Appointments: Shop Direct promotes Jones; Lloyds; Cirrus; PHD & more
LIVERPOOL digital retailer, Shop Direct, has promoted Gareth Jones to the new role of deputy chief executive.
He will combine his new position with his existing role of group retail and strategy director, where he is responsible for ecommerce, customer intelligence, marketing, trading and creative across the group’s six digital department store brands. He is also overseeing the development of Very Exclusive, the group’s new luxury etail brand.
Shop Direct chief executive Alex Baldock said: “This appointment is recognition for everything Gareth has put in at Shop Direct. He’s a trusted colleague, an outstanding leader, a great ambassador for the business, and is playing a central role in building a world class digital retailer here. I’m delighted for him.”
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LLOYDS Bank has boosted its commercial banking team in Manchester with the appointment of Hunter Inkster as business development director. He will focus on recruiting commercial clients with turnovers of over £25m to the bank.
He moves from his role as relationship manager at sister company Bank of Scotland, where he has worked for the last four years focusing on mid market clients.
Mr Inkster said: “Manchester’s business community is thriving, and the success of the region is reflected in the flourishing Lloyds Bank team. I’m excited to be joining a team which is dedicated to supporting and encouraging economic growth as part of the bank’s commitment to helping British business succeed, and look forward to helping our clients to contribute to the region’s future prosperity.”
Dave Allanson, area director for Manchester, East Cheshire & East Lancashire, added: “Demand for lending from North West businesses across a diverse range of sectors has been growing over the last few years, and is showing no signs of slowing down. With the arrival of Hunter and his wealth of experience, the team in Manchester is in a better shape than ever to support the growth strategies of businesses across the region.”
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AMBITIOUS NJL Consulting, the Manchester-based planning consultancy, has announced two internal promotions and a new hire.
The firm has promoted senior planning consultant Annabel Partridge, who joined the team in 2013 and works primarily on retail and commercial projects, to associate director.
Planning consultant Justine Entezari has become a senior planning consultant, having joined NJL in 2011 as part of its graduate programme.
In a further boost the practice has also taken on Hollie Barton, a University of Manchester town & country planning graduate who will be working towards her RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) charter, while gaining hands-on experience.
NJL Consulting managing director Nick Lee said: “Following on from a bumper 2013, where we achieved a 100% success rate in gaining planning consents, we’ve been keen to recognise the fantastic work put in by our core team. Their professionalism and hard work have made our recent triumphs possible and we’ve seen more and more clients coming to us with repeat business.”
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CHESHIRE-based PHD Equity Partners, which backs small growing companies, has appointed Adam Dow as an investment executive.
A business graduate of Leeds, Adam Dow’s remit to identify investment opportunities in smaller unquoted businesses.
Andy Dodd, a founding partner of PHD Equity Partners, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Adam to PHD Equity Partners. His appointment reflects our continuing success and commitment to grow our own business whilst providing strong returns to investors.”
PHD is the fund management arm of Daresbury and Leeds-based corporate finance firm Dow Schofield Watts. Adam Dow is the son of DSW co-founder James Dow.
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LAW firm Farleys Solicitors has expanded its corporate team with the appointment of Alex Singer after he completed a two year training contract.
Mr Singer, from Prestwich, started his career with the firm as a paralegal with the corporate team and then completed his two year training with the company working across its corporate, commercial, litigation departments
He will be based at the firm’s Parsonage Gardens office and will be part of the team headed up by Debbie King.
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WILMSLOW leadership consultancy Cirrus has appointed Alison Baker to its client consulting team.
Alison Baker joins the firm from global consulting firm Mercer, where she was a principal consultant, working with clients including Barclays, JP Morgan, AstraZeneca and Citibank.
The latest appointment will bring Wilmslow-based Cirrus’ total staff count to 50. Founded in 2010, Cirrus boasts a wide range of major clients including RBS, Pentland Brands, Marks & Spencer and Arcadia.
Chief executive Simon Hayward said: “Over the past four years we have seen our business grow significantly and it is important to make sure we hire the best in order to successfully grow as fast as we have. Our plan is to continue to invest in hiring the best talent available.
“With experience of working with financial institutions, energy firms and pharmaceuticals, Alison will be a great addition to our team and will help us drive further growth within these sectors.”
