People on the move: Lowry Hotel; Hampton by Hilton; Kuits; Christie & Co; Hill Dickinson

After the sale of Manchester’s five-star Lowry Hotel last year to Singapore-based CDL Hospitality Trusts, the hotel is continuing to thrive with four new additions to their sales team.

Newly appointed to the team are Matthew Miller as group sales manager, Thomas Ansbro as sales manager, Adele Goddard as corporate sales manager and Abigail Moffat as sales research coordinator – all bringing with them a wealth of experience in the hospitality and sales sector.

Matthew Miller, who is joining the hotel from Hotel Gotham, will use his 23-years’ experience working in the sales sector to source and secure sales opportunities and ensure sustained success plus demand for The Lowry Hotel’s high-quality services.

With six years’ experience Adele Goddard will be tasked with developing and managing key corporate accounts.

Prior to joining The Lowry Hotel, Adele spent a year working at the Oulton Hall Resort Hotel, which included devising and implementing the hotel’s sales plan.

Thomas Ansbro was previously responsible for overseeing all proactive and reactive activity of the 148-bedroom Marriott Victoria and Albert Hotel.

Abigail Moffat started at The Lowry Hotel in January 2017 as the food and beveragecordinator. Abigail’s consumer-facing background is key for the task of building business relationships and generating sales leads.

The team will be joining director of sales, Scott Brown, who previously worked as the national account manager at The Marriot Group and joined the hotel in June of last year. The quintet will work together to maximize revenue opportunities across all functions.

Scott said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming four new members to the sales team as they all bring with them a wealth of experience, fresh ideas and passion to add to the continued success of the hotel.

“The new appointments aim to achieve revenue goals, drive profit and build brand awareness for the Lowry Hotel.”

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One of Blackpool’s newest hotels has confirmed the appointment of its general manager.

Beverley Smith is the manager of the new Hampton by Hilton hotel after it officially opened its doors in May.

Boasting a wealth of experience throughout the industry, Beverley most recently worked as general manager at IHG Manchester East and has also worked in senior roles at Travelodge.

Beverley Smith

The hotel has made another key appointment with Stacey deRome joining as sales manager. Local to Blackpool, Stacey previously worked for Marriott Hotels as events and sales manager and has also held roles at Revolution Blackpool and Ribby Hall Village.

Gill Mathison, director of Create Group, which owns the hotel and is responsible for renovating the site, said: “The duo complete the senior management team and they come with a wealth of experience in the industry.

“We’re sure that their qualities will help make Hampton by Hilton Blackpool the best hotel in the resort.”
Situated on South Promenade, the new Hampton by Hilton has 130 rooms, along with a fitness centre and work-zone, complete with views of the characterful Blackpool seafront.

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Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has promoted 11 of its most promising lawyers.

The news comes shortly after the firm announced it has exceeded its growth targets set for 2017/18 and celebrated being named a finalist for Independent Firm of the Year in The Lawyer Awards.

The firm now employs 200 team members at its city centre offices and has an annual turnover exceeding £13m.

Head of construction, Ben Connor, whose team provides a comprehensive advisory service for private developers, contractors and sub-contractors, becomes the firm’s 33rd partner.

The Kuits promotions

Helen Mather, from the corporate team has been promoted to senior associate, as has commercial property lawyer Tim Arkwright and family lawyer Michael Gregory.

The family team also sees Madelaine Hailey promoted to associate, alongside banking lawyer Olinda Auty and residential property lawyer Keith Cornell.

The promotions round also recognises the outstanding performance of the firm’s litigation team, which has seen growth across its property and shareholder dispute specialisms, with the promotions to associate of Rebecca Jones, Sharon Kelly, Kate Parrish and Vanessa Stuart.

Managing partner Steve Eccleston said: “It’s extremely pleasing to be able to recognise the achievements of these 11 individuals over the last year, and reward their commitment and belief that Kuits is a firm where their careers can continue to flourish.

“In order to service our client base of SMEs and entrepreneurs by providing trusted legal and commercial advice, we take the development of our talent very seriously. This latest promotions round will no doubt add further confidence that clients are working with commercially astute lawyers that both know and understand their business.”

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Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has appointed Olivia Allison as business agent to its dental team in Manchester as the dental sector continues to experience positive growth across the UK.

Olivia joins Christie & Co from Bridgfords, a subsidiary of Countrywide Plc, where she worked as a senior sales negotiator and valuer in residential markets across Newcastle and South Manchester.

Olivia’s skills and previous experience in the residential sector will benefit her new role, where she will be responsible for the sale and acquisition of practices across the North of England and Wales.

Olivia Allison

She said: “I have always strived to achieve the best possible outcome for my clients.

“I am now aspiring to further develop my negotiating and property valuation skills in the commercial property sector and am excited to work for such a diverse company.”

Simon Hughes, managing director-medical, said: “Over the last two years, we have seen a huge increase in activity in the dental sector across the North of England and Wales.

“This is only set to continue and we have identified Manchester as a key area for expansion. Olivia will be a very valuable asset to the team and we are delighted to welcome her on board.”

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Commercial law firm Hill Dickinson has announced its 2018 senior promotions with six made up to partner and a further 10 promoted to legal director.

The promotions are split across the firm’s three core business groups with eight in business services, four in health and four in marine, trade and energy.

Six have been promoted in the firm’s Liverpool office, five in Manchester, four in London and one in Singapore.

Of the 16 promoted, more than 50% are female, including five promoted to partner.

In the firm’s Liverpool headquarters, health litigation lawyer Joanne Hughes and healthcare property lawyer Amanda Hurst have been promoted to partner alongside construction lawyer Tricia Morrison, while Joanna Crichton (healthcare), Charlotte Caldwell (employment NHS) and Daniel Keating (commercial litigation) have been promoted to legal director.

In Manchester, Sharon Williamson in commercial litigation has been promoted to partner and Paul Allerston (health), Rachel Spink (employment NHS), Richard Palmer (commercial litigation) and David Herbert (property) have been promoted to legal director.

Across the business, a further two have been promoted to partner and three to legal director.

In addition,16 associates were also promoted to senior associate back in November.

Peter Jackson

Speaking on the appointments, chief executive Peter Jackson, said: “At Hill Dickinson, we place great emphasis on technical excellence and outstanding client care and those promoted have displayed these qualities in abundance during their time at the firm.

“It’s also particularly pleasing to see five of the six made up to partner are women, demonstrating our commitment to the development of senior women within the firm as part of our diversity and inclusion programme of activity.

“We wish all those promoted the best of luck as they take the next step in their careers.”

The promotions follow the announcement that corporate partner Matt Noon has been appointed to the firm’s board.