People: Tech firm hires new ceo; Taylors; O’Connors & more
EDUCATION technology company Collabco has appointed Mark Francis as chief executive amid plans to launch its myday education dashboard and app in the US.
Francis joins the Liverpool Science Park-based company having worked with a number of leading technology brands and software companies to deliver significant growth, productivity and scalability opportunities. Most recently he was managing director of impero software.
He has held a number of senior executive level roles within a range of business management software organisations including Sage, IRIS, Access Intelligence and PrintSoft.
He said: “Given the outstanding nature of myday, I can see this business going from strength to strength whilst leading the way in both product innovation and international sales.
“Part of my new role will not only be about breaking into the US market, but to ensure that Collabco can scale to meet the demands that new customers bring, whilst also keeping our existing customers happy.”
The appointment follows a recent £450,000 investment in Collabco by The North West Fund, bringing the total invested by The Fund to over £1.3m.
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THE corporate team at North West commercial law firm Taylors Solicitors has reinforced their offering with the appointment of experienced professional Andy Herricks as corporate partner.
Most recently, Andy was a founding partner of Garricks, a niche commercial firm based in Blackburn. He also led the firm’s Wigan office and was responsible for promoting the firm across West Lancashire and along the East Lancashire corridor.
He said: “I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues and opening a Taylors office in Wigan to build upon my relationships with established clients, local intermediaries and the wider business community.”
Elaine Hurn, managing partner at Taylors Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to welcome Andy and his experience to the team. I worked with Andy when he was a young corporate solicitor and I have known him for many years.
“He will add a significant resource to our established team’s ability to meet increasing new client demand across our corporate and specialist commercial services.”
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LIVERPOOL commercial firm O’Connors has promoted three lawyers to partner.
The trio are: Kerry Boyle, Pamela Rafiq and David Malone, and take the partnership to eight. The firm says the promotions are in recognition of the value they bring to client projects and the increasing role they will be playing in the development and management of the business.
Kerry Boyle is a commercial and regulatory lawyer with expertise in financial services and general insurance and advises businesses across these sectors, both nationally and internationally.
Pamela Rafiq is an insurance and regulatory lawyer and is an expert on the legal services sector. Working alongside the firm’s corporate and commercial lawyers, Pamela has been instrumental in the structuring of some of the most innovative legal businesses in recent times.
David Malone is a corporate lawyer and leads many of the firm’s M&A transactions and group re-organisations. David has significant private equity experience and advises sponsors and fund managers on establishing and structuring new private equity funds.
Managing partner Mark O’Connor said: “These are key appointments for us as we continue to develop our team and build for the future. The promotions recognise the key roles that Kerry, Pamela and David play in our business and the trust that our clients place in them.
“Our focus on corporate, commercial, insurance and regulatory work is as strong today as it was when we launched the firm 12 years ago and with activity in all these areas increasing steadily year on year I can see us making further appointments in the near future.”
