People on the Move: Pareto Financial Planning; Far East Consortium; Glaisyers Solicitors; Mint Bridging; Beattie
Pareto Financial Planning has strengthened its team with the appointment of finance director, Chris Romain.
Chris brings a wealth of experience having worked for more than 10 years in high growth FCA-regulated businesses, including Tatton Asset Management.
He said: “I am delighted to join Pareto at this incredibly exciting time for the business. I am looking forward to helping the firm achieve its future growth targets.”
Chris Colclough also joined the 18-strong team of financial advisers in September. Chris also brings a wealth of experience having successfully run his own business for 10 years prior to its sale in 2010.
He subsequently trained as a financial adviser and joins after three years at St James’s Place.
Earlier in the year Nicky Aspray was promoted to operations director. Nicky has delivered many projects, not least in recent months leading her team, and the wider company, through the logistical challenges which coronavirus presented.
Managing director, John Stevenson, said “I am delighted to welcome Chris and Chris, the experience they bring with them will be invaluable for the future growth plans of Pareto.
“I would also like to welcome all of those who have joined us this year, some of which were thrown in at the deep end joining us just as the pandemic saw us all having to work remotely. The strength of the Pareto culture has excelled during this year.
“I am proud that our team have pulled together and continued to provide an outstanding service to our clients whilst also supporting each other.
“People matter to us and we are pleased to be able to reward hard work and achievements, congratulations to Nicky on her well-deserved promotion.”
During the lockdown period Pareto grew its team by five people across all departments including HR, marketing and employee benefits, taking the total headcount to 55.
Pareto works with individuals and businesses across the North West as well as in partnership with accountancy practices throughout the region, offering financial planning advice to clients.
It has almost £800m under influence and has recently been named as one of only two independent North West financial advisers in the Financial Times Top 50.
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Far East Consortium (FEC) has appointed Rebecca Kirkland as community liaison manager as the developer progresses the Northern Gateway programme to deliver up to 15,000 new homes across North Manchester in the next 10 to 15 years.
The newly-created role allows Rebecca to form strong relationships with communities in those parts of North Manchester covered by the Northern Gateway, a joint venture partnership between FEC and Manchester City Council.
Working in partnership with stakeholders such as the council and local community groups, Rebecca will ensure social commitments can be delivered via a range of innovative engagement projects and initiatives including creative arts, ‘grown your own’ programmes, walking clubs, primary and secondary school engagement, social enterprise, training and employment opportunities.
Rebecca joins FEC following 15 years at Regenda Homes where she held the post of regeneration and employment officer responsible for co-ordinating asset based community projects.
Rebecca Kirkland
During her time with the housing association she led on the 10-year vision for Limehurst and Hollinwood, an ongoing place-based initiative and worked collaboratively with local organisations to achieve positive social, economic and environmental outcomes.
She will replicate this as part of the Manchester-based FEC team supporting community growth and achieving positive change in the areas it develops.
Rebecca said: “Investing in people and place, strengthening skills and capacity, all contributes to long-term transformation.
“Working collaboratively with local organisations maximises impact, achieving wider social, economic and environmental outcomes in the communities we develop. FEC Manchester aims to support community growth, achieving positive change in the areas we develop.
“Our social investment strategy has the foundations to create strong partnerships with stakeholders. Building resilient communities is at the heart of our work and we will forge links with schools, community initiatives and skills and training projects as we realise the vision for the area.”
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Glaisyers Solicitors has added six members to its team since the beginning of the COVID-19 restrictions on economic and social activity.
Four of Glaisyers’ existing paralegals have also embarked on training contracts with the growing Manchester firm.
The latest recruits are solicitors Anas Shah and Stacey Regan, paralegal advocate Arianna Barnes and trainee solicitor Nathan Hughes.
They join litigation solicitor Clare Oliver and head of corporate William Pinnock, both of whom joined during the full lockdown earlier in the year.
Mr Shah and Ms Barnes have both joined Glaisyers’ litigation practice, bringing the department’s total headcount to 11. Prior to joining Glaisyers Mr Shah worked for Preston firm Vincents and Ms Barnes held positions with LPC Law and DWF.
These appointments mark further growth in a department that has just been listed in the Manchester commercial litigation section of the Legal 500. This year was the first time Glaisyers had applied for inclusion in the legal sector’s gold-standard rankings publication.
