Appointments: Firmin heads KPMG North restructuring; Director of tourism appointed at NWDA; and more…

INSOLVENCY expert Mark Firmin has been named by KPMG as its new head of restructuring in the North of England.

His new role will see him responsible for the firm’s offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Leeds and Newcastle.

He has been a partner at KPMG since 2006 and has been with the firm since graduating 16 years ago, focusing on restructuring immediately after achieving his professional qualification.

Richard Fleming, who previously led KPMG’s northern restructuring team, was promoted to lead its national restructuring practice in December.

Mr Firmin said: “Management teams, their banks and other stakeholders are currently welcoming our discussions with them which are based on sharing lessons learned from within the business community. 

“In particular, many companies are struggling to adapt to the new corporate agenda. After many years of focusing strategically on growth and acquisition issues, companies have very quickly had to change their focus to issues such as stability, funding, contingency planning and efficiency.”

His colleague Brian Green will continue to lead the North West restructuring team.

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THE Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has appointed Nick Brooks-Sykes as director of tourism.

Mr Brooks-Sykes is currently head of tourism marketing at the NWDA, a position which he has held since the NWDA became the strategic lead for tourism in the Northwest in 2004.

He has over twenty years of experience in the Northwest tourism sector, having previously held senior management roles at the North West Tourist Board.

In his new role, Mr Brooks-Sykes will guide the agency’s tourism policy in areas such as skills development, infrastructure and business tourism and will oversee NWDA investments into tourism programmes including Blackpool’s revival.

In addition, he will be responsible for ensuring the region’s tourism industry offers quality, distinctiveness and value for money and that the visitor economy continues to grow and develop.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said:”I am delighted that Nick has been appointed to this position. He has already proved to be a great asset for the Agency and has built strong and successful relationships with our tourism partners across the region and the UK. Tourism is a very important growth industry in the Northwest and I am confident that Nick is the right person to lead the region’s visitor economy.”

Mr Brooks- Sykes, who will take up his new role on June 29, replaces James Berresford who leaves the NWDA to become chief executive of VisitEngland.

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MANCHESTER-based architecture and design practice, AEW Architects, has appointed Steve Burne as managing director.

Mr Burne has been promoted from the role of director in recognition of his 14 -year career within the practice, and his contribution to everyday management of the office.

In his new role as managing director, he will be responsible for leading the firm into the next phase of its business restructuring plan, which includes to diversify into further sectors and increase the practice’s work in the public sector .

Chris Wewer, chairman at AEW, said: “My recent appointment as high sheriff of Greater Manchester, along with Steve’s drive and ambition made this the perfect time to hand over the reins. I will be giving Steve my full support at this challenging time”.

Mr Burne, said: “The next couple of years will be a challenge for all businesses and I’m delighted to be appointed to lead AEW into a new phase of success.”

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LAW firm Cobbetts has appointed environmental policy adviser and solicitor, Hugh Goulbourne, to lead the development of its low carbon energy practice.

Mr Goulbourne qualified into the competition and trade practice at Herbert Smith LLP in 2004 and has expertise in the environmental sustainability, low carbon and energy efficiency sectors.

He was previously in-house Counsel at APACS, the UK Payments Association, and most recently he advised investors and environmental pressure groups in their bid to ensure the creation of a system of regulations and incentives for clean coal technologies.

Paul Johnson, head of Cobbetts’ commercial team, said: “Making the transition to the low carbon economy is a key concern for many of our clients and the team is very excited about working with Hugh to further develop our credentials in this particular field.

“He has an impressive career history and a wealth of knowledge across a range of sectors. His experience, coupled with his passion for the sustainability agenda, will be a welcome addition to what is already a highly experienced and diverse legal practice.”