People on the move: HOW Planning; Beyond Corporate; United Carpets & Beds

Manchester-based specialist planning and environmental consultancy HOW has appointed two new associates to its team.

Emma Jones joins from GL Hearn and Andrew Johnston from Indigo Planning.

Jones worked at GL Hearn for almost nine years before she was with GVA and WYG. She has extensive experience in a wide range of planning sectors.

Johnston has worked at Indigo Planning for over six years. He advises on residential, commercial and education projects for clients including Legal and General, Lands Improvement, Mansion Group, Northern Trust and Seddon Homes.

The new appointments are part of HOW’s continuing growth.

Managing partner Gary Halman said: “Our work nationally, but especially across the north, is growing all the time with more exciting and high-profile projects.

“Both Emma and Andrew bring with them a wealth of experience and excellent client relationships which will further strengthen our resources and prove invaluable as we take on a number of major new assignments in the coming months.”

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Beyond Corporate, part of Beyond Professional Services Group, has expanded its team with a trio of new recruits.

Manchester-based Beyond Professional Services Group was established just three months ago in July by ex-Fieldfisher Manchester managing partner Matt Fleetwood, together with ex-Fieldfisher corporate partner Jim Truscott.

At the same time they acquired Atticus and implemented its immediate rebrand, consistent with the Group, as Beyond Corporate.

The company has enjoyed a successful start securing both clients and a pipeline of more than 25 transactions with deal values between £5m and £100m. Beyond Corporate has just made three important appointments to strengthen its corporate team, taking the total number of people in this team to 11.

Nina Latham, from Hale, has been appointed the role of associate director to enhance the senior team.

She works mainly with owner managed businesses and entrepreneurs advising them on a full range of corporate matters. Latham will also assume responsibility for managing and training the juniors in the team.

Matthew Ko, from Burnage, and Rory Philbin, from Middleton, both join Beyond Corporate as paralegals, and will work on corporate transactions supporting the senior team.

Fleetwood said: “After three months essentially integrating the business after the acquisition, we are now investing in developing our people, especially our junior lawyers.

“We provide them with client focused legal training. Nina, Matt and Rory are part of our strategy of employing positive people into a positive culture, who have a belief in our overall business model and culture.”

Jim Truscott added: “We will expect a lot from Nina, Matt and Rory, and I am sure they will become a key part of the team and an integral part of what is a very ambitious and inclusive business. We now work towards a structure which offers meaningful career paths for both non-qualified and qualified lawyers, as well as our support team.”

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Janis Baklenow, owner of a Rochdale carpet retailer, has brought her daughter into the business to join the team.

Marie Baklenow has been appointed as a sales advisor at United Carpets & Beds on Union Street, following in her mother’s footsteps at the carpet and bed showroom.

Janis Baklenow, who took over the franchise in October, 2014 is celebrating three successful years at the helm of the showroom, which has been part of the retailer’s network for 20 years.

She said: “Marie has previously helped out in the store and she’s such a natural with customers that I had to have her join the team officially. Customers know they can trust her and she’s building great relationships with them.

“A lot of our business is currently from repeat customers who have been pleased with our service.”