People: Mitchell Charlesworth; The Marketing Centre; Nelson Hotels; KPMG

North West accountancy firm Mitchell Charlesworth has made seven promotions, including two partners in its tax and corporate finance teams.

Alison Birch has become a VAT partner in the tax team. She joined the firm in 2016 as a senior manager and has worked in VAT for more than 17 years, both in professional practice and industry.

She has extensive experience in dealing with VAT issues in a variety of sectors including retail, media, manufacturing and healthcare.

Alison has also spent time overseas assisting a large business restructure its global supply chain and has recently been assisting businesses with the introduction of VAT in the Middle East.

Jerry Scriven has been promoted to partner at Mitchell Charlesworth’s corporate finance arm, MC Vanguard, and will drive future growth of the client base in Manchester.

He is a leading figure within the North West financial community, providing board level advice and support for businesses across the region who are selling, acquiring or extending their businesses or require advice on funding and finance solutions.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1990 and completed his MBA at Cranfield in 2002. Before joining MC Vanguard in 2015, Jerry worked in a variety of roles including time in industry acting as commercial director and finance director for different businesses and also as a consultant to the North West Fund for business.

The firm has also promoted Jamielee Johnston to associate.

Having graduated with a degree in maths and finance from the University of Liverpool, Jamielee moved to Scotland where she trained and qualified as a chartered accountant.

Jamielee then returned to the North West and joined Mitchell Charlesworth’s audit and accounts team in 2016. She has a mixed portfolio of clients, including a variety of owner managed businesses and charities.

In addition, two accountants have been promoted to manager. They are Sarah Guppy and Chris McEnaney.

Finally, Emma Houghton and Amy Taylor have been promoted to the role of assistant manager. All four work in the audit and accounts team.

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The Marketing Centre, a provider of part-time marketing directors, is strengthening its North West team with the appointment of highly experienced senior marketer, Adrian Lambert.

The firm has pioneered the concept of part-time marketing directors with a team of more than 80 highly experienced senior marketers working with companies all over the UK.

Adrian, who is based in Knutsford, Cheshire, has 25 years’ experience running the marketing operations for public companies, PE backed businesses, and B2B SME’s.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, he has helped grow multiple companies in the UK and international markets operating in sectors across a diverse spectrum including: technology, software, manufacturing, entertainment and aerospace.

A former marketing director at IFE Services and US media giant Global Eagle Entertainment, Mr Lambert has also successfully led the marketing operations of world-leading SME companies including EDM, Alias, ESR Technology and 4D.

North West regional director of The Marketing Centre, Julie Brook, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adrian to the team. His experience and depth of knowledge will prove invaluable in supporting the excellent work we are doing across the region.”

Mr Lambert added: “All organisations deserve access to high quality marketing and I can’t wait to start working with The Marketing Centre to help ambitious companies in the North West that are keen to strengthen and grow.”

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In advance of the launch of their newest dining venue, Nelson Hotels shares news of the award-winning kitchen team at the Palm Court Restaurant, Bar & Piano Lounge in Chester.

The kitchen, led by head chef Dion Jones under the guidance of group executive chef Paul Prescott, is home to a brigade of eight chefs with a combined 100+ years in the industry.

Returning to the Nelson Hotels team following time spent building his career through positions at Carden Park, Crewe Hall and Earle by Simon Rimmer, Dion has brought with him a wealth of experience including captaining the Junior Welsh National Culinary Team, was a Roux Scholarship finalist and runner-up in 2013 and has cooked for members of the Royal Family.

From left: Paul Prescott, Arron Tye, Dion Jones and Sion Hughes

Current Welsh Young Chef of the Year Arron Tye joined the team in May as junior sous chef and has since been selected as a finalist in the Craft Guild of Chef’s Young National Chef of the Year 2019 competition, to be held this October.

Having notched up a glittering CV at the age of 23, Arron was a natural choice to join the Palm Court Restaurant, Bar & Piano Lounge.

Fresh from the finals of the North-West Young Chef of the Year competition is senior chef de partie Sion Hughes who has also joined the team this month, as the eighth member of the talented task force.

Paul Prescott, Nelson Hotels group executive chef said: “We’re thrilled with the team of extremely gifted chefs we have put together.”

Opening to the public on July 20, Palm Court Restaurant, Bar & Piano Lounge aims to be suitable for all occasions and all patrons.

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KPMG’s restructuring practice in the North has announced the appointment of two new directors as part of its latest round of promotions, reflecting continued investment in the restructuring team.

John Noon joined KPMG in 2002 and is a restructuring advisor with more than 15 years’ experience across a wide range of mid-market sectors.

Based at KPMG’s Manchester office, John has developed specialist knowledge of the ABL market, using his commercial expertise to the benefit of key stakeholders, maximising recoveries from complex situations.

Neil Morley joined KPMG’s restructuring department in Leeds in 2003, and operates across the full range of restructuring situations. Neil has significant experience in construction, haulage, manufacturing and professional services, delivering and leading engagements with a number of local, national and international clients.

John Noon

In addition to the director appointments, two senior manager appointments have been announced.

Rich Curran is based at KPMG in Newcastle, advising stressed and distressed corporates and their lenders across all sectors in the North East.

Meanwhile, Thomas Swiers has been promoted to senior manager within the firm’s Leeds office.

David Costley-Wood, restructuring partner at KPMG in Manchester said: “This significant round of promotions reflects the outstanding talent that we have in the region, and the enormous contribution our people make in supporting businesses who are experiencing operational or financial challenges.

“These promotions span a range of services, including insolvency, profitability improvement, working capital management, financial restructuring and business transformation.

“With economic and market conditions looking increasingly uncertain, more and more clients are turning to us for assistance in strategy setting, performance improvement and contingency planning. As a team we are committed to delivering the very best advice to them.”

KPMG’s restructuring practice in the North is now 85-strong, with 40 staff in Leeds, 33 in Manchester, nine in Newcastle and three in Liverpool.