Appointments: WFEL lands ex-Gardner Group chief as FD; Four new partners at Pannone; and more
THE former chief executive of aerospace components manufacturer Gardner Group has joined WFEL as finance director.
Patrick Grady, who has more than 20 years’ worth of experience in the aerospace business, joined Gardner Group as finance director in 2005 and became chief executive in 2008. He then led a deal which saw WFEL’s private equity owners Dunedin achieve a sale of the business to US-based Carlyle Group.
He has also previously worked for machine tool manufacturer and distributor Bridgeport International and as vice president of NASDAQ-listed marketing services business Applied Graphic Technologies.
WFEL, the Stockport-based defence-engineering group, supplies tactical military bridges to more than 40 different countries, and is a prime contractor to both the US Department of Defense and UK Ministry of Defence.
Ian Wilson, WFEL’s chief executive, said: “Patrick’s track record in the international defence and advanced manufacturing markets makes him an ideal fit for our management team as we continue to expand our global sales operation.”
Dunedin backed a management buyout of WFEL in 2006.
::
Law firm Pannone has promoted four new partners at its Manchester office.
James Thackray from the dispute resolution team, Julianne Moore from clinical negligence, Kim Harrison from personal injury and Kay Kennedy from business development have all been promoted from senior associate to partner, bringing the total number of partners at Pannone to 102.
Thackray moved to Pannone in 2005 from City firm Herbert Smith where he qualified as a solicitor. He specialises in shareholder disputes, search orders and freezing orders and general contract disputes.
Julianne Moore has been at Pannone since 2003 when she joined from Mills & Reeve. She handles a varied caseload including paediatric brain injury (cerebral palsy) and adult brain injury.
Kim Harrison joined the firm as a trainee in 2003 and qualified as a solicitor into the Industrial disease team in 2005. She specialises in industrial disease cases including asbestos-related diseases and cancers, industrial deafness, hand arm vibration syndrome and dermatitis.
Kay Kennedy, pictured right, joined Pannone in 2007 as a business development
manager. She is now the practice’s head of entrepreneurial services.
Managing partner Emma Holt said: “I am delighted to see such talented lawyers from a number of disciplines coming through the ranks. All four have made an outstanding contribution to the firm and these promotions are thoroughly deserved.”
::
Personal injury law firm Jefferies Solicitors in Altrincham has strengthened its costs team with the appointment of Bernard O’Hara as costs manager.
O’Hara is an experienced costs professional with extensive drafting and negotiating experience. He joins Jefferies from Antony Hodari & Co in Manchester.
“We are pleased to strengthen our costs department with Bernard’s arrival,” said Michael Jefferies, senior partner at Jefferies Solicitors. “He is a welcome addition to the team.”
The 17 year-old firm has also just appointed two new personal injury solicitors – Alison Evans and Katy Marsden.
“We are developing the business and investing in our people as we continue to expand,” said Jefferies, who jointly manages the firm with Monina Ramsden.
::
WINSTON Ruddick has joined DSG Financial Planning in Liverpool as an Independent Financial Advisor.
Ruddick (left) was appointed by the following a four-year spell in a similar role with FMG Wealth. He brings with him more than ten years’ experience in financial planning and specialises in pension planning and investments.
He said: “The most enjoyable aspect of my job is building client relationships and helping clients to protect their financial interests. I am looking forward to bringing this experience to bear at DSG and contributing to the growth of the Financial Planning Team.
DSG Financial Planning is the wealth management arm of accountancy firm Duncan Sheard Glass.
