People on the Move: Maguire Family Law; Social Republic; Vincents Solicitors; Telcom Group; Working Links

Wilmslow-headquartered niche family law practice, Maguire Family Law, has promoted three of its senior female solicitors to partner.

Between them Lisa Brown, Denise Moran and Jennifer Curtis have more than 30 years’ experience, and their promotions come as the firm looks to expand in 2019.

James Maguire, managing director, said: “I’m very happy to be announcing the promotions of Lisa, Denise and Jennifer to partner.

“Their individual and collective contributions to the firm cannot be underestimated and I’m pleased to be able to reward them through promotion.

“Not only do they all work extremely hard, but our new partners are held in very high regard by our clients.

“Family law matters require sensitivity and empathy, and whilst they bring their own personalities to each matter, Lisa, Denise and Jennifer understand exactly what is needed during an often tough time in our clients’ lives.”

Newly-promoted partner Jennifer Curtis said: “It is wonderful for the three of us to have had our hard work recognised and rewarded, and it is exciting to be able to support the business as it continues to expand.

“2018 has been a great year so far, and we are all looking forward to settling into our new roles as we prepare for a busy 2019.”

2018 has seen Maguire Family Law increase turnover by 26%, growing from a team of eight to 16.

The firm was also crowned Team of the Year at the North Cheshire Business Awards, and shortlisted for Family Law Firm of the Year (North) at the Family Law Awards, Family Law Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards.

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Former Cube3 digital marketing director, Clair Heaviside, has joined the Manchester office of social media agency, Social Republic.

Clair joins the global agency as strategy director and will work alongside chief executive Rob Illidge on client and internal strategies.

At her former agency Clair worked with Revolution Bars Group, Merlin Entertainment and Urban Bubble, among a range of B2B and B2C clients.

In her new non-executive role at Social Republic Clair will focus on developing creative campaigns for new and existing clients while leading the strategy direction for the agency, including its New York division.

She will continue to work with her own portfolio of clients, including a mix of premium hospitality, retail and global brands.

Rob Illidge said: “It’s an honour to have someone with Clair’s experience, creative flair and passion joining the team.

Rob Illidge and Clair Heaviside

“Her senior experience at agency level will be an invaluable asset to us, with her sharing my vision of growing an agency that genuinely offers brands a unique approach to campaigns.”

Clair added: “The vision of the Social Republic team is unique and inspiring.

“They have captured and delivered a way of working that aligns with the needs of modern businesses.

“And they are not afraid to push the boundaries of creativity. I am looking forward to working with Rob to drive the agency forward in this exciting period of international growth.”

This appointment follows the recent opening of Social Republic’s New York office, having already been supported in Manchester by the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator.

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Lancashire law firm Vincents Solicitors has recruited a new private client lawyer to its Penwortham office.

Victoria Hill joins from AWB Charlesworth in Yorkshire, and will be providing expert advice on issues such as wills and probate, estate administration, deeds of variation, and lasting powers of attorney for property and finances, health, welfare and businesses.

A solicitor with more than a decade of experience of private client work, Victoria focuses on working primarily with older clients.

Happy to make home or hospital visits when needed, she is also trained in dementia awareness and provides a specialist service to vulnerable people.

Her arrival at Vincents boosts the capacity of the Penwortham office, providing a dedicated in-house private client solicitor to support the local community.

Victoria Hill

It also completes the branch recruitment for the private client team firm-wide, ensuring each can cater for the full range of services: private client, residential conveyancing and family law.

Victoria said: “My main focus is client care and it is important that people are not simply well advised, but that they are treated respectfully and sympathetically and with patience.

“I like to have satisfied clients and to respond to their individual needs. If they are housebound or in hospital, or simply more comfortable having difficult conversations in the comfort of their own home, then that is where we will meet.

“As lawyers, we should always give people the time they need to ask all the questions they have, and fully understand the details of their instruction.

“The more we get to know our clients, the better we can advise and achieve the results they are looking for.

“The private client team at Vincents very much embodies this ethos, and I’m delighted to be joining them.

“I’m pleased to be here in Penwortham providing a service for this community which I think is much-needed as we have people stopping by every day. Hopefully I can build on this and further develop our links within the community.”

Victoria joins James Yates and Eamonn Wright, both commercial property and residential conveyancing solicitors, with four further support staff, at the Penwortham office in Liverpool Road.

Chris Mathews, head of private client services at Vincents, said: “Victoria offered us an appealing combination of knowledge, professionalism and a sympathetic demeanour, and has a reputation for providing her clients with an exceptional level of service.

“We are pleased to welcome her to Vincents and to have expanded our Penwortham team to include a dedicated private client solicitor in the heart of the town’s high street, to offer our services direct to the local community.”

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Telcom Group has announced several key appointments to strengthen its non-executive board of directors as it enters an exciting phase in the company’s evolution.

Christopher Baldock is appointed as group chairman.

Chris is a highly experienced executive in the telecommunications and IT sector. He is currently chairman of unified communications company Qunifi, SMB IT specialist Simply Mail Solutions, online teaching company Tute education, Robotics EdTech business CBIS education and non-executive director of hotel and leisure IT specialist QDOS SBL.

Chris is also an operating partner in leading law firm gunnercooke.

He is joined by Mike Blackburn who has extensive experience in the telecommunications industry and is currently chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership.

Shaun Gibson, left, and Doug Ward

David Lathwood, lead director for Jones Lang LaSalle North West and John Ogden, managing director of CBRE (North).

Doug Ward and Shaun Gibson co-CEO’s of Telcom Group, said: “We are excited that we have been able to attract talent of this calibre to enhance our company.

“With such a wide breadth of skills joining the team we are excited for our next stage of growth.

“With a strong senior leadership team and an established board, the group is able to assert considerable momentum in delivering the vision to change the country’s internet.”

They added: “Chris joins Telcom Group as we enter our next era of development and with experience in both corporate and small businesses on a national and international scale, he is perfectly placed to lead and mentor the group on our upward trajectory.

“We are also very pleased to welcome Mike, David and John on board as widely recognised key figureheads in property, telecommunications and investment.

“To have their industry knowledge and experience at our disposal will provide significant enhancement to the roll out of Node across the UK and internationally, and provide vital support and resources to the senior leadership team.”

Chris Baldock said: “I am very excited to be joining Telcom at what is an important period in its development.

“As a technology and telecoms company Telcom has a unique and differentiated proposition in a crowded market.

“This is a great opportunity to shape and position the company as a global competitor and I am looking forward to working with the team to develop the strategy.”

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Skills experts Working Links have appointed a dedicated account manager to work with employers in the North West and navigate the new Apprenticeships Levy, supporting businesses to minimise the risk and maximise the benefits.

Zoe Dyson takes up the role and will be working across the region to support businesses in understanding their current learning and development options within professional business services, retail, customer service and leadership and management.

Employers will be supported using a consultative approach to find the best training solutions for businesses regardless of size and ambition.

Zoe Dyson

Zoe, who has a track record of supporting businesses to grow, said: “My passion is about developing and transforming the existing workforce of a business through the successful implementation of external learning and development provision through the use of apprenticeship standards.

“As an Apprenticeship Levy expert I offer businesses a full consultation to look at how they obtain real measurability and return on investment from the programmes we propose and design, that sit in line with the company’s objectives and organisational development strategy.

“No apprenticeship is the same. Every solution offered is specific to the goals and objectives of the business.”