People: PM+M; CMS; National Football Museum; Asteer Planning; Dow Schofield Watts; Adlington Management Services
Blackburn, Bury and Accrington-based PM+M, the chartered accountancy, business advisory and financial planning group, has made four promotions in its audit, accounting and advisory and operations teams.
In the audit, accounting and advisory team, Ceri Dixon has been promoted to director. Ceri joined PM+M in June 2015 and oversees the delivery of the team’s full range of services which includes annual audits for companies and charities, financial reporting and risk management as well as one-off projects.
Ceri’s colleague, Lisa Davern, who has been with the firm since 2008, has been promoted to assistant manager.
Dean Rodgers works in the firm’s accounting and advisory team and joined the firm following its merger with Haworths. He has been promoted to manager.
The firm has promoted Kirsty Pilkington to operations director. Kirsty started at PM+M in June 2014. Her role will see her continue to lead on all aspects of the firm’s day-to-day operations across its three offices. Kirsty also works closely with Jane Parry, managing partner, and the wider partner group on various management and delivery projects.
Jane Parry said: “It is always really encouraging and satisfying when we make these kinds of promotions as the success of PM+M is down to an incredibly dedicated and talented group of professionals. Every one of these promotions is hugely deserved and I congratulate Ceri, Dean, Lisa and Kirsty on their achievements.”
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Law firm CMS has added Chris Henshaw, a hugely experienced and highly regarded lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience, to its team.
Chris Henshaw
Chris joins CMS from Addleshaw Goddard, where he was legal director.
He specialises in non-contentious construction and has advised developers, funders, contractors and other stakeholders on a range of contract forms across many sectors including infrastructure, transport, commercial development and energy.
Chris is rated by Chambers and Partners which notes that he is “a pragmatic lawyer who is good at finding common ground” and who “has a thorough knowledge of the construction area”.
CMS partner, Chris Hallam, said: “Our specialist construction practice in the North now numbers 22 lawyers – one of the largest in the region – and we continue to grow across both Manchester and Sheffield.”
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The National Football Museum has appointed John Brewer as new Chair of Trustees, John Brewer. This follows the resignation of John’s predecessor, Ian Penrose.
John started his working life with The FA as head of human performance and was the first sports scientist to work in English Football, which included being part of the backroom staff at Italia 90. He is a Professor of Applied Sports Science and has held a number of senior leadership roles at UK universities.
He also worked with the England Women’s football team and England Amputees Football team, as well as spending 14 seasons conducting the annual fitness testing on all Premier and Football League referees and assistant referees.
John Brewer
John said: “I am honoured to be offered the role of Chair of Trustees of the National Football Museum, and look forward to working with the board, the executives and the team at the museum over the coming years.
“As we emerge from the effects the global pandemic has had on all aspects of society, there is a real and exciting opportunity to grow the museum and to further extend its positive impact on all aspects of society, both within the UK and overseas.
“I hope during my time as chair, the museum can further build on the outstanding work that those who have preceded me have done and continue to inspire and excite even more people from all backgrounds and ages.”
The museum thanked Ian Penrose for his service, having been on the board for a decade, including four years as chair.
Ian said: “I am proud to have overseen, with my fellow trustees, the creation and development of the magnificent National Football Museum in Manchester and pursued continual improvements in the exhibitions and commercial activities such that we were able to successfully navigate the significant challenges posed by the pandemic.”
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Manchester-based Asteer Planning has added to its growing team with a number of new key appointments at the specialist planning consultancy.
Established just 10 months ago, Asteer employs a team of eight, under the leadership of managing partner Jon Suckley and partner Alice Routledge.
Recent appointments include Jon Power, and Paul Nellist, both associate partners, and Alice Henderson, who joins as senior planner.
From left: Jon Power, Alice Henderson, Paul Nellist
These latest appointments also coincide with a move to new city centre premises for the practice, with offices based in Mynshulls House, located next to Manchester Cathedral on Cateaton Street.
Jon Suckley said: “What a way to start the year, with a brilliant team and fantastic new premises. We have a high quality team of experienced advisors focusing on urban, commercial, residential and strategic planning advisory and our recent growth puts us in an excellent position to continue to add value to all our clients’ projects across the full range of property sectors. We are looking forward to an exciting future with an exceptionally talented team.”
Asteer Planning was established in April 2021 and is already working with an increasing portfolio of clients including Urbo Regeneration, Far East Consortium, HBD, Tritax Symmetry, Seddon, Richborough Estates, Clowes, Developments, Lovell Partnerships, Bellway Homes, Countryside, David Wilson Homes and Bloor Homes.
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Dow Schofield Watts has expanded its North West transaction services team with the appointment of Alex Aitchison and Elliot Pledger as executives.
Alex joins from Liverpool Football Club, where he was part of the financial planning and analysis team helping to manage forecasts and produce budgets. He has six years’ experience in finance, having started his career with PWC, where he qualified as an accountant and was part of the external audit team.
Elliot Pledger and Alex Aitchison
Elliot joins from PwC, where he started as a trainee in 2017 and gained his accountancy qualifications. Most recently he was a senior associate working in digital audit in sectors including banking, leisure, and oil and gas.
Ed Brentnall, joint head of Daresbury-based Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services, said: “With the sustained upturn in mergers and acquisitions in the North West, and the volume of deals we have in the pipeline, we felt now was the right time to expand our team.
“We’re excited to welcome Alex and Elliot to the team.”
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The management arm of Congleton-based Adlington Retirement Living has appointed a general manager to its latest retirement community in Heaton Mersey.
Donna Cowell now leads a team of nine at The Woodlands.
Donna has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, social care and retirement living and said: “I love the ethos of Adlington Retirement Living. I think it’s a fantastic idea being able to help people to remain independent. Knowing that we’re here to support our homeowners is hopefully reassuring for them and their families.”
Donna Cowell
Adlington Retirement Living, which designs, builds and operates its own schemes, brought the management of its retirement communities in-house with the launch of Adlington Management Services in 2019.
Managing director of Adlington Retirement Living, Ed Gladman, said: “Our move to manage our own developments is part of our strategy for long term growth. It ensures we can provide a consistently outstanding service to our homeowners.”
New homeowners are due to start moving into The Woodlands this month.
Adlington Retirement Living develops and operates high-end, purpose-built retirement communities in the North West, Yorkshire and The Midlands.
