People on the Move: PHD; Complete Training Solutions; O’Connors Legal Services; Bermans Solicitors; Regency Residential

Liz Emerick

Omnicom Media Group’s PHD has appointed Liz Emerick as biddable account director for its Manchester office.

As former head of programmatic and social for Brainlabs in London, Emerick brings extensive experience in cross-channel performance marketing to PHD, successfully working with a wide range of clients, including Boots, Harrod’s, Formula 1, Waitrose and TSB.

Jamie Lyons, head of performance marketing, said: “Liz’s significant experience in biddable media and performance marketing strategy fits perfectly with the evolving needs of our clients and we’re delighted she has joined our rapidly-growing Manchester team.”

In her new role, Emerick will be responsible for overseeing the development of biddable media strategy and continuing to expand the agency’s offering across programmatic display, paid search and paid social.

“PHD has a culture that values challenger thinking and a track record of combining data insight with innovation to capture the imagination of audiences,” said Emerick.

“I’m excited to be part of a team that understands biddable media’s potential to deliver for clients.”

Emerick is the fourth employee since January to join PHD’s performance marketing team in Manchester and will work across the agency’s entire client portfolio, as well as a variety of new projects.

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Industrialist and entrepreneur Jonathan Quinn has been appointed as chairman of the board at Complete Training Solutions (CTS), the Liverpool-based training provider of health and safety courses for the international construction, renewable energy, gas and oil sectors.

Jonathan, managing director of Blockwalls, whose headquarters are in Bromborough, Wirral, has spent more than 20 years as a business leader and innovator in the construction industry and in civil engineering, both in the UK and abroad.

However, Tom Powell, managing director at CTS, said it was Jonathan’s origination, research and development of major commercial projects, particularly in the construction sector, that would greatly contribute to moving the business forward on its targeted growth plan by exploring new workplace training courses and their implementation via new technology.

He said: “Jonathan is a very successful businessman heading up several companies in the construction industry and his expertise will be invaluable as we expand globally to develop our health and safety training to industry leaders operating offshore and onshore.

Jonathan Quinn

“As well as leading the international Blockwalls operation, he is also an acclaimed inventor and originator of innovative products that have successfully been brought to market and we are looking forward to working together to seek out new opportunities where his creativity and forward-thinking adds another dimension to the CTS operation.”

Tom, whose company has training centres at Liverpool’s Brunswick Business Park and Collingwood Dock which deliver accredited courses in “real world” environments, added: “Jonathan also matches our business ethos of supporting the local infrastructure as we work to develop training models which fit the exact needs of a future workforce to ensure major projects in Liverpool City Region come to fruition.

“He is a perfect fit for CTS to strengthen our brand and we are extremely excited to have him on board as we begin this partnership journey together.”

From its Wirral base, Blockwalls, founded by Jonathan, manufactures Lego-style inter-locking concrete blocks for the construction of retaining walls, flood and sea defences and recycling bays in agricultural, construction, environmental and recycling sectors, as well as for infrastructure developers.

His portfolio of companies uses a range of technologies to maximise profit from waste materials, reduce landfill and decrease the carbon footprint by avoiding the need to export abroad as well as training a local workforce to equip them for long-term employment.

His business strategies have taken him to Downing Street as part of Northern Powerhouse and North West growth initiatives, particularly relating to environmental and export issues.

He said: “I could describe myself as a mad inventor as I can’t stop thinking about improvements to current products and future product development.

“However, my passion is innovation in the construction and engineering industries and for challenging working methods to create an environmentally secure economy along with increased profitability.

“I am looking forward immensely to my new role at Complete Training Solutions where we can work together to drive forward the business’ ambitious growth plans.”

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Law firm O’Connors Legal Services, which has offices in Liverpool and London, has made two new appointments on the back of another successful year as it continues to build the team for the future.

Corporate solicitor Marie O’Grady has joined the corporate team from Weightmans and is now acting for a variety of businesses providing corporate governance and transactional advice.

Josh Bates, who qualifies as a solicitor early next year, has also joined the firm and is working across the firm’s corporate, commercial and insurance teams.

Welcoming the new recruits to the firm, O’Connors’ director, John Spofforth, said: “Attracting and retaining high quality lawyers is key to the success of a legal project management business like ours and we are really delighted that Marie and Josh have chosen to join us so we can expand our offering further as we move forwards.

