People: TLT; DLA Piper; Health Innovation Manchester; Cartime; 21Digital; NWBLT; Barings Law; MHA; Shawton Energy; AJP
Law firm TLT has continued the growth of its national corporate team with the appointment of Victoria Zivkovic as partner in its Manchester office.
Victoria has joined TLT from Irwin Mitchell where she has been instrumental in building up its corporate practice, being recognised as a leading corporate lawyer and a go-to advisor in the northwest.
At TLT, Victoria will join the national corporate team, supporting businesses across all the firm’s key sectors including financial services, retail, leisure, food and drink, real estate and digital.
James Chadwick, head of location in Manchester, said: “In 2023 we celebrated the 10th anniversary of TLT in Manchester.
“During that period, the firm has grown from a founding team of three to nearly 200 colleagues. We have experienced phenomenal growth and have continued to invest in our resources to ensure we deliver a best-in-class service to clients. We’re delighted to welcome Victoria to the team, adding further bench strength to our corporate team and supporting the next stage of our investment in growth in Manchester.”
Andrew Webber, head of corporate at TLT, said: “It’s been an exceptional year of growth for our national corporate team both in terms of revenue and headcount. Victoria’s appointment will support our national growth strategy, which has recently seen us add to our senior corporate capabilities in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh, to ensure we continue to meet the growing needs of our clients.”
Victoria said: “TLT’s corporate team has an impressive track record of undertaking outstanding work for its clients, and I’m looking forward to being part of its continued success.”
The news comes ahead of TLT’s move to Eden, Salford – designed to be one of the UK’s most sustainable office buildings – for its new home in Manchester.
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Andrew Walker
DLA Piper has announced two partner promotions in the North West.
Andrew Walker and David Booth joined the partnership as of May 1, in the law firm’s annual promotion round.
Andrew is an experienced real estate lawyer who provides seamless business advice on all aspects of commercial property transactions including investment, development, financing and landlord and tenant matters.
David Booth
David has more than a decade of legal experience in providing pragmatic and commercial legal advice in technology and commercial transactions across a broad range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, telecoms, and financial services.
He plays a pivotal role in supporting the national and international leadership of DLA Piper’s Technology, Industrials and Financial Services groups, and is a leading member of DLA Piper’s approach to artificial intelligence both nationally and internationally.
Mark Beardwood, DLA Piper’s North West Office Managing Partner, welcomed the pair, saying: “They are highly valued by a number of our key clients due to their ability to navigate change and clarify complex legal matters. I have no doubt that they will help DLA Piper grow our business here in the North West and internationally.”
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Prof Mark Britnell
Prof Mark Britnell will join Health Innovation Manchester as its new chair in September, joining the board of senior leaders to accelerate world leading innovation to improve the lives of Greater Manchester’s 2.8m population.
Mark brings his vast experience of global public and private health systems across 81 countries, having led organisations at local, regional and national levels.
As chair, Mark will lead the Health Innovation Manchester (HInM) Board, comprising global industry non-executive directors and senior representatives from across Greater Manchester’s health, care, civic and academic bodies. He will take over from Rowena Burns, who was an original founder of HInM, and has been at the helm as chair for several successful years. Rowena will step down once her final tenure ends in the summer.
Health Innovation Manchester (HInM) is a place-based innovation organisation, formed by the health, care, civic and academic leaders of Greater Manchester (GM), with a vision to be world leading in improving the lives of local people, transforming care and boosting the economy through innovation.
Mark said: “I have had a close affiliation to Manchester for the last 50 years and have seen the city region transform to become the pre-eminent health innovation cluster in the UK, and well regarded around the world.”
Rowena Burns said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have built in Health Innovation Manchester over the last seven years. I would like to thank the board, our partners and the HInM team for their deep and sustained commitment to advancing innovation to improve outcomes for GM’s local people and places, and I know that HInM will continue to thrive under Mark’s chairmanship.”
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Dan Chippendale
Used car specialist, Cartime, which has showrooms in Bury and Rochdale, has appointed a new Group Head of Finance and Operational Strategy in Dan Chippendale.
He will help steer the business through an ambitious growth phase and joins Cartime after eight years with Hippo Motor Group where he played a pivotal role in the business’s rapid expansion and success.
