People on the move: Irwin Mitchell; DSG; English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues; CMAC; St Modwen

The Manchester office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell has boosted the expertise within its specialist medical negligence team with the appointment of new Partner Kris Inskip.

Joining from Hilary Meredith Solicitors where he held the position of head of clinical negligence, Kris has a wealth of experience of acting in complex medical law cases ranging from those related to serious life-changing injuries to fatal claims.

He initially started his law career as a trainee at Pannone before progressing to partner level and then becoming the national head of clinical negligence at Slater and Gordon.

News of the appointment has come at time of major change for Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, which recently relocated from its base at Bauhaus on Quay Street to take up more than 33,000 sq ft of office space at One St Peter’s Square.

Kris’ arrival also comes shortly after Tim Rayner joined the office as a new partner in real estate litigation.

Lindsay Wise, a partner and head of medical negligence at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, said: “Kris’ wealth of experience in relation to medical negligence is sure to be a fantastic addition to the team as we continue to look to develop our offering.

“An appointment of this calibre also highlights how Irwin Mitchell remains committed to recruiting top talent and providing the best possible support to our clients.”

The most recent independent Legal 500 UK Guide and Chambers UK Guides to the best lawyers in the country ranked Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester medical negligence team as number one in the region.

Kris was listed as a ‘leading individual’ within the Legal 500 UK Guide. He said: “Irwin Mitchell has a huge reputation within the field of medical negligence work and I am delighted to have been able to join the firm.

“I have received a really warm welcome from everyone at the Manchester office and I cannot wait to get started. The firm’s commitment to client care was a major draw to me and I hope my own skills will help the team take its service to a whole new level.”

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Murray McLean has recently joined DSG, one of Liverpool’s leading independent accounting practices, after spending 13 years working with another local firm.

He joins DSG’s 12-strong tax department currently working under head of tax, Mike Stott.

Mike said: “We are delighted to welcome Murray to the DSG team. His wealth of experience in advising owner-managed businesses and knowledge of the local market place will be invaluable to both my team and the wider firm.”

Murray McLean

Murray has expertise in both personal and corporate tax matters and will work closely with DSG’s clients, advising them on areas such as personal tax planning, shareholder exit strategies and remuneration planning.

He also has significant experience of advising professional partnerships, particularly the legal and medical professions.

Murray said: “I’m tremendously excited to be joining such a well-respected team and to be working closely with my new clients and colleagues. This is an exciting time for DSG and I’m looking forward to playing my part in delivering the firm’s ambitious growth strategy.”

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A North West hotel group has appointed a new director to its board to help develop its business across its five venues in Cumbria and North Lancashire.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has appointed Ben Berry as the group’s new sales and purchasing director, representing the third generation of the Berry family to serve on the company’s board.

Mr Berry has worked for the hotel group as an executive since 2011 and prior to that held various posts across its venues, including roles in sales, reservations and the health club and watersports centre at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, now the Lake District’s first luxury resort hotel.

He has also worked in the retail sector for both Booths in Windermere and All:Sports in Kendal and is a local councillor.

Ben Berry, right, with father Simon

Mr Berry said: “It’s a fantastic honour to be asked to become sales and purchasing director and I feel proud and privileged that the board has the faith in my abilities, insight and skill-set to make the appointment.

“I’m looking forward to the new role and working together with the board to develop activities and opportunities across our venues.”

The hotel group has been in the Berry family for more than 60 years, with Ben’s father Simon at the helm as managing director. Ben also joins his uncle, Tim Berry, as a director to mark the third generation of the family to join the board.

Douglas Dale, a fellow director who worked with Ben’s grandfather, says: “We are thrilled that Ben has joined the board. He is a superb advocate for the group and his appointment reflects his hard work, commitment and dedication.

“His experience of working across the group will also be an invaluable asset in both our current operations and our future planning.”

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CMAC Group, the ground transport and accommodation company, has announced the appointment of Denis Wormwell as chairman.

He was previously CEO of Shearings Leisure Group, the specialist operator of escorted tours and leisure hotels.

After joining the business in 2007, he led a buyout of the group in 2014 before successfully selling in 2016.

Before Shearings, he held various senior roles including CEO of National Express.

Prior to joining National Express, Denis also held senior roles at Club 18-30 Holidays, Flying Colours Leisure Group and Thomas Cook.

He is also Chairman of Visit England and a non-executive director of the British Tourist Authority.

CMAC, based in Accrington, provides round-the-clock pre-planned and emergency ground transport and accommodation solutions, arranging over one million coach, minibus and taxi journeys per year to its customers.

The privately-owned company, formed in 2007, is one of the UK’s fastest growing transport and accommodation services providers.

Denis Wormwell

Steve Turner, CMAC chief executive, said Denis would bring valuable experience from across ground transport, tour operations and the hotel industries to the group.

He said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Denis to CMAC. His experience and knowledge will be vital at a time of rapid growth at CMAC and will ensure that we remain fully focused in all our business areas as we continue to expand. We look forward to working with him.”

Denis Wormwell said: “I’m delighted to be joining CMAC at such an exciting time for the business. They have a great team, fantastic technology and have grown to be one of the leading travel solutions businesses in the UK. They have ambitious plans for the future and I am looking forward to being part of the next stage of their journey.”

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Developer St Modwen has appointed a new town centre manager in Wythenshawe, strengthening the operational management of the popular town centre.

Daniel Davis has more than 10 years’ experience of retail and centre management and has managed three local retail centres, including Crownpoint shopping park in Denton and Elk Mill shopping park in Oldham, during his previous role for Broadgate Estates.

In his new role Daniel will lead on the operational management of the town centre working alongside retailers and other occupiers, as well as supporting St Modwen with the further development of the town centre.

He will be responsible for managing the day-to-day running of Wythenshawe town centre, which boasts 88,000 sq ft of office space and 360,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space currently leased to 90 tenants, including Asda, Boots and Argos.

Over the coming months, Daniel will work with a range of partners to cement Wythenshawe’s status as a great place for shopping and working. He will also focus on enhancing the visitor experience, growing the shopping centre’s customer base and organising family events and entertainment.

Daniel Davis

Daniel said: “St Modwen has an excellent reputation for managing successful town centres so I’m thrilled to be joining the team. I’m looking forward to meeting old and new customers and retailers over the coming months.

“There is a real opportunity for the town centre to thrive and I’m really looking forward to working with the local community and St Modwen in Wythenshawe.”

Paul Brustad, senior asset manager at St Modwen, said: “We are pleased to welcome Daniel to our Wythenshawe town centre team.

“He brings with him years of retail experience and knowledge which will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the town centre. Daniel will play a pivotal role in engaging with the local community and breathing new life into the town centre.”