Marie O’Grady, John Spofforth and Josh Bates

“Our strategy is to build a client base of active entrepreneurial clients and grow alongside them by helping them manage risk and seize market opportunities, both nationally and internationally.

“This investment in new people has been on the back of a record year for commercial contract work and corporate transactions, particularly UK acquisitions and cross-border sales.

“Acquisitions have been particularly strong in our specialist sectors of legal, insurance and technology. Sales have included Essential Cuisine’s sale to European food group Solina, Intelipac’s sale to Thai packaging giant TPBI, Risk Services (NW)’s sale to US insurance broker Gallagher, and Haarslev UK’s sale to its global partner.”

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Simon Taylor, a sport and entertainment solicitor, has joined Bermans as a partner and head of their sport and entertainment team.

Simon, who will be based in Bermans’ Manchester office, has more than 30 years’ experience and specialises in representing clients within the motorsport and festival/event industries, providing a full range of legal services.

He has an international reputation within motorsport, acting for national governing bodies and their insurers, circuits, clubs, teams, drivers and motorcycle riders.

Since joining Bermans Simon has negotiated contracts for the 2019 season for F1 drivers and team personnel.

He also has unrivalled experience of representing clients at hearings before the FIA International Court of Appeal and National Motorsport Courts worldwide.

A nationally-recognised expert in the entertainment industry and pre-eminent figure in the licensing and organisation of outdoor festivals, events and concert tours, Simon acts for, and is retained by, the majority of the country’s leading promoters, organisers and venues including Live Nation, Festival Republic, AEG and SJM.

Simon Taylor, left, and Gareth Farrelly

Simon joins former Irish international, and Everton footballer, now qualified solicitor, Gareth Farrelly, who joined Bermans in March 2018, as they look to develop and expand the team with further new personnel already recruited for early 2019.

Bermans has had links in the licenced property sector -led by head of property and construction Fergal O’Cleirigh – for more than 30 years, acting for national brewing companies and others within the licensed leisure sector, dealing with trade agreements, leases, acquisition and disposals and licensing.

Bermans’ Rebecca Fan and David Tournafond are also specialists within licensed trade acting for hotels, restaurants/bars and other licensed premises.

Simon said: “I have worked at some larger firms but feel the culture and commitment to client service makes Bermans a natural home for me.

“They are a partner-led, independent, law firm with offices in key North West cities, Manchester and Liverpool.

“They are innovative as demonstrated by their multi-award winning dispute resolution product, Escalate, and focused on achieving results for clients.

“I am looking forward to working with Gareth and other lawyers at the firm and the opportunities that this will bring for both of us as we look to build a specialist team.”

Bermans Partner, Phil Farrelly, said: “We are delighted Simon has joined Bermans and his arrival bolsters the depth and experience in the firm.

“We have been active in the sports and entertainment sectors for some time and the arrival of Simon and Gareth allows us to continue to develop this and build a team to service a grade A client list in these sectors.”

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Regency Residential, the sales and marketing arm of MCR Property Group, has appointed Matthew Walsh and Christopher Pullan as co-heads of marketing.

The Manchester-based property consultancy firm has appointed Matthew and Christopher to senior marketing manager roles, with joint responsibility for the company’s growing sales and marketing team and the group’s overall communications strategy.

Matthew Walsh brings six years’ industry experience with him, including senior marketing roles at global property investment specialist, Benoit Properties International, and national property developer, RAAN Investments.

Christopher Pullan joins from Resort Worldwide Group, an international luxury real estate agent, property management company and developer, where he spent eight years, most recently as director of marketing.

Christopher Pullan, left, and Matthew Walsh

The appointments bolster Regency Residential’s marketing offering to 10 people, with plans to increase the team to 20 as part of a wider recruitment drive by the company in 2019.

Chris Taylor, managing director of Regency Residential, said: “We launched in January 2017 and since then have grown exponentially to achieve sales of more than £100m across 50 developments nationwide.

“Looking to the future, we have a further 14,000 homes coming to the market via the immediate pipeline of MCR Property Group.

“Regency Residential is now a well-established national brand and, under the stewardship of Christopher and Matthew, our marketing team will be a driving force behind the significant expansion of our international presence.

“Both bring vast international property market experience to the business, which will prove vital in developing Regency Residential’s national portfolio and global client base. We are proud to welcome them on board.”

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