Dan will lead the finance strategy and overhaul operations to streamline and digitalise processes and improve efficiencies. He will also oversee investment into new technology, equipment and premises.
Cartime was launched in 2012 by entrepreneur Matt Kay. As it prepares to grow its national presence the business is actively recruiting for 10 new positions across its team.
MD, Matt Kay, said: “We are entering a transformative time for the business. The next 12 months will see Cartime catapult to the next level and we are investing heavily and growing a team of talented and ambitious people to help us fulfil our goals.
“Dan has an unrivalled knowledge of the motor industry and his reputation speaks for itself. There is no doubt his appointment will be crucial in our ongoing success.”
Dan Chippendale said: “Cartime is an absolutely fantastic success story and it’s a privilege to be part of the team. Working with a business that is willing to invest and embrace change is always refreshing.”
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Gareth Gill
Gareth Gill has joined Blackburn-based lead generation and ecommerce specialist agency 21Digital as a PPC Executive & Data Analyst.
Bringing with him more than five years of paid search advertising experience and eight years of ecommerce and marketplaces experience, his previous roles include PPC manager and ecommerce brand manager for online retail brand Best Heating.
Gareth said: “As a multiple award winning company, 21Digital has earned a reputation for their straight talking approach to digital marketing that delivers results.
“I’m looking forward to working with their broad spectrum of clients and delivering exceptional results that have real business impact.”
Managing director, Sam Fletcher, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Gareth to the team. We’re always on the look out for motivated, talented individuals to join our growing close knit family.”
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Liam O’Sullivan
The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) has welcomed new member representatives from KPMG UK and Scottish Power Energy Networks.
Jennifer Lee, KPMG’s Office Senior Partner for Liverpool, has more than 23 years’ experience at KPMG having joined the firm as a graduate in 2001. Jennifer is Office Senior Partner for Liverpool and a corporate tax partner who leads the North West tax compliance and advisory team.
She is responsible for providing tax advisory and compliance services to some of the region’s largest clients and fast growth businesses. She has extensive experience of working with entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses as well as international groups.
Jennifer is a member of KPMG’s North West leadership team, a trustee for the KPMG Foundation and partner sponsor for KPMG UK’s social mobility network.
Liam O’Sullivan started his career in Scottish Power in 2000. Since then, he has gained a wealth of experience in several senior roles, in both the Retail and Networks businesses, including Customer Collections, E-Commerce, Network Operations, Customer Connections and Large Capital Investment Projects.
Jennifer Lee
Chair of the NWBLT, Simone Peppi, said: “Both bring important new perspectives and experience to the team. We hugely value the cross sector and pan-regional composition of the NWBLT, which the addition of Jennifer and Liam strengthens further. We look forward to working with them both in the years to come.”
Jennifer Lee said: ”KPMG has a longstanding relationship with the NWBLT so it is a pleasure to be joining the group and to work alongside other senior leaders within the region.”
Liam said: “It is a pleasure to join the NWBLT, who share our commitment to supporting the region in its transition to low carbon technologies. This is an exciting time for our region, which has so much potential, and I look forward to working with all the members over the coming years to help play a role in unlocking that potential.”
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Jincy George and Gregory Cave
A Manchester law firm has ramped up its operations by bringing in two new senior associates to join its Business Interruption department in response to a recent surge in successful cases.
Jincy George, a former senior associate at a magic circle firm, has joined Barings Law. With 22 years of legal experience, Mrs George is a dual qualified solicitor who has previously worked as a corporate lawyer in Mumbai for two years before re-qualifying in the UK.
She specialised in commercial and personal injury law and later focused on commercial, financial, and property litigation working with prestigious firms.
She said: “Our Managing Director is exceptionally skilled and insightful, truly an eagle-eyed wizard in our field and working alongside him and the rest of the executive team has been a pleasurable experience. I am eagerly looking forward to many more years of collaboration and growth together.
“Covid-19 marked a global transformation, leaving numerous businesses grappling with unprecedented challenges beyond their control. I’m deeply committed to assisting these individuals.”
Joining her is Gregory Cave who has almost 20 years of experience as a solicitor, 12 of those as a partner at Keoghs.
