People: Vincents Solicitors; DWF; Velstar; Cumberland Building Society; Padel Group; Detectronic; Uniform Group; Caddick
Experienced human resources manager, Katie Elsworth, has been appointed Head of Human Resources at Lancashire’s Vincents Solicitors. Katie is also a neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and personal development specialist whose expertise will further the firm’s commitment to staff wellbeing.
As a CIPD-qualified human resources specialist working for the likes of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Argos, Parcel Force and First Group, Katie is a great addition to the Vincents team. She will manage the firm’s recruitment, training, employment and regulatory compliance, along with its personal and professional development strategy.
She brings a wealth of experience in development and coaching, having practiced for many years as a life coach and wellbeing mentor. While managing all aspects of the firm’s HR function, Katie is also keen to utilise her expertise in NLP and personal development techniques to support staff at all levels to improve their personal and team management, communication and conflict resolution, and prioritise their work life balance.
She said: “Vincents is a forward thinking law firm with a positive culture which values professional development and supports flexible working, which is unusual in a sector which often sticks to ‘traditional’ practices.
“Now we’re prioritising personal development so everyone has the resources, resilience and awareness to reach their potential, for the benefit of themselves and their families, their clients, and the company as a whole, and I’m excited to help the firm grow in this area.”
Phillip Gilmore, Vincents’ managing director, said: “We’re very lucky to have appointed an HR practitioner with both the corporate experience and the holistic expertise of Katie. Law firms have traditionally focused simply on legal skills and are often slow to embrace new ways of working, but we like to do things differently.”
Katie will support all 120 staff at the full service law firm, which is headquartered in Winckley Square Preston, across its offices in Chorley, Garstang, Lytham, Poulton-le-Fylde and Penwortham.
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Kirsty Rogers
DWF, the Manchester-based global provider of integrated legal and business services, has appointed Joel Heap as the new managing partner of its Manchester office.
Joel joined DWF in Manchester in 2008, with a focus to build the firm’s litigation practice in the North West. Having successfully grown the team locally, Joel has gone on to become the UK & Ireland head of dispute resolution, a role which will continue as he takes on his new position as managing partner of DWF in Manchester.
Kirsty Rogers, who has led the firm’s Manchester office for the past eight years, has been appointed as DWF’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. Already serving as Global Head of ESG, Rogers’ extended role will see her continue to provide Executive Board leadership across DWF’s full range of activities and responsibilities, reflecting the business’s commitment to sustainability, as well as the expectations of internal and external stakeholders. This global role will involve working with all of DWF’s locations on ESG issues, including Manchester.
Joel Heap
Joel said: “Manchester’s business environment provides an amazing opportunity for growth and DWF wants to contribute to the city’s success. I’m honoured to take on the role of managing partner in Manchester. Having been part of the business’s national and international journey for over a decade, I’m keen to build on our successes, and help drive DWF’s active engagement within the Manchester business community and enhance our market position.”
Kirsty said: “The landscape around sustainability has changed drastically in recent years with increased accountability expected of businesses from all stakeholders. The creation of the Chief Sustainability Officer role reaffirms DWF’s dedication to delivering positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities. I look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to ensure our growth agenda is underpinned by responsible business practices.”
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Peter Birks
Velstar, a Shopify Plus, B2B development and marketing agency, with head offices in Liverpool and Leeds, has appointed Peter Birks as its new Chief Executive.
Dan Sheard, the founder of Velstar, previous CEO and one of its main shareholders, will remain with the business on a full-time basis as founder, with a special focus on accelerating the growth of the company’s revenue, expanding the Velstar brand, as well as managing Velstar’s partner relationships.
Peter Birks will join Velstar’s board, which currently consists of Dan Sheard and Graham Withe, the company’s Managing Director, heading up the marketing services, as well as four NEDs.
He said: “I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to assist Velstar in its ambitious growth and change agenda. The Velstar group of companies has a deep talent pool, focusing on exceeding its clients’ expectations and is poised to rapidly become one of the largest development and marketing agencies in the UK.”
