Appointments: Moves at Aaron & Partners, Myers Lister Price, DTZ, Brabners, E&Y and more

CHESTER-based law firm Aaron & Partners has made its non-lawyer chief executive, Andy Duxbury, a partner in the firm.

Duxbury, a former marketing director at Manchester law firm Cobbetts, has been chief executive of Aaron & Partners for the past five years.

Senior partner Simon Edwards said the move would help to ensure the future success of Aaron & Partners. “Bringing Andy into the partnership is the natural evolution of the process,” he said.

“Andy plays a key role in the running of the business and that is consolidated by bringing him into the partnership.

Aaron & Partners employs around 100 people at its Chester base and a an office on King Street in Manchester.

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ALTRINCHAM-based Myers Lister Price Solicitors has bolstered its family department with the appointment of Martin Ridings as partner.

Ridings, 39, has moved from SAS Daniels and joined as head of the family department.

His appointment is part of Myers Lister Price’s growth strategy to double its annual turnover to £4m.

Michael Lister, managing partner said: “Martin is a highly regarded family lawyer and he will be a great addition to our already thriving family department.

“Over the next five years we plan organic growth across all our departments, Martin’s appointment is the beginning of this.”

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NORTH West building contractor Thomas Barnes & Sons has appointed a new marketing team in its Bury head office.

Andrew Field leads the team as senior business development manager. He has worked in the construction industry for 16 years and joins from Glovers Project Services.

He is assisted by business development managers Caroline Cowburn and Sue Cooper. Caroline joins Thomas Barnes and Sue Cooper from Space Architects.

Thomas Barnes & Sons is a £25m turnover building contractor trading from offices in Bury, Sefton, Newcastle and Birmingham. Current clients include Stockport council, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Oldham council Myerscough College, University of Chester, Salvation Army Housing Association and Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

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DTZ has strengthened its Manchester-based property management team following the appointment of Tracey Byer as head of sales.

She will be responsible for driving new client growth. Jonathan Keeley has been appointed as DTZ’s head of portfolio active management (PAM) and will advise across all of DTZ’s UK offices.

Catherine Vasseur, Head of UK Property Management at DTZ. said: “These appointments represent an important step in DTZ’s plans to ensure that our property management business remains a market-leading service.”

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Law firm Brabners Chaffe Street has promoted 11 lawyers to associates across its offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Preston, as well as across its range of disciplines.

Natalie Meadowcroft from the firm’s corporate department has been promoted, alongside Richard Hough from commercial; Paul Ryman and Richard Whalley from employment; Simon Morris from litigation; Emma Agamian and Jeanette Berry from private client; Tom Dickinson and Susan Bennett from property, and Chris Anderson and Matthew Barnes from the Sports team.

Brabners Chaffe Street’s managing partner, Mark Brandwood, said: “These promotions are well deserved and show the wealth of expertise that the firm has to offer its clients.”

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RSM Tenon has appointed Howard Cox as the firm’s regional director for financial management.

Mr Cox will take overall responsibility for the firm’s financial management offer in the region, which consists of a team of more than 50 advisors and support staff.

He has previously held a number of senior positions, including spells as managing director of Baker Tilly Financial Services and Lucas Fettes Financial Services.

Neil Sevitt, managing director of RSM Tenon’s North region, said: “Howard will be a great asset to what is already a strong Financial Management practice. 

“RSM Tenon recognises that in these challenging economic times we need to continue to provide the highest quality service to our clients. Howard brings with him a wealth of experience which will be of great benefit to our clients in the region.’

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Ernst & Young has promoted Manchester-based Sam Woodward to partner in its Transaction Advisory Services team.

Woodward, pictured, who joined Ernst & Young in April 2008 has worked on a number of  restructuring, advisory and debt-for-equity deals and has been involved in a number of high profile national insolvencies at the firm, including Zavvi.

The practice’s senior partner in Manchester, Simon Allport, described Woodward’s promotion as “well-deserved”.

“Sam brings a wealth of experience and is a great asset to the team.”

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FORMER solicitor Louisa Hill, 29, has joined legal recruitment firm BCL Legal  in the North West.

Hill joins as a senior consultant for private practice recruitment in the region.
Her role spans contentious disciplines from professional indemnity and commercial litigation to property litigation and regulatory/health & safety.

She said: “I am very excited about joining the BCL Legal team. I knew a lot about the business in our previous roles so it’s fantastic to now be here and making my mark from the outset.”