People: Mulbury; Anything; Armstrong Watson; Cammell Laird; Gallagher
Developer Mulbury has expanded its senior team with two new appointments to help deliver its ambitious pipeline of housing schemes across the North West.
The company has appointed Chris Brady as technical director, while Renata Bochenek-Gasiorkiewicz joins as technical manager.
Chris joins after 14 years as a partner at CampbellReith in Manchester where he was responsible for a 20-strong team offering design, implementation, and pre- and post-planning technical support for construction projects, including numerous residential housing schemes across the region.
He is a chartered civil engineer with 28 years’ experience in delivering development and regeneration projects. Chris’s expertise spans drainage, flooding and infrastructure matters and he will lead and mentor Mulbury’s technical team to deliver infrastructure of the highest standard across the firm’s pipeline of construction projects.
Renata will work alongside Chris to lead Mulbury’s team of engineers, managing all technical aspects of the firm’s new housing developments, including design of infrastructure such as roads and drainage, structural elements, mechanical and electrical systems, and utilities delivery.
She is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has more than 13 years’ experience in managing civil, structural and highway engineering projects – most recently as a principal engineer at Pell Frischmann in Manchester. Her experience includes overseeing design work and site supervision on schemes such as residential developments, nuclear sites, airports, waste facilities, universities, and mixed use developments.
Greg Mulligan, co-founder and director at Mulbury, said: “I’m pleased to welcome both Chris and Renata to the Mulbury team.
“The depth and breadth of their knowledge and expertise on the technical side of building new homes will help take our infrastructure delivery to the next level – ensuring people have an exceptional experience while living in a Mulbury home.”
Chris, who is originally from Buckinghamshire and now lives in Chester, obtained a degree in Civil Engineering at Kingston University in 1993 and is a Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng MICE) with the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Renata graduated from Cracow University of Technology in 2005 with a Master of Engineering (MScEng) in environmental and civil engineering.
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Manchester creative digital agency, Anything, has appointed Leanda Falcon as its client services director.
Leanda will shape the expansion of the agency by growing its client base while maintaining the core values of the business. Leanda’s career of more than 20 years on both agency and client side, has seen her leading and delivering global digital campaigns. This experience will be an invaluable asset to Anything’s clients and in the next stage of the agency’s growth.
Leanda has held senior positions at some of Europe’s biggest agencies and biggest household brands, including posts at the Reading Room, LOVE Creative, Kellogg’s and Amsterdam’s The Brave New Now.
With an extensive experience of delivering integrated solutions and challenging traditional communications, Leanda has worked across a variety of disciplines: Brand strategy, brand identity and digital innovation. She is passionate about technology-infused creativity with a deep knowledge of user experience (UX) and encourages clients to consider the complete end-to-end experience.
Leanda Falcon
Anything, founder, Mark Holt said: “We’ve worked with Leanda in a number of previous agencies and we know how important she will be in the next phase of Anything’s expansion.
“She makes the complex simple, something we have always valued and wants the best solution for clients’ problems. During the pandemic we’ve supported our clients and won some new ones.
“Leanda’s expertise in strategy, client relations and digital project management will be integral to setting us apart from other creative digital agencies. Welcome to Anything Leanda.”
Leanda said: “Mark and Jono are work colleagues and friends who I’ve worked with on a number of global digital brand projects over the years from Sony PlayStation to Nike to Quorn.
“We work well together, sharing the same mission of demystifying the jargon around technology to create bespoke solutions that exceed clients’ expectations.
“It’s great to be actually running an agency with the guys where we can really excel in our industry. I look forward to building the team and to making Anything an even bigger success story.”
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Twenty seven accounting trainees and graduates have taken up their roles at Armstrong Watson and the firm is on the lookout for almost 30 more as it continues its commitment to investing in young people.
Among the new starters are 11 AAT students and one ATT apprenticeship student, in addition to 15 ACA graduates who started throughout the summer to work towards becoming Chartered Accountants.
The successful AAT/ATT candidates were carefully selected from a record number of 236 applications received for the positions available.
Based in Carlisle, Leeds and Skipton, they will join the accounting and tax compliance teams and will receive hands on experience alongside classroom study as they work towards their qualifications.
Some of Armstrong Watson’s 2021 accounting trainees and graduates
Richard Andrew, partner and head of accounting, said: “We’ve continued to invest in our training programme throughout the pandemic and develop talented accountants of the future. I’m so proud of the training, support and development our trainees receive from our dedicated training manager, Karen Blaylock.
“I truly believe our programme and the experience our trainees receive is unrivalled in the sector and I look forward to seeing this year’s intake develop over the coming years.”
The firm is now also on the lookout for its 2022 intake of ACA Trainee Chartered Accountants and AAT/ ATT apprenticeship students.
