented: “The Spinningfields brand is synonymous with success and quality and has a tremendous following.

“We have worked hard over the last five years to establish Spinningfields as the destination for food and drink and have generated significant new leisure offerings.”

He continued: “We are continuing that strategy but adding to that by focusing our current phase of development on delivering what will be without doubt the city’s two best new commercial buildings.”

“It’s time now to expand on the Spinningfields brand, capitalize on the various marketing opportunities and ensure Spinningfields remains the very best commercial area within the city of Manchester.”

Phil Rylance, Manchester & Cheshire Construction

Salford-based building firm Manchester & Cheshire Construction has taken on Phil Rylance in the role of senior quantity surveyor.

Joining from construction group Morgan Sindall, Phil will manage the commercial and technical side of construction projects, in addition to supervising junior members of Manchester & Cheshire Construction’s surveying team.

Phil, who brings over 25 years of property and construction sector experience to the role, is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

David Lowe, the managing director at Manchester & Cheshire Construction, said: “Phil possesses a wealth of experience and technical knowledge, and we are delighted to add someone of his calibre to our growing team.

“He has an impressive track record of seeing major construction schemes through from inception to completion and ensuring they are delivered to budget, and his client-side experience will be a huge asset to the company.”

David added: “We are confident he will fulfil an important role in helping us reach our target of £20m turnover by 2018.”

Discussing his appointment, Phil said: “These are exciting times for Manchester & Cheshire and I look forward to playing a part in helping the business to achieve its growth plans.”