People on the move: SPB; Forbes; Geyser and Hall Liddy

SQUIRE Patton Boggs has  appointed pensions practice partner Elizabeth Graham, who joins from Brabners, where she was head of the firm’s pensions team.

Graham, who was previously a senior associate at Squire Patton Boggs until 2012, has extensive experience of pensions law.

She advises both employers and trustees on all aspects of pensions schemes and their management, and has a deep knowledge of schemes in a range of industry sectors such as chemicals, manufacturing, engineering and distribution.

In her new role, she will work closely with the global Pensions team and also with colleagues in the firm’s Labor & Employment, Litigation, Restructuring & Insolvency and Corporate teams in the region.

Managing partner for Squire Patton Boggs Manchester office, Rob Elvin, said: “Liz will undoubtedly be an asset to our already preeminent pensions team. Her experience and depth of knowledge will be highly valued by our clients, while her business development skills will support the continued growth of our office. We are delighted to welcome Liz back to the firm’s Manchester base.”

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FORBES Solicitors has boosted its specialist housing and regeneration team with the appointment of senior solicitor Jennifer Hankinson from the Progress Housing Group.

She specialises in housing and regeneration property law and has worked as an in-house lawyer for the registered provider for almost five years before joining Forbes’ Preston office.

Prior to her qualification as a solicitor she also worked in the private sector bringing a wider commercial expertise.

Hankinson said: “The Forbes housing and regeneration team has a great reputation within the sector and I am excited to be taking up this challenge and progressing my career.”

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BOLTON-based Geyser, a specialist suppliers of designer radiators and heated towel rails, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Neil Churton as national field sales manager.

Churton joins Geyser after nearly 20 years at leading showers, taps and valves designers Methven. During that time he held roles including national sales manager and key account manager.

At Geyser, Churton is responsible for nationwide sales and strengthening the company’s contacts within the trade, building and property developing markets. With the aim being to nurture and generate larger orders.

Alex Ramsay, director at Geyser said: “We have appointed Neil as both our customers and potential customers across the UK were asking us to go along and visit them with products. Put simply, we needed to increase the team to meet demand and maximise on the increased numbers of opportunities out there for us.

“Neil has significant experience in the sector and has built up strong relationships. We believe he will be a real asset to our team as we take the company to the next level.”

As the £1.6m turnover company continues to grow to the next level, it is aiming to increase its presence within the trade and get the Geyser name out further to the developers, specifiers and key trade counters.

The company has its own range of Geyser branded radiators and towel rails that is designed in house as well as being stockists of high end brands such as Bisque, Aeon, Vasco, Irsap and MHS.

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ANDREW Pow, a director at Manchester-based medical accountancy firm Hall Liddy, has been appointed to the executive committee of the trade body AISMA (Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants).

His role will include liaising with government and leading lobbying on behalf of AISMA, the national network of accountancy firms specialising in the healthcare sector.

Andrew, who has over 20 years’ experience in medical accounting, specialises in appraising the performance of GP practices and advising on changing structures. His role in campaigning to highlight the problems facing small rural isolated GP practices last year has led to a government review of the way funds are allocated.

Andrew said: “Funding is central to the future of the NHS and, as medical accountants, we are well placed to contribute to the debate. I was delighted that my previous efforts in lobbying on behalf of small rural practices has led to a government review and we are currently awaiting the outcome. I look forward to taking up the role with AISMA and speaking up on future issues, as a spokesman for the organisation.”