People on the Move: Vincents Solicitors; Wentworth PR; Genlec; Westgrove Group; Glossop Cartons
Lancashire law firm Vincents Solicitors has further enhanced its commercial department with the appointment of a new corporate litigator.
Anas Shah joins the firm following completion of his training contract after graduating from the law school at UCLan.
He is the latest boost to the commercial department which has been strengthened by the recent arrival of property lawyer Craig Aikman and corporate solicitor Matthew Scott.
They join a growing team under the leadership of commercial director Ross Wellman, as part of the firm’s bid to create an outstanding commercial department, providing the full range of legal services to businesses across Lancashire.
Previously a general litigator, Anas now specialises in commercial litigation, enhancing his area of specialism with Vincents. He will assist clients with dispute resolution with regards to contracts, employment law, debt recovery, professional negligence, insolvency, property and intellectual property concerns
He said: “Commercial litigation is a fascinating area of the law, and I have always enjoyed helping clients to identify the best course of action to resolve issues which may be impacting their business.
“Vincents appealed due to the specific interest it has in commercial disputes and the wealth of opportunity here to develop my skills and continue to grow my own client base. I am working with some of the best commercial lawyers in the county, assisting their clients and building my expertise.”
Anas will be based at Chorley, the firm’s Southern commercial hub, and provide support to the corporate team at the Preston headquarters and the commercial team in Lytham. Recruitment to the commercial department continues as Vincents seeks additional corporate litigation, commercial property experts, and junior commercial solicitors.
Ross Wellman, head of the commercial department, welcomed Anas and what he brings to the team. He said: “Commercial dispute is an expensive distraction for any business, and so our priority is the swift and cost-effective resolution of the problem for our clients.
“Commercial litigation complements the broader corporate services we offer, and having Anas on board provides clients with further in-house support.
“We have invested heavily in building a commercial department to rival any other across the county, and have attracted some of the best and brightest in this sector to the firm over the last year.
“That practice will not stop and recruitment will continue as part of Vincents’ drive to become the go-to law firm for businesses in the county.”
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Alex Duckett has left his role as head of news at Red Havas to take control of Manchester-based agency, Wentworth PR.
The 27-year-old rose through the ranks at Havas, joining straight from university as a graduate trainee and was named as one of PR Week’s top ’30 Under 30’ in 2012.
He played a key role in many of Havas’s award-winning campaigns, including handling media outreach for this year’s Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll launch.
Duckett has taken over at Wentworth PR from Julie Garrido, who retired this year after more than 30 years at the helm.
“This is an exciting new challenge and I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with the fantastic clients that Wentworth PR service currently,” he said.
Alex Duckett
“There is an opportunity to grow Wentworth to become one of the leading agencies in Manchester and with my vision, experience and determination, I don’t doubt that this will become a reality.”
There was a double reason for celebration as Duckett marked his arrival at Wentworth PR with a new client win.
North West-based brand Built for Athletes secured Wentworth PR’s services to provide support for the Hero Backpack, a best in class fitness backpack which is specifically designed for athletes.
Nick Costello, Built for Athletes owner, said: “Alex’s ambitions matched our own and we are delighted to have him on board. These are exciting times for Built for Athletes and we are confident that Alex will play a major role in building our brand and, especially, raising the profile of our Hero Backpack.”
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Mechanical and electrical contractor, Genlec, has announced two senior appointments as part of the firm’s ambitious long term growth strategy.
Leigh-based Genlec has revealed plans to boost turnover from £15m to £30m and is investing in infrastructure and people to support development plans.
Steve Ferns takes on the role of lead design engineer while Paul Marsden joins the team as operations manager.
Both new positions within the company, the appointments strengthens the senior management team now incorporating design and operations, working alongside company managing director, Jonathan Twentyman.
Jonathan said: “We have always invested in our workforce, particularly skilled site operatives, however, in taking this strategic long-term approach, it was important to source the right people to work alongside me as we implement our growth plans.”
Steve Ferns, left, and Paul Marsden
Highly experienced mechanical engineer Steve Ferns will be responsible for all elements within the design phase, heading up an internal design team.
His 13-year career spans major projects throughout the UK in senior design engineer roles including a major defence project at BAE Systems in Barrow to high rise residential and mixed use commercial throughout the UK.
