People on the Move: Brabners; Electroserv+; Bugler Smith; TLT; Keppie Massie; Ludlow
Independent legal practice Brabners continues to invest in its senior management team with the appointment of Lisa Robinson-Behnejad as director of marketing & business development, and Ruj Dev as head of commercial finance and project management.
Lisa brings more than 20 years’ experience of developing and delivering marketing and communications strategies across several sectors, including legal and insurance.
She joins Brabners from international law firm DWF, where, in her role as director of corporate communications, she was part of the senior team that helped to redefine the firm as it transitioned from a regional law firm to a global business.
At Brabners, Lisa will take responsibility for all aspects of the firm’s marketing strategy and lead its business development, communications, CRM, digital, brand and product teams.
Ruj is a qualified chartered accountant and joins the firm from Hill Dickinson.
She has more than 15 years’ experience working in the private and public sector, where she has held senior financial management positions at companies such as PwC and Merseyside Police.
Ruj is also an experienced project manager and she will work closely with Brabners’ chief executive Robert White to deliver key strategic projects for the firm.
Lisa said: “In an increasingly digitised market where customers interact with brands through a number of different platforms, it’s more important than ever for firms to communicate in a way that cuts through the noise.”
Ruj added: “Brabners is an entrepreneurial firm with a clear growth strategy and it’s an exciting time to be joining the business.”
Robert White added: “We’re an ambitious firm and to make sure we have the talent and capacity to continue pushing forward we’ve made a concerted effort to invest in our senior team and bring the right people on board.”
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Macclesfield based temperature, controls and sensors specialist Electroserv+ has appointed a new business development engineer to take the company to the next level.
Tom Jeffery has a huge wealth of experience in the wireless sensor market and will predominantly be tasked with finding new business and championing the brand new product range, Tekon by Electroserv+.
He will also be working with marketing agency Plinkfizz to grow brand awareness of the Tekon by Electroserv+ range in the UK and Ireland.
Simon Fisher, director at Electroserv+, said: “Tom has been recruited due to his vast experience in the wireless temperature control and monitoring industry, a very niche line of work with which his knowledge will be invaluable.
“He started his career as an engineer in the industry, so he knows it like the back of his hand, making him an excellent asset in the sales team. It also means we can call upon his experience to get hands on with the product making him a great all-rounder for the company.”
Mr Jeffery said: “I am thrilled to have joined Electroserv+ with a view to help the company grow the new brand. It’s a fantastic business with some incredibly innovative products and the Tekon range fits perfectly with the company’s business model.”
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Bugler Smith, a Cheshire-based brand communications agency, is continuing its growth with the addition of two new recruits.
Jasmine Gibson joins as social media manager from The Hut Group, while designer Harry Williams moves to the agency from Havas Lynx.
Harry has previously worked in London with communications agency Feed, on clients including Virgin Active, Gumtree and ebay.
Warrington-native Jasmine has worked on brands including lookfantastic, Beauty Expert and Mankind.
The privately-owned business, which has more than doubled in size in the past 12 months, works for clients including American Golf, Pets at Home, Rentalcars.com and Vets4Pets.
Harry Williams and Jasmine Gibson
Natalia Ashton-Togher, client services director at Bugler Smith, said: “Jasmine and Harry join at an exciting time for the agency, with new client wins and increased work from our existing clients.
“Social media and digital are areas we’re experiencing rapid growth in, with clients looking for our support and knowledge as they continually look at new and innovative ways to speak to customers.
“Jasmine and Harry will add significant knowledge and experience to the teams here, supporting the management of the increasing number of social media and digital campaigns we’re winning.”
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TLT has hired Jon Hainey, immediate past president of Manchester Law Society and a ‘leading individual’ in the industry’s independent ‘Legal 500’ listings, as a partner in its commercial services group. He joins TLT’s growing Manchester office from DWF.
He will work closely with TLT’s national commercial services group and banking and restructuring group, whose clients include major UK corporates and fast-growth businesses.
James Forsyth, banking and restructuring partner at TLT in Manchester, said: “Jon is a true leader in his field and a valuable addition to our team. There was a real synergy between his experience and the clients and growth opportunities at TLT. His wide range of expertise will further complement our services and help to support our clients.”
Mr Hainey said: “TLT is one of the leading commercial outfits in the market and I am looking forward to working with such a talented and ambitious team.”
His appointment is the second lateral hire in TLT’s Manchester office this year. Paula Cole joined TLT’s employment team in February from Squire Patton Boggs.
The firm also recently promoted Manchester-based corporate lawyer Liz Delaney and real estate lawyer Phil Moran to partner as part of its six strong annual promotions round.
TLT has 24 partners in Manchester and more than 100 partners nationally based across Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester.
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Keppie Massie has made two senior additions to its property management team following an increase in client instructions.
Rob Blackwood has joined the Liverpool-headquartered firm as a property management surveyor, while Jessica Cross has been appointed as a tenant liaison advisor.
Mr Blackwood has more than 20 years’ experience in the property sector, managing a range of large mixed-use commercial portfolios and residential developments.
He joins Keppie Massie from international property investor G Suite Holdings, having previously worked as an asset management surveyor at Mason Owen.
Ms Cross joins the firm from City Residential, where she was a maintenance supervisor for four years, prior to which she worked in student property management roles in Chester and Liverpool.
Jessica Cross
The double appointment follows an increase in the number of properties under management by Keppie Massie, which also offers commercial property agency and development consultancy among its services to clients.
Julie Ward, head of property management at Keppie Massie, said: “Our property management division has flourished in the past 12 months, with the number of client instructions and the scale of assets under management both increasing.
“Recruiting experienced talent of the calibre of Rob and Jessica gives us an excellent platform from which to build on that momentum and to continue delivering the highest level of service to our clients and their tenants.”
Keppie Massie employs more than 30 staff across offices in London, Glasgow, Manchester and its head office in Liverpool.
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North west-based Ludlow Wealth Management has appointed financial services expert John Cummings as its 21st consultant.
He joins the group as a senior consultant following a successful career with leading pensions specialist, AJ Bell where he spent six years as a platinum consultant focusing on the development of its SSAS pensions service.
Prior to working at AJ Bell he spent 14 years with SIPP and SSAS provider Rowanmoor as its sales manager. He will be based at Ludlow’s Preston office, and will help the group cultivate its pension offering.
Ian Hemingway, chief executive of Ludlow, said: “John has over 25 years of experience and knowledge of the financial services sector, particularly in relation to self-administered pension schemes.
“His appointment is a real coup for us and it’s his knowledge and industry experience which makes him a real asset to Ludlow, but more importantly to our clients.”
Mr Cummings said: “Ludlow has a fantastic reputation and I’m joining the group at pivotal time in its history. The acquisition of Edinburgh-based Whyte Sharp, the recent investment from Mobeus to facilitate the management buyout, and its strong relationships with leading financial institutions provides a robust platform for growth.”
In January this year, Ludlow achieved a significant milestone of managing more than £1bn-worth of client assets under management, two years ahead of its original five-year target.
The firm has offices in Southport, Preston, Liverpool, Blackburn, Lytham St Annes and Edinburgh.
