People on the Move: Beyond Corporate; Operational Group; Matthews & Goodman; Malcolm Hollis; Ripe Insurance

Manchester law firm Beyond Corporate has further expanded its real estate division with the appointment of Elisabeth Williams in the role of director.

Previously legal director with TLT’s real estate group, she worked with Matt Fleetwood, managing partner of Beyond Corporate, when they were at boutique law firm Heatons.

Ms Williams is a commercial property specialist, highly regarded for her extensive expertise in retail, landlord and tenant, corporate support, utilities, telecommunications, development, banking and sales and acquisitions.

She studied at the University of Central England and the Inns of Court School of Law and has enjoyed a high-profile career with firms such as Hill Dickinson in Manchester and EAD Solicitors in Liverpool, where she was head of commercial property.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be working once again with my former colleagues,” she said. “It’s extremely exciting to be focusing primarily on entrepreneurial real estate clients, not only in the North West but also nationally.

“I believe that we have a unique offering here, one that clients and those in the industry recognise as being very special.”

James Flynn, who recently joined the business, added: “Our real estate division pipeline of work is in excellent health, as we work on various deals worth in excess of £500m, with more to come.

“Elisabeth’s appointment, together with other impending arrivals, gives us greater strength and depth, as together with Tom Orton and myself we offer a genuine alternative in the market place. Our ever-increasing client portfolio bears that out.”

In 2017, the Beyond Professional Services Group took a majority stake in corporate boutique law firm Atticus Legal and launched its Beyond Corporate brand.

Several months later the group added to its portfolio McAlister Family Law, the business led by highly respected child and family law specialist Amanda McAlister.

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Energy and environmental engineering specialist Operational Group has appointed Sean Martin as sales manager.

Operational Group, based at Daresbury Scientific Park, Cheshire, specialises in industrial energy reduction and re-use, and air pollution control solutions for industry and manufacturers, along with servicing and technical support services.

The group has 40 staff working for its UK and continental European companies.

Sean Martin, 36, has a wealth of engineering experience within thermal system optimisation.

Sean Martin

He has developed his skills and experience from being a time-served pipe fitter/welder to becoming a project manager and then sales manager, working for a number of UK and international heat recovery and energy specialists over the years.

Raised in Cheadle, Stockport, Sean attended Offerton High School. He then started his engineering career as an apprentice pipe fitter/welder for a company which designed, fabricated and installed waste heat economisers and carbon filtration systems.

Speaking about his new role, he said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting clients to discuss how we can provide added value to them.”

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National commercial property specialist Matthews & Goodman has appointed a new residential block manager to oversee its portfolio throughout Liverpool and the North West.

Pippa Burchnall brings almost 10 years’ experience and a deep knowledge of the residential market to the firm’s highly successful property management team. She will oversee the management of a wide variety of assets, including the prestigious Grade II-listed Albany building.

Her day-to-day remit will include liaising with residential management companies, attending and chairing AGMs, and liaising with contractors to manage repairs and maintenance for each site – to ensure that tenants enjoy a comfortable and safe environment and that landlords’ obligations are met, their liabilities are managed and their return on investment is optimised.

Pippa Burchnall

Speaking of her appointment she said: “It’s a great time to join Matthews & Goodman, not only because of its growing national reputation, but it’s also really cementing its position across the North West.

“The firm’s diverse client base will provide me with new challenges, but I’m excited by the prospect of tackling them head on and learning from the vast experience of my colleagues.

“My aim is to provide all clients with a service which enhances the value of their portfolio of properties.”

Tim Austin, head of Matthews & Goodman’s northern property management team, said: “Pippa has already proved to be a real asset to the company in such a short space of time.

“Given the fact that things can often turn very quickly from fairly simple jobs, into complex emotional issues, Pippa’s calm and measured manner will prove invaluable – to both clients and their tenants.”

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Independent commercial building consultancy Malcolm Hollis has appointed Paul Vane as associate in Manchester.

He joins from Tower Surveys and is a key addition to the firm’s measured surveys team in the North West.

Paul Vane

He brings more than 26 years’ of industry experience to his new role at Malcolm Hollis, including specialist knowledge of land, engineering and measured surveying.

Malcolm Hollis believe that Mr Vane’s leadership experience will further strengthen the company’s offering in these areas.

Paul Heyes, partner, Malcolm Hollis said: “Paul is a terrific addition to our team in Manchester as we continue to expand our measured surveys service in the North West.

“He has extensive experience in the surveying industry and has proven in previous roles the quality of his abilities.”

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Ripe Insurance, the Manchester-based InsurTech specialist behind some of the UK’s most successful niche insurance products, has appointed Sarah Jones to the new role of marketing director.

She joined Ripe, then known as The JRW Group, in 2015 and has been instrumental in building a talented team of digital, marketing and creative specialists around her.

With a strong background in digital marketing, Ms Jones previously held positions at Optionis Group, ACE European Group and The Warranty Group.

At Ripe she will head the 18-stong marketing team and be responsible for an annual budget of more than £2m.

Manchester-based Ripe, which employs 60 people, says it is disrupting the insurance sector with its use of cutting-edge technologies and a focus on digital marketing. The result is better products, competitive pricing and a quick online experience allowing customers to get a policy in just six clicks.

Sarah Jones

Commenting on her promotion Ms Jones said: “InsurTech is rapidly changing the way the insurance industry operates and I am looking forward to further developing our marketing strategies to take advantage of new digital and technological innovations. Ripe is a vibrant company with big plans so this is going to be an exciting role.”

John Woosey, Ripe Insurance managing director, said: “This is a well-deserved promotion. We are a marketing-led business so a strong lead in this role is of paramount importance for the future direction of the business. Her commitment and high standards have set an excellent example for her team to follow and under her direction, marketing will be a key driver in our future success and growth.”