People on the Move: Electricity North West; Barton Willmore; Gazprom Energy; Champion Accountants; St John’s Buildings
Electricity North West has welcomed its latest batch of apprentices as the firm continues to invest in its future workforce.
The 17 new recruits joined the region’s power network operator in September and will be in training for the next three years. The new apprentices will be based at Electricity North West’s state-of-the-art training academy as well as various depots throughout the North West.
The apprentices were chosen out of more than 1,000 applicants and will learn to become project co-ordinators, operational engineers, control engineers, design engineers, jointers or overhead line workers.
Last month Electricity North West’s apprenticeship programme scooped the award for ‘Best Learning and Development Initiative’ at the People in Power Awards, organised by the National Skills Academy for Power. The award celebrates initiatives that have significantly benefited the learning and development of a workforce.
Chief executive Peter Emery said: “The apprenticeship scheme at Electricity North West is continuing to grow each year.
“There were a record number of applicants and it is a real delight to welcome everybody to the team. Already we’ve had teambuilding trips and various induction days which have been a real success.
“It’s a fantastically exciting time for these new recruits to join us in the year that we launched our ambitious £63.5m ‘Leading the North West to zero carbon’ plan. The pace of change in the industry is phenomenal and our reputation for innovation makes us a very attractive place to train and work.
“Apprentices make a huge contribution to Electricity North West, they help maintain, develop and grow the network and we’re delighted to have them on board.”
Since the scheme launched in 2007, more than 200 apprentices have been trained and developed.
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Planning and design consultancy, Barton Willmore, has promoted Hannah Walker to the role of planning associate in its Manchester office.
Hannah joined seven years ago, working initially as a graduate planner before being promoted to senior planner just three years later.
Over the course of the past 12 months she has worked on a number of landmark projects across the North West.
Hannah Walker
This includes securing planning permission for the School of Digital Arts for Manchester Metropolitan University and continuing to be the lead planning advisor for the RHS on their new garden at RHS Garden Bridgewater.
Dan Mitchell, planning partner in Manchester for Barton Willmore, said: “We are committed to nurturing and helping all our people progress to fulfil their potential.
“Hannah has contributed significantly to the North West landscape over the past seven years with us, working on key education, leisure and employment schemes.
“Given this, it is an honour to promote Hannah to the role of planning associate given these successes achieved in her planning career so far and I very much look forward to the future.”
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Gazprom Energy, the Manchester-based specialist business gas and electricity supplier, has announced the appointment of Dan Sullivan as head of UK sales.
In his new role Sullivan will be applying his extensive knowledge of the industry to support and maintain the company’s position as Great Britain’s largest gas supplier to businesses by volume.
Reporting into Grace Rothery, Gazprom Energy’s head of UK retail, Sullivan will lead a team of 40 sales people, account managers and support staff.
Formerly with CNG, Sullivan brings 13 years of experience within the energy sector to his new role.
His journey into the industry began as a customer, the licensee of a pub.
Dan Sullivan
Built in the 15th century, the pub wasn’t energy-efficient, resulting in extortionate utility bills. Sullivan conducted an in-depth analysis of the market to successfully negotiate a new electricity deal and gas contract, and after neighbouring pubs saw these skills they asked him to do the same for them.
Having accidentally become a successful energy broker, Sullivan decided to become a bona fide energy professional, and joined BizzEnergy in its customer service team before entering into the sales department.
Sullivan’s previous role at CNG saw him develop and lead a new sales strategy for the business which contributed towards it becoming the fastest growing SME energy supplier for two years, in competition with the market’s biggest players.
Dan Sullivan said: “I fell into working in the energy sector by chance, but I don’t regret it one bit. No two days in the industry are the same, with fluctuating gas prices and major events affecting energy use.
“I’m excited about my new role.”
Grace Rothery said: “Dan is highly regarded within the energy sector and we’re delighted to be welcoming him to the team. He has a wealth of knowledge of the industry with a track record of delivering sustainable customer growth.”
Dan replaces Stuart Taylor who, after 14 years at Gazprom Energy, has moved into a part-time role so he can focus on growing his family business alongside his wife.