Dan said: “In Peter, we are very fortunate to have found a very experienced leader, with a proven track record in growing and professionalising businesses, as well as in integrating acquisition targets.
”In my new role as founder, Peter can count on my full and unwavering support. I personally am very excited to be focusing on growing the Velstar brand further, by delighting our existing and attracting new customers, and managing our partner relationships.”
Velstar employs around 120 people and is expected to generate £10m of revenue in calendar year 2024.
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Richard Pike
The Cumberland Building Society has strengthened its board with the appointment of Richard Pike as a non-executive director.
He brings extensive knowledge of the financial services sector drawn from a varied international career of more than 30 years in corporate and entrepreneurial environments.
Richard said: “I am honoured to join the board of The Cumberland at such an exciting and dynamic time for the business. I look forward to contributing to The Cumberland’s continued success and to working with my fellow board members to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance to continue to provide a ‘kinder banking’ experience for customers.”
Jackie Arnold, Non-Executive Director and Chair Elect at The Cumberland, said: “Attracting Richard Pike to The Cumberland is not only testament to the strength of our board but also our values and purpose. His deep expertise in finance and leadership will be instrumental as we look to the future and strive to deliver exceptional value in ‘kinder banking’ to our customers.”
Richard joins fellow board members Jackie Arnold, Des Moore, Richard Ellison, Kelli Fairbrother, Vicky Bruce, Mark Stanger, Cameron Marr and Anna Barsby.
The Carlisle-based society recently announced that Jackie Arnold will become the new chair of the board, the first woman to hold the post in its 174-year history.
She succeeds John Hooper, who is stepping down at the society’s annual general meeting, on July 22, after five years in the role and nearly nine years as a non-executive director.
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Jake Bennett
The Padel Group has made three key appointments as it looks to expand further into the padel courts and club operator market.
The Cheshire-based company has welcomed Morgan Davies as a non-executive director and Steve Herring as finance director, while the business has also hired former GB athlete Jake Bennett as commercial manager.
Davies and Herring will bring considerable business and financial acumen to the group. Davies successfully founded and expanded the restaurant chain Barburrito, where Herring was financial director. In 2022, the business was sold to Wagamama owners The Restaurant Group.
The team is joined by ex-pro athlete Bennett, who brings 15 years’ experience in leisure operations management, which includes a four-year spell at New York’s famous Chelsea Piers sports complex.
The trio will join founder and CEO, Jordan Ingoe, in elevating the padel scene in the UK through the import and installation of courts via UK Padel Courts and the opening of their first club at Mottram Hall this summer, The Hook Club.
Morgan Davies
UK Padel Courts, which is the official distributor in the UK of Padelgest, one of Spain’s premium court manufacturers, expect to have a pivotal role in the growth of the sport as demand for courts increases. The latest figures from the sport’s governing body – the International Padel Federation – indicated there are 200,000 amateur players in the UK and just 470 courts.
Davies, who will oversee day-to-day operations at The Padel Group, said: “I am excited to be joining the padel industry. I have been watching the space for a while and there is a real buzz on both the operator and player side. We have set up a fantastic relationship with Padelgest to bring quality courts to the UK and our first operation, The Hook Club, will stand out in the sector.”
Ingoe said: “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team. Morgan and Steve bring vast commercial experience, Jake has a great background in sports operations and I have experience with commercial builds and expertise in the padel industry. I believe we are well positioned to be a key business in the padel market.”
The next key development for The Padel Group is to oversee the launch of The Hook Club following a £400,000 investment.
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Mark Pritchard, left, and Neil Butler
Colne-based Detectronic, a provider of wastewater management solutions, has appointed Mark Pritchard as Commercial Director.
Mark has spent more than 25 years in roles such as Chief Commercial Officer and EMEA Channel Director establishing and scaling innovative technology businesses across the globe. His career to date includes the launch of groundbreaking sensor technology and the creation of a comprehensive global partner network.
He has also developed a number of highly successful go-to-market strategies and launched several new products, expertise that will be invaluable as he takes on his new role at Detectronic.
