People on the Move: Giraffe Event Solutions; Forbes Solicitors; Cowgills; Far East Consortium; LateRooms.com

Manchester-based Giraffe Event Solutions has appointed a new managing director as part of an aggressive growth strategy.

Andrew Wright has taken the helm and wasted no time, having already relocated the business to a newly-refurbished 4,000 sq ft office and created two new positions within the team.

The company has also revealed a new evolution of its branding, website and social media to best represent the contemporary agency.

Giraffe Event Solutions was established in 2014 by Kat Farys following a successful career in event management at The Principal and at other event agencies.

The agency provided event management services and has since expanded to offer event and venue décor, venue finding and floristry services.

Existing and previous clients include BT, Barclays, TUI and Bupa.

“Handing over the reins was an easy decision. It allows me to focus even more on clients as head of events & creative and I’m confident that Andrew can significantly grow the business,” said Kat Farys.

Andrew brings senior management experience from the fashion sector and has a background in events management.

He said: “Giraffe Event Solutions is already a leading agency in the North West, and there’s a huge opportunity to expand further to support more clients and create more jobs in the region.”

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Forbes Solicitors has added to its successful dispute resolution department with the appointment of associate solicitor Stephen McArdle.

Stephen, who is based in the firm’s Central Lancashire office at Oak House, Walton Summit, is an experienced associate having qualified as a solicitor in 2007.

He specialises in commercial litigation with particular emphasis on commercial property and land-related disputes, an area which he leads on for the firm.

Stephen handles cases in the County Court, the High Court and the Land Tribunal and is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

Stephen McArdle

He represents a broad range of clients including businesses, commercial landlords, managing agents, property developers, insurers, public bodies, local authorities and charities.

Stephen is a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 2017 where it is noted that his “excellent advice gets straight to the real nub of disputes”.

Stephen said: “Joining Forbes at this time represents a great opportunity. The quality of work and the firm’s reputation is well known and I am delighted to be joining such a great team.”

Tom Smith, partner and head of dispute resolution for Forbes, said: “We are delighted to have Stephen as part of our team and we continue to enhance our growing reputation in dispute resolution.

“Stephen is a valuable and well-respected addition to the department and will be a great figurehead for our growing commercial property litigation team.”

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Accountancy and advisory firm, Cowgills, has welcomed seven new starters this month.

Graduates Sadiyah Davda, Zahra Davda, Saira Ahmad, James Bradshaw and Claudia Harrison have joined the Bolton-based company and will be working across all divisions over the two-year graduate training scheme.

In addition, trainees, Jake Bradley and Charles Shaw have also joined the firm from Runshaw College and Bolton School, respectively.

Commenting on the appointments, partner, Lisa Wilson, said: “As a growing, dynamic business we are continually developing our team by recruiting the highest calibre of apprentices and graduates.

“This year we were overwhelmed with applicants from across the North West and have, therefore, been able to strengthen our teams with some of the brightest and best talent.”

From left: Charles Shaw, Zahra Davda, James Bradshaw, Sadiyah Davda, Saira Ahmad, Jake Bradley and Claudia Harrison

She added: “We value our trainees, not just because they represent the future of our business, but because they bring a fresh new perspective which challenges how we manage our business and shapes how we evolve in the future.

“We look forward to developing with them as they begin their careers in accountancy, tax and business recovery.”

Cowgills also runs the Future Stars programme with Bolton School which offers two pupils work experience each year.

Having run the initiative for the past three years the first of the Future Stars will be graduating next year and it is hoped they will take up roles with Cowgills or other leading accountancy practices in the region.

Graduate Claudia Harrison added: “After finishing my degree I was looking for a graduate programme that would give me hands-on experience with the personal support that is crucial at the start of a career.

“Having met with the team and partners I knew Cowgills was the right choice. They run an established graduate scheme with a proven track record of investing in staff and offer plenty of opportunities to develop and progress in their career.

“I’m very excited to have this opportunity to train with one of the leading accountancy firms in the region.”

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Far East Consortium (FEC) International’s Manchester office has appointed a new construction director.

Simon Adams has more than 25 years’ experience, having previously been employed in project management and director roles on a range of different schemes for John Sisk & Son, Barratt London, and Carillion.

During his time at these companies he oversaw work on projects valued at more than £275m.

Prior to these roles Simon also served as a project manager in the British Army Royal Engineers for 13 years, and saw service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition, he also managed projects for the Royal Engineers in Canada, Norway, Oman, Qatar and the UK.

Simon Adams

Simon is now overseeing progress on FEC’s £200m residential development at MeadowSide in Manchester.

The exciting new scheme will comprise 756 new homes for sale across four buildings, which will border Angel Meadow Park, one of the city’s largest open green spaces.

Angel Meadow forms a key part of the city centre’s 20-acres NOMA neighbourhood, which sits on the doorstep of Victoria station.

The MeadowSide project spearheads the transformational plans for the Northern Gateway, FEC’s investment partnership with Manchester City Council, which plans to deliver 15,000 homes across North Manchester over the next 15 years.

Gavin Taylor, regional general manager at Far East Consortium, said: “Simon has a fantastic level of construction experience, working on some high-value projects, both in the UK and overseas thanks to his many years of service with the British Army.

“We are always looking to strengthen our ranks at FEC, and we are delighted to have someone of Simon’s calibre leading construction on FEC’s projects in Manchester.”

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Manchester-based LateRooms.com Business has announced the appointment of Damian Farrell as its new senior corporate account manager.

Damian joins LateRooms.com Business in a newly-created role to lead the account management team, and will work on expanding the brand’s presence as a key player in corporate travel.

Previously, Damian worked at Capita Travel and Events for eight years and more recently in senior roles at ABC Connection, Kew Green Hotels and Conferma.

Damian Farrell

Damian said: “This is a very exciting time to join LateRooms.com Business.

“The brand is growing at an enviable rate. I very much look forward to developing their customer base and working with one of the best corporate travel teams in the industry.”

Graeme Descoteaux, head of corporate, added: “Damian’s appointment is a reflection of our commitment to employing the best talent in account management.

“With over 20 years’ travel industry experience, Damian has a solid record in bringing new clients, customer retention and delivering profit through strategic engagement with customers.”