People on the move: Hodder+Partners; Bright & Beautiful; CleverAdviser; OBI Property

Manchester-based Hodder+Partners has appointed Emma Watson as the architectural practice continues to strengthen its design and commercial capabilities.

Watson joins from London-based Hugh Broughton Architects, where she was part of the team that recently completed a £6.3m Visitor Centre and Archive for The Henry Moore Foundation, East Hertfordshire.

The Manchester School of Architecture graduate, who has a Postgraduate Diploma Professional Practice from University of Westminster, has worked on the £18m roof extension and internal refurbishment for the Treasury Building at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, London.

Stephen Hodder, who originally founded Hodder Associates in 1983, said Watson’s appointment follows the recruitment of Richard Newman, Simina Ionescu and Shaun Jenkins last month.

It also comes after Hodder+Partners’ Plaza 1821 Liverpool Waters PRS scheme at Princes Dock was approved by planners last week.

Hodder, visiting professor at Salford University, said: “Emma is a talented and creative architect. She also has an eye for detail, has worked with listed buildings in sensitive locations and is a great addition to the team at what is an exciting time for the practice.

“Emma will be Project Architect for the £30m RHS Garden Bridgewater project which was given the go-ahead this year.”

He added: “Proposals for 25 Rochdale Road were submitted for planning last month, which will bring 100 apartments and commercial space to the north-east edge of Manchester city centre.

“And together with our Plaza 1821 Liverpool Waters PRS scheme, it’s a great time to be working for Hodder and Partners, given the variety of schemes and projects that we are involved in.”

Watson said: “I’m very excited to be joining Hodder and Partners as the practice is hugely respected, not just in Manchester, but across the architecture sector.

“My focus is very much on delivering high quality schemes, which I know is something Hodder and Partners is renowned for.”

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Sue Moore has been appointed as the new president and managing director of Bright & Beautiful domestic homecare services based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester.

This follows following the company’s recent acquisition by the Dwyer Group, one of the world’s largest parent companies of trade service brands and an international powerhouse in franchising.

Since launching in 2007, Bright & Beautiful has grown to more than 50 franchises nationwide, employing over 500 people, with a multi-million-pound turnover and delivering more than 10,000 home service cleans per month.

Moore is now taking the business forward as part of the Dwyer family which is expanding its homecare service brands throughout the UK and which has £1.2bn in system-wide sales globally and 15 franchise brands across the UK, North America and Germany.

Before becoming managing director, Moore was franchise director at Bright & Beautiful for several years and played a key role in growing and managing the business through a major period of expansion. One of the UK’s most experienced franchise specialists, Sue has delivered impressive results within the business arena and is passionate about the world of franchising and the opportunities it presents.

She said: “This is a hugely exciting time to be taking the helm at Bright & Beautiful and, as we celebrate our tenth anniversary this year, I’m very proud to be building and developing it for our next decade in business.”

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CleverAdviser, the Chester-based cloud-based fund analysis software for independent financial advisers which uses artificial intelligence, has appointed senior marketer Patrick Boughton as its new sales and marketing director.

Boughton was previously responsible for marketing at the award-winning Genovo and oversaw dramatic growth of its user base during his time there.

CleverAdviser has passed more than £1bn of client assets through its process since it was originally created in 2000 by a Cheshire-based IFA, who wanted to find a better way of protecting his clients’ investments.

The business now has more than £1bn of clients’ assets on the process and more than 4,000 individual investors.

Boughton said: “I’m delighted to have joined the team as it passes a key milestone of having more than £1bn of assets managed by our process. I will be working with my sales and marketing team and our trusted agencies to continue to develop our relationships with IFAs.

“I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues and playing a role in affirming the status of CleverAdviser as the UK leader in cloud-based fund analysis.

“The thrust of our marketing activity this year is to continue to work hard at gaining more referrals and securing the trust of IFAs through a series of key initiatives and campaigns.”

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Manchester-based OBI Property has announced Paul Mills has joined its transactions and asset management team.

Mills will work alongside Richard Lace, Andrew Cowell, Debbie Meredith, Joe Averill and Will Lewis.

Mills, who has a masters degree in real estate, property management and investment from the University of Salford, previously spent five years with WT Gunson in Manchester.

He is an RICS registered valuer and worked in the professional services team providing landlord and tenant and valuation advice.

At OBI, as well as working with existing and new clients, he will offer a new service stream for the business providing landlord and occupier clients with professional and asset management expertise.

Mills said: “I am delighted to join OBI Property. The firm has an established reputation as one of the leading, most innovative commercial advisors in Manchester. I am looking forward to working with the whole team as I look to develop my skills and experience in a very exciting property market.”

Lace said: “It’s great to welcome Paul to OBI Property. We are always looking to build and strengthen the team and Paul’s diverse experience and knowledge in providing professional and lease advisory services means he brings a new skillset to the business.”

OBI Property is an established real estate consultancy which provides innovative solutions to its landlord and occupier clients which include AO.com, NCC Group, Rentalcars.com, Allied London, Bruntwood, LJ Partnership, British Airways and CBRE Global Investors.