People on the Move: Chorley Group; Constantine Law; Conveyor Networks; Bitrez; Social
Motor business, Chorley Group, has announced significant restructuring to their management team with Pauline Turner handing over the reins to Adam Turner after five years as managing director, and appointing Sue Corkin as group operations manager.
Pauline will be taking up a new role as aftersales director from January 2021.
She said: “After five fantastic years as managing director, we felt that now was the right time for Adam to assume the role.
“Chorley Group have achieved an amazing amount in the last five years winning a number of a high-profile awards and we’re extremely proud of that.
“We’ve weathered the current storm a lot better than many and have come out in a strong position that we now want to build and expand on.”
Adam Turner, currently group sales and marketing director at the Chorley-based business, said: “Myself and Pauline have always worked very closely in the business and I’m thrilled we’ve still got her vast knowledge and experience within the company so we can continue to drive forwards.
“I’m very excited about this new chapter for the group and I’m looking forward to continuing and building on the successes we have achieved through what is going to be an interesting period.
“This year has been challenging for everyone, but we have such a strong team here at Chorley Group we were able to pull together, adapt where necessary, and ensure we stayed at the top of our game.”
The management restructure extends to a new appointment with Sue Corkin joining as group operations manager having previously worked for Nissan GB.
Sue will be involved in all day-to-day operations, working closely with the board and the current management team to try and improve operational efficiencies throughout.
Adam added: “Sue joins us with a vast wealth of experience in both the manufacturer and dealership world and we’re certain she will be a huge asset to the group.
“It’s important for our continued growth, and to ensure we stay ahead of our competitors, that we appoint the best candidates and Sue certainly ticks that box.”
Sue said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I jumped at the chance of working for Chorley Group.
“Chorley Group is a destination brand for many people in the industry, but with such low staff turnover roles rarely become available.
“They have a great team, and everyone is extremely passionate, believes in what they do and are driven to achieve the best for their clients. To be part of that every day is inspiring and I can’t wait to play my part through this exciting next chapter of growth.”
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Constantine Law, the employment and business immigration law specialist firm has, recruited Sarah Evans as a new partner.
Sarah joins from JMW Solicitors in Manchester where she was an employment partner.
Prior to that she was in the Manchester office of Slater and Gordon where she was practice group leader with responsibility for the Manchester employment (private client) department.
Sarah covers the full employment law remit and, in particular works, closely with senior executives, directors and managers on issues such as senior executive pay, exits and bonus disputes.
She has built a strong reputation in advising clients in the NHS and has a growing practice involvement in NHS, regulatory (GMC/GDC) and education sector matters. She has also been building her corporate client work, advising companies on tribunal matters and employment litigation.
Sarah has a strong reputation – most of her work (90%) comes though client, solicitor and barrister recommendations and introductions.
According to Legal 500 2019, Sarah “gets the job done and is tenacious and fearless in the pursuit of her clients’ claims”. She is also a regular contributor to media employment law discussion on the BBC, Sky News and print media.
Sarah Evans
Sarah joins a rapidly-expanding team of senior lawyers at Constantine Law, a firm set up by John Hayes in 2015.
In June this year Constantine Law recruited employment partner Will Clayton from Knights and last year Alan Lewis and regulatory specialist partner Sarah Wallace joined the firm.
Managing partner John Hayes said: “Sarah’s appointment helps consolidate our push to create a Northern hub for Constantine Law, where we now have three senior employment lawyers – although our lawyers are flexible and agile and can meet clients’ needs wherever they are based.
“At Constantine Law we have created a new type of law firm – one that is entrepreneurial and agile and works to a lean business model delivering a smarter, more responsive service to our clients. We are without the fixed costs of many firms which enables us to offer senior expert advice at extremely good value. In times like these, we believe this is even more attractive to clients.”
He added: “The coronavirus pandemic has showed that agile working is definitely the way forward and Sarah’s decision to join us at this time is a testament to our business model. We are delighted to welcome her to the firm. We are looking to hire further senior lawyers of her calibre and grow the business further.”
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Daresbury-based warehouse automation specialists, Conveyor Networks has bolstered its sales and software teams with four new appointments.
The news of the appointments coincides with the very recent announcement that Conveyor Networks will receive £100,000 of funding from Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s Future Innovation Fund.
As one of 14 companies selected, Conveyor Networks has been awarded the money for its ability to innovate in the face of coronavirus. The funding will be used for the rapid deployment of niche software products into the fulfilment supply chain/online sector.
The new appointments are also a testament the company’s ability to adapt in the changed business environment created by the pandemic, it said.
Grahame Ramsey joins as sales manager, bringing with him more than 40 years’ experience in the materials handling industry. His impressive background includes lengthy stints at leading automation companies including, Interoll and Swisslog. Grahame will be responsible for driving forward Conveyor Networks’ sales division and key account management.
