People: HHP; DLA Piper; Fell Bistro; True North; TLT; Salford City Council

Oldham-based Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) has expanded its sales force with the appointment of a dedicated area sales manager for Scotland – a first for the business.

Geraldine Thomson joins the manufacturer and distributor of board, doors, fittings and accessories for the fitted kitchen and bedroom industry, with more than 32 years’ experience of the KBB sector, most of it in territory-based sales roles, at businesses including BA Components and Uform.

She said: “We feel there is a lot of untapped potential in Scotland, so it is better to have someone on the ground who can focus on the territory. I’ve found from experience you can grow the business much better when you’re on the patch.”

HPP sales director, Gareth Evans, said: “Geraldine has extensive knowledge of, and a passion for, the KBB industry, and creates a great rapport with her customers. We think she is the perfect match for HPP.”

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Charles Weems

DLA Piper said North West-based lawyers Charles Weems and David Cook have been promoted to partner as part of the firm’s annual promotion round. The promotions are effective as of May 1, 2023.

Charles is a skilled debt finance lawyer, with significant experience acting for private credit funds, banks, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers with a focus on leveraged acquisition finance and corporate lending matters.

David Cook

David advises on contentious cyber security and data protection matters and has worked on some of the most high-profile and significant cyber security incidents and data breaches in the UK and internationally. His work encompasses regulatory notification and enforcement right through to advising on civil and criminal liability.

David is also the co-chair of the international steering committee of Enabled, the firm’s disability people network.

Mark Beardwood, DLA Piper’s North West office managing partner, said: “They are both outstanding lawyers, leaders in their fields. They add further strength in depth to our finance and regulatory practices, here in the North West and within our global practice.”

Globally, 72 promotions have been made across all of the firm’s practice areas, spanning 43 offices in 20 countries.

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Brett Thornton

An award-winning restaurant in Lancashire has appointed a new head chef.

Brett Thornton is now head chef at Fell Bistro in Longridge having served in the kitchen so far as sous chef.

The previous head chef, Sean Wrest, has been promoted to the role of executive chef and will continue to oversee the kitchen with chef directors Matt Willdigg and Oli Martin.

Brett said: “I am blown away and absolutely honoured to head up the kitchen team at Fell after being alongside Sean and JP, two of the best friends and people I have ever come across. Sean’s expertise, knowledge and experience is truly something else whilst JP’s dedication, commitment and drive for perfection is more than I could ever ask for.”

Fell Bistro has had a successful time since opening in September 2022, entering the Michelin Guide and earning an AA Rosette this year so far.

Sean said: “I’m really excited that I will still be involved with Fell in an executive chef role with my good friend and current sous chef Brett Thornton taking over the day-to-day running of Fell as head chef. Brett is a super-talented chef, with a great background who I know with his vision, talent and work ethic will keep pushing and evolving the food here at Fell – as he has been over the last few months since joining.”

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Jen Yeardley

Manchester brand and design agency True North has appointed Jen Yeardley as the agency’s new strategy director.

Jen joins with an impressive track record having spent more than 20 years in brand strategy, advertising, and marketing communications, working with notable clients such as Sainsbury’s, P&G and Cancer Research UK. Before joining True North, she was provocation and strategy director at Born Ugly, formerly Elmwood.

In her new role, Jen will lead the agency’s strategic output and oversee strategy development for clients such as Age UK, The University of Manchester, and Royal Museums Greenwich.

Jen said: “I believe True North have something special to share with the world and I’m looking forward to honing the story and unlocking the full potential.”

Managing director, Ady Bibby, said: “We’re really excited to have Jen on board, she will bring a new perspective to the work we do. We’ve recently celebrated our 21st birthday and have ambitious plans for the next phase of business. Jen will be critical to that success.”

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Graeme Orchison

Six colleagues from law firm TLT’s commercial services group have been promoted to partner, including Ayla Skene and Vanessa Cooper from the general commercial team, Catherine Turtle, James Wilson from the public inquiries team, Louisa Williams from the data, tech and IP team and Thomas Ward in the firm’s restructuring and insolvency team.

Also included in this year’s promotions list were Chantal Peters and Steve Walpole from the financial services disputes and investigations team within the banking and lender services group based in the firm’s Manchester office, as well as Alanna Tregear from the same team and Alexandra Holsgrove Jones as TLT’s first knowledge partner in the real estate group.

TLT has also promoted eight associates to senior associate level, five senior associates to managing associate level and one managing associate to legal director level in its Manchester office.

Partner and Manchester location head, Graeme Orchison, said: “I’m pleased that we can celebrate the success of our talented colleagues across the firm. I’m particularly pleased to note the gender split in this latest round of promotions which demonstrates our efforts to improve diversity in our partner group.

“It’s been an exciting few months for our team in Manchester, having just signed a lease to take the top two floors of Eden in Salford for our new home. We’re an ambitious firm with exciting plans for our clients and our people. Investing in our colleagues success and professional development forms part of those plans.”

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Melissa Caslake

Salford City Council has appointed Melissa Caslake as executive director of Children’s Services.

Melissa was appointed to the interim post at the authority after the departure of Charlotte Ramsden in January 2023.

Tom Stannard, chief executive, said: “I am delighted that Melissa Caslake is remaining with us in the permanent post of executive director of Children’s Services.

“This is a key leadership post to deliver the highest quality and most effective children’s services for the city and champion the needs and improved outcomes for children and young people. Melissa will work alongside our political and officer leadership as well as partners to deliver our core priorities and commitments to children and young people.”

Melissa Caslake said: “Since January I have been undertaking the interim role so I already know what so many great teams are doing to get the best outcomes for children. I am looking forward to building on these existing strengths and working with my teams, across the council and with partners, families and communities to ensure children in Salford thrive.”