People: Leonard Curtis Legal; PMJ Capital; Lovell; Peloton Real Estate; Contra Vision; Cowgills; Moneysupermarket.com

As part of its continued expansion plans, Leonard Curtis Legal has made a key hire for 2023, adding an experienced restructuring and insolvency lawyer to its North West team with the appointment of Rachael Bentley.

Rachael joins as a director with more than 14 years’ experience advising on non-contentious insolvency matters – having held roles at Walker Morris, Gateley and Clarke Willmott throughout her career.

Rachael specialises in all aspects of recovery, restructuring and turnaround – advising businesses facing any kind of financial challenge.

She said: “I am really excited to be joining what is already a successful firm with the exponential growth expected in the next couple of years, and especially to have the opportunity to head up and expand the firm’s non-contentious insolvency practice.”

Paula Smith, head of legal at Leonard Curtis Legal, said: “Rachael’s extensive experience will enhance the strategic advice and support that we are able to provide to both our internal colleagues within the wider Leonard Curtis Group and our external clients looking to acquire distressed businesses.”

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Keiran Holmes

North West based specialist funding provider PMJ Capital has expanded its team with the appointment of Keiran Holmes as relationship manager.

This is following unprecedented growth over the past two years, as the short-term property lender announces the milestone of achieving £150m in lending.

Keiran has more than eight years’ experience in property finance having worked for Together and Hope Capital. He joins the team at the head office in Bolton.

PMJ Capital is a joint venture company between North West accountancy firm Cowgills and P&MJ Wright which has roots tracing back to 1798 in the global accommodation market.

Managing director, David Rainford, said: “At PMJ we have real strong values about how we operate, working in partnership with our clients, making decisions quickly and keeping to them and providing pragmatic and straightforward lending. Keiran really buys into that ethos and will play a pivotal role in supporting our established client base of loyal developers and property professionals and working with myself and director Lee Barton to expand our reach.”

Keiran said: “I knew many of the team at PMJ from my time at Together. They were incredibly passionate about the PMJ offering and impact the company is making.”

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Paul Challinor

The North West team of national housebuilder Lovell has welcomed Paul Challinor as its new managing director.

Paul joins Lovell from housebuilder Stewart Milne where he also held the position of regional managing director for the North West after joining as the business’s finance director in 2015.

Prior to that, Paul held positions at Morris Homes, MyTravel and Thomas Cook. He said: “From straightforward housebuilding developments to complex regeneration schemes that require our more specialist knowledge, taking the helm of this growing region was a fantastic opportunity that I was excited to accept.

“My vision for the region is to be very active on new land, contracting, and partnership opportunities by building on long term existing relationships while forming new relationships across the North West.”

David Ward, Lovell managing director for the North, said: “Paul has driven success and created a strong team mentality in his previous roles – something that is vital for this position in such a fast-moving and expanding region.”

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Jake Haddow

Peloton Real Estate has appointed Jake Haddow as an investment manager supporting the team on new acquisitions from origination to completion.

Jake joins after recently working at CERT and M7 Real Estate prior to that.

Nick Okell, investment director at Peloton Real Estate, said: “Jake is a fantastic addition to the business as we continue to grow the asset management platform across our range of private and institutional clients. We are really excited to welcome Jake to Peloton Real Estate. He brings with him some fantastic experience.”

Jake said: “I look forward to supporting the team as we look to further expand the asset management platform.”

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From left: Rob Stone, Roger Hill, Matt Buckley

Contra Vision has appointed Matt Buckley as the vice president for Contra Vision North America Inc.

As VP, Matt will provide leadership and knowledge to the US-based team from his more than 26 years of sign and graphics industry experience.

Roger Hill, CEO of Stockport-based Contra Vision, said: “Matt will be assuming the role following the departure of our COO, Rob Stone, who, after 15 successful years with the company, will be shifting his focus from his career to travelling the world. He has left the business unit in a great place for continued success.”

Matt previously held the position of business development director for the Wide Format Market for a printable substrate manufacturer, GPA. As the company continues to expand its presence in North America, this appointment signifies a strategic move to leverage his expertise and drive further growth in the region.

Matt said: “It’s awesome to be working with this incredible team, representing innovative and market-leading products. I know my prior experience in the sign and graphics industry will serve me well in leading our fast-growing US-based team.”

Rob Stone said: “I’m immensely proud of what the Contra Vision team and I have achieved over the last 14 years. Now is the right time to pass on the leadership, and Matt is the perfect person to take the business forward through future challenges and success.”

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From left: Graham Bevan, Antony Seddon, Paul Cresswell

Cowgills’ business and advisory firm has expanded its tax team with a number of new hires.

Paul Cresswell joins from accountancy firm Azets as a corporate tax manager, Antony Seddon has joined as a trust assistant tax manager, following a similar role at tax advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, and Graham Bevan joins from investment company Rathbones as tax manager.

The latest appointments follow the arrival of tax director Sarah Salton earlier this year and Jason Gauthier who has joined as a senior tax transactions advisor from EY, as well as a number of strategic hires across the R&D, trusts and corporation tax teams. A series of internal promotions have further enhanced Cowgills’ tax service offering to clients.

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Mary Beth Christie

Moneysupermarket.com Group has appointed Mary Beth Christie as an independent non-executive director, with effect from July 14, 2023.

Subject to regulatory references, Mary Beth will be appointed as a member of the audit, remuneration, nomination and risk & sustainability committees of the board with effect from the same date.

Mary Beth, a former chief product officer, brings to the board more than 15 years’ experience in product and tech from various industries. Mary Beth currently sits on the boards of OneTech and Social Finance.

Robin Freestone, chair of Ewloe-based Moneysupermarket.com, said: “With her deep knowledge of digital product, Mary Beth will be a valuable addition to the board and complement the diverse backgrounds and experience of our board.”