People on the Move: Carrington Textiles; RSM; Equilibrium Asset Management; 5plus architects; Myerson Solicitors

Adlington-based Carrington Textiles, a manufacturer of workwear fabrics, continues to demonstrate growth with the appointment of a new managing director and sales director.

The appointments follow a period of sustained international growth – including a joint venture in Portugal which has enabled Carrington to significantly increase production capacity, as well as teaming up with an on-the-ground distribution partner in the United Arab Emirates.

The first of these appointments sees Neil Davey progress from sales director to managing director.

Having worked in the UK’s textile manufacturing sector for 27 years, Neil joined Carrington in 2011. Meanwhile, former managing director, John Vareldzis, steps up to the position of group chief executive to manage Carrington’s enhanced international presence.

Passionate about building strong partnerships with customers across the globe, Neil has played a crucial role in expanding Carrington’s customer base in new geographies and ensuring product ranges are developed to meet the unique needs of these environments.

Neil said: “The last few years have seen Carrington go from strength to strength in terms of our market share, progress in research and development and product innovation.

“I am thrilled to have been offered the role of managing director and thoroughly look forward to taking the lead on initiatives including continuing to reduce our environmental footprint, growing our product range, reaching new markets in the USA, South America and the Middle East and taking tangible steps to manage our operations post-Brexit.”

Taking up the helm of sales director is Paul Farrell who will be responsible for leading a team of 22 sales, marketing and product development professionals. Paul’s 30 years of experience began in the paper manufacturing industry, before transitioning across to the textiles space in 2014, where he was director of sales & marketing at Simon Jersey.

“In many respects, paper manufacturing is similar to that of textiles”, said Paul.

“Both involve the processing of fibre into a finished product and, as such, it’s felt like a natural move into this sector.

“I have joined Carrington Textiles following a prolonged period of growth for the company and am looking forward to inspiring continued success across the board as its new sales director.”

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Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has announced the promotion of Nick Wyatt in the North West corporate finance M&A and private equity team to director.

Nick is a prominent regional dealmaker and has advised on a wide range of transactions including the sale of LPW Technology to Carpenter Technology Corporation; Crimson Consulting to Argon Consulting; and Smith Bateson Holdings to Zeus Packaging.

With more than 12 years’ experience Nick has acted on a range of trade sales, management buyouts and private equity deals across key sectors including technology, manufacturing, food and drink and professional services.

Nick Wyatt

He is among 13 newly-promoted directors across the national firm as it strives to be the first-choice adviser to middle market businesses.

Eric Solomons, office managing partner at RSM in Manchester, said: “This promotion is thoroughly deserved, and I’d like to wish Nick every success in his new role.

“At RSM we are committed to attracting and developing outstanding talent and through a dedicated development programme we support individuals to achieve their full potential.”

James Wild, corporate finance partner at RSM, added: “The promotion is testament to Nick’s capability, expertise and dedication to the team and our clients. It’s greatly deserved and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in our team.”

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Equilibrium Asset Management has grown its Cheshire-based team with four new additions, as its assets under management continue to grow.

The Wilmslow-based wealth management company welcomed Joe Smith as an investment analyst and Erika Barbosa as a data analyst, a newly-created role, to its growing workforce.

Joe joined the award-winning company from PPTC (small IFA), where he delivered professional services as a business development manager. Erika has joined the firm from Balfour Beatty, where she worked as an MI analyst.

Both Joe and Erika were attracted to their roles due to Equilibrium’s unique company culture, career opportunities and the people who work here. Erika’s role will include making data more accessible for Equilibrium’s client base, as the company continues to bolster its tech and digital offering.

Furthermore, Matt Barker from Greystone, and William Morgan from multinational giant UBS Private Banking have joined the team as client managers.

From left: William Morgan, Matt Barker, Joe Smith, Erika Barbosa

William said: “I chose Equilibrium because of the great work culture and the opportunity it offers to work closely with clients and really help them achieve their financial goals.

“Equilibrium stands out due to its ability to stay at the forefront of the industry, which means they continue to provide the best possible client service.”

The new appointments come after Equilibrium launched a dedicated recruitment website earlier this year to attract, train and retain new talent.

