Appointments: Trio join Morris & Spottiswood; Driver Group boosts board; City’s new marketing chief & more

FIT out and maintenance company Morris & Spottiswood has appointed three new staff in its Warrington office.

Richard Crosby joins as project director and will develop a project and programme management capability for clients in the banking sector.

Tony Fall has been appoinyed as senior strategic business partner. He has previously worked with Mouchel and in public – private partnerships with local authorities.

Kerry Whittle has joined as business development manager with specific responsibility for the maintenance sector in the North West. She formerly worked for construction firm ROK.

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DRIVER Group, the Haslingden-based company which mediates in construction disputes, has appointed former InterLink Foods co-founder Colin Davies as a non-executive director.

Mr Davies, a former accountant who has run several firms including Hallmark Industries and Graystone, was a directo of Blackburn-based InterLink Foods from its launch up until its administration and subsequent sale to Irish bakery business McCambridge.

He will chair Driver Group’s audit committee.

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MANCHESTER City FC has appointed Julian Pate as head of marketing.

Mr Pate joins City having worked across a number of senior agency roles, most recently with Razorfish and AKQA.

He will be tasked with developing a number of strategic marketing initiatives aligned to the Club’s commercial and brand objectives.

“I feel privileged to be part of a club which regards digital innovation as a core component to its marketing and communications disciplines.  The club’s ambitions, coupled with recent success on the pitch, make the journey ahead truly exciting,” Mr Pate, pictured, said.

Chief brand and commercial officer, Ian Cafferky, added: “The digital experience he brings with him will be a real asset to the club as we continue to push the innovation boundaries.”

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SOLICITOR Lisa Benskin has returned to her home town to join the litigation team at law firm Napthens’ Preston office.

She qualified in 2006 and was most recently with Hillyer McKeown in Chester.

She is experienced in all areas of commercial litigation from contract disputes to shareholder and partnership disputes and property litigation.

In her new role she will work alongside litigation partner Sean Gibbs with a particular focus on contractual disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, as well as general commercial litigation.

David Barnes, head of litigation at Napthens, added: “Lisa has a great track record and brings a high level of knowledge and experience to the team.

“Our offering to clients will be boosted with her appointment, and I have no doubt that she will be a great asset to the firm.”

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NICK Baird has been appointed as the new chief executive of UK Trade & Investment.

Mr Baird is presently Director-General Europe and Globalisation at the Foreign Office, and the appointment comes as the department announces its new strategy.

The five year plan will see UKTI try to adopt a more ‘entrepreneurial approach’ to deliver growth.

Mr Baird, 48, has also worked as the Ambassador to Turkey and has extensive experience of working with both the European Union and emerging markets.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “This Government is committed to ensuring that trade and investment plays a key role in delivering our plan for growth.”