People: Electricity North West; Distology; Zigaflow; WHN Solicitors; UHY Hacker Young; Made Smarter
Electricity North West has made history by appointing its first female engineering director.
A chartered engineer, Gillian Williamson made the step up from Electricity North West’s strategic planning team and the new role will see her play a crucial role as the company aims to deliver a £1.8bn investment plan to lead the North West to net zero.
The appointment also means Williamson is the only female engineering director out of all of the UK’s distribution network operators (DNO).
She said: “I’ve taken up the role at a pivotal and exciting time for the industry as we drive the technological developments and commercial approaches necessary to efficiently manage the increases and new ways our customers are using electricity.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with colleagues across the whole of the company responding to the needs of our customers who are making the changes on their way to net zero. Engineering is definitely a male-dominated industry, but my experience is that women can bring a different perspective and be just as successful. I’m proud that I can add my voice and show that so many different roles and career paths are open to women of all ages.”
Boasting more than 20 years’ industry experience, Williamson spent a considerable amount of time in power systems consultancy focusing on the implications for the industry of transitioning to low carbon, including organisational requirements and the use of technology to address the challenge of network capacity.
Her move to Stockport-based Electricity North West was inspired by her analysis work which showcased the need for the strategic transformation of the electrical distribution industry and networks.
Peter Emery, chief executive at Electricity North West, said: “Gillian has only been with the business for four years but whilst here, she has shown excellent strategic insight and the ability to implement change swiftly and effectively. Gillian is a welcome addition to our exec team at what is an extremely critical time for the network as the pace of electrification of transport and heat accelerates.”
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Distology, the Stockport-based specialist IT cybersecurity distributor, has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of new sales director, Rob Darby.
With 20 years’ experience, Rob brings a wealth of knowledge with him having held roles in senior positions at businesses across the tech sector, including Pulsant, Ingram Micro and Comms-Care.
Rob Darby
Rob will be responsible for maintaining relationships with Distology’s existing partners and vendors, while playing an instrumental part in Distology’s next stage of growth. As part of his role, Rob will be helping the business expand its team as it continues to scale.
He said: “Channel is my passion and has been the key focus of my career to date, so I’m really excited to be joining the team at Distology. As part of my role here, I’ll be working closely with specialist teams to progress our partner recruitment strategy, while also developing the way partners take our technology to market to solve the ever changing and complex cybersecurity needs of their customers.”
Hayley Roberts, chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled to have Rob on board. Rob has a proven track record in sales and helping businesses to grow, so his skills will not only bolster our already talented and innovative team, but will also help us achieve our ambitious growth plans.”
The business, which holds key partnerships with specialist technology vendors, increased its revenues by more than 75% over the past three years and also gained private equity investment from NorthEdge Capital last year.
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North West software business Zigaflow has created a new role of chief operating officer to oversee and coordinate its continued growth, and develop the operations of the business.
Former director of sales and marketing, Euan Aiken, takes on the role in a move that recognises his impact on the Padiham business since being appointed in early 2020.
In addition to managing Zigaflow’s rapid growth, the new role will see Euan having a more hands-on role in day to day operations, both in terms of team development and external relationship building and collaboration.
Euan said: “Our vision for the company is clear, and I have bold and ambitious plans in place for us over the coming months and years. This change in role will enable me to work with, and develop, the whole team and build upon my connections, to grow the business and maximise employment opportunities locally.”
Euan Aitken, left, and Tim Randall
Having previously been Zigaflow’s second-ever customer, Euan took a keen interest in the company and the development of the business automation software prior to joining the team two years ago.
Tim Randall, CEO at Zigaflow, said: “Euan and I have always worked closely together, and as most of our business growth will be taking place in Lancashire, this role makes so much sense.
“Euan has played an instrumental part in our growth since he joined the company. His understanding of the whole business, as well as his skills and contacts, make him ideally placed to oversee all our operations.”
Zigaflow enables businesses to carry out daily business processes more efficiently, across sales, operations, and service, to help customers grow their businesses.
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Law firm Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has strengthened its wills, trusts and probate team with the appointment of Jennifer Moorhouse.
