People: Liverpool Uni VEC; CRM; Baker & Baker; Bamburgh Capital; FutureEverything; PIB Insurance Brokers; MHA
Manufacturing leader and industrialist, Philippa Glover, has been appointed an Honorary Senior Fellow of Industrial Automation and Innovation at the University of Liverpool’s VEC, an independent centre for industrial innovation and digital transformation.
Philippa will help the VEC evolve and grow its offering to industry and government to help inform better policy, establish new partnerships, and develop new high impact initiatives to support British industry and deliver inclusive economic growth. She will also support the university as an ambassador for the value of STEM subjects and the value of the UK industry as a career for future leaders.
She said: “To be awarded such a prestigious title from the University of Liverpool feels a huge privilege. Institutions such as the University of Liverpool help to inspire, innovate, and drive positive change across the region and beyond.
“As a local resident, I look forward to using this award to support the university, its students, and the wider community to continue to develop the work they do to support and inspire our community and work towards delivering inclusive economic growth.”
Andrew Borland, Chief Innovation Officer of VEC, said: “Philippa is a committed and creative industrial leader with a commitment to Liverpool City Region and the UK manufacturing sector. A scientist turned manufacturing leader with the drive and vision to help policymakers and political leaders understand the importance of fusing R&D, education, and skills for industry to deliver a sustainable future.
“VEC looks forward to working with Philippa to help develop a new generation of industrial innovation programmes and foster the next generation of industrial leaders.”
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Sam Mather
Debt collector Cerberus Receivables Management (CRM) has appointed Sam Mather as its new Head of Compliance to help better manage its information security strategy.
Sam has been an experienced independent ISO consultant for many years and has moved from working one day a week for Manchester-based CRM to being full time in the first ever in-house compliance role at the firm.
He said: “It will be my job to ensure we stay compliant with all certifications and look for continual improvement at data management, process and control levels. I look forward to getting going.”
Tony Roche, CRM Director, said the business was hardening the IT infrastructure to help growth plans. He said: “This investment in Sam is part of our long term strategy to ensure we have good foundations to build the company.
“It sends a strong message to our existing and future blue chip lending and restructuring partners that we are committed to the highest standards of operations – independently verified every year.”
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Graeme Williams
Wirral-based bakery products manufacturer, Baker & Baker, has appointed Graeme Williams as its new CCO covering the UK market.
The appointment at the Bromborough bakery follows the decision by Tim Ryan to take early retirement, following more than 30 years of service in growing the business’s UK key accounts 10-fold.
A gradual transfer of responsibilities from Tim to Graeme over the last 12 months will ensure a seamless transition within the business and for customers.
Graeme joined Baker & Baker in 2019 and during that time has played a key role in nurturing the business’s relationships with its large UK retail customers and driving growth across the in-store bakery category, and as such, proved to be a natural successor in the role.
Graeme will now join Baker & Baker’s six-strong senior leadership team led by CEO John Lindsay, who said: “We’re extremely pleased to appoint Graeme as our new CCO UK.
“His talent and commitment over the last five years has been evident to all, and that continuity will set us up for our next period of growth. Graeme already possesses deep and positive relationships with our customers, and has demonstrated his extensive leadership abilities in our commercial team during the transition period.”
Graeme Williams said: “We have a talented group of colleagues that strive to deliver for customers and I’m looking forward to delivering on our plans over the coming years.”
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Alex Wilson
Bamburgh Capital, the independent corporate finance adviser to companies and entrepreneurs, has invested in its team on the back of a record 2023.
The firm has boosted its team in recent months with three new hires in Manchester, Krystel Eastman, Alex Wilson and John Thornhill, while Rakib Islam has joined the Newcastle office. All new recruits have joined as Associates, apart from Alex Wilson, who has joined as an Associate Director.
Alex Wilson has more than 14 years’ diverse experience across corporate finance, restructuring and finance. Prior to joining Bamburgh, he spent five years working for two acquisitive private equity-backed businesses, operating in the retail and financial services sectors.
