People on the move: MSB Solicitors; Meadow Foods; Best Western Cresta Court Hotel; Napthens

Paul Bibby is retiring as managing partner of fast-growing Liverpool law firm MSB Solicitors with partner Emma Carey set to take over.

Bibby, who joined co-founder Sean Sexton in 1989, will retire from the partnership in March. He will remain with the firm in an advisory role.

Carey, who has been a partner since 2005, is head of MSB’s family department and her specialties include divorce, financial disputes, children issues including care proceedings, co-habitation disputes and domestic violence.

Paul Bibby leaves the firm, which has three offices in the city, on a high after a record-breaking financial year with revenues smashing through the £5m barrier for the first time and soaring by 16%. In the last few months it has also relocated to a new headquarters at 4 St Paul’s Square.

MSB is also one of the most progressive professional firms in the UK. Around 80% of its 100-strong team are women, as are half of its 14 partners.

Bibby said: “I’m immensely proud of what we have built here at MSB.

“We are open, honest and transparent with our clients. They appreciate that and it is why they keep coming back to use time and time again.”

Carey said: “MSB is an amazing place to work – the team has a real family feel to it. I’m so proud to have earned the opportunity to take on the role of managing partner.

“We have a string of achievements at the firm and, with the support of everyone here, I believe I can build on the legacy created by Paul and Sean.”

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Chester-based Meadow Foods, the UK’s largest independent dairy and supplier of milk based dairy ingredients to the food industry, has appointed Jon Walsh as the company’s new group commercial director.

Walsh will have responsibility for the company’s growth strategy including M&A, new product development as well as further developing the company’s marketing strategy.

He joins the company with more than 25 years’ commercial experience, working in senior roles with businesses such as Nestlé, Procter and Gamble and Thai Union.

Mark Chantler, chief executive officer of Meadow Foods, said: “We are pleased to welcome Jon to the team as we look to further develop our commercial offering and increase awareness of the quality products that we offer.”

Walsh said: “Meadow Foods is an ambitious business that has great products, people and processes. I’m excited to be joining the team at this stage in the company’s development and look forward to helping them achieve their targeted growth plans.”

Meadow Foods currently employs more than 275 people and handles in excess of 650 million litres of milk each year direct from over 650 farmer suppliers from across the UK.

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The Best Western Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, has announced the appointment of Scott McDonald to the role of general manager.

This follows the retirement of Paul Hindley, after a 20-year tenure in the hotel.

McDonald has held the post of deputy general manager at the hotel since 2012, heading-up the hotel’s day-to-day operations, and was instrumental in the launch of the hotel’s new restaurant, Townfields, last year.

In his new role, McDonald takes charge of a team of 88 staff; working with them to deliver more than £4m worth of sales across 148 bedrooms, restaurant, bar and 11 event suites.

McDonald said: “Being a part of the hotel for the last few years means that I have been heavily involved in its extensive refurbishment and am now keen to capitalise on the opportunities that the investment has presented.”

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Preston-based law firm Napthens has revealed plans for continued growth as it names its new chief executive.

John Whittingslow and Shru Morris have stepped up to become chairman and chief executive officer respectively.

Having spent three years as the Lancashire and Cumbria-based firm’s director of finance, Morris will be responsible for developing and leading Napthens’ strategy.

Alongside Morris and Whittingslow, the firm has created a board aligned with its strategic plan consisting of partners Simon Ainsworth, chief operations officer, and Chris Boyle, head of client services.

Napthens boasts an extensive team of specialists in private client and commercial services.

Recent years have seen considerable growth for the firm, including moves into Merseyside and Cumbria where it now operates offices in Southport, Kendal and Penrith.

Originally from Preston, Morris is a qualified chartered accountant. Having trained and worked with accountants RSM for 10 years, she was part of the finance team at Liverpool law firm Weightmans. She joined Napthens in 2014.

Morris, who lives in Cheshire, said Napthens is looking to build on its expansion and investment in the region to provide a platform for further growth.

He said: “We are building our firm around our clients and our people whilst looking ahead for innovative ideas for growth. Lancashire of course, remains a key marketplace for us and we continue to grow our core client base.”