Associate solicitor Jennifer joins WHN Solicitors, which operates eight offices across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, from Fieldings Porter Solicitors in Bolton.
With more than ten years’ experience in the legal sector, Jennifer is also a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global professional body that recognises experts with proven qualifications and professional experience in trusts, estates, wills and tax.
Based at WHN’s Blackburn office, Jennifer works closely with clients to help resolve complex trust and estate matters, while her specialism in inheritance and succession planning sees her drafting wills to ensure client assets are passed on in accordance with their wishes.
Jennifer Moorhouse
Jennifer is also experienced in dealing with Court of Protection matters and the preparation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
She said: “The firm has traditional values and an excellent reputation for ensuring clients receive the best possible service and advice throughout their case. This is a new chapter in my career, and I look forward to supporting individuals and families across Lancashire.”
Michael Shroot, CEO of WHN Solicitors, said: “Jennifer is a well regarded locally trained solicitor specialising in a very complex and personal area of law.
“Coupled with her Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners qualification, she embodies all the attributes we look for in our team members, so I’m confident she’ll deliver a first class service to WHN’s clients while helping with all their inheritance and succession planning needs.”
Jennifer studied law at Bangor University before completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Manchester. She qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and attained her full STEP accreditation in 2017.
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The Manchester office of national accountancy group, UHY Hacker Young, has appointed Simon Denye as tax partner, as it continues to grow in 2022.
Simon Denye
Simon has 25 years’ experience as a tax adviser, including three years at PricewaterhouseCoopers and seven at KPMG. He is an expert at working with owner managed businesses, having held senior roles within regional independent accountancy practices for 13 years.
He joins UHY Hacker Young Manchester from ETC Tax, a specialist tax consultancy where he was an associate director.
Simon works across all areas of tax but specialises in advising on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, including M&A, demergers and restructuring. He is an expert in tax due diligence, ensuring value is added through compliance and risk is minimised.
He said: “UHY Hacker Young has a well earned reputation for working hard to provide quality services to its clients, nationally and globally. When the opportunity came, I did not hesitate to join.”
Mark Robertson, managing partner, said: “Simon holds exceptional tax knowledge and experience, and he will be a valuable addition to our
existing strong tax team.”
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Made Smarter, the national digitalisation movement to drive productivity, growth and sustainability in manufacturing, has appointed Siemens’ Brian Holliday as its new co-chair.
The managing director of Siemens Digital Industries, based in Manchester, will head up the Made Smarter Commission alongside Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Industry for the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, replacing UK industrialist and former Siemens CEO Prof Juergen Maier.
Together they will shape the future of Made Smarter and oversee the successful delivery of its adoption and innovation programmes, which help UK manufacturers to capitalise on new digital technologies such as additive manufacturing, internet of things, and robotics and automation. The programmes have already received more than £150m in government funding.
Brian Holliday said: “Since the original Made Smarter Review in 2017, I have been struck by the importance of this government and industry partnership in manufacturing to highlight how much the sector matters to address the productivity, innovation and skills challenges in the UK and increasingly, to find the right levers to help to invest in material, resource and energy efficiency, too.”
Brian Holliday
Mr Holliday and Mr Rowley will steer a board of leading industrialists from large and SME manufacturers as well as technology providers and manufacturing organisations, including: Make UK, GSK, BAE Systems, GE Digital, the Royal Academy of Engineering, ICW, Renishaw, ATEC Solutions, Lambert Engineering, the Confederation of British Industry, ABB Limited, Nestle UK & Ireland, TUC, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Accenture and Airbus UK.
Lee Rowley said: “Brian has been involved since the start and brings deep manufacturing and tech expertise to our joint mission to improve productivity in manufacturing.”
A particular focus of the commission will be the roll out of the adoption programme which is helping thousands of SME manufacturers in the North West, West Midlands, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber regions take their first steps into digitalisation.
Donna Edwards, director for Made Smarter’s North West adoption programme, said: “Brian is a fantastic replacement as co-chair of the Made Smarter Commission. I look forward to working with him and other board members in our continued efforts to drive up productivity and slash carbon emissions through the adoption of new technologies.”
