People: RPG Chartered Financial Planners; H&H Insurance Brokers; UM Terminals; Anthony Collins Solicitors; Yipiyap
Former professional footballer, Jamie Reed, is kicking off the next stage of his financial planning career with RPG Chartered Financial Planners.
Jamie, whose professional football credentials include Wrexham, Chester, York City, Cambridge Utd and South Melbourne in Australia, has now signed up as a financial planner with the firm which has Manchester, London and St Asaph offices.
Jamie developed an interest in financial planning while based in Melbourne. Following his return to the UK he has achieved a Diploma in Financial Advice and has six years of experience working in North Wales and Cheshire.
Jamie said: “From my first meeting with the directors, I realised that we have a similar approach towards building a relationship and trust with clients. The most important thing for me is to be able to help and guide my clients through the many ups and downs that most of us will experience.”
Phill Owen, RPG Group director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jamie to RPG as he will be a tremendous asset to our team. It was clear to us from the outset that he will create an immediate rapport with our clients and be able to provide them with the technical support and advice that they need.”
Jamie will split his time between the RPG Group’s offices in Manchester and St Asaph, Denbighshire.
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In a strategic move to support the company’s future plans, Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokers has confirmed the appointment of Stuart Torrance as senior account handler.
In this specialist role, Stuart will work closely with the team of account executives operating across the North East and Yorkshire, with a view to helping further strengthen the company’s presence in the region and expanding its tailored services.
Having worked in insurance for more than two decades, Stuart has developed an extensive understanding of the industry and of changing market needs within the rural sector in particular.
Stuart Torrance
Managing director, Paul Graham, said: “Stuart has cultivated a highly specialised knowledge of the sector from his wealth of practical hands-on experience, and we are delighted that he has decided to join our team. I have no doubt that Stuart will become a key member of the team, further driving performance and strengthening our presence in the North of England and supporting our claims department with detailed technical insight.”
During his professional career, Stuart has held a variety and number of management roles. He joins H&H from McClarrons, where he held the position of claims manager, and is now set to continue H&H’s growth from both a business and geographical perspective.
Stuart said: “Working closely with our team of account executives, my focus will be locked in on our clients to ensure that I have a clear understanding of their business needs. I am really looking forward to supporting them into the future.”
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One of the UK’s leading bulk liquid storage specialists, Liverpool-based UM Terminals, has appointed an experienced commercial director.
Vic Brodrick takes up his new role on May 1, having previously worked as a consultant with responsibility for sales strategy.
Vic has an extensive background working in senior roles in the oil, aviation and shipping and logistics sectors, including spells with Essar Oil, Peel Ports and Peel Airports.
UM Terminals recently put in place a new strategic growth plan to build on the substantial investment the business has made into upgrading its facilities and operations.
It operates out of eight terminals, strategically located across the UK, handling more than 40 different products. It currently has a capacity of in excess of 300,000 cubic metres of bulk liquid storage, but the plan is to grow this to upwards of 400,000 cubic metres.
Vic Brodrick
Product solutions include vegetable oils, industrial, food and feed, chemical, fertiliser, fuels, biofuels and base oils.
Vic said: “The business is at an exciting stage with an ambitious strategic growth plan. I have also been hugely impressed by the culture, customer-centric approach and can-do attitude of the company since I first joined as a consultant in November 2019.”
Managing director, Bryan Davies, said: “Vic’s appointment is an important one for our business and I look forward to continuing to work with him to create and develop a range of exciting customer partnerships.
“Our strategic plan includes maximising our UK capability, harnessing the assets of the wider UM Group and looking for potential acquisition targets that are a good fit.”
The company, which employs 63 people, rebranded from UM Storage to UM Terminals last year to better reflect the range of services the company offers its clients. It is part of the UM Group which has a distinguished history stretching back almost 100 years.
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Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS) has appointed a new partner to its Manchester office in a move to grow its presence in the North West.
Suzanne Gregson joins from Brabners and will help to lead and grow the social purpose law firm’s housing litigation and management practice in Manchester alongside partners Helen Tucker and Baljit Basra in Birmingham.
Gregson brings more than 20 years’ legal expertise to ACS’s growing North West housing team, with further recruitment in the pipeline for ACS in Manchester, a strategic move for the firm, as it looks to build its regional presence after opening a new office located on the city’s King Street in 2019.
With Gregson helping lead the team, ACS is set to bolster the housing litigation services it offers in the North West – supporting an increased number of social housing providers, local authorities and charities.
Suzanne Gregson
Suzanne Gregson said: “Anthony Collins Solicitors is well known for its housing expertise. The firm already has partnerships with a range of social housing providers and local authorities in the North West and nationally. Building on these strong foundations, I’m excited to be joining ACS’s Manchester team and helping deliver the firm’s ambitious growth plans.”
Gregson was the first solicitor in Lancashire to be awarded a Police Commendation for her work combating anti-social behaviour in Preston. She added: “Joining ACS also represents an opportunity to contribute to its social purpose mission. I share these values and believe expanding in Manchester will enable the firm to support more North West housing organisations – improving lives, communities and society.”
Anthony Collins Solicitors’ Manchester office is led by Jonathan Cox. The social purpose law firm’s main headquarters are in Birmingham.
Jonathan Cox said: “Despite the challenges of the last year, Anthony Collins Solicitors is entering a new period of growth in the North West. Suzanne’s appointment demonstrates this momentum, while highlighting the firm’s commitment to the region, with further recruitment planned for 2021. Suzanne joins ACS with a wealth of expertise and drive which will be invaluable as the firm continues to work alongside its housing clients in the North West and nationally.”
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Altrincham peer learning organisation Yipiyap has appointed Jess Shepherd to the role of company operations manager, six years after she joined the company as a peer tutor herself.
In her new role, which starts this summer, Jess will be overseeing and supporting the team of regional directors as they provide peer tutors to schools and colleges all over the UK, while seeking to expand the business into new areas and build its franchise offering.
Yipiyap harnesses the talent of high achieving school leavers and places them with schools for a unique gap year. They provide support to teaching staff and help students achieve better understanding and results in the core subjects of English, maths and science.
Being close in age, they are relatable to the younger pupils and have proven results in raising grades, supporting GCSE resits and managing online learning.
Jess Shepherd
Jess said: “I first joined Yipiyap after completing my A Levels at Loreto Grammar School and when the opportunity came up to join the company straight afterwards, I jumped at the chance.
“I have loved helping to recruit and train other peer tutors and see them help more young people achieve their potential. So many of our tutors change their plans and end up working in some sort of educational role, as it’s so satisfying. Those that don’t still go on to further education or employment with an amazing new set of skills, thanks to the experience.”
Founder and former teacher, Anne Morris, said: “Jess joined us six years ago and was a fantastic peer tutor, providing support across three schools in Greater Manchester.
“As regional director and senior regional director she has been pivotal in our growth and has helped us expand fourfold since 2015. We now have tutors all over the UK and Jess’s insights and experience make her the perfect person to take the company even further, benefitting more young people than ever.”
