People: DWF; MorganAsh; Exchange Chambers; Zally; Jacobs; DeliveryApp
Manchester-based law firm, DWF, has appointed Julie Simms and Andrew Batterton as new managing partners of its Liverpool and Leeds offices, respectively.
Julie Simms takes the position of managing partner for DWF’s founding office in Liverpool, succeeding Graham Dagnall, who held the role for the past five years. Julie has been with the firm for 17 years and a partner for the past 13 years. She co-heads a growing team within DWF focused on the delivery of development-related services to public bodies and private sector promoters of nationally and regionally significant regeneration and infrastructure projects.
Andrew Batterton joined the business in 2021 from DLA Piper and heads the firm’s development and infrastructure planning and compulsory purchase practice. He takes up his position from Jonathan Branton who held the role for the past three years.
Julie Simms said: “I am very proud to take on the role of managing partner in Liverpool. I am keen to build on what we have already achieved in the region and collaborate with colleagues and our clients, focusing on the positive role we can play in place based economic regeneration. I am committed to nurturing diverse talent across our business and look forward to continuing to work with organisations in Liverpool and Wirral on a number of our D&I and CSR initiatives.”
UK & Ireland regional managing partner, Hilary Ross, said: “They both bring a wealth of experience to their new roles that aligns seamlessly with our purpose and of delivering positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities. I want to extend my appreciation to Graham Dagnall and Jonathan Branton, both of whom remain with DWF, for their leadership and invaluable contributions to our Liverpool and Leeds locations.”
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Johnny Timpson
MorganAsh, a support services provider to the financial services and utilities sectors, has appointed Johnny Timpson as its new chairman, subject to FCA approval.
The news comes as Runcorn-based MorganAsh expands its operations across all regulated sectors. Johnny Timpson is a highly regarded industry expert with more than 40 years of experience within the insurance and protection sectors. He has a passion for helping vulnerable consumers and holds numerous positions across the industry, including Financial Inclusion Commissioner and as a member of the FCA’s Financial Services Consumer Panel.
He said: “I have known MorganAsh for over 20 years, and I am delighted to be joining them. Their proven track record of introducing innovation which combines technology and professional empathy is second to none.”
Managing director, Andrew Gething, said: “Johnny is widely recognised as an industry leader on consumer vulnerability. We have ambitious growth plans across both the financial and utility sectors to provide easy to use, secure systems and services which enable firms to understand and help those consumers with vulnerabilities.”
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Will Waldron KC
Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds-based Exchange Chambers has appointed Will Waldron KC as its new Head of Chambers.
He will be assisted by three deputies for his initial three-year term – Ben Myers KC, Giles Maynard-Connor KC and Chris Barnes KC.
Will takes on the role from Bill Braithwaite KC. Bill has served as Head of Exchange Chambers for around 30 years, making him one of the longest serving leaders across the entire legal sector. Under Bill’s guidance, Exchange has grown from a small single-site Liverpool-based set to a full service Northern powerhouse with more than 200 barristers in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
Will Waldron said: “Bill had a clear vision for the development of chambers and he set about turning that vision into a reality and establishing Exchange as one of the leading chambers in the country. He was, and remains, a force to be reckoned with on every level.
“I am looking forward to working closely with our Chief Executive and Chambers Directors, my three outstanding Deputies, the members of the Board and the numerous committees, and the membership and staff more widely.”
Bill Braithwaite KC said: “It is a pleasure to pass the baton on to Will. He is hugely passionate about Exchange and is widely admired by our membership. I am leaving the role with Chambers in a really good place – well managed, strong financially, and well resourced. Those are the foundations of a really good business, one which will be able to maximise opportunities if and when they arise.”
Jonathan I’Anson, Chief Executive at Exchange Chambers, said: “Bill has been the driving force for our organisation through a period of huge change. His tenure has been an extraordinary success and he leaves a fantastic legacy. From a personal perspective he has provided great support in my role as Chief Executive.