Mark said: “It is my task to spearhead Detectronic’s commercial strategy, enhance customer relationships, and drive new product development. I intend to do this by collaborating with the existing team to expand our market reach and strengthen customer partnerships. My initial priorities are to ensure that we continue to lead the wastewater industry with our wastewater monitoring and management solutions.”
Neil Butler, Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mark to our leadership team. His extensive industry experience and strategic vision make him the perfect fit for this role. His leadership will be instrumental in driving our commercial initiatives and achieving our growth objectives. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our company.”
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Top row from from left: Laurie Jones; Michelle Ford; Nick Bentley. Bottom row: Stephen Ardern; Nick Howe; Caroline Whittaker
This month, Liverpool-based Uniform Group has appointed Strategy Director, Caroline Whittaker, to its board of directors.
Caroline has played a pivotal role in growing the strategy function in Continuous – Uniform’s brand agency – and the appointment is designed to strengthen the group’s overall strategic capability, as well as bolster Continuous’s representation at group level.
Continuous Managing Director, Stephen Ardern, said: “Caroline has been instrumental in Continuous’s success, fostering high levels of trust with clients, partners and peers. She has a valuable ability to create simple, actionable and effective strategy, and our clients are responding to that. It seems only right that she should not only help to shape our clients’ businesses, but also use her experience to confidently mould Continuous’s future.”
Uniform Group founder and CEO, Nick Howe, said: “Uniform Group businesses blend strategy, creativity and technology to help our clients understand, navigate and better prepare for the future. Caroline’s appointment to the board reflects the impact she’s had on Continuous and what she can do for the rest of our business.”
Caroline began her career in marketing at BAFTA in Los Angeles, moving into client consultancy and strategy roles for independent creative agencies across the North West. She said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the board at such an exciting time of growth. I’m looking forward to using the strategic thinking I employ with clients to make an impact across the business.”
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From left: Alistair Smith, David Baker-Brook, Helen Gardner, Tom Park
Caddick, the, privately-owned property and construction business, has appointed a new board member and made a number of promotions within its developments division as its project portfolio grows and it expands into new regions.
Group Legal Director, Helen Gardner, takes up a new position on the newly-formed operations board of the developments business, while continuing to spearhead the organisation’s growing legal team. Based at the Group’s Yorkshire headquarters, she will be implementing a cohesive, national legal and governance strategy for Caddick and ensuring efficiencies across the businesses.
Alistair Smith has been promoted to Director, focusing on delivering and strengthening Caddick’s industrial and logistics pipeline – from inception and planning, through to active development and delivery on site. His work includes the delivery of a number of landmark schemes as well as contributing to the growth of the wider development pipeline.
Tom Park and Ryan Lewis have been promoted to Associate Development Director and Associate Director, respectively. Tom will concentrate on developing out Caddick’s existing industrial and logistics portfolio with a keen focus on expanding the pipeline across the North West and Midlands.
Ryan’s new role involves leading the expanding project management and technical leadership functions across the portfolio. Both Tom and Ryan are based at Caddick’s Manchester office and their new leadership roles underscore the increasing importance of the region within the business.
David Baker-Brook has also been promoted to Associate Director, leading on the promotion of new and existing sites across residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes. David is based in Birmingham, where Caddick’s construction arm has recently opened a new office. With a strong background in sustainability, he will play a key role in ensuring Caddick continues to create developments with sustainability at their heart.
Myles Hartley, Managing Director of Caddick Developments, said: “It’s been another really strong year for the developments team at Caddick, having achieved approval for the final phase of our mixed-use SOYO scheme in Leeds, as well as reaching practical completion on a number of key industrial and logistics schemes, including phase one of Farington Park in Lancashire and Leeds Valley Park. More recently, the team have been applauded by Leeds City Council councillors for our transformative South Village, Leeds proposals.
“These milestones would not be possible without the hard work of these individuals, as well as the support of the wider team, so it’s fantastic to see them recognised for the roles they have played in our journey to date.”
