People: PrudentFPA; Seneca Partners; Capital&Centric; This Generation Communications; Yoma
Financial planning firm, PrudentFPA, has welcomed three new recruits to its growing business.
Based in Lancaster city centre, the firm is experiencing a period of growth following its recent acquisition of Carlisle financial advisers’ business, Edwards and Pringle and the opening of a second PrudentFPA office, in Carlisle. This period of growth necessitated a recruitment drive for the firm.
PrudentFPA director, James Booth, said: “The last 12 months have been a period of growth for the business, and we are delighted to have recruited three very different and talented individuals.
“When we began the recruitment process, we started with values. We focused on the values and strengths that we were looking for in the new team members, as it was important for us to start with really good foundations, as skills can be taught.”
Nikky Jackson joins PrudentFPA as a receptionist/administrator. Prior to joining PrudentFPA, Nicky worked at the University of Lancaster. She said: “Before PrudentFPA, I worked at the University of Lancaster in the IT department, training lecturers on how to create accessible material. I made the move to PrudentFPA as I was on a temporary contract, and I wanted a secure role with career progression.”
James Booth added: “We were impressed with Nikky’s role at Lancaster University, where she had created processes in order to develop accessible material for students. As PrudentFPA is a process led business, we knew that Nicky’s approach would be the right fit for our business and for our clients.”
Sarah Henry’s previous role was a baker, before joining PrudentFPA as an administrator. Sarah said: “Before I came to Prudent FPA I was working as a baker, and before that I had worked in financial services. I am excited about my return to the industry.”
James Booth said: “We were impressed by Sarah’s tenacity. She told us of a time when she chased a thief from her place of work. It was this dedication and belief in what is right, backed up by her values, that really made Sarah stand out for us.
Stan Eden, the final new recruit to the financial planning firm, had been working the nightshift at a supermarket, stacking shelves. With no financial services experience, it was Stan’s ambition and drive that impressed Mr Booth. He said: “Stan wanted to get into the industry, but he was coming up against issues around his age and lack of experience. What really impressed us was that Stan had already passed some of the exams needed for this role, under his own steam, and outside of his job.
“Having someone who is ambitious and prepared to go the extra mile, not only for his own development but also to understand the client experience, made Stan’s appointment an easy decision for us.”
Stan, an administrator at PrudentFPA, said: “My ambition at PrudentFPA is to advance into financial advice, or paraplanning. It has been a steep learning curve so far, but I am really enjoying it.”
PrudentFPA new starters have been in post for eight weeks and all three are already at a level above what is expected of them.
James Booth said: “The progress of our new recruits in such a short period of time really does illustrate that focusing on values and strengths, over experience, is key to successful recruitment.”
::
Seneca Partners, the specialist SME investment business based in the North West, has strengthened its growth capital team with the appointment of James Scanlon who joins as investment executive.
James will be working alongside Matt Currie, Siobhan Pycroft and Victoria Edwards – contributing to finding the best public and private investment opportunities in the UK across the Seneca EIS Portfolio Fund, Seneca AIM EIS Fund, and Seneca Growth Capital VCT.
James Scanlon
Prior to joining Seneca, James spent five years at Ernst & Young Manchester in the North West corporate audit team. He obtained his ACA qualification through a Level 7 Master’s Degree apprenticeship and has experience working on a variety of clients – from AIM listed to small private companies across a wide range of sectors including real estate, manufacturing and services for SMEs. He was also involved in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme.
Matt Currie, investment director at Seneca Partners, said: “His experience working with some of the leading management teams in the region means he can add real value to our investment strategy from day one – as the team looks for further opportunities to add to our portfolio.
“James joins at such an exciting time for Seneca, with the growth capital team having already achieved 11 investments in 2022 with more expected before the end of the year – and with our sights set on further growth, we are confident that James’s appointment will add to our success going forward.”
::
Manchester-based social mission developer, Capital&Centric, has made a slew of team changes as it gears up for growth and hunts for more people to join the team.
Scott Mallinson, an experienced property leader, has been brought on board to deliver the design-led communities in and around Greater Manchester. Scott joins from DeTrafford, where he led on delivery of 400+ home projects in Manchester city centre. At Capital&Centric he’ll head up game-changing projects including the rebirth of Farnworth Market in Bolton, as well as Ancoats Works and the restoration of Talbot Mill in Manchester.