The sales team has also been strengthened by the recruitment of Jerome McAllister as technical sales and proposals manager and Stuart Wilcox to look after customer support.
Prior to joining, Jerome spent 20 years at Dematic designing and selling automated systems. After spending 12 years in the Royal Engineers, Stuart also brings with him a wealth of experience to strategically manage customer relationships.
Grahame Ramsey
To support the business goal of developing a ‘software as a service’ approach, Danish Mahajan has also been recruited as software strategy lead. As part of the mKTP with Manchester Metropolitan University funding awarded to the business in May, Danish will ensure successful delivery of a more standardised product approach.
David Carroll, managing director at Conveyor Networks and imio Software Solutions, said: “2020 has proven challenging for all businesses, but we’re incredibly optimistic about the future.
“There is business still to be done, especially in the retail sector where we’re seeing a surge in new enquiries due to the rise in ecommerce sales. The combined knowledge that we’re injecting into the team will ensure we remain agile and responsive to the rapidly automation landscape.
“Having just received our second major funding award this year, now totalling over £200,000, we are in a strong position to enable streamlined growth of our software products portfolio delivered by our sister company, imio Software Solutions. It is our belief that the concept of the flexible warehouse will soon become the new normal, where businesses will need products and services that can quickly adapt and respond to large scale changes in demand. Software holds key to this.”
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Paul Jones, managing director of Wigan-based Bitrez, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, which is the highest level of membership.
He joined Bitrez shortly after it was formed and consisted of a handful of staff.
He entered the lab directly from school, aged 17, into a role as an apprentice technician and through a process of self-teaching and dogged determination, Paul developed his knowledge and experimental skills in chemistry, rising through the ranks to development chemist, works manager, operations manager, head of R&D, and now managing director and co-owner.
Paul is one of the world’s foremost experts in specialist polymers, resins and curing agents. His election to Fellow caps a number of awards secured by Bitrez as a result of his pioneering development and innovative work, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, and business and innovation awards by the Institute of Chemical Engineering, MAKE UK and Chemicals North West.
Paul Jones
Paul’s achievements span cutting edge science, chemistry that has never been developed before, through to leadership and significantly growing and establishing his core business at the forefront of speciality polymer manufacturing while launching a number of other specialist chemical companies.
On the commercial side, Bitrez has grown significantly, increasing turnover to £25m and now employing more than 100 people. It is now a global supplier to the largest names in the chemicals industry and is an important local employer.
“I’m thrilled that Paul has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry,” said Brian Allen co-director and partner of Bitrez.
“The designation FRSC is only given to a select group of scientists who have made outstanding contributions to chemistry. On behalf of the business, I congratulate Paul on this exceptional and well-deserved honour.”
Paul Jones said: “I am immensely honoured to be admitted to the Royal Society of Chemistry as a Fellow. Joining such a select group, who have made so many scientific breakthroughs and advances is humbling, and I feel privileged and very grateful to the RSC for this generous recognition.”
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Luke Cross, former editor of Social Housing magazine, has joined Manchester-based integrated communications consultancy Social as a director to set up a specialist ESG communications division and lead the agency’s expansion into the City of London.
‘Social Invest’ will launch officially later in the Autumn and will work with investors and the financial markets, the social and affordable housing sectors, local government and placemaking, and the development and real estate sectors.
It will help these organisations define and drive the positive social and environmental impact they are creating for local communities and society as a whole.
Social Invest will provide a number of services, including storytelling, thought leadership, communications and PR, content and research, and creative campaigns. It will also provide strategic counsel and help organisations position their impact investing and social purpose reporting.
Luke Cross said: “For some time now the financial community has been moving towards a new way of thinking and investing, with environmental, social and governance issues heavily influencing decision-making.
“I’ve spent a number of years covering finance in social and affordable housing – now a sector that’s raising the bar in ESG reporting in the UK – and have seen how ‘good finance’ and the right kind of investment can connect with social purpose.
Luke Cross
“Where Social Invest will come in is to help funders, non-profits and businesses tell their stories, define and amplify their message, and, crucially, speak a common language, to each other and the wider world.
“I’m over the moon to be joining Social. I’ve worked with John and his team over the years and have seen first-hand their passion and enthusiasm for communities, social value and placemaking.”
Social says it has unrivalled experience and knowledge in communications for purpose-driven finance and investment, the public sector, placemaking, housing, regeneration, real estate and infrastructure.
Founder and chief executive, John Quinton-Barber, said: “Setting up Social Invest with Luke at the helm is a perfect fit for Social.
“We are passionate about working with organisations that help to improve lives.
“In the ‘post-COVID’ world, organisations are going to be under more scrutiny than ever about the way they deliver business. Luke’s experience and credibility with the target sectors mean they couldn’t be in better hands. We are delighted that he has joined us.”
