People on the Move: Ideal Modular Homes; GHP Legal; Royal Navy

Ideal Modular Homes, the Liverpool-based manufacturer, has welcomed big four-trained Andre Muller to the team as its new chief financial officer.

With nearly 20 years’ experience within the financial sector and as an ACA-qualified CFO, he’ll be taking Ideal Modular Homes in a new direction.

A finance professional with global experience across multiple sectors, his career has seen him thrive from audit manager for Deloitte up to his previous role as CFO for Steinhoff UK.

Andre’s financially-focused analytical skills will be an invaluable addition to the wider business, and his involvement in new project tendering and ongoing project performance management will bring a new high-level perspective to the team.

Over the coming weeks he’ll begin implementing changes across departments to ensure a more robust operation, along with building in-depth financial budgets, reports and introducing key performance indicators.

A strategic thinker with a track record of being a business partner to the CEO and wider executive team, Andre’s key responsibilities include cash flow management, live forecasting, budget setting and partnering with each department to monitor and review performance.

Andre Muller said: “I’m excited to be a part of the business.

“It’s been great joining such a fast-paced and growing business, and we can be extremely proud of what we’ve achieved already.

“There is enormous potential in this market and I’m looking forward to going on this journey. I’ll be looking to drive improvements and transformation across the business to help continue their growth.”

Chief executive, Luke Barnes, said: “I’m looking forward to working with Andre and seeing where he takes us in our next chapter.

“He will be joining at board level and will oversee all financial functions as we continue our growth and goal of becoming the number one modular constructor in the UK.”

::

GHP Legal, one of the top 500 law firms in England and Wales, has announced the appointment of solicitor Catherine Field to the civil litigation department at its head office in Grosvenor Road, Wrexham.

The firm, which also has offices in Oswestry, Llangollen and Chirk, completely reorganised its operational systems at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, with solicitors working remotely from home and appointments being carried out by telephone or video call, other than in emergency situations.

Despite joining the team at a difficult time, Catherine says she has felt both welcome and supported. She will continue her specialism in personal injury work as well as dealing with other civil matters.

Catherine Field

After qualifying as a solicitor in September 2019, Catherine worked in Shrewsbury and Manchester before her love of the countryside and Wales brought her to Wrexham.

As a postgraduate at Cardiff University she took up rowing and became a coach alongside her full-time legal studies.

GHP Legal partner, Robert Williams, said: “Due to coronavirus and the lockdown it has been an unsettled start to Catherine’s career with us, but we are very pleased to have her on board.

“As part of the civil litigation team we are expecting to keep her very busy over the next few months, in particular.”

::

Prominent trailblazer and influencer, Simone Roche, is one of five honorary officers from the North in the Royal Navy – and the only female.

Simone is the founder of Northern Power Women and Northern Power Futures, campaigns aimed at accelerating gender equality and social mobility from the North of England.

She was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, earlier this month. As part of this appointment she will undergo a training programme to provide the necessary background knowledge and key skills to undertake representative duties on behalf of the Naval Service.

Hon Lt Cdr Simone Roche said: “I joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18, so this feels like returning home. I can now reflect and wax lyrical about how integral the values and opportunities it afforded me are to my life and career now, and how they have made me who I am.

“As the recruitment campaign said, ‘I was made in the Royal Navy’. And lo and behold, I’m back again.”

Simone Roche

Honorary officers in the Royal Navy bring a breadth of experience and contribute in their own distinct way to strengthen the Naval Service’s ties with the communities it serves.

Simone said: “It is my great honour to accept this position in the Royal Navy as one of the honorary officers, particularly as there are only around 30 across the world who hold the title.

“Honorary officers of the RNR come from a variety of high-profile backgrounds across industry, sport and charitable organisations. Their role is to represent the Royal Navy through their day-to-day lives, including ceremonial duties.

“I want to use this position to create greater diversity in the Navy, as well as to show the community the huge number of amazing and different career paths the Navy has to offer, with first rate skills training, incredible support and opportunities to see the world.”

The Royal Navy’s area regional Commander Commodore, Phil Waterhouse, said: “Simone is a great friend and advocate of the Naval Service and her appointment will deepen the relationship between the community and the Royal Navy.

The armed forces are inclusive employers. We
recognise the value of diversity and proudly serve all members of our communities at home and
overseas. As the only female honorary Royal Navy officer in the north, Simone will wear her
naval officer’s uniform with pride.”

From joining the Royal Navy at 17 as a radio operator, Simone scaled the ranks to Lieutenant before taking up roles outside the Royal Navy, including looking after sponsors for the London Olympics 2012, and events and sales management roles at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Aintree Racecourse.

She was then appointed deputy general manager of operations for the build of the new M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.