Jonathon Nolan
It comes as the growing team relocates to a bigger HQ at the recently-acquired Chapeltown Warehouse, the historic textile building in Piccadilly East that it plans to transform into 20,000 sq ft of stripped-back workspace for creative businesses.
At the same time, existing team members John Moffat and Tom Wilmot have been made joint managing directors. They’ve been team members for six and five years, respectively, and take up the senior roles having been key to delivery of high profile projects including Weir Mill in Stockport and Goods Yard in Stoke-on-Trent, both now on site.
They’re joined by new recruit Jonathon Nolan. As development manager, he’ll build on his project management experience at consultancy RPS to support on the building of Ferrous, new homes and garden spaces at Manchester’s Piccadilly East.
The company, founded by Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins, is readying for a further period of sustained growth. Fresh off the back of completing its acclaimed Manchester projects Crusader Mill and the Kampus garden neighbourhood, construction is now under way at communities in Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport.
Scott Mallinson
Scott Mallinson said: “The last few years I’ve spent in development, but my background is in management of big construction contracts. With the sheer scale of the regeneration projects coming up, it’s the perfect time for me to get stuck in and deliver the design-led communities that have become our hallmark.”
The next projects to get going will be Farnworth in Bolton and Littlewoods Studios in Liverpool, with more schemes in the offing. The developer is approaching spending £3m a week on regeneration, up from £2m in the past few years with four live construction sites averaging £50m each.
Adam Higgins, co-founder at Capital&Centric, said: “It really feels like the next chapter for Capital&Centric. We’ve got new team members, a new home in Chapeltown Warehouse and we’re under way with a diverse set of projects that will show the breadth of what we’re capable of. Ultimately, we’re showing that Northern communities deserve awesome design and vibrant places to live and work, just as much as those who choose to build a life in London. Our solo work, as well as partnerships with local authorities, are delivering that in spades.”
::
Sam Caroll, former senior sports correspondent at the Liverpool ECHO, has joined PR and communications agency This Generation Communications (TGC).
Caroll spent four years reporting on Merseyside’s biggest sports news stories and joins TGC as account manager, where he will work on key accounts including DAM Health, Sedulo, Legacie Developments and The Pandemic Institute.
Sam Carroll
He joins at a time the full service communications firm has won a clutch of new clients in recent months with Chester Zoo, Intelligent FS and Local Solutions all added to the roster. The fully-accredited journalist will also help the team manage the reputations of people in the public eye as well as the Football for Change initiative, which TGC launched in 2020 alongside Trent Alexander Arnold, Jamie Carragher and Conor Coady.
TGC managing director, Daniel Hughes, said: “Sam has great experience in a busy news environment, where he consistently delivered quality journalism. He is a strong addition to our ever-growing team of communicators. He will work on a number of high profile accounts such as Football for Change, which is quickly becoming one of Britain’s most momentous charitable movements.”
Sam Carroll said: “I am joining TGC at an incredibly exciting time for the business. I’ve hit the ground running and I am looking forward to working on a number of major new campaigns.”
::
Liverpool digital agency, Yoma, has promoted Paul Goonoo to managing director to begin the next stage of growth.
Goonoo joined Yoma in 2021, bringing 17 years’ digital experience including leadership roles at both independent and network agencies. He will now take operational control of the agency from Danny McCann and Paul Walsh, Yoma co-founders.
He said: “This is an exciting phase for both Yoma and myself. The trust from Danny and Paul in me to lead their agency they have built over 16 years is a huge compliment. I’m proud of the work we have done together so and far eager to progress even further.”
Paul Goonoo
McCann and Walsh started the agency in 2006 and will remain involved in the business as the agency looks to capitalise on strong growth over the past 24 months.
Specialisms in direct to consumer and B2B e-commerce developed into a strong client list across design, development, strategy and digital marketing.
McCann said: “Over the last 12 months Paul has been working with the business with a view of developing into the role of managing director. Throughout that period Paul applied his wealth of experience to improve client and internal team performance, as well as demonstrating the leadership and commercial qualities worthy of such an important role.
“It’s a well deserved appointment and we’re delighted Paul will lead the agency in the growth and ongoing success of Yoma.”