Previously he managed a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated across numerous claim types including motor, personal injury and vehicle related loss while also maintaining a client account management role. Now Mr Cave aims to leverage his experience to provide expert guidance and support to clients.
He said: “I aim to use my experience of claims handling, quality processes, client care and service delivery to add value to the Business Interruption team.”
Managing Director, Craig Cooper, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jincy and Gregory to the team. Their wealth of experience and dedication to pursuing justice align perfectly with our values.
“It marks a significant step forward in our mission to secure justice for those affected by the pandemic. Their expertise will greatly enhance our ability to advocate on behalf of claimants and ensure they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.”
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Joe Sullivan, centre, with new starters
UK-wide accountancy and business advisory firm MHA has strengthened its North West team with 13 new starters across four of its offices during April.
The new appointments include a wide range of client-facing roles in both senior and junior positions as well as marketing, finance and administration roles.
Six new starters have joined the firm’s Manchester office, five have joined in Preston while the firm has also made one new appointment in Lancaster and one in Liverpool.
MHA, formerly MHA Moore and Smalley, has now made a total of 27 new appointments across the North West so far in 2024.
MHA is the 13th largest accountancy group in the UK with around 1,750 people operating across 22 offices. Its North West offices include Preston, Liverpool, Manchester, Blackpool, Kendal and Lancaster.
Joe Sullivan, partner, MHA said: “The completion of the MHA merger brings with it new opportunities to continue our growth across the North West as part of a UK-wide accountancy and business advisory firm.
“The appointments we have made during April are a real signal of intent of that growth and of our commitment to ensuring our clients receive the best service and advice possible. It’s always been our strategy as a firm to not only hire senior members of staff, but to give younger people the opportunity to forge a career with us.”
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Graham Provest (left) and Steve Bingham
Renewable energy specialist, Shawton Energy, has bolstered its team with two senior appointments, as the Newton-le-Willows-based firm drives its ambitious growth strategy forward.
The move supports the company’s three-year plan – along with its co-owners, Lazard Asset Management – to allocate £100m of funding into renewable projects for industrial and commercial sites across the UK.
Both new employees will sit within the firm’s business development function, with Graham Provest joining as Senior Sales Manager and Steve Bingham as Strategic Account Manager, respectively.
Martyn Sheridan, Shawton’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “Graham and Steve’s appointments play a key part in our long term development strategy – building the organisation to be one of the UK’s leading funded solar solution providers for businesses.
“Their extensive experience in the solar market – having held both senior strategic sales and director-level roles – will allow us to build and strengthen long term relationships with our new and prospective customers.”
Provest said: “With many solar and renewable energy jobs under my belt, I understand all the various elements needed to make a project run effectively – as well as the requirements and opportunities, and pitfalls to avoid.”
Bingham said: “Having been in the industry for the last 15 years, I’ve witnessed the ups and downs of the ‘solar coaster’. I’m looking forward to being a part of Shawton Energy’s journey and using my experience to help educate businesses on how fully funded commercial solar solutions cannot only help them save thousands in energy costs, but reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their sustainability goals, too.”
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From left: Danny Sinclair, Kenny O’Brien, Peter Bryan
Director Jonathan Smith retired from the Liverpool-based Alan Johnston Partnership at the end of April, 35 years after first joining the practice.
Directors Kenny O’Brien, Danny Sinclair and Peter Bryan will continue to lead the practice which is strengthened by the promotion of three team members to Associate.
Jonathan first joined the practice in 1989 and has worked tirelessly to advance the business and has been a key member of the team since the early years of the business.
Kenny O’Brien said: “Jonathan made a key contribution to the growth and success of AJP with his vision, leadership and expertise and built many strong relationships with clients. We wish him all the best for his retirement as he looks forward to having a well earned break and spending more time on his many hobbies.”
AJPs team now also includes the promotion of John Marshall, John Speers and Michael Carr to Associate.
Kenny O’Brien added: “Our recent promotions are a key part of our longer term development plan and growth strategy for the practice.
“Over the past 40 years, AJP have earned a reputation as a key player in the sector and we are excited about the next chapter. Alongside our newly appointed Associates, myself, Danny and Peter are committed to driving the business forward, continuing to deliver a diverse range of projects and sustainable engineering solutions for our clients and continuing to help shape the built environment.”