He said: “I am very excited to embark on the next stage of my career with Bamburgh Capital. The culture is collaborative and entrepreneurial and I’m looking forward to helping the team continue to deliver excellent results for our clients.”
Co-founder and Director, Michael Parkinson, said: “We have a clear goal of being the leading trusted adviser to UK SMEs and this can only be delivered by working with a great team and investing in them as they develop their skills.”
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Lucy Sollitt
Next month, Lucy Sollitt will take up the position as FutureEverything’s Creative Director at a critical and celebratory period in the history of the organisation.
The Manchester-based arts organisation said her vision will build on its core mission and portfolio which has, since 1995, been at the forefront of digital culture globally, commissioning, curating and producing public-realm exhibitions and installations, and nurturing talent through residency opportunities and artist development programmes.
Working alongside Executive Director, Chris Wright, Lucy will bring her significant experience, knowledge of digital culture, and creative vision to drive the organisation’s ongoing transformation and lead an innovative and ambitious programme of world class public artworks, cross-sector collaborations, and digital debates.
Lucy Sollitt said: “I’m thrilled to be joining FutureEverything as Creative Director. I’m passionate about the role of art in fostering eco-social change and strongly believe that technology must be oriented in this direction.”
Chris Wright said: “Lucy brings a wealth of experience, creative direction, and critical thinking and it is thrilling to imagine the impact that she will have. This is an exciting period for FutureEverything and Lucy’s role as Creative Director will play a significant part in this.”
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Nigel Bailey
PIB Insurance Brokers, part of PIB Group, has appointed Nigel Bailey to its sales division as Regional Sales Director for the North West.
He brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge, joining the business to further enhance the brand’s sales strategy and continued growth.
He said: “I’m thrilled to join PIB, and am looking forward to building on the brand’s success in the North West region and beyond. With so many exciting propositions for our clients, in a diverse range of sectors, I am confident we will continue to drive the brand forward.”
In addition to leading the teams in the North West, Nigel will also collaborate with other Regional Sales Directors and play a pivotal role within the business’s PEMA Practice. His extensive connections in the Private Equity and Mergers and Acquisition spaces further enhance the PEMA team’s client proposition, offering invaluable support to clients involved in business acquisitions or mergers.
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From left: Robert Holgate, Lucinda Moylan, Graham Gordon, Stephen Brownwood, Steve Haywood
Accountancy and business advisory firm, MHA, has made four senior promotions in the North West.
Rob Holgate has been promoted to director within the firm’s corporate finance team and Lucinda Moylan has been made operations director within the financial planning division.
In addition, Stephen Brownwood becomes director in the accounts and advisory team, while Steve Haywood has been promoted to director in the corporate tax team.
Graham Gordon, partner and regional chair for MHA, said: “We continue to develop our team at all levels, from our trainees to our directors and partners, as well the operational and support teams that are vital to our success.
“These director promotions strengthen our senior team and create further career progression opportunities for our people. They also enable us to continue providing outstanding support and advice for our clients.”
Rob, who joined MHA in 2020, has been a key player in the ongoing growth of the firm’s corporate finance team, advising on a wide range of transactions including acquisitions, disposals, and fundraisings, alongside strategic advisory projects.
Lucinda, a Chartered Financial Planner, has been with the firm for more than 18 years after joining from university. As financial planning operations director she will oversee the delivery of the firm’s service offering, ensuring it stays ahead of the changing regulatory and technological landscape.
Stephen Brownwood has also been with MHA for 18 years advising owner-managed businesses across all sectors on audit, financial reporting, and financial governance matters. In addition to his client-facing work, he also takes a lead role on business development and internal projects.
Steve Haywood advises corporates and other large organisations on their tax affairs, including international taxation and other complex tax matters. His sector specialisms include social housing and education.
MHA has around 1,750 people operating across 22 offices. Its North West offices include Preston, Liverpool, Manchester, Blackpool, Kendal and Lancaster.
