People on the move: Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors; Morris & Spottiswood; Bruntwood; Exact Abacus

People on the move is sponsored by family law firm Hall Brown

Lancashire-based law firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors has appointed Katharine Marshall to head up and help expand its family law department.

 
Marshall, from Burnley, joins the firm’s Bury office from Makin Dixon Solicitors where she worked for four years as an associate solicitor heading up its Rochdale and Todmorden offices.
 
The 36-year-old has more than 10 years’ experience in family law and is one of a small number of solicitors to hold the Higher Rights of Audience qualification, enabling her to appear before the High Court.
 
Marshall, who completed her training contract at Waddington and Son Solicitors in Burnley, is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and holds a Resolution Accredited Specialism in Private Law Children, Domestic Abuse and International Child Abduction.

She has been instructed in several applications brought under The Hague Convention and had several children returned to their place of habitual residence.
 
She said: “I’m excited to have joined the team and look forward to working alongside Mark Taylor and Carolyn Ford to expand the department, while assisting families in this specialist area of law.”

David Connor, partner at Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors, added: “As a firm, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall is dedicated to recruiting the best legal professional out there, ensuring our clients have the best access to expert legal advice and we’re thrilled to have Katharine on board.”
 
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Warrington-based construction fit-out firm Morris & Spottiswood is targeting major growth in the UK housing market with the appointment of a new business development manager.

Steven Stewart has been drafted in to build the company’s presence in the housing sector, including new build and refurbishment projects.

The £88m turnover firm has extensive experience developing private sector portfolios and working with Housing Associations and Registered Social Landlords.

The move is a key part of Morris & Spottiswood’s ambitious growth strategy. Stewart will be harnessing his expertise in construction, refurbishment and maintenance to win work across the housing sector.
Gordon Clyne, operations director at Morris & Spottiswood, said the company was particularly looking to grow its presence in the residential housing development sector.

The business is primarily known as one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors. But it is highly experienced in construction and has a history of successful house building.

“We have proven experience in the market and the appointment of Steven will give us the focus to go out and grow our presence in the housing sector,” said Clyne. “He will help us to build our name in a market where we see great opportunities.”

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Commercial property company Bruntwood has unveiled Jenna Gibson as its community engagement manager for its latest flagship workspace Neo on Portland Street in Manchester.

Gibson joins the firm after working at Manchester’s Spinningfields for Capital Properties and Allied London, where she managed the programme of experiential and event activities.

To ensure a thriving building spirit and business network, Gibson has already developed a programme of social, well-being and business support events.
 
She said: “It’s a really exciting time for Bruntwood and for Manchester. Neo is a bold and innovative space and I’m really looking forward to meeting the customers and supporting the community here with a range of events to encourage collaboration and offer more creative ways to do business.”
 
“The launch of the building will be a celebration for everyone that has chosen to be a part of the Neo Community. To help shape our events we’re working alongside partner organisations such as the Manchester Publicity Association (MPA), Downtown In Business, and Manchester Digital. Likewise, for social events too, we’re coordinating breakfast clubs, lunch meet-ups and after hours’ drinks.”

Neo is an £8m redevelopment of the former Bank House building and launches on March 29.

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Chorley-based e-commerce, software and fulfilment specialist Exact Abacus has appointed Austin Waddecar to the newly-created role of head of innovation.

As head of innovation, Waddecar’s key focus will be identifying trends in software developments, predicting consumer and market needs through data analysis and finding ways to incorporate technological developments into Exact Abacus’ service.

Having been with Exact Abacus since July 2013, Waddecar began his career as a web designer before progressing to senior web designer and latterly to head of design.
 
He said: “Simple software like chat application can be put to use outside of the social media industry. By building algorithms that can answer simple FAQs into the chat software, we can replicate an online customer service interaction whilst our valuable customer service team can deal with more complex queries.”

Managing director at Exact Abacus Lee Gregson said: “Austin has an impressive track record here, with an incredible insight into the ever changing world of technology. He has already brought forward some amazing ideas which have the potential to keep Exact Abacus ahead of the curve.”