People on the Move: Anwyl Homes; Pelican Communications; Black Cat Building Consultancy; Savills; Davis Blank Furniss

Anwyl Homes has strengthened its head office team at Ewloe, near Chester, with a trio of appointments, including two directors and one manager.

Alex Wigfield, who previously worked for Bellway Homes, has been appointed land director. He is tasked with acquiring land and securing residential planning permission to enable the development of high-quality new-build homes in desirable locations across the North West.

It is Alex’s responsibility to ensure the division has a suitable forward land supply position, allowing the company’s growth strategy to be attained.

He said: “Joining a privately-owned and progressive family company with ambitious aspirations is such a privilege and I am looking forward to furthering my career at Anwyl Homes.”

John Daglish joins the housebuilder as commercial director responsible for the cost of each and every property at all new developments once Anwyl Homes has acquired land.

Working with a team of surveyors, buyers and administrators, John is fully supported as he strives to achieve his objectives of controlling costs, assisting with accurate forecasting, helping to identify and manage risks, as well as maximise opportunities.

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining Anwyl Homes. Before starting they struck me as a positive, progressive, thoughtful developer and having got here I haven’t been disappointed. They demonstrate the ambition of a plc whilst retaining a caring family business attitude.”

Completing the trio is Gemma Thompson, who joins Anwyl Homes as customer care manager tasked with ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the customer care department, supporting the team as it looks after all Anwyl customers.

Phil Dolan, operations director, said: “As the company continues to expand we are committed to supporting this growth by carefully selecting our new recruits, ensuring we have the very best person for every role.

“Alex, John and Gemma all have extensive experience and knowledge of the property industry and bring valuable qualities and skill sets to the business. I’d like to welcome them to Anwyl Homes, it is great to have them as part of the team, and I am confident they will excel in their new roles.”

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Sarah Taylor-Jones has joined Pelican Communications in the newly-created role of client services director.

Sarah, 49, joins the Saddleworth-based marketing consultancy from Shell UK Oil Products, where she was the marketing and reseller lead for the past three years.

Prior to this Sarah held senior marketing and strategy positions with a range of large corporations including AT&T, Premier Farnell, Dun & Bradstreet, HP/Agilent Technologies and DHL.

Sarah Taylor-Jones

Sarah said: “I will be applying my knowledge and insight to lead the delivery of commercially-driven end-to-end marketing, communications and PR campaigns for our existing clients as well as playing a key role in attracting new clients.

“Having spent 25 years client-side, I believe I have a unique insight into the role and support B2B clients are really looking for in their agencies and this will help shape the way we work with our existing and future clients.”

Managing director Michael Bennett said: “We’re delighted that Sarah has chosen to join our team.

“Her track record in developing and delivering integrated, insight-driven marketing strategies and multi-channel campaigns that accelerate sales will prove a major asset to our clients.”

Pelican specialises in supporting clients in the food chain, environment and outdoor and leisure sectors.

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Manchester-based Black Cat Building Consultancy has announced further growth in the South of England with the appointment of Lisa Fone as director in its Bristol Office.

Lisa joins from JLL where key clients included Legal and General, Aberdeen Standard, IPIF and Aviva Investors.

Oliver Folkes, director in the Bristol Office, said: “With the addition of Lisa to the Black Cat team we are joined by a well-established building surveyor with an excellent track record and client following.

Lisa Fone and Oliver Folkes

“She is one of the big hitters in the Bristol commercial surveying market and her joining Black Cat means exciting times ahead.”

Oliver added: “The Bristol office is expanding further with the appointment of Elizabeth Exley as team administrator to the office.

“Liz brings with her a wealth of experience, having worked in various capacities at DAS in Bristol over the last 14 years.”

Black Cat was formed in 2015 and operates out of offices in Manchester and Bristol.

The company employs 13 people and undertakes building surveying and project management work across the UK for a number of national and international investor and occupier clients.

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Real estate advisor Savills has grown its UK occupier services team further with the appointment of director, Mark Walsh at the firm’s Manchester office.

Having previously been head of office for both Cushman & Wakefield and Gerald Eve in Manchester, Mark has more than 24 years’ experience in the industry, most recently with his own consultancy business.

With specific expertise in advising corporate occupiers on the strategy and optimisation of their real estate portfolios, Mark will work within the corporate account management team (CAM) at Savills establishing a presence for this area of the business in Manchester.

Mark said: “It is a very interesting time in the market for occupiers, particularly corporates who may be looking to manage their portfolios in order to ensure they are performing in line with their overall business strategy. I am very pleased to join the Savills team and am looking forward to working with the wider national and international network.”

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Law firm Davis Blank Furniss has appointed Brigid O’Malley as a solicitor in its family team.

Brigid will be based at the firm’s headquarters in Manchester but will also handle cases out of its Glossop office.

Her new role will see her acting on behalf of clients seeking advice and assistance in relation to family matters, including divorce, civil partnership dissolution, nullity, domestic abuse, financial proceedings and children proceedings.

She will be working closely with Caroline Bilous, partner and head of the family team.

Brigid studied Law at Leeds Metropolitan University. She graduated in 2009, and completed her LPC at the College of Law in Chester in 2010 where she gained a distinction.

She qualified in October 2014 and has previously worked at Bell Lamb & Joynson and Makin Dixon Solicitors. She has joined Davis Blank Furniss from WTB Solicitors.

Brigid O’Malley

Caroline Bilous said: “I have previously worked with Brigid so I know she is a talented and compassionate lawyer.

“She brings with her some fantastic experience and a caring approach to her work, which I know will benefit our clients.”

Brigid added: “Davis Blank Furniss prides itself on putting its clients first, which is important to me.

“I have worked with Caroline before, and know we make a great team, so I was really excited at the prospect of working together again.”