Appointments: Blackpool Business Leadership, PMI Health Manchester Law School and more…

LANCASHIRE solicitor Martin Long has been named chairman of the Blackpool Business Leadership Group (BBLG).

Mr Long is chairman of Napthens Solicitors, a commercial property partner and heads the firm’s Blackpool and Fylde office.

The BBLG comprises more than 80 business and industry leaders from across the private sector in the town. Mr Long said: “The BBLG has been an important part of the town’s business community for a number of years, and its membership has steadily increased over the years as it has become a respected voice for the private sector.”

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CHESHIRE employee healthcare services company PMI Health Group, has made two senior appointments.

Colette Hodkinson has joined the board of the Northwich company as sales director for Occupational Health and Managed Care. She has been with the business for six years.
 
Meanwhile John Heatley has been named head of large corporate sales.

PMI Group managing director Richard Munro said: “Colette and John have both been with PMI Health Group for a number of years and are considerable assets to the organisation.
 
“With their extensive knowledge and expertise I am confident that they will thrive in their new roles.”
 
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FORMER corporate lawyer Catherine Shephard has joined Manchester Law School at Manchester Metropolitan University
 
A law graduate from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Catherine qualified as a corporate lawyer with Addleshaw Goddard, where she specialised in advising listed companies including MyTravel Group.

In her new role she is senior lecturer and subject leader of Corporate Practice and Practical Legal Research.  She was previously head of corporate business law and practice at College of Law in Chester and Manchester and  is currently working on a new textbook, Legal Essentials, which will be published by Oxford University Press.

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CITYPRESS PR has appointed Mark Lester as a senior account director in its corporate and financial practice.

Mr Lester joins the Manchester agency following a six year career with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, latterly as PR manager for the bank’s insurance business Direct Line Group.

He said: “Citypress has a strong reputation and consultancy offering in the financial and professional services arena, supporting market leading brands on national campaigns, which makes this an exciting opportunity.”

As well as its Manchester HQ, Citypress has offices in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and London.

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LANCASHIRE law firm Harrison Drury has expanded its dispute resolution team with the appointment of David Edwards as an associate solicitor.

Mr Edwards, who has specialist expertise in commercial disputes, property and employment litigation, and regulatory work, has joined from Blackpool-based Blackhurst Budd solicitors.

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LIVERPOOL marketing communications consultancy Kenyon Fraser has boosted its team with three new hires.

Lucy Connell and Jennie Lewis join the marketing team as account managers, while Natalie Verdin has been recruited as a senior account executive within the PR department.

Lucy Connell joins from North Liverpool Academy, Jennie Lewis from law firm Hill Dickinson, while Natalie Verdin previously worked at PR agency Paver Smith.

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MARKETING firm The If Agency has boosted its account management team with the appointment of Cassie Johnson

Her primary role will be to support the agency’s management and senior teams.

She will also work on some of the agency’s main accounts including Knowsley Safari Park and the Spirit Pub Company.

It is her first full time position although she previously completed an internships at Gyro, Manchester.

Managing director Christian James said: “We are delighted to welcome Cassie to the if team. Our business is based on fresh ideas and talented people so she fits the bill perfectly.”