People on the move: CBRE; DLA Piper; Vibe Tickets; Furness Building Society; Armstrong Watson

Commercial property and real estate services adviser CBRE has announced the appointment of Ian Griffiths who  will be joining its North West planning and development team in Manchester as director to build on the company’s high profile client portfolio.

Griffiths joins from the Manchester office of GVA and brings a wealth of experience advising clients on the delivery of major development and regeneration projects, including estate renewal.

With a 30-year track record in planning and property in both the UK and abroad, Griffiths has previously worked in London, Hong Kong and China.

He specialises in identifying development opportunities and then advising on the most appropriate development/delivery routes for clients in the residential, retail, office, infrastructure and leisure sectors.

Griffiths has recently advised the Homes and Communities Agency on their Starter Homes/Accelerated Construction Programme and Manchester City Council on the Northern Gateway Development Initiative.

Griffiths said: “My role will be to increase our portfolio of high profile projects, including those with a significant public and private partnership element, working alongside our finance, investment and agency colleagues.’’

Iain Jenkinson, senior director and head of CBRE’s national planning and development team, said: “Ian’s experience strengthens our planning and development capability as we continue to grow the national team and provide delivery advice on some of the country’s largest and most challenging projects which are transforming the urban landscape, enhancing communities and generating value for our clients.”

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Law firm DLA Piper has announced 12 promotions across the North West for 2017 – four to legal director and eight to senior associate.

The newly promoted legal directors include: Rachael Jones (real estate litigation, Liverpool); Ben Morton (projects, Manchester); Luke Stubbs (intellectual property and technology, Manchester); and Philip Williams (litigation, Manchester).

Joining the legal directors, will be eight senior associates, who have been promoted from associate.

They are: Sinead Wood (corporate, Manchester); Angela Stokes (pensions, Manchester); Charlie Weems (finance, Manchester); Aine Clancy (finance, Manchester); Clair Deasey (finance, Manchester); Lorna Pattison (project, Manchester); Hannah Catterall (litigation & regulatory, (Liverpool); and Anthony Wills (litigation & regulatory, Manchester).

In addition, Andrew McIlhinney has been promoted to partner.

McIlhinney joined DLA Piper in 2003 and to date has worked alongside UK head of pensions Ben Miller in the Liverpool office. He has relocated to DLA Piper’s Leeds office to build on the success of the pensions team there.

Liam Cowell, office managing partner for DLA Piper across the North West, said: “I am delighted the hard work of so many individuals has been recognised and rewarded. We have a strong pool of talent at DLA Piper in the North West and we are keen to help individuals realise their potential which is key to helping us deliver the highest quality service to our clients.”

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Fast-growth transparent ticketing app Vibe Tickets, based in Lancaster, has appointed Cornel Lazar as marketing director to assist in developing the brand as the company continues to expand its offering.

Lazar not only brings with him a profound knowledge of the entertainment industry, having worked for Ticketmaster Resale brands, GET ME IN and Seatwave, but his digital experience will ensure that Vibe continues to provide an innovative digital solution to disrupt the traditional ticketing industry.

Since 2013, Vibe Tickets has grown exponentially, attracting investment from a range of different sources including Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and North-West entrepreneur Scott Fletcher.

The app is now operational in eight countries and, with plans to further expand its global footprint and develop its offering, the appointment marks an important step forward for the company.

Luke Massie, founder and managing director at Vibe said: “Cornel’s experience in the fast-paced ticketing industry and his enthusiasm for digital innovation really stood out to us. His ambition is endless and his drive to disrupt the market will be vital for Vibe as we reach our goal of becoming the global ticketing marketplace app of choice.”

Lazar said: “I’ve always had a passion to work with entrepreneurial figures that are making bold moves to disrupt the industries they’re working in. Leaders like Luke are changing the way we transact and interact in the UK and across the world, and it’s this type of digital innovation that I want to be part of.”

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Barrow-based Furness Building Society has unveiled Chris Harrison as its new permanent chief executive.

Harrison joins the Furness as an experienced CEO. His previous roles include president and CEO of Assurant Solutions Europe and CEO of LSG Lifestyle Services Group which was sold to Assurant.

During his career he has held senior leadership and board roles with Chubb insurance (previously ACE Combined Insurance), Simplyhealth and GE Financial Insurance.

He has a strong track record delivering growth, operational change & efficiency to the mutual benefit of customers and all stakeholders.

Harrison succeeded Mike Kirsch, who completed his term as interim chief executive.

The Society’s chairman Colin Millar said: “Chris brings a wealth of experience to the role which will help us to take the Society forward in a rapidly changing market. I would also like to thank Mike Kirsch who has done an outstanding job as Interim Chief Executive, leaving the Society in good shape for Chris to take over the reins.

Harrison said: “I am very much looking forward to working with the board and a strong management team whose values I share. The Furness is committed to remaining an independent and mutual building society and I will support this ethos through the future growth of the business.”

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Carlisle-based Armstrong Watson says Chris Hine has joined its forensic accounting team as forensic consultant.

Hine brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in the field of forensic accounting, including 10 years being the National Head of Forensic Accounting at a top ten firm of accountants.

His previous experience covers the full spectrum of this complex and highly specialised field.

He has specialised in working on large commercial cases with particular expertise in a number of areas including construction and sport. He has been an expert in hundreds of cases ranging from post transactional disputes to complex investigations.

In his career he has advised on some extremely high profile cases, including Premier League football matters and major multi national disputes. His vast experience means that the forensic team at Armstrong Watson now boasts some of the brightest and most knowledgeable experts in the field.

Hine said: “It’s a real pleasure to be joining the team at Armstrong Watson and to be working with colleagues I have known in previous roles.

“I love working in forensic accounting, it’s an intellectual challenge, a blank piece of paper. It’s problem solving at its best.

“My job is to proactively devise solutions to help our clients and support them. No two cases are the same, I find the job challenging and stimulating, and I am passionate about working closely with our clients to help them.”