People on the move: Dreamr; Diversity Travel; Black Cat Building Consultancy; Armstrong Craven; Napthens

Manchester-based app development agency Dreamr has announced that its former head of operations Jack Mason will be stepping up into the role of chief executive.

He will focus on driving the business forward whilst his co-founder Mylo Kaye moves into the role of non-executive director to focus on the strategic direction of the business and personal projects, including dedicating more time to charity work.

The duo established the business in 2014 after meeting at Manchester Metropolitan University and have grown Dreamr into a multi-award-winning agency which creates mobile apps on iOS and Android.

Kaye said: “Jack and I have worked together tirelessly since launching the business back in 2014; he has been instrumental in growing the business alongside me and in taking leadership of the operations, so this is a natural evolution for us as we grow and continue to push the boundaries in creating innovative products and expanding the team.”

Mason said “2018 is set to be a great year for Dreamr and I am excited to be leading the business forward in my new role as chief exective.

“Mylo has been exceptional in driving growth to date, and this change will allow Mylo to focus ‘on’ the business rather than working ‘in’ the business alongside his passion, which is reducing poverty in Manchester, something I know means a lot to Mylo – whilst I manage the day to day growth.”

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Specialist travel management firm Diversity Travel has achieved multi-million pound growth in its key academic sector through recent contract wins, and announced the appointment of a new Finance Director.

Specialising in UK and international travel management for the academic sector, the business has added Southampton Solent University and Nottingham Trent University to its portfolio, totalling more than £4m in value.

The wins add to Diversity Travel’s roster of leading UK academic institutions, including the London School of Economics, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the University of Warwick.

The firm has appointed Eddie Shaw as its new finance director to lead and develop the finance team at the growing company.

He joins Diversity Travel with a wealth of senior financial experience, including roles in commercial banking and mobile phone recycling.

Christopher Airey, managing director of Diversity Travel, said: “We have experienced growth across the board over the last 12 months, but it is particularly encouraging to see such substantial development in the academic sector.

“Our team are extremely passionate about understanding the intricate nature of our academic clients’ requirements and delivering a high quality, bespoke service. This consistent growth is testament to their hard work.”

Shaw said: “It’s a privilege to join Diversity Travel, particularly at this point in time. The business has experienced significant growth in recent years, and I will be working with the team to ensure we’re working smarter, boosting our efficiency even further and future-proofing the business for continued expansion.”

In 2017 Diversity Travel reported overall revenue increases to £63.2m (up 12% on the previous year) having brought in £12.9m worth of new business following a number of key client wins, contract renewals and strategic appointments.

The business serves over 2,000 clients including the London School of Economics, The Salvation Army, ActionAid, Wellcome Trust and Save the Children International.

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Manchester-based Black Cat Building Consultancy has started 2018 with yet more growth with the addition of two more recruits: Chris Bright and Nicole Rosebury.

Bright, formerly of Workman, brings 30 years of measurement and CAD design experience.

He said: “Black Cat are working on some very exciting projects and have provided me the opportunity to get back to the design and construction which I enjoy. They keep things simple with their dedicated team of like-minded, experienced and capable people who work collaboratively with their clients.”

Rosebury will provide further administrative support to the rapidly expanding team.

She said: “Black Cat are a very interesting business. I like the simplicity and transparency which the business has been founded upon and I am looking forward to working with the team.”

Stephen Barnes, director at Black Cat Building Consultancy added: “Chris and Nicole are both great assets to the team and will allow us to develop Black Cats measured survey and technical design capabilities following our appointment on a number of large complex projects.

“This is a fantastic start to 2018 and we look forward to the year ahead.”

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Global talent mapping and pipelining specialist Armstrong Craven, based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, has made a key appointment to its Healthcare and Life Sciences team.

Fallon Gilhooley comes on board as a global client partner. She has previously worked in a number of senior recruitment roles in the UK, Europe and Australia.

Fallon will be looking to develop Armstrong Craven’s client base among CDMO & CRO. She will also be responsible for expanding the firm’s work in the speciality chemicals industry.

She is also a Life Sciences executive board member for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) with responsibility for ensuring best practice in the sector.

Olivia Wynn, Armstrong Craven’s practice director, healthcare and life sciences, said: “The Healthcare and Life Sciences team continues to go from strength to strength, working with a large number of multinational corporations both within specific regions and on a more global scale.

“Fallon is the latest important addition to our own team of talent and will allow us to take our mapping, pipelining and insight services into a number of new and exciting areas.”

Fallon said: “I am delighted to join Armstrong Craven and look forward to helping clients take a more strategic approach to talent acquisition. Our services enable businesses to win the race to fill scarce and senior roles with the best possible talent.”

Armstrong Craven has seen annual growth in excess of 45% since 2014. The firm has offices in London, Manchester and Singapore with further offices due to open in 2018.

Tom Mason recently joined as CEO with responsibility for driving international expansion.

In addition to Healthcare and Life Sciences, the firm’s other key sectors are Technology, Consumer, Industrial, Financial and Professional Services.

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The Employment team based at Napthens solicitors’ East Lancashire office has continued its growth with the appointment of solicitor Natalie Parkinson.

Natalie, of Colne, joins from a regional law firm where she qualified as a solicitor and specialised in dealing with discrimination matters.

In her role at Napthens, she provides practical advice to businesses on all areas of employment law, from disciplinary and grievance matters through to discrimination and redundancy.

Natalie is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, and her appointment comes just weeks after it was announced employment law adviser Rebekah Lindeman had joined the team in Blackburn.

Employment partner and head of the East Lancashire office, Oliver McCann, said: “Demand for Napthens’ Employment & HR advisory service has never been stronger.

“East Lancashire has a vibrant and diverse business community and our HR3 retained employment & HR service is extremely popular with employers, of all sizes, wanting a fixed cost, tailored employment and HR solution.”