Appointments: Pannone recruits new FD; Thwaites has new chief, and more

LAW firm Pannone has appointed James Muir as its new finance director.

The Manchester-based firm said that the appointment of Muir, who joins from construction consultancy Davis Langdon, has been recruited ahead of changes to the Legal Services Act which will allow firms to take on external growth funding.

Managing partner Emma Holt said: “James has an excellent pedigree on the international business circuit and brings a new dimension and wealth of experience to Pannone.

“We are delighted he has joined the firm at such an exciting time and I am confident he will play a vital role in spearheading our ambitious growth plans.

Muir was managing director of Davis Langdon global finance function. He will replace outgoing finance director Jon Miller.

“Jon was Pannone’s first finance director and had made a significant contribution,” said Holt. “I would like to thank him for all his dedication and hard work over the last eight years which was at a time of unprecedented growth for Pannone.”

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BLACKBURN brewer Daniel Thwaites has made director Richard Bailey its new chief executive.

Bailey joined the company in 2002 as a non-executive director, taking up a full time executive role in 2009 with responsibility for developing the future direction and growth of the business.

He replaces managing director Peter Morris who is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities and will resign as a director.

Chairman Ann Yerburgh, chairman, said: “Since joining us in May 2008, Peter has made a significant contribution to the business, overseeing a restructuring of our brewing and pub operations which has created a solid platform for future growth. We wish him well for the future in all that he does.

“I am delighted to be able to announce Richard’s appointment. The business has been through a period of change and I am confident that under his leadership our plans for the future will allow us to succeed in a challenging environment.”

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ANDY Duxbury, chief executive of Chester-based law firm Aaron & Partners, has been made non-executive director of executive recruitment firm RMG.

Duxbury, who joins the board with immediate effect, began his career in pharmaceuticals and later in the automotive and fuel industries. 

He moved into professional services in 2000, and held the post of business development director at Manchester law firm Cobbetts before being appointed chief executive at Aaron & Partners in 2006.

Andrew Evans, managing director of Preston Brook-based RMG, said: “Andy’s experience in marketing and business development is second to none, and he will bring a great deal to the table as we continue to expand our offering.

“I am looking forward to working alongside him and benefiting from his wealth of experience, and am confident he will bring a new energy and focus to our business.”

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LEGAL consultancy Inpractice UK has appointed Andrew Taylor as a financial management  consultant.

Taylor is a former finance director of a number of law firms and has been advising professional service firms on financial and business management for more than 20 years. Inpractice is a Manchester-based consultancy which advises smaller law firms on restructuring, mergers and other major change programmes. 

Taylor said: “I’m delighted to join the team.

“I am very much looking forward to working with our clients to help them improve their financial processes and, where appropriate, to prepare them for and guide them through the merger process.”

Allan Carton, founder and director of Inpractice UK, said: “The legal services marketplace is continuing to consolidate and further M&A activity is a definite marker on the horizon. 

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PROPERTY consultancy GVA has promoted Ben Moorhouse to the position of director of its Manchester-based property management consultancy team.

Moorhouse is responsible for creating asset management opportunities within the business and is currently working on a number of opportunities for banks and LPA Receivers.

The firm has also recruited two surveyors to the  practice. Greg Archer has joined following a recent spell with BNP Paribas in Bristol, while former GVA employee Roland Shaw returns to the firm as a principal surveyor.

Jacqueline Flatley, director at GVA, said: “To be in a position to appoint Ben as director to develop asset management opportunities within the North West demonstrates our commitment to the growth of the property management business and explore opportunities within the large diverse client base we manage.

“The appointment of Greg and Roland further demonstrates GVA’s commitment in supporting the property management business and recognition that we continue to go from strength to strength due to a number of recent client wins.”