Colin Lawson, who founded Equilibrium 24 years ago, said: “Equilibrium currently manages over £900m of assets for over 1,000 families. By 2021 we are aiming to be the largest and most trusted independently-owned wealth management firm in Cheshire – with £1.4bn in assets and a headcount of 110.

“Having so much new talent joining the company is fantastic. Joe, Erika, Matt and William will boost our offering in continuing to help clients find their financial freedom and the confidence to make better decisions so they can create bigger and better futures.”

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Following a busy Summer period, 5plus architects – which is headquartered in Manchester and London – has promoted eight members of its team.

Rhys Westacott and John Barrett have become directors, while Alan Palmer and Claire Roberts have both been promoted to associate director, bolstering the practice’s senior team as it continues to widen its areas of expertise.

Meanwhile, architects Emmett McAteer, Arron Tann, Laura Stafford and Cathrin Beermann have been made associates.

Phil Doyle, director at 5plus, said: “These promotions reflect the contribution each individual has made within the practice, and also their increasing responsibilities on projects.

“The promotions form a key part of the evolving structure of the practice.”

5plus has expanded the areas in which it operates, with the practice having successfully brought forward multiple projects in both the public and private sectors across the UK.

Alan Palmer and Claire Roberts

The team is currently leading the Salford Crescent and University Masterplan – recently announcing planning approval for the University’s world-leading robotics and innovation centre – as well as the emerging Northampton Town Centre Masterplan.

Additional public sector work includes a bespoke series of fit-out solutions for clients including the British Council and various housing associations, as well as Urmston Leisure Centre on behalf of Trafford Council.

Within the private sector, the practice has been working on Nottingham’s landmark Unity Square development, which will become HMRC’s regional hub, and on John Dalton House, an office-to-hotel conversion for Qbic Hotels.

5plus also continues to work under various client frameworks, with live projects currently under way for the BBC and London Luton Airport.

Phil said: “We’ve been fortunate to have an incredibly busy few months, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the full practice team.

“It’s been exciting for us to make a further foray into the public sector, particularly within the higher education and leisure spaces.

“The team members being promoted have each played a significant role in helping to drive forward these projects, and we are looking forward to seeing them all continue to flourish.”

Founded in 2010, 5plus is a fully-integrated practice operating out of Manchester and London whose services span architecture, masterplanning, urban design, interiors, graphics and branding.

The 60-strong team works on a range of national projects across the public and private sectors.

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Altrincham-based Myerson Solicitors has appointed contentious probate law expert Alice Vale as a senior solicitor.

Alice joins from Wilsons Solicitors in Salisbury, a private client firm in the South of England, where she was an associate in the contentious trusts and probate team. She brings a wealth of experience to the fast-growing team at Myerson, having completed the prestigious ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) qualification and having successfully appealed the ground-breaking and widely-reported Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 case of Ilott -v Mitson on behalf of three charities in the Supreme Court.

The coup comes at a time of rapid growth for the niche team at Myerson with turnover up more than 30% and a headcount of seven lawyers all focusing exclusively on disputes involving wills, legacies and trusts.

Alice said: “I’m delighted to be joining Myerson. There really was only one choice for me in the Manchester area when I relocated from Salisbury.

“The Myerson team is a highly-respected contentious probate team and one of the largest outside of London. My choice was underlined by the team’s fantastic appraisal in the Legal 500.”

Alice Vale and Helen Thompson

Myerson was one of only four teams in the North West region rated as “Top Tier” for their work in contentious trusts and probate where it was described as “impressive and extremely helpful” and was noted for its work in handling high-value and complex cases.

Helen Thompson, head of the contentious trusts and probate team and ranked as a “leading individual” by the Legal 500, said: “The Myerson contentious trusts and probate team is the largest team dealing exclusively in this area of the law in the North West of England.

“It is also the only firm in the region to be rated as top tier by the Legal 500 in personal tax, trusts and probate; agriculture and estates in addition to contentious probate.

“I consider that we are now the strongest private client team in the region enabling us to offer a complete wealth management and protection strategy whilst being ably supported by our highly-respected corporate and commercial property teams. Alice’s arrival will bolster that excellent technical expertise for our clients still further.”