People on the Move: Slater Heelis; NorthEdge Capital; Sigma Capital; Furness Building Society; Nikal Group; Dentsu Aegis Network

Rebecca Muirhead, a family law specialist, has joined Slater Heelis from Elizabeth Hassall Family Law.

Appointed to the position of assistant solicitor, she will work as part of the family law team at the firm’s Deansgate office in Manchester.

With more than eight years’ experience Rebecca is highly-skilled in dealing with both financial and children issues, linked with relationship breakdowns.

She is an accredited specialist and a member of resolution – a national organisation of specialist family lawyers committed to non-confrontational divorces.

Mark Heptinstall, partner and head of the family team, said: “Rebecca is the third fee earner appointed to the team in the last seven months and we continue to recruit.

“The ever increasing demand for our services has led us to further grow the family law team and Rebecca’s skills complement our offering perfectly. She brings a wealth of experience in family matters and provides exceptional service to her clients.”

Ms Muirhead said: “Slater Heelis have an outstanding reputation amongst the legal profession and across Greater Manchester. I am thrilled to be joining Mark and his team during such an exciting time.”

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NorthEdge Capital has appointed two new portfolio directors, Keven Parker and Andy Tupholme, following an active start to 2018 in which the firm has completed five transactions at a combined value of £160m.

Keven joins NorthEdge with more than 12 years’ experience in leveraged buyout transactions gained at 3i Group as head of the firm’s Manchester office and one of six partners across its UK buyout team.

He joins from construction firm Shepherd Group, where he was a main board director and group CFO.

Andy joins NorthEdge with 20 years’ investment experience, largely developed at Gresham Private Equity, where he invested in a series of northern-focused businesses across a wide range of sectors as partner.

He joins NorthEdge having operated as an independent non-executive director on a number of boards, including social investment fund The Key Fund, and chairman of the HR tech business Tribepad.

They will both support head of portfolio, Ian Plumb, to oversee and manage the firm’s active portfolio, which continues to expand following the completion of two exits and three investments in 2018.

Managing director Grant Berry said: “We can reflect on an incredibly strong start to the year, in which we have added to our investment and portfolio teams, settled into our new Manchester headquarters and completed a number of transactions across the North and the Midlands.

“Keven and Andy are both great additions to the team and bring a wealth of experience to NorthEdge.

“Their appointments are testament to our growing stature as we continue to add to our diverse portfolio with ambitious, strong management teams, and we look forward to working with Keven, Andy, and our existing portfolio team to deliver growth to our investee companies.”

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Development and urban regeneration company, Sigma Capital Group, has hired two project managers to help drive the successful delivery of the company’s new rental housing developments.

Sarah Batton and Lee Catterall join the Sigma team following a positive 2017 for the company.

The landmark year saw the launch of The PRS REIT plc, which established a channel for local authorities, investors and developers to work cohesively to deliver high-quality, private rented family housing.

Lee has more than 10 years’ experience in housing project management, most recently spending three years with Michael Dyson Associates.

Sarah Batton and Lee Catterall

His role will focus on the management of the delivery process to ensure Sigma’s housing schemes are completed on time and within budget.

Sarah brings a wealth of project management knowledge to the position, joining the Sigma team from Capita. As part of her previous role, Sarah was involved in Urban Vision, a joint venture between Capita, Salford City Council and Galliford Try.

Sigma Capital Group is currently delivering 26 sites around Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Yorkshire, Cheshire and the Midlands, through its DifRent and Simple Life rental brands, which Sarah and Lee will be working across.

Lee said: “I was eager to move into a client-side project management role and Sigma seemed the perfect fit.”

Sarah said: “This is a great opportunity to further my career with a company that is leading and excelling in its field, providing high quality homes for young professionals and families around the UK.”

Matthew Townson, development director at Sigma Capital Group, said: “We have been steadily growing our team of professionals throughout the UK for the last three years, so we are delighted to welcome Lee and Sarah to Sigma.

“They bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, that will complement our existing team’s skills, and assist us in achieving further growth in the future.”

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Furness Building Society has appointed Alasdair McDonald as head of intermediaries.

He joins the society having previously been head of RBS Intermediary Partners. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has held leadership roles across three major UK banks.

Mr McDonald said “I’m looking forward to raising awareness of our wide offering amongst intermediaries and ensuring that brokers have a successful experience working with us throughout England Scotland and Wales.”

Sue Heron, marketing and sales director at Furness Building Society, said “I am delighted to welcome Alasdair to the society. His appointment demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our service proposition to support our broker network.

“With his proven ability and experience in the industry, Alasdair will be an asset and we all look forward to working with him.”

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Darren Jones, previously managing director of Himor and director of economic development at Oldham Council, has joined Manchester-based Nikal Group as development director.

Nikal co-founder and managing director, Nick Payne, said: “Darren brings to the team 30 years’ of private and public sector experience in regeneration, development and management.

“He will provide strategic advice, help deliver complex brownfield projects where we work in partnership with landowners, local planning authorities and community groups across the UK, and help us focus on expanding the activities of our homebuilder brand, Hillcrest Homes.”

On his new role, Mr Jones said: “I have known Nick for 35 years and greatly admired the achievements of the Nikal Group so was delighted when he asked me to come on board.

“I look forward to working closely with Nick and the Nikal and Hillcrest Homes teams to deliver some fantastic new projects.”

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Dentsu Aegis Network has announced the appointment of Rachel McDonald as managing director of its Northern UK business.

It represents the first time that Dentsu Aegis Network North has had a managing director.

In this new role, Rachel will oversee operations across four offices in the North of England and Scotland for key agency brands Carat, iProspect, Vizeum, Amplifi and Fetch.

Since joining the business in its previous guise as MediaVest in 2001, Rachel has played a pivotal role in the strong commercial and operational track record for Dentsu Aegis Network North.

Most recently as managing director of Carat Manchester, she oversaw an outstanding period of success recording sustained year-on-year growth while also building a diverse roster of clients that includes Halfords, Thomas Cook, Holland & Barratt and N Brown Group.

She will now lead the entire North business as it continues to drive growth and innovation for its clients, and report directly into Stef Calcraft, executive chairman, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland.

Chief operations officer John Mathieson, meanwhile, sees his role expanded and will work with Matthew Platts, chief executive of Media Brands, UK & Ireland, to drive greater integration across Dentsu Aegis Network North.

He will continue to help shape and implement the business’ products and services.

Rachel McDonald

Stef Calcraft said: “Our North business is a globally connected services operation, a centre of excellence across multiple disciplines and employs more than 600 people in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. I am delighted that Rachel and John will lead the company moving forward.”

Dave Lucas, chairman, Dentsu Aegis Network North, said: “Rachel has played a fundamental role in developing the innovative thinking and collaborative approach that is central to the success for our Northern business.”

Ms McDonald said: “Dentsu Aegis North has an undeniable entrepreneurial spirit, a hugely talented leadership team and continues to retain and attract the best talent in our industry.

“Our ambitions for growth are accelerating and I am confident and excited to lead the business through its next chapter and maintain our position as the largest agency group outside of London.”

Rachel starts her new role with immediate effect and will remain in charge of Carat Manchester while the recruitment process for her successor takes place.