People on the move: Clough & Willis; Brabners; McGoff Group; Pro-Networks; Optus Digital
Bury and Bolton law firm Clough & Willis has grown its private client team with the appointment of Sarah Greene who joins as an assistant solicitor.
Sarah, who lives in Prestwich, will be based out of the firm’s Bury headquarters and its Bolton office in Little Lever.
Her appointment follows an increase in the demand for private client services and the continued growth of the Bolton office since it opened in 2016.
Her new role will see her handle all types of private client matters, including wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection and probate.
Sarah qualified three-and-half years ago and joins Clough & Willis from FDR Law.
She studied for her law degree at the University of Liverpool and completed her LPC at Manchester Metropolitan.
Sarah is STEP qualified, which is the industry standard diploma focusing on the study of the law and procedures in trust and estate administration, tax and accounting.
She said: “Clough & Willis is a forward-thinking law firm that still puts its clients at the heart of the business. That approach was a real attraction and I’m now looking forward to adding value to the firm.”
Lee Marston, managing partner at Clough & Willis, added: “Sarah is a great addition to the team and her arrival further builds on our private client offering. Sarah is a talented lawyer and will, I’m sure, become a central part of the department’s future.”
::
Independent legal practice Brabners has appointed Christine Hart as head of employment at its Preston office.
Christine is a Legal 500-recommended lawyer with 10 years’ experience in employment law, having trained under employment judge Paul Holmes.
She joins Brabners from KBL Solicitors in Bolton, where she was also head of employment.
Christine specialises in advising directors and business owners on the full range of employment and HR issues, from industrial relations and employment tribunal claims to recruitment.
Christine Hart
She has experience working with employers across the North West, including both SMEs and large corporates.
Commenting on her appointment, Christine said: “Employment law is continually evolving and this provides a constant challenge for business owners right across the region.
“It’s vital that we work in partnership with clients and act as a direct extension of their team – only then can we provide the straightforward, commercial advice that will take away any legal headache and allow management teams the headspace to focus on running their business.
“This is an ethos mirrored at Brabners and I’m looking forward to working with the team as we further strengthen our employment offering in Preston and more broadly across Lancashire.”
Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, added: “Bringing the right people on board is vital to fueling the future growth of our firm and by investing in talent we will continue to provide the highest quality service to clients.
“We’ve seen increased demand from businesses seeking employment support in recent months and Christine’s appointment ensures we’re in a position to meet this demand and further support businesses across the region.”
Brabners has one of the largest employment teams in the North West, with more than 30 employment lawyers across its Preston, Manchester and Liverpool offices.
::
The McGoff Group has made the first four appointments at Back to the Garden Childcare, its new day nursery in Altrincham which is set to open in August.
Lorraine Webb, from Sale, has been appointed nursery manager. Her experience covers a career in the early years across the private, public and voluntary sectors spanning more than 27 years, including managing children’s centres in Trafford and being children’s centre development officer.
She said: “The philosophy of Back to the Garden and its approach to childcare is refreshing and the role of manager really appealed to me. The child-led, active learning environment and emphasis on outdoor play in a natural setting away from polluted main roads is something I passionately believe in.
Zoe Bowring, Anne Statham, Stewart Pickering, Lucy Buerkan and Lorraine Webb
“Since joining the team and seeing the build of the nursery take shape, I have grown more excited about Back to the Garden and am looking forward to opening the doors to this innovative new initiative.”
Supporting Lorraine in her new role will be Zoe Bowring and Anne Statham as early years teachers and Lucy Bjerkan as graduate nursery practitioner apprentice.
Zoe, who studied early childhood studies with a particular interest in outdoor play in Manchester, and then went on to do another degree in early years teaching, is an experienced teacher.
Having worked with children in their early years for almost 25 years, both as a teacher and a consultant, Anne is passionate about early experiences and how they shape a child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Lucy is the youngest member of the team at Back to the Garden, having recently graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in psychology. Lucy hopes to continue to work post-graduation to Masters level.
Stewart Pickering, co-founder of Back to the Garden, said: “We have carefully selected the team, ensuring we have the very best teachers and practitioners at Back to the Garden to nurture the babies and children attending. Lorraine, Zoe, Anne and Lucy are, without doubt, an asset and we are very much looking forward to the nursery opening in the summer, working together as a team.”
Back to the Garden, on Sinderland Road in Broadheath, has a capacity for 120 children, from babies through to four and five-year-olds.
::
A finance expert from Chester has joined the board of IT support specialists Pro-Networks.
Karen Newbury, a successful and highly-experienced management accountant, is a governor at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and a non-executive director with Denbighshire-based MHC (UK), one of the UK’s top 50 providers of support to individuals with learning disabilities, mental health issues and autism.
Karen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Karen Newbury
She is a membership assessor and a continuing professional development (CPD) assessor for the institute and serves on its professional standards committee.
Much of her career has been spent in the NHS, working across Cheshire and Merseyside in various roles including assistant director of finance for Liverpool PCT and latterly head of contacting for a CCG.
Pro-Networks provides IT support services to businesses of every size, and from all sectors, across Chester, North Wales, the North West, and UK wide.
“I am delighted to welcome Karen to the board,” said managing director Paul Crudge.
“Her skills and experience will prove a major asset to the business as we continue to develop our services across new sectors and areas,” he added.
::
Nikki Haliwell has been appointed digital marketing executive by marketing agency Optus Digital and will lead its new Manchester office.
Established in 2014, Optus Digital is a digital marketing agency founded in London, which is focused on helping clients to grow their online presence.
After impressive year-on-year growth, and in anticipation of its fourth birthday, managing director Chris Simmance set his sights on a second office further afield, and Manchester soon became the natural choice.
Optus Digital’s second office is now open at No 1 Spinningfields.
Nikki Haliwell
Chris said: “I really love Manchester, not only for the digital community, but also for the great atmosphere and lovely people. I’m really looking forward to spending more time up here growing the business in such an awesome place.”
Nikki has a background in the music industry, marketing and SEO and also has experience in working freelance.
Her experience has led her to working alongside the likes of Apple Music, Spotify, O’Neill’s surf brand, MediaWorks, as well as clients within IT and construction industries.
She said: “I’m incredibly thrilled and fortunate to be joining the Optus Digital team. They are a very exciting and forward-thinking company with vast experience and knowledge and I know that by working together, alongside our clients, we can make the most of what Manchester has to offer have a hugely positive impact for everyone involved. I’m excited for what the future holds.”
