People on the move: Intelligent Conversation; Buttress; Positive Cashflow Finance; Suresite; McAlister Family Law

Fritzi Wemheuer, left, and Kate Jones

As it starts its 10th year in business, Intelligent Conversation has announced that Kate Jones and Fritzi Wemheuer will take on the day-to-day running of the agency as managing director and deputy managing director.

Agency founder Libby Howard will oversee the company as chief executive.

The changes herald a new era for the multi award-winning PR & communications agency, which was established in 2009 and is now a £1.3m turnover business with a heavyweight UK and global client list.

Clients include Synectics, EMIS Group, Brother International Europe and Belgium-headquartered 3D printing pioneer Materialise.

Recent client wins include Eddie Stobart Logistics, Denmark-based DISA – part of the Norican Group – and Swiss-headquartered global IT solutions provider Ascom.

The new appointments were made from within the 14-strong Manchester-based team.

Kate Jones has worked with the business since its inception and Fritzi Wemheuer joined from international b2b agency Gyro in 2012.

Kate Jones said: “The experience and expertise of our team is IC’s core strength and continues to attract new clients from across the UK and internationally. It is fantastic to be part of the success to date and now to drive the future growth of the business.”

Libby Howard said: “Our ethos has always been to develop and reward our team, so it is particularly pleasing to promote two such talented people who have grown with the business.

“I look forward to working closely with Kate, Fritzi and the whole team as we take the agency to new levels of success. We have some interesting development plans that this new structure will help us to deliver.”

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Architects practice Buttress has strengthened its heritage consultancy offer with the promotion of Jenna Johnston to senior heritage consultant.

Jenna joined Buttress in 2015 and has since played an integral role in the development of the Manchester practice’s heritage consultancy service line, advising on significant heritage and conservation projects.

This includes, providing conservation expertise on the restoration of the Grade II-listed Wythenshawe Hall, which was damaged by fire in March 2016, and delivering heritage advice on the development of sites for the easyHotel group.

Jenna Johnston

She has also supported grant funding applications for clients including Leighton House Museum in London and Burnley Borough Council.

As senior heritage consultant, Jenna’s role will be to lead and drive the expansion of the practice’s consultancy branch.

Gavin Sorby, managing director at Buttress, said: “During her time at Buttress, Jenna has made a considerable contribution to the practice, from supporting our own architectural projects to assisting a range of businesses with specialist heritage consultancy advice.

“We are delighted to reward Jenna’s hard work and success with this promotion and we look forward to seeing her grow the consultancy service over the coming years.”

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Manchester-based Positive Cashflow Finance, which provides invoice finance for small and medium-sized businesses, has expanded its senior sales team with the appointment of a new business development manager for the North West.

Bringing 10 years’ experience in financial services, Marcus Wright has previously held positions at Santander, where he was a business banking manager, and Euler Hermes, the world’s biggest credit insurer.

He said: “Having already worked with businesses across many sectors in the North West I know there are some fantastic companies out there that need funding to grow and develop.

“Positive is known for looking at the bigger picture and helping businesses with more complex needs – it’s this level of personal service that I’ve been keen to provide, so it was the perfect opportunity.”

The boutique finance provider has also appointed Danielle Winfield as regional sales director to expand its client base across Yorkshire, identifying viable business opportunities, both with SMEs directly and via intermediaries.

Danielle said: “Positive has a fantastic reputation in the market and what really appealed to me was their common-sense, tailored approach to lending, with an emphasis on creating a working capital solution that’s tailored specifically to the client’s needs.”

Danielle Winfield and Marcus Wright

Positive Cashflow Finance offers invoice facilities ranging from £10,000 to £1m to owner-managed businesses. The company was acquired by 1pm plc in June 2017. AIM-listed 1pm provides funding against both hard and soft assets, as well as invoice finance and traditional business loans.

Phil Chesham, sales and marketing director at Positive Cashflow Finance, said: “We’re thrilled to have welcomed Marcus and Danielle to the team. Their impressive skills and contacts will be a welcome addition and will no doubt help us expand our operations across the North West and Yorkshire.”

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Janine Wilson has been appointed HR manager at Preston retail services company Suresite.

Previously she was HR manager for a Preston-based group of family-owned horticultural businesses, including Lovania and Seiont Nurseries.

Prior to that, Janine held HR roles with retailer Malatan and shipping firm Atlantic Container Line.

Janine Wilson

With a Masters degree in HR Management, Janine is also CIPD-accredited to level 7.

She said: “I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the business and to help the board continue to align its HR strategy with business strategy”.

Managing director Nick Healy said: “Janine is an enthusiastic and experienced new member of the Suresite team and we are confident she will achieve great things.”

Suresite, an employer of 49 staff, was launched in Preston by company chair Geoff Oldham in 1994. Its services include payment card processing, wetstock management and health and safety assessment and training.

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Manchester and Alderley Edge-based McAlister Family Law has boosted its team with the recruitment of solicitor Paul Reay, an acknowledged expert in the complex field of military divorce.

Reay was previously head of the family law division Hilary Meredith Solicitors, widely regarded as the military’s go-to law firm.

He has dealt with a wide variety of cases for those who are either currently serving, or have served, in the Armed Forces, and has excellent working relationships with military charities and support organisations.

Reay said: “I was particularly drawn to the firm by the quality of people that make up such a dynamic team, as well as being excited by the swift growth and development of the business in such a short space of time. This is a firm that is a game-changer.”

He has worked extensively with Armed Forces personnel with particular reference to the Children Act. Many military personnel are required to relocate around the world and there are significant implications for the children of military families when parents are divorcing, or if one half of a military family returns to civilian life.

Amanda McAlister, founder and managing partner, said: “Paul is a perfect fit for the McAlister Family Law team. He’s an experienced solicitor with enviable expertise in a niche area of family law, he knows the region well and he is focused and determined. We’re thrilled he’s now part of the firm.”

McAlister Family Law is part of Beyond Professional Services Group.

Amanda McAlister and Paul Reay

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