People on the move: Travel Counsellors; Macclesfield College; Paul Crowley & Co: Roland Dransfield

BESPOKE travel specialist Travel Counsellors has announced the appointment of a director of digital and Innovation as the company continues to focus on building its digital offering and innovations across the business.

The new role has been taken on by Waseem Haq, who joins Travel Counsellors with more than 20 years’ experience in the technology arena, most recently as digital strategy director for multi-national consumer goods company PZ Cussons.

He will now work across the digital and marketing teams at Travel Counsellors’ headquarters in Manchester to develop the company’s digital strategy and the support it gives to over 1,500 Travel Counsellor franchisees globally.

Travel Counsellors managing director Steve Byrne said: “Digital is one of the key strategic pillars of our business and this is a new and exciting role for someone who lives and breathes digital and believes passionately in the importance of culture and people in driving commercial success.
 
“We are confident Waseem fits this bill with his vast experience in this field and the fact he naturally shares and relates to the company’s values and business model of caring, people, service and relationships.

“He will now lead and drive our digital strategy and spearhead the evolution of the business to be fully digitally enabled.”

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MACCLESFIELD College has appointed a new higher education delivery manager to support the expansion of its HE provision.

Dr Raja Toqeer has more than 20 years of teaching and assessment experience in engineering and business sector and he takes on the role following several years as a lecturer in electrical and electronic engineering at Macclesfield College.

In addition, Toqeer holds a PhD, MSc and BSc in electrical and electronic engineering and is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Chartered Management Institute as well as a chartered manager of the Society for Education and Training.

His previous roles include Chartered Management Institute (CMI) programme director and a City and Guilds assessor and internal verifier.
 
Chief executive and principal of Macclesfield College, Rachel Kay, said: “We are continuously implementing positive changes in the quality of teaching and are delighted to appoint someone of such calibre to lead our higher education provision.

“Raja has extensive knowledge and experience of programme development and high quality standards which he has showcased throughout his work here as well as in other roles.

“Raja will look to expand the range of higher education courses we offer as well as engage students and employers with the College’s offering.”

Toqeer added: “I share Macclesfield College’s passion for educational excellence and I look forward to leading a team of highly qualified academic professionals who all embrace the same vision.”

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LIVERPOOL-based Paul Crowley & Co solicitors has bolstered its 12-strong family law team with three new appointments.

The company which has offices in Liverpool city centre, Anfield and West Derby, welcomed solicitors Jennifer Carr and Edwina Harkin to the family law department, alongside admin assistant Emma Underwood.
 
Specialising in children law and domestic abuse cases, Harkin joins the firm from Canter Levin & Berg, having qualified as a solicitor in 2012.

Carr also brings a wealth of expertise to the firm with six years’ experience in the industry and will be specialising in private client divorce and matrimonial finance cases.

Under is currently completing a legal practice course alongside her work at Paul Crowley & Co, with the view of securing and training contract with the firm and qualifying as a solicitor in the future.
 
The firm’s continued growth follows a raft of new appointments to the property, clinical negligence and personal injury teams within the last six months. 

Managing partner Tracy Thompson, said: “It has been an incredibly exciting year for Paul Crowley & Co. Since celebrating our 25th year in the industry back in January there has been a significant period of growth within the firm with a host of new appointments across three key departments.

“Having to instruct a family lawyer can be a daunting and even traumatic experience for clients and we know how important it is to have a core support network in place.

“That’s why we have worked hard to build a team who offer expert legal advice, whilst providing the highest levels of client care and support.

“I am confident that Jennifer, Edwina and Emma will all thrive within our family law department and am delighted to welcome them into the team as we continue to grow together as a firm.” 

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MANCHESTER PR and marketing agency Roland Dransfield has appointed experienced account manager Alexis Darby to support company growth following a series of client wins.

The Spinningfields-based firm will now be providing PR and digital to support Liveman Properties on the iconic Dock Office scheme in Salford Quays, as well for engineering consultancy SGi Shepherd Gilmour.

Liveman is currently refurbishing the Grade II listed Dock Office – constructed in 1927 – into 67 luxury apartments which will include several high spec duplex apartments.

The Roland Dransfield team has worked closely with agents Julie Twist, Harvey Nichols and Neighbourhood bar and restaurant to organise an exclusive event to launch the penthouses in early November 2016.

SGi Shepherd Gilmour, a civil, structural and environmental engineering company, appointed Roland Dransfield to deliver a media relations programme and new website to showcase its recent growth.

Senior account manager Darby is working on both campaigns.

The 32-year-old has worked for PPS Group, providing consultation, community and media relations support for a number of residential and energy

Prior to that she worked at Ketchum PR in London and as a campaign manager for the Labour Party and in the House of Commons for several MPs.
 
Darby said: “I was attracted to Roland Dransfield by the company’s fantastic list of clients and the team culture the agency has.

“It’s great to now be working with some of the leading developers, planning and engineering consultants and lawyers across the North West.
 
“Advising developers on the consultation process for key projects across Manchester, and seeing them gain planning permission before making their vision a reality is really satisfying.

“We’ve got a brilliant team of people at Roland Dransfield and it’s great to work in an environment where everyone is striving to deliver for clients and to help them grow their respective businesses.”

Lisa Morton, managing director of Roland Dransfield, said: “It has been an exciting few months for the agency as we celebrate our 20th year in business and we are delighted to have Alexis on board.

“With her years of experience in public consultation and public affairs she is proving to be a great asset to the team and really strengthens our public affairs offering.

“We look forward to seeing what the coming year holds as we continue to expand the agency and take on high profile accounts.”