Meanwhile, Ms Regan, a specialist litigator and personal injury lawyer with more than 10 years’ experience, has been appointed to Glaisyers’ road traffic accident practice. In her last role before joining Glaisyers she spent six months as a lawyer in Sydney, Australia, and previously worked for BLM in Manchester.
Top from left: Anas Shah, Arianna Barnes, Stacey Regan. Bottom from left: Clare Oliver, William Pinnock, Nathan Hughes
Mr Hughes completed his Legal Practice Certificate at the University of Law in 2018, and has joined Glaisyers as a trainee solicitor. He joins former Glaisyers paralegals Charles Hughes, Liliana Armitage and Tram Phan, and costs law professional Nick Mercer, all of whom have moved on to training contracts with the firm.
David Jones, executive partner and head of litigation at Glaisyers, said: “We were clear from day one that we wouldn’t let the pandemic get in the way of our long-term plans. One of the first things we did back in March was to confirm a round of partner promotions, and now we are bolstering our teams to take advantage of the recovery.
“I am particularly pleased to have been able to proceed with the training contracts we had promised to some of our most talented team members, and also to have extended this to new recruits. It feels especially good to have been able to do this at a time when some larger firms have felt they have had to back away from their commitments to their trainees.
“For us it’s about doing the right thing, and also about building the strongest team we can for the future. I would like to welcome all our new team members on board at what remains a really exciting time for Glaisyers.”
In late 2018 Glaisyers underwent a management buy-in led by executive partner David Jones and managing partner David Marlor, backed by the international professional services group ETL Global.
It has since established a presence in London, invested in new IT systems and invested heavily in its team as it has expanded its client base in the UK and internationally.
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Mint Bridging, which specialises in short-term property finance, has made several new appoints to strengthen its team and futureproof its growing business.
Andrew Lazare, founder and managing director, said: “Like most businesses, the past year has been a rollercoaster. From Brexit looming over our heads to the height of the current global pandemic, we’ve had to adapt to new ways of working and reflect on how we can continue to grow as a business.
Karen Shepherd
“We’ve managed to take this time to consolidate our learning and plan for the future, setting out a clear roadmap of how we take Mint to the next level. Part of that journey was the appointment of Karen, followed by Laurence, Dani and Anthony, all of whom bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to the business.”
Karen Shepherd joined the team as its new operations manager to drive operational efficiencies and provide best-in-class service. Coming from a background in process improvement and having worked in the finance industry for more than 30 years, Karen arrived at Mint with tried and tested methods to streamline operations, and her efforts are already reaping rewards.
Mint has also strengthened its underwriter team with the addition of Laurence Perkins. Laurence arrived at Mint as a seasoned underwriter. With a keen eye for detail, his knowledge and expertise make him a great asset – someone who can make the most complex of development loans feel simple and straightforward.
Laurence Perkins
Danielle Comer takes up the role of pre-completions manager, delivering a high-quality service to brokers, solicitors and borrowers. Danielle has many years of experience within the sector, having most recently held the position of completions manager at Together, where she worked for five years, and before that holding multiple roles at Cantor Law, where she was employed for eight years.
Danielle Comer
The final addition to the team is Anthony Gorman, who takes up the mantle of business development manager. Like Danielle, his most recent role was at Together, where he worked as a commercial sales executive for more than three years.
With more than 100 years’ collective experience, Altrincham-based Mint Bridging’s team has a long history of lending – with expertise within bridging and development finance.
Andrew added: “We’re delighted to be growing our team as we look to make the business the best it can be. What’s more, we have some very exciting things ahead of us in the New Year.”
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Beattie, the integrated communications agency, has appointed a chief happiness officer.
Rebecca Longbottom’s remit is to keep everyone in the agency smiling by circulating fun videos, inspiring messages and uplifting emails.
“With almost everyone working from home, its important our people continue to feel part of the Beattie family,” said managing director Rachel Gladwin.
Rebecca Longbottom and Rachel Gladwin
“We’re determined to ensure that isolation does not become a problem for anyone, especially those living on their own.
“Rebecca is doing a great job, rousing our spirits and ensuring we don’t get downbeat with the endless stream of disheartening C19 stories dominating the press, broadcast and social media.”
Rebecca said: “I’ve got the best job in the agency. I’m loving it and so are our people across the UK and Ireland.”
Beattie Communications is also giving staff access to a dedicated health and wellness app and individual counselling, if required.
The app contains guides and games to help with mindfulness, sleep, relaxation and stress management.
Beattie Communications has offices in Manchester, Leeds, London, Glasgow and Belfast.