Paul Dickson, CEO and managing partner, said: “We have a long history of growing our own talent and strongly believe in investing in our people as our people are our business, providing solutions to our clients.
“We invest in ambitious individuals who are keen to launch their careers and take advantage of the development we offer. With 17 offices across the North of England and Scotland and several different service lines supporting our clients, there’s a huge range of scope for career direction and development available to those who choose to join us on this exciting journey.”
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Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird has welcomed two new apprentices to its growing finance department.
Jae Swift and Sophie Rice join Lewis Nutall and Alexandra Saunders, who started their apprenticeship in the finance team earlier this year. The apprentices are studying for their Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) across NVQ Levels 2 and 3.
Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders is one of the UK’s leading ship builders and has a proud history of training apprentices in a number of trades across the business and supporting them into full time careers.
The company has recruited 46 apprentices over the past year alone. Since 2005, Cammell Laird has put almost 300 apprentices through its multi-award-winning apprenticeship programme – making it one of the biggest in the UK maritime industry.
From left: Lewis Nuttall, Sophie Rice, Brian Wright, Alexandra Saunders, Jae Swift
The company is dedicated to investing in its apprenticeship scheme, benefitting not only Cammell Laird, but the wider Merseyside community and the future of shipbuilding in the UK.
Brian Wright, financial controller at Cammell Laird, is responsible for managing the apprentices in the department and will act as the apprentices’ mentor to ensure they gain hands on experience and exposure to all areas of finance.
Wirral Met is a Further and Higher Education College which supports more than 10,000 students every year with a range of courses from entry level to higher education.
Jane Edwards, business development manager at Wirral Met College, said: “All four apprentices spend one day a week here at Wirral Met where they receive a first class education which they can put into practice within the business.
“Cammell Laird and Wirral Met College have enjoyed a strong relationship and I am always delighted to see new apprentices enter the workforce and forge successful careers. Apprenticeships ensure the development of highly skilled trades people that ultimately benefit our community here in Birkenhead.”
Jae Swift said: “I am enjoying being part of such a great team, the responsibility and accountability for the areas I work in makes me feel like I can really make a difference.
“It’s great to watch the different vessels arrive into the Shipyard, it helps you to appreciate and understand what other departments do, and how we are all just one big jigsaw working to get the job done.”
Sophie Rice said: “I already feel like a valued member of the Cammell Laird team, the opportunity to achieve qualifications whilst gaining valuable on the job experience is so beneficial to young people.”
Mike Hill, managing director of Cammell Laird, said: “I am delighted to welcome the latest intake of finance apprentices to Cammell Laird and look forward to seeing them establish successful careers with the company, and in addition, along with all apprentices across the business, playing their part in driving our business transformation strategy over the coming years.”
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Insurance broker Gallagher has welcomed three new insurance specialists to its Manchester city centre office, strengthening its support for businesses in Greater Manchester and the surrounding area.
Andy Newby
Andy Newby has been appointed sales director and will be responsible for overseeing business development, including creating and implementing the office’s sales strategy to attract new clients and raise the firm’s profile locally.
With more than 16 years’ insurance industry experience, Andy has held a range of roles at Greater Manchester-based insurance broking firms, most recently as account director at Verlingue UK.
Matthew Whalley
Matthew Whalley has been appointed account executive, having joined from insurance broker Aon where he was a project manager. Bringing more than 18 years’ insurance experience, with a background in supporting clients with turnovers in excess of £500m with their insurance and risk management requirements, Matthew will partner with large corporate clients, including multinational organisations, to help them identify their current and emerging risks, and provide them with insurance solutions.
Christine Hare joins as senior account handler, having joined from insurance broker Lockton. With more than 20 years’ experience, Christine will be looking after the risk management and insurance needs of some of the office’s largest clients, who operate in a range of industries, including financial services, property, engineering and marine.
The hires follow a recruitment drive across Gallagher’s North West offices in Manchester, Sale, Liverpool and Chester. A number of new recruits have joined the firm, including graduate trainees and account handlers, who are responsible for arranging insurance for businesses across the region.
Christine Hare
James Fletcher, Manchester branch director, said: “The economy of Greater Manchester is among the largest in the UK, boasting a diverse industry base, and employing a significant number of people. The pandemic has meant that many local businesses have experienced a challenging time, so it is more important than ever that organisations in the region have the right insurance in place so that they can focus on their success.
“We are delighted to welcome Andy, Matthew and Christine to Gallagher in Manchester. As a trusted advisor to businesses in the area, we pride ourselves on providing a local, on-the-ground service. Our new hires each offer in depth local market expertise and are great examples of our commitment to investing in first rate talent to support our clients.”