“While it is the end of an era, I am looking forward to working closely with Will as our new Head of Chambers. Will brings an abundance of great qualities to the role and is hugely respected by everyone at Exchange and in the wider legal sector.”
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Paul Wilshaw
Continuous authentication expert, Zally, has hired Paul Wilshaw as its Chief Design and Product Officer (CDO) and Prabhu Prakash Ganesh as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The strategic additions underline the company’s keen focus on building an expert leadership team ahead of its forthcoming Beta launch.
With a deep background in designing industry-leading applications, Paul’s extensive experience will be crucial in helping Manchester-based Zally refine the design, product development, and marketing of its solution prior to its Beta launch. Paul has previously served as the Head of Creative Technology and Innovation at Barclays, working on projects like Barclays Pingit and Barclays’ Mobile Banking, as well as holding leadership positions at ANS Group, Blue Prism, and MBNA.
A well-rounded CTO with more than a decade of start-up leadership, Prabhu’s knowledge of building both technological function and high achieving teams from the ground up will be invaluable as Zally embarks on its global expansion journey. Prior to joining Zally, he spent close to 10 years at MiQ, a programmatic media partner for marketers and agencies, serving as its CTO as the company scaled from a bootstrapped start-up all the way to a global leader recording more than $500m in revenue.
Prabhu Prakesh
CEO, Patrick Smith, said: “Bringing Paul and Prabhu onboard underlines the outward ambition of Zally and provides us with the strategic expertise to grow rapidly on launch. Over the past decade Paul has established a reputation as an innovative strategic leader, leveraging creativity and technology to deliver award winning digital products and lead start-ups in new and exciting directions. He is a major asset for Zally and plays a significant role in our ambitious yet informed expansion plans.
“Prabhu’s accomplished track record in leadership positions within the world of technology will be similarly crucial to this effort. He understands so much about the journey we are about to embark on and will be integral as we navigate the path to global expansion.”
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Andy White
Jacobs, the New York Stock Exchange-listed nuclear specialist, with key operations throughout the North West region, has appointed Andy White as Vice President and General Manager of Energy Security & Technology International, leading the company’s nuclear and defence businesses in the UK, continental Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and Japan.
Andy joined the business as a graduate trainee supporting commissioning of the Heysham II and Torness Nuclear Power Stations and most recently has been Vice President for Decommissioning and Regeneration Solutions.
He has played a key role in Jacobs’ support for Sellafield Ltd as a pioneer of the Design Services Alliance contract, led expansion into new European decommissioning markets, was instrumental in opening Jacobs’ first office in Japan, and introduced virtual and augmented reality technology to transform how engineering design is delivered.
He said; “I am honoured to take on this role at an exciting time for the business. Jacobs is experiencing rapid growth in demand for our services and we see huge potential to create new opportunities and value for all our stakeholders.”
Steve Arnette, Jacobs Executive Vice President, said: “This appointment reflects the tremendous growth opportunities across our international business, both for our established defense and nuclear clients as well as new clients helping the world pivot to meet the challenges of energy security, decarbonisation and national security.”
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Stephen Gell and Gemma Phillips
DeliveryApp, specialists in on-demand logistics, has made two board level promotions.
Stephen Gell joined the Manchester-based business in July 2023 as Partnerships Director having spent the past 19 years as a Business Development Manager for DPD. After a successful six months, recognising Gell’s hard work for the business affecting change and helping to drive the business forward, Gell has been promoted to Sales Director and will now sit on the DeliveryApp board.
Gemma Phillips joined the business in September 2023 as Partnership’s Director having previously worked at Speedy Freight as a Business Development Manager for the past three years. Since then, Phillip’s has become a vital asset for the business, steering strategy and growing the businesses’s active key accounts. As a result, Phillips has been promoted to Strategic Business Director, a newly created board level role.
Lance Jones, founder and Chief Executive, said: “At the heart of the business is our amazing talent, people who have the opportunity to excel in this exciting and dynamic business environment. Gemma and Stephen are testament to that, two senior hires who in a short space of time have captured the very energy of our business, brought change and helped to drive it forward.”
