Appointments: new FD for Cygnet Group; Shoosmiths & more

CHESHIRE engineering business Cygnet Group has appointed Bren Hutchinson as finance director to help drive its growth.

She is the former director of finance at £600m turnover Peel Ports where she played a lead role in acquisitions and funding, including its recent £1.6bn refinancing.

Matthew Kimpton-Smith, managing director of Cygnet Group, said: “Bren brings rigour, discipline and a high level of relevant experience that will help us deliver our major plans for future growth.”

Mrs Hutchinson said: “Cygnet Group is one of the most ambitious companies in the region with an exciting future. It’s a thriving example of the best of British manufacturing with a great people-centred culture. With a tripling of turnover to £23m in the last three years, Cygnet’s business has grown exponentially.

“It’s now crucial that the business moves to the next stage in its organisational development in order to support this new base and power our future growth plans.

Cygnet Group is planning to double turnover to £50m by the end of 2017. It has won Regional Growth Fund support for a new £6m, 91,000 sq ft design, assembly and machinery testing facility and new head office next to its current Wincham base.

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LAW firm Shoosmiths has appointed Kieran Toal as a partner in its Manchester corporate team.

Mr Toal, who was previously with Addleshaw Goddard, has strong links with the region’s private equity houses and corporate finance advisers.

Corporate partner Mark Dawson said: “Shoosmiths’ national corporate practice group has enjoyed three years’ growth in a difficult and uncertain market, and we’ve quickly established a strong team here in Manchester.

“Another energetic, market-facing partner like Kieran will help us build on that progress and further increase our market presence and penetration, raising our profile in the North West and helping us develop opportunities.”

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LAURA Wolfe, managing director of events and marketing agency Journey9, has become an ambassador for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.

She has been a long-standing supporter of the charity, both personally and professionally, first becoming involved in 2006 when the charity still operated as the New Children’s Hospital Appeal.

She said: “Working with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity is a both a pleasure and a privilege and I am thrilled to have been asked to become their ambassador.

“The commitment shown by the people who work for and with the Charity is inspiring and I am hugely proud of what we have achieved together in the past and will achieve together in future.”

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ACCOUNTANCY and investment management firm Smith & Williamson
has appointed Lee Blackshaw as head of its Manchester private client tax services team.

Mr Blackshaw previously spent over six years with PwC in Manchester.
Commenting on his new role he said: “I’m very pleased to be joining Smith & Williamson; it’s a firm that matches the Big 4 in its quality of advice, and I like that its focus on the owner underpins the whole brand.”  

Andrew McKenna, head of the firm’s Manchester office, added: “Lee is a valuable new appointment who really strengthens our northern offering. He brings significant experience and a wealth of knowledge and we are delighted to welcome him on board.”

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VIRGINIA Taylor, a private client solicitor, is the latest hire at Darbys Solicitors’ North West office in Hale.

Simon McCrum, managing partner, said: “Virginia is a super mix of expertise and local knowledge. We are delighted to have her join us as we recruit to look after the build-up of work we are enjoying”.

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FINANCIAL recruiter Sellick Partnership has welcomed Hugh Almond back to its commerce and industry team after a stint in Australia.

Formerly a consultant at the firm, Mr Almond moved Down Under three years ago when he got a job with Robert Walters in Adelaide.

Returning to Sellick as a manager his remit will be to develop the team, and focus on growing market share across the region in the temporary commerce and industry market.

Mr Almond said: “Sellick Partnership is well respected within the industry, and boasts strong plans for the future which I am looking forward to being part of.”