People on the Move: Bertram Burrows; Sigma Capital; Football4Football; CG Professional

Mike Stott has joined chartered accountants, Bertram Burrows, as tax director.

Having held senior roles at large international accountancy firms in the UK and overseas and acted as inhouse tax resource for a North West based PLC, Mike most recently served as head of tax at DSG in Liverpool.

Mike’s new role will see him head up Bertram Burrows’ tax practice where he will lead the firm’s compliance and advisory services to clients across the North West and beyond.

He joins an experienced team of tax and accounting professionals, including his former KPMG colleagues John Phythian and Clare Foley.

Mike said: “I am excited to be joining such a forward thinking practice, and one which has significantly expanded its client base in recent years.

“Working with two senior and well respected former colleagues was an added incentive for me to join the firm. I am looking forward to helping John deliver the strategy for the next stage in the firm’s growth.”

John Phythian, managing director, said: “I am delighted to be working with Mike again. He has an excellent reputation in the North West market and his appointment will greatly enhance our ability to service our clients’ needs.”

Bertram Burrows is an independent firm of chartered accountants based on Wirral.

The firm provides a range of tax and accounting services to clients ranging from private individuals to some of the region’s best known privately-owned businesses.

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Sigma, the Manchester-based private rented sector, residential development and urban regeneration specialist, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Sutcliffe as non-executive chairman with immediate effect.

Ian brings a wealth of board level experience in both house building and other companies.

Most recently he was group chief executive of Countryside Properties, until his retirement earlier this year, and senior independent director at Ashtead Group.

He was also previously UK chief executive of Taylor Wimpey and chief operating officer of SEGRO. Current chairman David Sigsworth will remain on the Sigma board as senior independent non-executive director.

Ian Sutcliffe

Chief executive Graham Barnet said: “We are delighted that Ian is joining Sigma’s board as chair.

“He brings wide-ranging experience and a significant track record. Having worked closely with us over the past seven years, he is fully familiar with the group and with the substantial growth opportunities ahead of us.

“I would like to thank David for his huge contribution to Sigma as chairman over the last 13 years, and we are very pleased that he is able to remain on the board.”

Ian Sutcliffe said: “I am delighted to be joining Sigma at this exciting phase of the company’s growth strategy.

“I have been a huge supporter of the business and look forward to helping Graham and the team take its growth to the next level in the years to come.”

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The free digital football resource, Football 4 Football, launched last month, has appointed Sorrel Ashton as commercial director as it sets to continue on its impressive growth.

Sorrel joins the team from MediaCom North Group where she was group head of marketing.

Her new role will include driving commercial opportunities, brand and investor partnerships, as well as leading the launch to market.

Sorrel has extensive experience in digital, brand, content and sponsorship, working with leading brands including Dulux Paints, Travel Counsellors, Conran, Budweiser and Budvar.

Following recent investment, Manchester-based Football4Football is currently recruiting for multiple roles across the business including, operations, content creators and digital marketers.

With demand for football content at a high, this is the perfect time for the business to create momentum, build on its membership and raise brand awareness.

Football4Football is the idea of retired professional footballer Julian Dowe. He felt many people within the game wanted to share knowledge, but had no central hub to share it with people at the grass roots.

During his early career, Julian played for English clubs including Manchester United, Everton, Manchester City and Wigan.

Sorrel Ashton

The platform’s content is free and is made up of 95% video features. It has the widest selection of exclusive videos from players, coaches and experts, all interviewed personally by Julian.

The overall premise is to create an accessible go-to hub that will educate the next generation coming into the game.

Julian Dowe said: “It has been an exciting journey bringing this together. Using my personal experience and relationships within the game, we have created a unique offering that has the ability to reach young football players, coaches and parents at all levels.

“We wanted to build on this with the appointments of experienced professionals who can help lead Football4Football into its next stage of growth with further sponsorships and investment.

“Landing Sorrel with her extensive experience with MediaCom North, is a real asset to the business as we continue to build our presence in the game.”

Sorrel Ashton said: “Joining Football4Football at this time is a great opportunity for me to play a part in its continued growth.

“The current situation has only further compounded the importance of communities that can help and support each other.

“The football community is huge and its demand for content is high. The aim of Football4Football is to bring it together and share knowledge across all levels. The platform presents a great opportunity for brands to reach this huge market.”

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Lancashire law firm CG Professional has, this week, announced two new key appointments.

In its biggest announcement so far, and in something the firm describes as a coup, Benjamin Dredge is joining the CG board as a managing partner and head of corporate from the Manchester office of Shoosmiths – demonstrating the confidence and commitment to expand and drive the company forward.

Benjamin Dredge

Employment law specialist, Katy Parkinson, is also joining the firm as senior associate solicitor from Forbes, adding to a well-established team to assist with unprecedented growing demand.

Benjamin said: “CG’s reputation went before them – they have broken the mould somewhat when it comes to how regional law firms act and service their clients.

“There is so much potential for a more approachable, commercial and dynamic player in the regional market.

“There are all too many clients that don’t receive enough passion and enthusiasm for their business when reduced to one of hundreds of other clients who are simply attracted by a big city name.

“We want to deliver big city firm service levels, without the national firm overheads and combine it with a passionate and commercial approach to the advice and support we offer.”

Katy Parkinson

He added: “Now, more than ever, businesses need trusted advisors and they should be supporting their clients to help them survive and plan a route to recovery whilst maximising advantages in a time of enormous uncertainty.

“I want to build on so much of what the team have already done here at CG to establish an equally attractive corporate and commercial offering.”

Managing partner, Stacey Turner, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Benjamin and Katy, even at this incredibly challenging time, to assist with our growth plans for 2020.

“Our ethos and culture are different to most firms. Our modern vision attracts the right calibre of lawyers, ensuring we’re able to give our clients a confident and professional level of service.”