People: AEW Architects; Simpson Millar; Anwyl Homes Lancashire; ICAEW Manchester; Traditum Private Equity; IGF

AEW Architects has bolstered its management team with the recent appointment of associate director Chris Lenehan and HR manager Karey Wardhaugh.

The senior appointments come off the back of another successful year, which saw the Manchester-based practice secure B Corporation Certification.

Chris Lenehan joins from DMWR Architects, where he gained experience across a range of sectors including industrial warehousing, self-storage, retail, residential and town centre masterplanning. Chris will play a key role in delivering AEW’s extensive portfolio of industrial projects nationwide.

Karey Wardhaugh joins from creative marketing agency Shoot the Moon, where she was head of HR and talent. Karey is a CIPD-qualified HR professional with extensive experience in the design industry. She will oversee all aspects of AEW’s people strategy on behalf of the practice.

Chris said: “With the recent B Corp announcement, it’s an exciting time to be coming onboard.”

Karey said: “I’m thrilled to be joining AEW. The practice has established a great people culture and I’m looking forward to working with the team to support AEW’s plans for growth.”

Managing director, Andrew Rainford, said: “These appointments will reinforce our expertise and experience in the commercial sector, whilst ensuring we maintain the highest standards of recruitment, employee care and people development. We’re aiming to build on the success of 2022, which saw us celebrate our 30th birthday, announce two new directors and achieve a 30% increase in net turnover.”

The senior appointments form a key part of AEW’s plans for continuous improvement and growth, as was gaining B Corporation Certification. B Corps are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. AEW bring the total number of UK-based architecture and design practices with certification to 16.

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National law firm, Simpson Millar, has named a total of 17 people as part of its latest promotions round, including Manchester-based industrial disease law expert, Anthony Waddington, who has been promoted to partner.

Injury practice area head of operations, Gemma Bielby, and legal costs expert, Steve Jones, have also been promoted to partner, alongside seven new senior associates and a further seven new associates from across the firm’s business support service teams, and its three core practice areas which includes public, injury and family.

Anthony Waddington

CEO, Greg Cox, said: “Seeing our colleagues at Simpson Millar progress and reach their potential is really important. We will always support the development and progression of our people, and I would like to congratulate everyone who has been successful this year.

“It is thoroughly deserved, and I am looking forward already to the 2023 promotions round.”

Earlier this year Simpson Millar announced that it had launched a firm-wide transformation programme which includes significant improvements to its current systems and processes that will enhance the client journey and allow its legal teams to focus on case work and customer care.

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Two Anwyl Homes Lancashire employees have been promoted. Daniel Owens has stepped up to commercial director, while Dean Trainor has been appointed as senior engineering manager for the Buckshaw Village based business.

It’s the second promotion in less than 12 months for Daniel, who took on the role of head of commercial in the summer.

Dean Trainor

Daniel, who joined Anwyl in 2021, has more than 16 years’ experience. He previously studied for a HNC qualification at the University of Salford and became a quantity surveyor, rising to the role of group surveying manager, servicing different Barratt housing operations across the UK.

For Dean, it’s a third promotion since during Anwyl five years ago. He joined the company as an engineer in November 2017, was promoted to senior engineer in December 2018, engineering manager in June 2021, and more recently was appointed senior engineering manager in recognition of his hard work and dedication.

Daniel Owens

Dean, 35, from Bolton, said: “I feel very valued at Anwyl. There’s a great family ethos about the company right from the owners and the board down to the people working on site.”

Dean started his career in the construction industry as an apprentice bricklayer before studying architectural technology at the University of Bolton. He was a CAD technician before taking on engineering roles with Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Rowland before joining Anwyl.

Managing director, John Grime, said: “At Anwyl we’re committed to helping our workforce develop and progress up the career ladder. There are lots of exciting, challenging and reward careers within the housebuilding and construction industries. Daniel and Dean’s promotions are very much deserved and recognise the dedication, skills and experience they’ve both displayed.”

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ICAEW Manchester, the district society which represents the interests of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales members in the region, has appointed Graham Rigby as its deputy president.

