People on the move: Begbies Traynor; OnSide Youth Zones

Business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor has appointed former BDO Manchester managing partner Jeff Jones to head up its Advisory service in the North West.

Jones, formerly head of advisory nationally for BDO, will be based at Begbies Traynor’s Manchester head office and will work with commercial clients ranging from banks and accountants to private equity and venture capital funds to provide advisory services aimed at helping them to invest both in the north west and nationwide.

Since leaving BDO in 2015, Jones has held a number of non-executive positions while also co-founding a number of new business ventures.

But he has decided to return full time to professional services to head up Begbies Traynor Group’s Advisory practice across the north west.

Jones said: “This is a great time to invest in the north west, and new lenders and funds in particular are increasingly looking to work with advisors who can help them capitalise on the opportunities that are currently out there.

“Over the best part of the past three decades, I’ve been fortunate to work with a range of different partners doing just that, while also developing strong practices both regionally and nationally, and I am looking forward to putting that expertise back to good use with Begbies Traynor Group.”

Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor Group, said: “Jeff’s knowledge of the Manchester and North West market, together with his experience of running a major advisory practice, is second to none.

“The financial services sector is in the middle of a transformation and as such, there’s a broad range of new and existing businesses looking to work with partners in this area.

“Jeff is perfectly placed to help those firms seize the opportunities that exist both in the North West and nationwide and I’m sure he will be a driving force for our business in this area.”

::

Bolton-based national charity OnSide Youth Zones has appointed a relationship development manager to support the growth of its network of state-of-the-art youth centres.

Jamie Masraff joins the organisation with 10 years’ experience having designed and led transformation and infrastructure projects in the private and public sector, working most recently at Barnet and Sutton councils in London.

OnSide Youth Zones’ innovative funding model creates an interlocking partnership between local authorities, philanthropists, corporate sponsors and the voluntary sector. The success of this cross-sector approach has seen it expand significantly since being formed in 2008.

The charity has an established network of 10 state-of-the-art Youth Zones and is currently progressing projects in a number of other locations nationally.

Masraff’s role will see him nurture and manage key strategic partnerships, leading engagement with local authorities and partner agencies to create facilities and services tailored for the needs of the communities they serve.

OnSide Youth Zones aims to tackle deep-rooted issues around inequality, disenfranchisement, community cohesion and wellbeing. It supports the delivery of quality universal youth service provision at scale and provides local authorities with value for money by achieving shared departmental outcomes.

Kathryn Morley, chief executive of OnSide Youth Zones, said: “We are making fantastic progress, gaining buy-in from ambitious local authorities looking for new ways to fund informal education and increase access to productive, affordable activities.

“This investment clearly delivers value for the public purse across key areas such as health and wellbeing, relationships and social skills, aspiration and attainment. We carried out a socio-economic assessment to define the impact of a Youth Zone and found that public sector funding sees an initial social ROI of £6.66 for every £1 spent.

“Jamie’s skillset and experience is perfect to develop new contacts and foster existing relationships with local authorities and other key stakeholders.”

Masraff added: “Whilst local authority budgets are under significant pressure, OnSide Youth Zones offer an approach which ensures communities can secure the kind of high-quality, sustainable universal youth services that their young people deserve.

“I’m delighted to join such an ambitious charity that is making a name for itself across the UK.”

OnSide Youth Zones’ facilities provide universal youth service provision for youngsters aged eight to nineteen and up to 21 for those with a disability.