People: NWBLT; Armstrong Watson; Leonard Curtis; AeroCloud; Calderpeel Architects; Hunter Price International
The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) has announced several new changes and appointments to the board, reflecting its ongoing commitment to drive economic growth and sustainability in the North West.
Simone Peppi has been named the new chair. Simone is the co-founder of the Pilot Group, a North West-founded SME employing more than 150 people and specialising in sustainable technology solutions for infrastructure and transport.
Joining Simone as deputy chairs, NWBLT said it is delighted to continue to benefit from the expertise of Jonathan Murphy and Joёlle Warren. Jonathan, the CEO of Assura, a provider of community healthcare spaces, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in finance and business strategy.
Joёlle is the founder and executive chair of Warren Partners, where she helps develop high performing boards across sectors and plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing top talent.
The NWBLT is also pleased to welcome Malcolm Buchanan to its board. Malcolm currently serves as chairman of the North Regional Board and the managing director of Commercial Banking, NorthRegion, at Natwest. With his extensive experience in serving the banking needs of SMEs and corporate customers, including Commercial Real Estate, Malcolm’s insight and expertise will be invaluable in guiding the NWBLT towards continued success.
Emma Degg, chief executive at North West Business Leadership Team, welcomed the new appointees, saying: “Each of these appointments reflects the NWBLT’s dedication to achieving our goals and ensuring a prosperous future for businesses and communities in the region.”
Simone Peppi said: “It is with enormous pride that I take on the role of chair of the NWBLT. I look forward to working with Emma and the entire team to continue to foster collaboration among businesses, driving positive change and championing sustainable growth in the North West.
“I am fortunate to be taking on the role as chair with the support of such a highly experienced and dedicated board including our deputy co-chairs, Jonathan, and Joёlle.”
::
Steve Preston
Armstrong Watson has promoted Steve Preston to Audit and Assurance Partner.
Steve joined Armstrong Watson in 2022, after 15 years with BDO in Leeds, at the time the firm acquired ASE Professional Services in Manchester. He has already made a significant contribution to the audit service line and now heads up the Manchester office and Automotive sector.
Based between Leeds and Manchester, Steve works across both offices, which brings greater consistency and communication to help drive the business forward.
Steve said: “It’s a great personal achievement to reach audit partner. Once I had decided that audit was the career I wanted to focus on, reaching partner was always the ultimate target and it feels good to have reached that target at Armstrong Watson.
“I have had a great start here at Armstrong Watson, being promoted to partner, appointed head of the Manchester office as well as head of the Automotive sector, and I am very much enjoying my role.”
Paul Dickson, Armstrong Watson’s CEO and Managing Partner, said: “Steve has made a huge impression in his time at Armstrong Watson and is very deserving of his promotion to Partner. Steve has vast experience working with large international groups, listed businesses and a mix of privately-owned and private equity-backed businesses in a range of sectors, and is perfectly placed to help develop Armstrong Watson in Manchester, Leeds and the Automotive sector.”
Steve’s promotion follows the appointment of Audit and Assurance Director Huw Nicholls in Leeds and the promotion of Audit and Assurance Partner Martin Johnston in Glasgow in 2023.
::
Andrew Knowles
Leonard Curtis has added an experienced Insolvency Practitioner to its Manchester offic,– developing its growing talent pool with another high calibre hire at the start of 2024.
The firm’s newest senior recruit, Andrew Knowles, joins as a Director, bringing 20 years of restructuring and insolvency experience to the Manchester team.
Andrew said: “I am incredibly excited to join Leonard Curtis in what is a fast moving and growing market and I look forward to the opportunity to help the company grow.”
Andrew Poxon, head of North West and Scotland, said: “Andrew is a well respected professional in the North West with considerable experience over a number of sectors which we believe will prove invaluable as we continue with our growth plans in Manchester and across the group.”
::
Travis Kimmel
AeroCloud, the Stockport-based global intelligent airport management platform, has appointed Travis Kimmel to act as an independent advisor to the CEO and the board following a $12.6m Series A funding round in 2023.
Kimmel brings a depth of experience in sustainably growing software businesses. He is the co-founder and former CEO of cloud-based productivity and analytics solution, GitPrime, which tripled its revenue every year before the company was acquired by Pluralsight in 2019 for $170m. The following year, he was appointed President of financial media and education platform, RealVision, and most recently held the position of GM at people management platform, Lattice under Jack Altman.
