People on the move: Fieldfisher; Freshfield; First Capital Cashflow; Withington Girls’ School

Annabelle Gold-Caution has been hired as a solicitor in the technology, outsourcing and privacy (TOP) team at Fieldfisher.

She joins the European law firm’s Manchester office from Burges Salmon, strengthening both the growing Manchester TOP team and Fieldfisher’s reputation as a regional technology powerhouse.

The TOP team works with a raft of household names, including the BBC, Pearson, Citigroup and Accenture.

Gold-Caution studied at the University of Oxford and the College of Law in Manchester, and is a committee member of the Junior Lawyers’ Group for the Society of Computers and Law.

She will report to Sam Jardine, Partner in the TOP team in Manchester.

Gold-Caution will advise on a range of matters including IT and BPO outsourcings, data protection (including cross-border issues), cloud computing and SaaS, E-commerce, intellectual property and software licences.

Managing partner Ian Austin, who heads up the Fieldfisher Manchester office, said the appointment of Gold-Caution will only enhance the TOP team’s reputation as a market leader.

He said: “Annabelle is a skilled solicitor who has expertise in a wide range of matters.

“Her appointment also strengthens what is already a hugely talented specialist tech team within Fieldfisher Manchester’s growing office at the Freetrade Exchange on Peter Street. We only hire the very best in class and Annabelle joining very much represents that ethos.”

Gold-Caution said: “The firm has a fantastic reputation in Manchester, the UK and around the world. It’s also an exciting time to be working as a solicitor in a city like Manchester, as technology businesses based here are very much growing and thriving.”

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Preston-based marketing agency Freshfield has bolstered its PR and communications division with the appointment of Laura Graham as senior PR & communications executive.

Graham joins from the marketing department of legal giants Irwin Mitchell, where she was responsible for co-ordinating client events as well as overseeing PR and social media support, and the production of marketing collateral.

Graham, who is originally from Lancaster, will advise a portfolio of Freshfield’s clients in the property and professional services sectors.

She said: “Freshfield is an agency I’ve been aware of for a while and I’m delighted to have secured a place on the team. It was clear from the outset the firm has a deep commitment to helping clients as well as looking after its people which was of great appeal to me.

Simon Turner, managing director of Freshfield, said: “Laura brings to Freshfield a range of marketing skill sets, specific sector knowledge and experience of being part of a leading UK marketing team, making her a great find.

“She is also a real people person making her a natural for a business like ours built on key relationships.”

Headquartered in Winckley Square, Freshfield employs 20 people. It has divisions in advisory, PR and communications, digital, design and video.

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Direct debit payments bureau First Capital Cashflow has appointed Andrea Stanford as new business development manager.

Stanford brings a wealth of experience in the financial sector, working for the Bank of Scotland for over 10 years, as well as a proven sales background across several sectors including education and recruitment.

At Daresbury, Cheshire-based First Capital Cashflow, she will be responsible for driving new business and promoting the effectiveness of First Capital’s bespoke cloud-based direct debit and direct credit payment solutions
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Helen Priestman, commercial director of First Capital Cashflow, said: “Having worked with Andrea in banking many years ago, I have every confidence that she will contribute to our continued growth throughout 2017.”

Stanford said: “After working in banking for over a decade, I’m relishing the opportunity to transfer my skills to this complimentary sector. I am really looking forward to using my experience to support the firm’s ambitious growth objectives for 2017.”

Stanfordis the latest addition to the team after First Capital Cashflow expanded to new headquarters and created eight new jobs following a record breaking financial year which saw the business process £8bn worth of direct debit and direct credit transactions for clients.

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Addleshaw Goddard’s employment partner and head of the firm’s Manchester office Malcolm Pike has been appointed as the new chair of the governors at Withington Girls’ School.

Appointed to the prestigious local position following an eight-year spell as a governor at the school, Pike is also a member of the school’s finance and general purposes sub-committee. The chair of Ggovernors works with the headteacher and senior leadership team to set a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school.

The new role is the latest in a series of pre-eminent professional memberships and leading roles Pike holds in the community.

In addition to his role as lead partner for a number of the firm’s key clients, in both the public and private sector, he is a director of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, a member of the North West Business Leadership Team, and a member of the CBI North West Regional Council. He is also a member of the ACAS panel of Independent Arbitrators and chair of the Rugby Football League’s Contract Disputes Panel.

Pike succeeds the outgoing chair, Elisabeth Lee, who retires on August 31.
Pike said: “As the 12th chair of governors since the foundation of the school in 1890, I feel very privileged to follow in the footsteps of Sir John Zochonis, Professor Katharine Perera and Mrs Elisabeth Lee, among others, and I will strive to safeguard the school’s progress and maintain its long-term successes.”

Withington Girls’ School is a leading independent day school for girls aged seven to 18 in Fallowfield, Manchester.