People on the move: KBL Solicitors; Gray Scanlan Hill; Manchester Camerata; Blue Wren; The Source

Bolton-based law firm KBL Solicitors has promoted associate solicitor Christine Hart to head up the firm’s employment department.

Hart joined the firm in 2009 having qualified from Perkins Mainman where she trained under Paul Holmes who sits as an employment judge in the Manchester Tribunal.

In recognition of her hard work and dedication, Hart was promoted to associate in 2015 and more recently promoted to head of employment.

Michael Slater, commercial litigation partner at KBL said: “Christine is a friendly, knowledgeable and highly regarded associate capable of delivering excellent legal advice.

She has been instrumental in growing her department over the years and I have every confidence she will continue to drive the department and the company forward.”

Hart said: “Having worked in Bolton for almost 10 years, I am very excited to be heading up the employment team and further KBL’s strong reputation for advising local businesses and senior employees in relation to a range of employment issues and strategic action plans”.

KBL’s employment team which is recommended by The Legal 500 advise and represent employers and employees on all employment law matters, ranging from discrimination, bullying, stress and unfair dismissal cases to director/executive contracts, drafting and advising on settlement agreements and transfer of undertaking issues.

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Manchester-based independent building surveying practice Gray Scanlan Hill has appointed Jerome Muir to its neighbourly matters team which provides high level strategic consultancy advice on rights of light, daylight and sunlight amenity, party walls and access to land.

The decision to recruit was driven by increasing demands from within Gray Scanlan Hill’s longstanding and loyal property investment and development client base, the company says.

Muir’s role is to support and strengthen the team which includes Mike Scanlan as one of the North West’s recognised authorities in the field. He will strengthen Gray Scanlan Hill’s resource and technical expertise in these specialist areas.

He is a chartered building surveyor and joins from The University of Manchester where he spent two and a half years, prior to which he spent four years as a Building Surveyor at Bruntwood.

Mike Scanlan, director at Gray Scanlan Hill said: “Our neighbourly matters expertise is well respected in the sector and our clients know they’re in good hands.  Increased development activity has seen our workload grow and Jerome’s addition to the team is crucial to maintaining the high quality service levels that we guarantee our longstanding clients.”

Muir said: “Gray Scanlan Hill’s expertise in party wall, rights of light and neighbourly matters is well established in the region.

“The role is provides me with a fantastic opportunity to specialise in these niche areas working alongside Mike Scanlan.  I will get the chance to work with some impressive property development clients on complex projects where Gray Scanlan Hill’s strategic technical advice adds real value.”

Gray Scanlan Hill provides development consultancy advice to clients including Property Alliance Group, Henry Boot Developments, Mulbury Homes, Ask Developments, Maple Grove Developments, Real Estate Developments and also works regularly within architects and town planners including Deloitte, Paul Butler Associates, 5Plus Architects, Tim Groom Architects, Stephenson Studios, NJL and Euan Kellie Property Solutions.

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Orchestra Manchester Camerata has announced the appointment of Stephen Dauncey, director of finance at The University of Manchester, as chairman ahead of its 2017/18 Season.

Dauncey joins the Camerata at a very exciting time and his appointment is part of its continued vision to redefine what an orchestra can do.

As a significant figure within the North West’s business community, Dauncey has a wealth of experience in the strategic and operational aspects of business that, as chairman, will help increase fundraising revenue, diversify income streams and drive sustainability.

Dauncey said: “I am immensely proud of being given the opportunity to chair Manchester Camerata.

“We have an ambitious vision to continue the redefinition of what an orchestra can do and aim to improve the wellbeing of our community. Our artistic development will continue to reach new heights, new audiences and new places and our work in the community will be extended so that our positive impact is enjoyed throughout Greater Manchester.”

The orchestra opens its 2017/18 season on September 1, kick starting an innovative and collaborative approach to creating and producing music.

Part of the Bridgewater Hall’s 21st Birthday celebrations, this concert features Grammy-award-winning musical legend Pinchas Zukerman and marks the official chair handover from Judith Watson, who has served as Chair since 2013.

The orchestra, founded in 1972, has had a very busy and successful year with a recent office move to Old Granada Studios, award wins including ABO Orchestra Manager of the Year and UK Ensemble of the Year (RPS Music Awards), and is set to open the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with Hacienda Classical.

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Blue Wren, the Preston-based software and web agency, has announced the appointment of its first non-executive director, Gary Lumby.

Lumby will be working alongside the executive team to help manage the sustained growth the company is currently experiencing.

Lumby, who mentors on the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme and holds a range of non-executive directorships across the North of England said, “I am delighted to be working with Blue Wren at this exciting stage of their development.

“I look forward to bringing new opportunities to the business and help Michael and Phil manage the growth they are seeing.”

Michael Lough, managing director of Blue Wren, said: “I met Gary while doing the Goldman Sachs programme earlier this year and instantly struck up a rapport. Gary has a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for helping SME businesses.

“We are very excited to have recruited someone of Gary’s stature and believe he can help us achieve our ambitious growth aspirations.”

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Chester- based PR, marketing and digital agency The Source is celebrating after a flurry of new business wins and the appointment of five new members of staff as the team grown to cope with the demand for its services.

The business growth has also been manifested in a new brand ‘The Source’ (previously The Source Partnership) to reflect the company’s ambition and client focus. The new brand has been extended across all communication streams including its popular social media platforms as well as a new website and company video.

The five new account handlers are Scarlett Lawson who joins from Meri Mance PR in London, Chelsie Taylor who joins from Glyndwr University’s communication team while Sara Parrett, Jo Sherwood and Evie Shaw join after graduating and spending a year in the industry. Emily Gibbons from Loud Designs will also be working with the team from their new offices in Tattenhall.

Louis Hill, partner at The Source, said: “These are exciting times at The Source as we grow the team, take on new business and celebrate the successes with our new brand and website.  We can see that there is a positive outlook amongst the businesses in the region as they see the benefits in effective marketing and sharing with their customers some of the excellent work that they do.”