Travis Kimmel said: “It’s common for founders to find that the stakes get higher following a Series A funding raise. Large amounts of capital are entering the business and this adds pressure in the form of more criteria to meet. Focus increasingly turns towards operationalisation, efficiency, and elements such as revenue per employee and growth strategy.
“Navigating this pivotal moment in a company’s growth is challenging for a CEO, and I am a huge believer, having had fantastic support when growing my own business, of the positive role that board members can play as an ally, an advocate and an advisor.
“AeroCloud is in a compelling position as it is disrupting an industry that has very few similar upstart players, despite being ripe for disruption. In addition, George is the best person to lead AeroCloud in the mission to revolutionise the sector. He’s ambitious and has the drive that makes an exceptional entrepreneur. I’m looking forward to working with and supporting him in navigating AeroCloud through its next stage of growth.”
George Richardson, CEO of AeroCloud, said: “As we continue to push to new heights in AI-driven airport management technology, Travis’s expertise in building and scaling a successful software business will be invaluable in the form of guidance to the leadership team.”
Kimmel joins AeroCloud’s board following recent expansion to the senior team, with Uri Guterman being appointed as VP of Product in October 2023, and Jeff Gore joining as VP of Sales in December 2023.
Richardson added: “Senior people who have seen the movie three times before are essential as we build the team. The pace that the business is growing at is crazy and without key people in place, we wouldn’t be able to scale as fast.”
::
Back row from left: Richard Moore, Chris Stubbs, Mike Park, Chris Littler, Melanie Sheridan, Amanda Boynes. Front: Huss Al-Alwan, Nick McKinnon, Chris Parks, Adam Granby
A total of 11 staff have been promoted to associate, associate director and director positions at Altrincham- and Sheffield-based Calderpeel Architects alongside the firm’s recent MBO.
Now with Mark Massey, Ewen Miller and Andy Lightfoot at the helm, the RIBA-Chartered practice is poised for growth, with the promotions being a demonstration of the company’s commitment to continuing professional development.
Promoted to the position of associate are Melanie Sheridan, Chris Littler, Amanda Boynes, Christine Roles, Mike Park, Chris Stubbs and Richard Moore. Adam Granby, Huss Al Alwan and Nick McKinnon have assumed the role of associate director and Chris Parks has been elevated to director.
Renowned for projects such as Salboy’s ongoing residential scheme at Castle Irwell in Salford, Calderpeel delivers a wide range of projects across several sectors but is best known for its work in the high-end and complex residential markets.
Speaking on behalf of his co-owners, Ewen Miller, partner at Calderpeel Architects, said: “People are truly our best asset – we simply don’t have a business without our employees, so we’re very keen to give recognition when and where deserved.”
::
From left: Jonny Alexander, Allana Holmes, Josh Eden, Jeremy Winburn
Hunter Price International, the Oldham-based partner for many high street retailers for impactful consumer products, has announced its most significant structure change since the business was founded 15 years ago, to underpin the next phase of its growth strategy.
Allana Holmes, who has been with the company for nearly three years as sales director for the home & lifestyle division, will take on the role of commercial director from this month. Allana will spearhead Hunter Price’s ambitious strategic vision, as it looks to continue its recent successes.
As part of company’s evolvement, co-founders, Jeremy Winburn and Josh Eden, will become co-CEOs. Former commercial director, Jeremy, will work closely with Allana across all commercial departments, while leading Hunter Price’s global growth ambitions across Europe and the USA.
Under his new role, Josh Eden will continue to oversee and lead the group’s UK and international operations and financial activities as it expands into new territories across the globe.
In 2023, the company had its most successful trading year to date, with the group’s sales exceeding £50m, as a result of its commitment to its core product divisions.
Over the past two years, Hunter Price has been evolving and investing in its own brand propositions and licensed product portfolio, across Toys, Accessories, Lifestyle, Stationery, Arts & Crafts.
Allana has been instrumental in transforming Hunter Price’s licensed offer. In 2023, Holmes was shortlisted in License Global’s, The Influentials report, as one of the leading ‘Disruptors’ within licensing, acknowledging her dedication and commitment to inspiring the industry’s community.
Allana Holmes said: “Over the past two years we’ve honed our overall market offer and played to our strengths, with the aim of futureproofing the business for the long term. We have an ambitious growth strategy, with a road map which will build on our recent successes to deliver commercial impact, through ingenuity, originality and consistency, to increase our market share, particularly across our own brands.”
