People on the move: Napthens; Browne Jacobson; Pierce; Sigma; Stanley House Hotel and Spa

Jenny Winstanley

Regional law firm Napthens has appointed Jenny Winstanley as a human resources adviser in a boost to its HR services.

Winstanley will work with the firm’s clients who require practical, hands-on HR expertise within their business, as part of Napthens’ HR3 service.

HR3 is Napthens’ employment law & HR retainer service. An HR consultancy service is available to provide practical help to businesses that need additional resource to assist in-house teams, support ad hoc projects or perhaps require senior level, strategic HR advice.

Winstanley joins Napthens having spent 10 years working for a local business as HR manager, and prior to that a career in financial services across Lancashire and the Fylde Coast.

She is also an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and will be based in Napthens’ East Lancashire office in Blackburn.

Chris Boyle, head of Employment and HR at Napthens, said: “Our HR consultancy service makes a real difference to clients. We recognise that many employers need hands on support on HR issues from time to time and our service provides a flexibility that is tailored to a business’ changing needs.

“The experience that Jenny brings to the role will make her a real asset to employers looking for expert HR advice.”

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National law firm Browne Jacobson has expanded its public sector practice with the appointment of partner Michael Mousdale to its Manchester office.

Mousdale, who joins Browne Jacobson from DWF where he was a partner and head of the local government team, is recognised as one of the leading public procurement advisers in the country.

He is highly acknowledged by Legal 500 and brings with him almost 30 years’ experience in the sector covering contracts and agreements, EU and competition law, outsourcing, joint ventures and partnerships.

As a procurement specialist, Mousdale has advised on a number of landmark deals including the first private finance initiative (PFI) in local government, two of the first schools PFIs, the largest Blue Light PFI Scheme for Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Waste PFI Project – the largest project of its type in Europe.

At Browne Jacobson, Mousdale will be responsible for leading our public sector commercial practice in the North West.

Peter Ware, head of local government and infrastructure at Browne Jacobson, said: “This is a key strategic hire for our public sector team and underlines our commitment to creating a top-tier practice in Manchester. Michael’s expertise and strong track record in delivering complex, major transactions will help to further enhance the firm’s expertise in procurement strategies and compliance, to crucially support our business strategy and offering to clients.”

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Blackburn-based accountancy and business advisory group Pierce has promoted Layton Smalley to payroll assistant after completing his 18-month apprenticeship during National Apprenticeship Week.

Smalley, 19, from Accrington completed his Business Administration qualification after working full-time in the payroll department since 2016.

Playing a key role in the department, Smalley is responsible for the administration of the department, processing payrolls with the support of other team members and dealing with client queries.

Smalley will now study for a Chartered Institute of Payroll Professions (CIPP) qualification to strengthen his skills further.

He said: “I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to get into a career in payroll. You gain qualifications and work experience whilst getting your foot in the door of the industry.”

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Macclesfield-based digital user experience agency Sigma has appointed a new board chair to help oversee growth following a series of new client wins.

Lars Kry takes up the position as part of a strategic governance restructure to replace previous chair Thomas Hallberg.

Kry is CEO for Sigma’s Swedish parent company, Sigma IT Consulting, and will retain this role while also advising the UK team on ways to maintain growth.

Sigma UK is on track for continued growth throughout 2018, with expected sales of £4m.

Now a 30-strong team, with offices in Macclesfield and Cambridge, the company has recently secured a number of new client wins – notably a major new contract with the British Safety Council (BSC), which specialises in safety within the workplace.

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Spa therapist Charlotte Elston has returned to her roots at Stanley House Hotel and Spa in Mellor, Lancashire after travelling the world to broaden her experience and train in specialist massaging techniques.

Elston was a spa therapist at Stanley House in Mellor for a year before taking a three-month sabbatical to visit Thailand and Bali, where she underwent a series of specialist massaging training courses.

After returning to Stanley House, which won the best spa in the North West accolade at the Good Spa Guide Awards 2017, Elston will include her new skills and techniques in the spa’s peace and relaxation massages programme.

Charlotte, 28, gained a qualification in Thai foot reflexology at the International Training Massage School at Chiang Mai in Thailand, where she previously studied Thai massage in 2014.

She then travelled to Bali where she undertook courses in Balinese massage and therapeutic oil blending at Jamu Spa School in Nusa Dua, as well as in Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi massage and bamboo massage at the Bali International Spa Academy in Sanur.

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