People on the Move: iProspect; Saffery Champness; Jones Melling; UHY Hacker Young; Keoghs

Business performance agency iProspect has promoted Heidi Kenyon-Smith to group head of clients for its Manchester operation.

Heidi joins from fellow Dentsu Aegis Network agency Carat where she had been client director since 2015, delivering industry-leading results for large retail clients.

Previously, Heidi spent 10 years working in London in consumer marketing on some of the UK’s best-loved magazine brands at the BBC and Hearst, as well as four years at retailer La Redoute, overseeing their marketing and e-commerce for the UK subsidiary of this international fashion business.

Over the past two years Manchester’s iProspect client leadership team has grown significantly. It now manages more than 60 clients and is on target to achieve 29% growth on 2017.

Heidi said: “I’m delighted to be joining iProspect, one of the jewels in the crown of Dentsu Aegis Network, and a business that has delivered significant results and growth for its clients over the last few years.
“I’m looking forward to helping develop meaningful partnerships and successful growth strategies for our clients as we navigate and win together in the next era of the digital economy.”

Heidi will report to Steve Buchanan, CEO of iProspect North.

Steve said: “Heidi’s experience in managing high-performance teams and delivering insight across the entire consumer journey will only enhance our offering and enable us to deliver further value to our clients.

“This will allow us to help our clients achieve their business goals and objectives through successful growth strategies.”

Heidi’s appointment comes on the back of other senior promotions in iProspect North. Louise Howard has been promoted to client director, with Lauren Rogers and Stephen Waddicor both being appointed to paid search directors.

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Top 20 accountancy firm Saffery Champness has announced that Diane Petit-Laurent has joined the Manchester office as a corporate partner.

Previously a director at Deloitte in Manchester, Diane brings a wealth of expertise in providing solutions to owner-managed business clients with both a national and international presence, as well as private equity-backed entities.

In her role at Saffery Champness Diane will focus on entrepreneurial clients in a number of industries, including technology, manufacturing and retail, working with the firm’s wider teams to deliver integrated advice throughout the enterprise lifecycle, from start-up to growth to exit.

Diane Petit-Laurent

Diane joins fellow partners, Mike Hodges and Simon Kite, in Saffery Champness’ Manchester office.

Matthew Burton, managing partner at Saffery Champness, said: “Diane joins us during a period of rapid growth in Manchester and is a key addition to the team as we continue to enhance our client offering to the local market in the North West.

“Diane has an outstanding track record and is the perfect fit for Saffery Champness, both professionally and culturally. We look forward to working with her.”

Diane said: “Saffery Champness is immersed in UK entrepreneurship and, having worked alongside members of the Manchester team before, I am excited to be joining them and to be bringing my skills and experience to bear for the benefit of the firm’s entrepreneurial clients – particularly in the North West, as well as nationally and internationally.”

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North West property and construction advisory firm Jones Melling has grown its technical expertise with a trio of new appointments.

Building surveyors Robert Worthington and Stephen Timothy have joined the firm, along with architectural technologist Jibran Hussain.

The appointments take staff numbers at Jones Melling to 15. The firm recently opened new offices in Preston and Chester as part of its ongoing growth.

Gary Melling, director and co-founder of Jones Melling, said: “Rob and Stephen are experienced building surveyors with strong project management skills, while Jibran offers us a high level of technical expertise in his role as an architectural technologist, especially in 3D modelling and visualisation.

From left: Robert Worthington, Stephen Timothy and Jibran Hussain

“All three have worked in large multi-disciplinary practices on projects across the UK, so they have the knowledge and attributes that significantly strengthen our team. These appointments give us solid foundations for continued growth.”

Rob joins Jones Melling from a surveying role with JLL in Manchester and was previously at Arcadis and AA Projects.

He specialises in all aspects of building surveys, with specific expertise in dilapidations and contract administration.

Stephen joins from Cowan and Co and his previous experience includes roles at Peter Cox Preservation Surveyors and ACS Surveyors.

He specialises in some of the more traditional traits of building surveying, including rot, dampness and beetle infestation.

Jibran joins from UK commercial property and asset management specialist M J Mapp.

His role at Jones Melling will involve the production of technical drawings for measured surveys, planning, building control and construction drawings.

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Top 20 accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young Manchester has appointed Chris Oxley as business advisory partner within the Manchester office.

Chris joins UHY from North West-based accountancy practice Danbro where he spent 10 years working with independent professionals and owner-managed businesses.

            Chris Oxley

He specialises in helping businesses to grow by providing proactive advice and tailored solutions.

Chris said: “UHY’s Manchester team is very well respected, known for providing valuable advice to clients.

“I’m excited to be working with a team so well positioned to support entrepreneurial companies across the region.

“The decision to join the firm was an easy one for me.”

Mark Robertson, managing partner at UHY Hacker Young Manchester, said: “I am delighted to have Chris on board. He has a wealth of experience in the business advisory space which will further bolster our existing audit and accounts offering.”

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Claims-related services provider Keoghs has appointed 13 new associates, 11 of whom will be based in its Bolton office.

The associate programme was created so that employees can take the next step in their career.

The newly-appointed associate positions range from solicitors, to team leaders and support managers, from divisions including motor fraud, credit hire, casualty and legacy.