People on the move: Visualsoft; RSM; Fisher German; Craigleith Property Group; Ena Shaw Contract

Manchester e-commerce and digital agency, Visualsoft, has appointed Hayley Wright as digital marketing manager.

Hayley will be responsible for improving the overall digital performance of the company’s online channels and promoting the brand as a leader in the e-commerce and digital industry.

This will include creating effective strategies for the business’ SEO, PPC, paid social media and email campaigns, which is expected to drive business growth and expand Visualsoft’s reach across the UK.

She has more than four years’ experience within the digital sector and has a proven flair with managing a variety of clients and boosting their online reach.

Most recently, she spent a year and a half working as an account manager for Mediaworks, a North East digital marketing agency, where she was responsible for handling strategies, managing web and app projects and creating project timelines.

The Teeside/Newcastle/Manchester company has a growing team of more than 200 staff who specialise in the design, build, support and marketing of online stores for retailers across the UK.

TJ Hughes, Shoetique and Psyche are among the brands on the business’ ever-growing client list.

Hayley said: “I am really excited to bring a fresh perspective to Visualsoft’s digital marketing team and see how we can increase the brand’s online reach even further.”

Lauren Archer, Visualsoft’s head of brand marketing, said: “We have introduced this new position to bolster growth as we mark our 20th anniversary. Hayley was the ideal person to help drive the business forward through effective use of digital marketing.”
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Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has announced four internal promotions to partner across the North West.

There have been three partner promotions in the firm’s audit faculty with Adam Krupski in Stoke and Karen Musgrave and Nicky Warburton in Preston. Within the tax practice, Claire Spencer has been promoted to corporate tax partner in Manchester.

The North West appointments are among 11 RSM partner promotions across the UK, reflecting investment across the firm’s audit, tax and advisory practice.

Jill Jones, RSM’s regional managing partner in the North West said: “We’re an ambitious firm and attracting and developing talent is a central part of our strategy to be first-choice advisers to middle-market leaders in the UK, which is why it’s great to see such a strong cohort of colleagues reaching partnership.

“What is particularly pleasing is that half of the North West promotions this year are ‘homegrown’ having joined the firm as trainees. Each promotion is testimony to their talent across a diverse range of business specialisms and our ongoing commitment to training and development.

“Our new partners will all play an important role in delivering high quality advice to help regional clients achieve their medium to long term strategic goals.”

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Property agency Fisher German has made a senior promotion at its Chester office as the firm continues to go from strength to strength.

It has promoted Rachel Kirk, from its rural team, to senior associate.

Rachel works in the land management department after joining the firm in August 2015.

Rachel Kirk

Since graduating from Harper Adams in 2005, she has gained a wealth of experience in rural agencies in Cheshire and Staffordshire.

Rachel is involved in a wide range of rural practice work across the Cheshire and North Wales areas, including estate management, landlord and tenant matters, valuations, planning and AMC applications.

She said: “I am really pleased to have received this promotion.”

Charles Meynell, senior partner of Fisher German, said: “This is a well-deserved promotion for Rachel, who has contributed to the continued growth, development and success of the firm.”

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Craigleith Property Group has announced two new hires as it expands its presence in the North West region.

Max Rose, 24 and Curtis Duffy, 23, will both be based at the group’s Manchester office on King Street.

Director Geoff Willis said: “It has been an exciting 12 months for Craigleith and we are ramping up the pace of development and investment following a successful MIPIM.

“We recently completed investment purchases of 173 residential units at No1 Old Trafford and at 108 units at Liverpool Waters, and are in the process of concluding some exciting hotel development projects.

“Much of our success depends on identifying market opportunities and Curtis and Max will be looking to expand our reach to Leeds, Birmingham and Dublin as well as adding to our strength in Manchester and Liverpool.”

Born and educated in Tameside, Curtis has worked in property since leaving college initially with Express Estate Agency and he spent 12 months based in Hong Kong.

Former Manchester Grammar School pupil Max joins from Kier and is studying for a Master’s degree in real estate and property management at The University of Salford.

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A St Helens contract furnishings specialist has bolstered its team as it looks to expand its footprint in the education sector.

Ena Shaw Contract has brought contract sales manager Stephen Millward on board to take a lead role in propelling its offering for schools, colleges and universities.

The appointment comes as the family-run company expands its ‘turnkey’ service further for clients in the education sector.

Operating from its 100,000 sq ft factory, Ena Shaw Contract have always specialised in the design, manufacture and installation of contract soft furnishings across a number of sectors, including healthcare, housing, hospitality and education.

Now, the company is expanding its retail furniture, flooring and lighting division to include contract ranges, so that customers can access a full turnkey service for all furniture, fixtures and other equipment (FF&E) products.

Having previously worked as contract sales manager at Top Brass Furniture, Stephen joins Ena Shaw Contract with more than 20 years’ experience in the furnishings industry. He has also had roles with brands such as White Leaf Furniture, David Phillips and Peel Mount.

Stephen said: “The quality of student accommodation and, indeed, the quality of the facility buildings are constantly evolving, with students seeing them as major factors when deciding where to go for their higher education.

“As such, universities need to keep their fingers firmly on the pulse when it comes to new trends and designs, all the while having budget at front of mind. Ena Shaw Contract has already had vast experience within the education sector and I’m looking forward to helping to take the turnkey service to the next level.”

As part of its continued growth in the education arena, Ena Shaw Contract has been accepted into the North West Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) for soft furnishings for a second time, meaning it is one of only a handful of preferred suppliers for projects across the country.

Stuart Taylor, director at Ena Shaw Contract, said: “Welcoming Stephen to our team signals an exciting time for us as we plough our energy into expanding within the education sector and further developing our turnkey service.

“Being accepted onto the NWUPC means we’re effectively one of few go-to suppliers for universities across the country and we’re looking forward to taking our expertise one step further.”