People on the move: Clearwater International UK; Macdonald Hotels & Resorts; Leathes Head Hotel; Kirwans

Manchester-based independent corporate finance house Clearwater International UK has appointed Andy Higginson as its chairman.

Higginson is currently chairman of Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons and Chester-based ITC Luxury Travel, as well as a non-executive director at Woolworths South Africa.

Prior to his role at Morrisons, Higginson was chairman of Poundland under Warburg Pincus ownership and through its successful IPO.

Higginson is well known for his 15 years on the Tesco plc board. Other notable past roles include the appointment as Chairman of N Brown, the fashion retailer behind brands including Jacamo, Simply Be and JD Williams; Non-Executive Director positions at Sky, Firstgroup and the RFU; and working with major brands including Unilever, Guinness, Laura Ashley and The Burton Group.

Phil Burns, managing director of Clearwater International UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Andy is joining the Clearwater International team. His background speaks for itself and the experience it gives him will be invaluable to help develop our strategy, but also to complement our skills in the advice we give to clients, as we develop excellent outcomes for them.”

Higginson added: “I am pleased to be joining Clearwater in this important point in their development. In the last couple of years, they have grown from a domestic business to offer very impressive international coverage.

“What has really impressed me is their focus on the client and putting them first. I’m excited at the prospect of working alongside the Clearwater partners with more mid-market and private equity backed businesses.”

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Johan Scheepers has been appointed as the new regional general manager for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts in the North West.

With 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Scheepers will be based at the Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa, the largest four-star hotel in Manchester.

Overseeing teams at three properties including The Lymm Hotel in Warrington, Macdonald New Blossoms in Chester and Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa, Scheepers will be responsible for ensuring the best guest experience and value proposition is provided across all three locations.

Most recently Scheepers was based in South Africa where he played an instrumental role in the opening of The Maslow Hotel, the flagship corporate venue for Sun International which is the largest Casino and Resort operator in Africa. Prior to this he worked on the launch and repositioning of both the Thistle Euston and The Kingsley in Holborn.

Simon Jackson, group sales and operations director, said: “Johan has an abundance of knowledge and experience that we feel he can bring to our properties in the North West and the wider group. We are sure he will be a very successful manager and provide the best possible experience for both our leisure and business guests.”

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The award-winning Leathes Head Hotel in the heart of the Borrowdale Valley near Keswick, has appointed a new head chef to lead its 2 AA Rosette awarded restaurant.

Noel Breaks, who is originally from Halifax in Yorkshire, brings with him a wealth of knowledge, passion and experience of the catering industry after starting his early career and training at the Relais Chateaux Isle of Eriska, in Scotland.

During Breaks’ time at the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant it gained a series of prestigious accolades including Scottish Restaurant of the Year and Catey Independent Hotel of the Year.

Jamie Adamson, general manager at The Leathes Head Hotel said:“We are truly passionate about the food we deliver here at The Leathes Head and we continue to strive to make each dining experience a memorable one and the best it can be for our guests.

“Myself and the team are really excited to be working with Noel who will bring his own unique style to the kitchen, and take our menu and restaurant to the next level.”

Breaks said: “I am delighted to join the team at The Leathes Head Hotel and I am looking forward to creating my own new dishes using Cumbria’s finest ingredients and build upon the restaurants existing reputation for delivering fantastic food served in one of the UK’s most idyllic locations in the heart of the Lake District.”

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Merseyside law firm Kirwans has appointed a new head of business development to aid the continued growth of the organisation.

Frank Rogers joins the firm at partner level from Brown Turner Ross, where he was head of both business development and the organisation’s’ motoring prosecution team.

He brings with him more than 30 years of experience in both legal and commercial roles, as well as a wealth of knowledge about the north west and the many varied businesses that operate within the area.

Rogers will work with both Kirwans and its existing clients to help them to achieve their commercial objectives, while also aiding further business development across the firm’s commercial and private offerings.

In addition, he will lead Kirwans’ motoring division, Just Motor Law, as it continues to grow.

Rogers said: “I am delighted to be joining Kirwans, and look forward to playing a full part in extending the firm’s client base within the region’s business community.

“Projects such as the Northern Powerhouse and HS2 are bringing with them some real opportunities for businesses in the north west to thrive. My role is to support them in capitalising on these opportunities, while also ensuring that they are prepared from a legal standpoint for any difficulties which may arise.”

Managing partner David Kirwan said: “Frank is an experienced legal professional and business development expert who has the knowledge and foresight to support the growth of Kirwans’ wide range of private and professional offerings.”