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SME specialist, Champion Accountants, has expanded its team by welcoming seven new recruits onto its group-wide accountancy trainee programme.
The accountancy group, which has offices in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool and Chester, offers young people the opportunity to earn a competitive salary, while gaining professional qualifications and developing their industry knowledge through hands-on client experience.
Among those starting their accountancy careers within the 2019 trainee cohort are Niamh Bonnett and Madison Wyles, both 18, who join the Blackpool office as audit and account trainees.
From left: Harry Royle, Madison Wyles, Niamh Bonnett, Luke Evans, Max Kilshaw
Niamh said: “I knew I didn’t want to take the university route, so the trainee programme was a fantastic opportunity to gain qualifications and earn a good salary. I’m looking forward to linking my work with what I’m learning in AAT.”
Madison, from Blackpool, applied for the programme after Champion Accountants visited her sixth form. She said: “I’ve wanted to go into accountancy for a while and this sounded like a great company and the best way for me to become qualified. I’m looking forward to working with my own clients.”
Max Kilshaw, 18, from Blackburn, joins Champion Accountants’ Preston practice.
The accountancy group’s Manchester head office gained three new trainees: Harry Royle, 18, from Astley; Harry Sheridan, 19, from Eccles; and Ben Turner, 23, from Chadderton.
As accounts trainees, both Harry Royle and Harry Sheridan will be assisting with the preparation of accounts for contractors and limited companies.
Having already gained a BSc Hons in Accounting and Finance, graduate Ben Turner has progressed straight to working towards his ACCA qualification and becoming a fully qualified accountant.
Finally, the firm’s Chester office welcomes Luke Evans to the team. Luke, 18, from Wrexham, will begin his journey as an audit and accounts trainee, working alongside senior colleagues to support the practice’s client portfolio.
From left: Harry Sheridan, Ben Turner, Harry Royle
Champion Accountants partners with professional body, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), to ensure it maintains the highest standard of staff training and development, having recently retained its ACCA Platinum Approved Employer status.
Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner, said: “It’s great to see so many enthusiastic new faces join our team. A major part of the Champion culture is to grow our own talent, so from day one, our trainees are given the opportunity to work with clients and build those important professional relationships.
“We really pride ourselves on providing the best possible support and career development to our trainees right across the group in helping them to become trusted advisors and I look forward to seeing each of them progress.”
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Kate Burnell and Samantha Hillas, of St John’s Buildings barristers’ chambers, have been appointed as Fellows of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.
Kate, who was called to the Bar in 1998, specialises in children law, with particular expertise in cases involving complex medical issues regarding injuries and allegations of factitious or induced illness.
Kate Burnell
Sam, called to the Bar in 1996, has extensive experience of all aspects of financial remedy work, dealing primarily with high-value and high-profile cases.
Formed in 1986, the IAFL is a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries.
The Association aims to improve the practice of law and administration of justice in the area of divorce and family law throughout the world.
IAFL Fellows provide legal advice to clients and other lawyers in family law issues in their own jurisdictions and where international issues arise.
Membership of IAFL is by invitation only and involves a rigorous application process, designed to ensure all Fellows have a high-level of expertise.
Richard Norton, head of chambers at St John’s Buildings, said: “With their track record of acting in complex family law cases, Kate and Sam have a high level of knowledge in their particular fields and are truly deserving of this accolade.
Samantha Hillas
“Three members of chambers are now Fellows of the IAFL – Sally Harrison QC, Kate and Sam. Sally, Kate and Sam are the only members of the Northern Circuit admitted to the IAFL currently. The elections add further gravitas to our already outstanding group of Family Law barristers.”
Kate Burnell, said: “I am delighted to have been elected to the IAFL. The platform will provide us with the opportunity to share ideas and learn from high calibre lawyers from across the globe – I look forward to working alongside international colleagues.”
Sam Hillas added: “I’m very pleased to be joining the IAFL, whose members have a wealth of experience of international practice.
“I will certainly be taking advantage of the opportunity to seek assistance and support from Fellows from across the world and look forward to representing St John’s Buildings on a global stage.”
