People: Stephensons; Buttress; Bellway; Alcedo Care; Growth Company
National law firm, Stephensons, has bolstered its Manchester family law team with the promotion of Emma Roberts as its new Head of Divorce and Finances. The firm has also appointed experienced solicitor, Stephen Jones into its expanding family law team.
Having specialised in family law since 2010, Emma Roberts has a wealth of experience assisting clients in a range of matters. Recognised and accredited as a Resolution specialist and a Children Panel member, Emma joined Stephensons in 2019 and in that time has developed a strong reputation for work in divorce and civil partnership dissolution, as well as resolving complex financial arrangements.
Stephen Jones joins Stephensons from Merrick Solicitors in Manchester. Stephen specialises in divorce, private children law matters and financial cases including those involving complex issues, high net worth individuals and business assets.
Stephensons’ family law department was recently recognised as a ‘tier one’ firm in the prestigious Legal 500 rankings for the North West of England.
Victoria Gethin, partner and head of the family department at Stephensons said: “At its core, the success of Stephensons is down to its people, the talent and dedication they demonstrate day in, day out in delivering the very best outcomes for clients.
“I am incredibly pleased to welcome Stephen to the team. He brings with him a wealth of invaluable experience that will be of huge benefit to our clients and the wider team.
“I am also very proud to see Emma’s legal career go from strength to strength. Emma is committed to her clients and helps them navigate the often complex divorce process with great care and compassion. I know she will thrive in her new role and look forward to working closely with her in the months ahead.”
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Buttress associate director, Chithra Marsh, will take up the role as National Chair of Women in Property from March 2023.
Chithra Marsh
She is joined by her Buttress colleague, Gwenno Jones who will be taking up the reins as North West Branch Chair.
Both women have extensive experience working in architecture for more than 20 years.
Alongside her architectural role, Chithra is responsible for coordinating and strengthening Buttress’s social value initiatives, as well as championing cultural diversity within the practice and leading our health and wellbeing initiatives.
Gwenno Jones
Gwenno has worked on a wide range of projects from conception to completion and is experienced in working with complex briefs and challenging schemes, she is currently working on designs for currently working on designs for City Centre Cultural Gateway in Coventry.
She has been a member of Women in Property since 2018.
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Bellway Strategic Land has expanded its team again by appointing a Strategic Land Director for its newly-created North West region.
Sebastian Burrow has taken on the role with the national housebuilder having worked and lived in the region for most of his life.
He will be responsible for delivering new strategic land deals to support the growth of Bellway’s North West and Manchester housebuilding divisions.
He said: “I have worked for a number of companies in this industry with the responsibility of sourcing longer term opportunities for future development.
Sebastian Burrow
“Since joining Bellway, I’ve been massively impressed with the chemistry and the drive to elevate the business to new heights. Bellway has been growing from strength to strength and that’s a reflection on its hardworking staff and its streamlined business strategy.”
He added: “Bellway Strategic Land is a specialised division of Bellway Homes and one that the company has invested a lot of time and resources into.
“As a team we are working with the operational divisions to secure and deliver strategic sites for residential and mixed used development.
“The North West region is in a very strong position and as a team we hope to continue our progress for years to come.”
Stefan Briddon, Bellway’s Group Strategic Land Director, said: “Sebastian’s appointment is an excellent addition to our growing team. He has a proven track record of delivering in this sector and we are looking forward to working together to create opportunities and secure new strategic land deals for the business.”
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Laura Mosedale, 34, has been appointed as registered manager by Alcedo Care Group for its North Liverpool branch on Stanley Road in Kirkdale.
Laura, who lives in Liverpool, has made an immediate start with her branch receiving a ‘Good’ CQC rating. Her aim is to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating next time, and to reach the perfect score of 10 on homecare.co.uk.
Having worked in the care sector for more than 16 years, Laura’s background experience and knowledge is a real asset to the company. She started her career as a carer in a care home and progressed to home manager, looking after teams of up to 60 staff and between 40 and 55 clients.
Laura Mosedale
Laura said: “I was attracted to Alcedo Care as it is the largest home care provider in the North West yet it is family owned and operated. I like the company ethos and its values are similar to mine, which is equally as important to me.
“It is an exciting time to be part of the Alcedo Care team, with new branches opening up across the North West. I have been involved in the North Liverpool branch from day one and am proud of what we have already achieved. I really want to improve on this and further develop my team, so that all clients in the region receive exceptional care.”
Andy Boardman, managing director at Alcedo Care, said: “We welcome Laura to the team and wish her well in her new role. She is already making her mark at the North Liverpool branch and we are delighted to see her settle in so quickly and showcase her excellent leadership and management skills.”
Laura has an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care.
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An industry leader who has been pivotal in helping to build a thriving economy in the North has been appointed as the new Chair of the Growth Company.
Mike Blackburn, current member of the Growth Company’s board and former Chair of Greater Manchester’s Local Enterprise Partnership (GMLEP), will take up the role from the end of March.
Mike spent his 36-year career in the private sector working for technology companies, including 25 years at BT.
Awarded an OBE for services to the economy in the North West in 2015, Mike holds a portfolio of non-exec roles including Chair of Dixons Academy Trust, Trustee of the Lowry Theatre, and Dean’s Advisory Council Member for Lancaster University Management School.
Mike also sits on the North West advisory board for the Prince of Wales charity, Business in the Community, and was selected as the Prince’s NW Regional Ambassador for 2010/11 and 2011/12.
Mike Blackburn
As former Chair of the GMLEP, he made a huge contribution to Greater Manchester and was instrumental in the development and implementation of the city region’s Local Industrial Strategy. He remains an Ex-Officio board member.
Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Lead for Economy, Business and International, and member of the board said: “As a current member of the board and with almost four decades as a private sector leader, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role.
“His leadership, insight and passion for building a thriving Northern economy will prove pivotal in driving forward the priorities of the board over the coming years as the Growth Company continues its mission to enable growth, create jobs and improve lives.”
Mike Blackburn said: “The company has had many fantastic achievements in the last few years and been significant in its support to businesses and individuals during and following the pandemic. I hope to be able to build on that success, and, with Chief Executive Mark Hughes, the Senior Management Team and board members, to take the Growth Company to even more success in the coming years.”
Mike officially takes over the role on April 1, taking the helm from Richard Topliss who steps down as Chair after more than eight years.
Cllr Bev Craig added: “I also want to thank Richard Topliss for his dedicated service and leadership, as he steps down as Chair after more than eight years. Richard has led the Growth Company through many successful years as well as effectively steering the group through the most recent challenges of COVID. I wish him all the best for the future.”
