People on the move: PWA Planning; NVM; Manchester Arndale; berg; GHP Legal

L-R Emily Robinson, Josh Hellawell, Louise Leyland and Daniel Hughes

Lancashire-based planning consultancy PWA Planning has promoted four members of its team as it prepares for further growth.

The promotions follow PWA Planning’s recent announcement that it is moving to new larger offices in Preston’s Riversway Docklands area later this month.

Senior planners Dan Hughes and Louise Leyland have been promoted to associate. Meanwhile, Emily Robinson and Josh Hellawell have been promoted to senior planner and planner, respectively.

Paul Walton, director of PWA Planning, said: “We couldn’t have achieved the success we have enjoyed recently without our staff. These promotions recognise the vital contribution Daniel, Louise, Emily and Josh have made. They’ve provided our clients with an excellent planning service.

“We’ve grown considerably in the last four years, both in terms of employee numbers and the clients we’re working for. Our move to new premises later this month will allow that growth to continue.”

PWA Planning will take occupancy of 2 Lockside Office Park on April 13, relocating from its current premises at Ribble Saw Mill, Preston.

PWA Planning was founded in 2013 by Paul and Stella Walton and has grown to have eight staff. Its clients including Euro Garages, Preston North End Football Club, Ecotricity and Mulbury.

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NVM has strengthened its investment team with two new investment associate hires – Victoria Howarth and Jason Warren.

The appointments continue the growth in the investment team over the last 12 months following on from the recruitment of Charlie Winward in 2016.

Both Howarth and Warren will be responsible for transacting new early-stage and technology focused private equity investments and the expansion at NVM will provide support as the firm pursues a broader investment strategy.

Howarth, who is based at NVM’s Manchester office, joins from IBM Global Business Services where she spent five years as a senior business and technology consultant working on a wide range of technology consultancy projects with substantial experience of project management, third party management and bid management.

Warren, who will be working from NVM’s Reading office, spent his early career as a software engineer in the financial sector.

Tim Levett, chairman of NVM, said: “Adding two young Associates to the existing team will further support our Investment Directors and is an important element in our growth strategy for the next few years.  Both Victoria and Jason bring additional deal-making skills and a broader transaction perspective to NVM. I am extremely excited for the future with these new hires in place.”

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Lisa Henderson has been appointed head of marketing at Manchester Arndale, bringing a wealth of experience gained from marketing numerous global fashion brands.

Henderson brings more than 10 years of experience in marketing and PR.

Most recently, she worked as consumer experience marketing manager for EMEA at American footwear company, UGG.

She has also held posts at luxury consumer brands such as Links of London, where she was marketing and PR Manager, and fashion brand, Jaeger, where she held the position of marketing manager.

Henderson’s experience in CRM, customer journey and market research will all feed into her role at Manchester Arndale, the UK’s largest inner-city shopping centre.

With a focus on the consumer, she plans to work with the centre’s line up of over 200 national, international and local brands to deliver the ideal omni-channel experience that shoppers increasingly seek.

Henderson said she joins the team at Manchester Arndale at an exciting time, with an £11m investment being progressed by joint owners, intu and M&G Real Estate, to create Halle Place, the new dining destination at the heart of the centre.

David Allinson, centre director at Manchester Arndale said:“Lisa’s extensive experience will prove hugely valuable as we seek to work closely with our enviable line-up of stores to ensure Manchester Arndale further cements its reputation as one of the UK’s leading retail hubs.

“With the redevelopment at Halle Place kicking off soon, the centre is about to enter another new and exciting chapter and I know Lisa will be a welcome addition to our established management team.”

Henderson added:“Manchester Arndale welcomes approximately 41m visitors each year and draws from a huge catchment across the North: it is a privilege to be taking the role of Head of Marketing at the centre and I look forward to working with the team to continue delivering industry-leading initiatives and events that bring more shoppers through our doors.”

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Nationally recognised law firm berg has announced the appointment of Andrew Davidson as partner and head of dispute resolution.

It marks a return to berg for Davidson, who trained at the firm before joining Knights, becoming head of litigation for 13 years.

Davidson specialises in all types of commercial disputes; breach of contract disputes, professional negligence claims, banking claims, partnership and shareholder / director disputes, mediation and injunctions.

He has acted on some high-profile cases, including The London Eye upon a multi-million pound solicitors’ negligence claim and a Premiership football club, successfully defending an action to trial brought by a former manager.

Davidson said: “I am excited at the prospect of joining the firm’s thriving dispute resolution department; in particular, the firm’s pioneering work in the banking sector.

“On a personal note, I am very much looking forward to returning to the firm I trained at and I look forward to continuing the good work Reuben, Alison and the wider berg team have been doing.

Reuben Berg, senior partner and founder at berg, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Andrew back to the firm where it all began more than 25 years ago.

“Our dispute resolution department is nationally recognised for its work and the addition of Andrew is sure to add greater strength.

“We are a firm with big ideas and big growth plans and having the right people in place to execute that vision is absolutely critical.”

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One of the North Wales area’s largest law firms has announced the appointment of two new trainee solicitors.

GHP Legal, which has offices in Wrexham, Oswestry, Llangollen and Chirk, is renowned for its keen training programme. The latest trainees were appointed in March.

Sarah Tidswell was already working for the firm as a paralegal when she was offered a place on the solicitor training programme after impressing the partners with her knowledge and expertise.

She will be based in the firm’s Wrexham office.

Nick Hughes has joined the firm’s Oswestry office where his first seat will be in the family department working under the guidance of GHP Legal partner Alison Peters.

Nathan Wright, a partner of GHP Legal and head of training, said: “When we offer a training contract we are looking for individuals with a strong academic base who have proved themselves to be hard-working and fresh-thinking.

“All our trainees undertake a wide ground base to enable them to decide which area of law they wish to specialise in and during their two year training contract they will complete four six-month seats.

“Both Sarah and Nick have shown in their first few weeks as trainees that they can embrace the firm’s values and are keen to play an important part in the team.”

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