Steve said: “Having worked in consultancy for the majority of my career this was an excellent opportunity to move into contracting. M&E design is where my passion lies and Genlec are involved in some incredibly diverse projects that are both challenging and interesting.
“I’m looking forward to working within a wider role and collaborating with operations to create a more cohesive and streamlined approach to deliver projects.”
Paul Marsden takes on the role of operations manager.
Having worked for major contractors and consultancies across the UK, Paul took the lead M&E role on large scale projects including Bank Bloomberg, Wedgewood Royal Daulton, West Bromwich Building Society HQ and Chancery Place, Manchester.
Also with 20-plus year’s experience in the construction industry, Paul is responsible for the delivery of all secured projects through to handover, mobilising and managing project teams, including project manager’s, project engineers, supervisors and operatives.
He said: “Having worked within national companies, I am keen to be part of an independent, professional business that still owns impressive aspirations, all of which Genlec undoubtedly has.
“The firm is long-established as a leader in its field within the North West and is now ready to begin the next leg of its journey – this is an incredibly exciting time to be part of the company.”
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Fast-growing Warrington-based facilities management company, The Westgrove Group, has recruited a new business development director to head up their continued expansion into the South.
Adrian Canale, who has worked extensively in facilities management across a range of sectors, has been appointed to support continued business development and also bring the company into new sectors including education and healthcare.
Adrian, who is based near Milton Keynes, previously worked for security specialist VSG, now part of MITIE, and Carlisle Support Services.
Alongside his wealth of previous experience and knowledge, Adrian will be focused on creating awareness of Westgrove’s key USP, Synergy by Westgrove, a value-add based service provision which brings tangible benefits, innovation and cost savings to a range of service partners.
Adrian Canale
This innovative approach has seen a number of significant contract wins in 2019 as the company approaches more than £4m of new business in the first half of the year. The Southern expansion includes the appointment of Adrian and the opening of a Southern office at the end of 2019.
Westgrove specialises in providing security, cleaning and customer services in high footfall destinations such as shopping centres, corporate, mixed use and retail environments across the UK.
Laurie Barton Wright, brand & development director of The Westgrove Group which employs approximately 1,000 people across the UK, said: “Due to the rapid growth of the business in the South last year we felt it was the right time to build on our presence as a UK-wide operation.
“Adrian will be a pivotal part of this strategy and add real value to the business.”
Adrian said: “I’m looking forward to building on this success and becoming part of such a forward-thinking and successful company whose values and beliefs align with mine.”
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Stockport-based Glossop Cartons has further invested in its management team with the appointment of a new operations director.
Dave Bartlett brings with him nearly 40 years’ experience of the packaging and print sector, joining from Trenton Box where he was also operations director.
Previously, he was plant director at Contact Print and Packaging, where he worked for 25 years, and the assets of which Glossop
Cartons acquired in 2015.
In his new role Bartlett is responsible for directing operations, driving the efficient, cost-effective and environmentally-sustainable manufacture and delivery of orders.
He also ensures that members of the production team are highly motivated and fully trained, enabling them to achieve their full
potential.
Dave Bartlett
His appointment is part of Reddish firm Glossop Cartons’ wider plan to invest in its management team in order to enable the company to achieve further growth via the acquisition of additional industry expertise, and allow joint managing directors Jacky Sidebottom-Every and Brian Sidebottom to focus on corporate strategy.
Bartlett’s appointment follows that of new sales director Wayne Fitzpatrick who was recruited last year and handles some of the company’s key accounts, which span food and drink, vape and household, as well as pharmaceutical and personal care.
Between them, Bartlett and Fitzpatrick have more than 60 years’ experience within the industry.
Joint managing director Jacky Sidebottom-Every said: “Dave brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of the print and packaging sector, and as such, he will support Glossop Cartons in the next stage of its development.”
Established in 1982, Glossop Cartons is a family firm that invests in the latest packaging technology, staff and systems and has achieved a large number of industry and regional business awards, last year achieving the title of 2018 Stockport Business Awards Business of the Year.
Its product range comprises cartons, sleeves, wallets, blister pack cards, skin pack cards, counter top and shelf displays, header and hanging cards.