Mr Rigby will serve as deputy president of ICAEW Manchester alongside its current president, Rod Sellers, and chairman, Michael Colin, and will also sit on the society’s executive committee.

Mr Rigby is a well known figure on the Greater Manchester professional scene. He is an audit partner and regional managing partner at Azets, the UK Top 10 accountancy firm which was established in 2016 and in the same year acquired CLB Coopers, at which Mr Rigby had been a partner since 2010.

Graham Rigby

He said, “I’m looking forward to being part of the committee, which is run by members, for members.

“I was chairman of my student society early on in my career as a Chartered Accountant, which helped me appreciate the support we give and receive as fellow professionals.”

Mr Sellers said: “Graham has played an important role on Manchester’s professional scene for many years, and brings a great depth of experience with him. He also understands the way accountancy practice is evolving commercially, and is well placed to ensure that ICAEW Manchester can reflect and meaningfully respond to those changing dynamics.

“I would like to extend him a warm welcome, and I look forward to working together in the months ahead. These are exciting, and also challenging, times for our profession and our city, and Graham’s commitment to both will be vital as we make the most of the opportunities ahead.”

ICAEW Manchester represents more than 6,000 ICAEW members in Greater Manchester. It was established in 1851 as the Manchester Society of Chartered Accountants and went on to become one of the five founding district societies of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

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Traditum Private Equity has appointed long-standing career banker Richard Topliss as its inaugural chair.

Richard, who was NatWest’s regional managing director for the North of England and North Wales, retired at the end of December after more than 40 years with the bank. Prior to moving to the North West in 2000 Richard worked for NatWest in Bristol, London, Birmingham and Scotland.

He is also a member of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and the North West Business Leadership Team, and chair of The Growth Company.

Richard Topliss

Traditum launched in Leeds in 2019 and has a strategic focus on long-term investment in UK-based businesses, in particular in the technology, sustainability, property, healthtech and agricultural sectors.

David Mitchell, Traditum CEO says appointing a chair with the necessary strategic leadership and governance skills was a non-negotiable, however he added: “Richard obviously excels with these skills, but having someone of his calibre and depth of banking and private equity knowledge will be a real asset to Traditum. He will guide our client services and be a pivotal part of our investment committee.

“Richard displays immense passion, energy and enthusiasm and we know he will relish the ambassadorial aspects to the role in promoting our aims, value and work.”

Richard said: “Traditum’s unique approach is a key attraction for me. I have a long-held belief in the need for patient capital to support growing businesses.

“I hope the experience I bring, together with the energy, creativeness and vision of David and the team will be a winning combination.”

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Independent Growth Finance (IGF), the independent asset-based lender, has expanded its presence in the North of England, with key appointments in the North East and North West teams of John Savage and Miles Burgess, respectively, as ABL directors.

Having first joined IGF in November 2019, Miles Burgess has been appointed ABL director for Central, South Manchester and the surrounding areas. Miles will work alongside Richard Spielbichler, strengthening the origination presence in the region.

With more than 20 years in the independent invoice finance/ABL market, predominantly in Manchester, Miles has a built a breadth of knowledge and experience, supporting businesses as they have navigated changing business cycles.

Miles Burgess

Miles’s knowledge of IGF’s full suite of ABL products is set to ensure that facilities are delivered with certainty, supporting organic and transactional business growth in the region.

Mr Burgess said: “Having, in recent times, been responsible for the ‘in life’ management of existing facilities, I look forward to using these skills and helping shape facilities to meet clients’ requirements at the front end.”

Michael Fletcher, commercial director at IGF, said: “These appointments come after a standout year for IGF, in which we surpassed the milestone of half a billion of ‘live’ lending facilities in 2022.

“IGF now supports more than £3.2bn of annualised UK business revenue. As we enter what many anticipate being a pivotal year for UK businesses, the need for fast, flexible funding solutions has never been greater. I’m pleased, therefore, to welcome John and Miles to our fantastic commercial team, as we ensure we continue to support business growth and investment across the UK.”