People on the Move: Matthews & Goodman; Pareto Financial Planning; Lovell Homes; Distec; Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall

National commercial property specialist, Matthews & Goodman, has appointed Matt Blaydon, former head of Manchester building consultancy at GL Hearn, as a partner.

Based in Manchester, Blaydon, who has more than 15 years’ building consultancy experience, will be an integral part of a multi-disciplined team, advising the firm’s existing clients as well as new prospects.

He will provide building consultancy advice to organisations across the North West.

Matt said: “Matthews & Goodman is a long-established and well-respected brand, which is why I jumped at the chance to join the firm.

“There are two things which really excite me – working in a collaborative environment for clients which range from major brands to SMEs and, working for an independent company which puts the client front and centre in helping them mitigate risks, maximise value and achieve their real estate goals.”

John Owen, Matthews & Goodman’s head of building consultancy, added: “Matt’s experience, expertise and drive were a known commodity and the diversity of his experience will prove a significant advantage in growing our building consultancy team, both in terms of the advice we provide to clients, as well as counsel he will provide colleagues.”

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Pareto Financial Planning has strengthened its advisory team with the appointment of Alex Cummings.

Alex is a chartered financial planner and has joined Manchester-based Pareto from accountancy firm Wyatt Morris Golland in Rochdale, where he was a chartered adviser.

He began his financial services career in 2004 as an administrator and became a paraplanner in 2009.

In recent years he has worked as a financial adviser, with a focus on holistic financial planning, in particular retirement and estate planning.

In his new role Alex will be working from the offices of UHY Hacker Young in Manchester, advising its clients.

Alex Cummings

UHY Hacker Young is one of Pareto’s long-standing accountancy partners.

Alex said: “Pareto Financial Planning has an excellent reputation for being a forward-looking business which puts the client at the centre of everything it does.

“I’m delighted to join the company and look forward to working with the teams at Pareto and UHY Hacker Young and developing new client relationships.”

Pareto director Stuart Carswell said: “Alex has extensive experience working with accountancy practices and their clients, which will stand him in good stead in his new role with Pareto.

“We are delighted he has joined us. He’s a great addition to our growing advisory team.”

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After a decade of working at Lovell Homes, and with 25 years working in the housing industry, Simon Corbett has been promoted to field sales manager, covering sites in the North West region for the award-winning housebuilder.

As well as Simon’s 10-year tenure at Lovell Homes, he has a wealth of experience across the housing sector, starting out as a sales advisor at Allen Homes in 1993, working alongside his mum Chris Corbett, until he moved on to Morris Homes as PX Manager in 1998. He went back on site with Wimpey Homes in 2000, before joining Lovell Homes in 2008.

Simon’s new role will involve him overseeing Lovell’s Green Bank in Middleton, a site he spent time working on as a sales executive, as well as Minshull Way in Wirral and Joseph Williams Place in Liverpool with Compendium Living, a partnership between Lovell and Riverside Group.

Simon Corbett

He will also focus a lot of his attention on new development Oaktree Grange, in his home town of Preston.

Simon said: “I’m really looking forward to undertaking my new role as field sales manager and the challenges that will bring.”

Clare Noakes, regional sales director for Lovell North West, said: “Simon has been an invaluable member of the team for the past 10 years and brings a wealth of experience to the field sales manager role.

“Already well-versed in all our sites across the North West, he has taken up the new position just as we are about to launch Oaktree Grange in Clayton-le-Woods and we are looking forward to his input and local knowledge for this wonderful site.”

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Irlam-based healthcare technology solutions provider Distec has announced two new strategic hires as part of its growth plan.

Steve Ritchie joins as Southern sales manager, bringing with him more than 14 years’ experience in the industrial PC sector, including spells with big players Arbor and Nexcom.

His main role at Distec will be managing customer accounts and also driving new business with a specific focus on the South East of England.

Louise Knowles has also been recruited to the position of marketing manager, in charge of Distec’s full portfolio of online and offline marketing activities, based out of their headquarters in Manchester.

The new hires come off the back of Distec’s recent partnership with US-based Howard Medical, which exclusively brings their advanced medical cart technology to the UK and Ireland.

Adrian Swindells, director of Distec, said: “We’re very excited to welcome both Steve and Louise to Distec.

Adrian Swindells

“Steve brings with him a wealth of experience in both industrial computing and touch screen businesses and we’re particularly looking forward to our Southern customers having a local contact to assist and support them in their future projects.

“Louise’s experience in marketing will also be instrumental in driving our business forward, and we’re excited for the next chapter in the Distec journey.”

Steve Ritchie said: “I have always been interested in new technology and I am especially looking forward to sharing the latest developments in medical and industrial computing across the South-East.”

Louise Knowles added: “I’m looking forward to using my marketing experience and ideas to increase brand awareness and growth for Distec within the healthcare, industrial and digital signage markets.

“Distec is poised for growth in all these sectors and their innovative digital technology solutions are set to drive change and transform the way their customers work by improving efficiencies, productivity, communication and customer satisfaction.”

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Lancashire law firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has appointed Diane Matthews as a specialist legal executive in its family law team.

Diane, who is based across the firm’s Blackburn and Accrington offices, specialises in divorce and separation, including the dissolution of civil partnerships.

She is widely experienced in the complex legal field of dividing family business assets, resolving financial and property disputes for unmarried families, pre-nuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements.

She joins WHN from Watson Ramsbottom and will work closely with head of family law, David Connor. In addition, Diane has worked extensively on family law issues with Police Federation members and has specialist knowledge of this niche area.

David Connor, who is also a director at WHN Solicitors, said: “Diane is an accomplished and highly successful professional and I am sure she will play a key role in our ongoing growth strategy.

“She has broad experience in financial remedy proceedings, is committed to a non-confrontational approach, and provides constructive and sensible advice, so she’s well placed to drive WHN forward.”

Born and raised in Scotland, Diane moved to Lytham St Annes with her parents when she was 18. Her first job was as a legal secretary at a local firm of solicitors.

After qualifying as a legal executive in 1990, Diane went on to specialise in family law at a number of North West legal practices.

She took a career break in 2001 to look after her sons, Alex and Cameron, before resuming her legal career in 2012 and joining Watson Ramsbottom in 2016.

Diane said: “WHN is a firm with an impressive – and deserved – reputation, and I look forward to working with David to further develop the family team.”

Diane Matthews

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