People: Wealthcare; Forbes Solicitors; Trust & more
FINANCIAL advisory firm Wealthcare has recruited staff across all of its divisions in response to growing demand for its services.
Joint managing director Stephen Cainer said Bury-based Wealthcare is now in its strongest-ever position as it gears up to celebrate its 15th anniversary later this year.
Wealthcare offers specialist advice and planning in all areas of pensions, investments, mortgages, healthcare, insurance and employee benefits.
The firm has more than £70m of funds under management for a nationwide client base of individuals, trustees, companies and their employees.
Paul Smith, 33, has joined the employee benefits and healthcare division as a consultant. The other recruits are mortgage administrator Barry Redfern, 31, client services executive Lindsay Edwards, 32, and employee benefits executive Dan Thorpe, 28.
The quartet take total staff numbers to 18, and further appointments are imminent.
Mr Cainer said: “The company is in its 15th year and is in the strongest position it has ever been.
“At the heart of our business is our passionate team of committed individuals. We are delighted to welcome Paul, Barry, Lindsay and Dan, whose arrival will strengthen the business across all of its operations.
“They will help us to maintain the highest standards of service to our growing client base and underline our commitment to providing opportunities to talented young professionals.”
Wealthcare has its headquarters at Castlecroft Court, Castlecroft Road, in Bury town centre, and has an office in central London.
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FORBES Solicitors has announced the appointment of five new partners and three new associates as part of its continued growth.
The largest legal practice in the North West outside the major cities, has offices in Blackburn (three), Accrington, Preston, Chorley, Manchester and Leeds.
It has promoted Tom Smith, Richard Clithero, Ruth Rule-Mullen, Gareth Price and Shirley Faragher to partners from associates.
It has also confirmed that Nick Pickup, John Pickervance and Nigel McCloy have been promoted from solicitors to associates.
Siobhan Hardy, senior partner, said: “These appointments underline the strength in depth which we have at Forbes and which also demonstrate our track record for nurturing our own talent and helping people to build careers with us.
“I look forward to watching their careers flourish even further in the future.”
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BRAND communications agency Trust has appointed business development professional Gemma McCall as relationship director to support its growth strategy as the agency moves into its fifth year of business.
McCall joins the Stockport-based agency having built a reputation in the North West as an effective business developer, holding several influential roles within the internal communication bodies, such as the CIPR Inside, Engage for Success and the Institute of Internal Communication.
She will be responsible for all areas of commercial, business and strategic development, supporting managing director Stuart Bradley and creative director Carl Sadd.
Bradley said: “We are very proud of Trust’s growth over the last few years, and Gemma’s appointment will enable us to keep heading in the right direction and achieve our ambitious growth plans.
“Her influence, network and know-how offers Trust a great insight to future market trends and will help us to develop the business even further. Gemma’s addition will enable us to build us on last year’s record turnover and recognition as Business of the Year at the Stockport Business Awards.”
Trust offers design and digital services across both external and internal communications.
McCall said, “Trust is a fantastic agency and I’m thrilled to be reunited with Carl and Stuart, having worked with them at previous agencies. I’m joining the agency at a very pivotal time for the business and I’m looking forward to playing a key role in their growth plans.”
Trust is a branding and digital agency specialising in internal and external communication. Trust’s client base includes global technology firm Pioneer DJ, business networking organisation Marketing Stockport, accountancy firm Hallidays, and awarding body CABWI.
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THE Royal Bank of Scotland has strengthened its corporate transactions team in Manchester with the appointment of Richard Chambers as a director.
Chambers has enjoyed a 14-year career in banking, having previously worked for HSBC in its leveraged finance team, most recently managing a portfolio of leveraged clients in the North West.
He has extensive transactional experience, having spent the majority of his career focusing on leveraged finance for private equity-backed businesses and corporates across the North of England.
Chambers will now join the corporate transactions team based in Mosley Street where he will focus on supporting a range of customers with their event-driven acquisition finance and complex debt requirements, helping to grow the bank’s Private Equity business, primarily across Manchester and the North West.
Peter Talbot, head of the corporate transactions Team, said: “2016 has started well for the team with early momentum building and a strong pipeline of deals. I extend a warm welcome to Richard and look forward to leveraging his experience in the corporate finance market that will undoubtedly help us in continuing to grow our business across the North West.”
Chambers said: “Moving to the Corporate Transactions team is a really exciting step and I am looking forward to working with the team in Manchester.
“My role at HSBC focussed predominantly on the Private Equity market and large complex deals so I am looking forward to transferring these skills to work across a broader spectrum of customers to assist their growth.”
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ONE of the Liverpool’s leading music industry figures has been appointed the city’s producer of UNESCO City of Music.
In December Liverpool was awarded the prestigious UNESCO accolade in recognition of how it continues to place music at the heart of the city’s contemporary culture, education and the economy – from the live music scene to tourism, music management courses and digital businesses.
Kevin McManus has been tasked by Culture Liverpool with the role of delivering on the commitments made in the bid document which includes a mission to create a more joined-up music offer in the city.
He will create new pathways for children which will engage them and encourage participation, entrepreneurship and ambition – committing the city to continue to generate world class musicians, producers and sector professionals.
Also part of his brief is to increase the profile of the music sector locally, nationally and internationally, growing the contribution music makes to the local economy – positioning the city as the place to enjoy, perform, study music and conduct music business.
McManus has been involved in the music industry for more than 30 years and led on the successful UNESCO bid. At just 18, he worked for the New Musical Express (NME) and championed the city’s music and culture for influential publications such as The Face, ID and Mixmag.
