People: Adamsons; Bibby Financial Services; Fellwood Advisory; Greenbank; SpaMedica; Harrison Drury; Prosperity Law
Home transformation experts, Adamsons, based in Tameside, has appointed two new team members, following the retirement of a long standing colleague.
After 35 years of dedicated service, Paul Hopkinson, an Architectural Designer, will be retiring. Paul helped to grow the business, providing outstanding customer service and design services to thousands of customers.
Joining the architectural design team will be Alice Bailey, who brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the role. Having previously worked in kitchen and bedroom design for Wren Kitchens, she will be responsible for liaising with customers about their renovation projects and helping to design their dream homes.
Alice said: “I have always loved construction, mathematics and design as my dad was a builder. With an eye for detail, I’m looking forward to using my design knowledge to help transform customers’ homes and remove the stress of their renovation projects so they can enjoy the process.”
Additionally, Adamsons has appointed Eve Davitt to its marketing team. Eve will oversee the entire marketing function, from social media to email campaigns, with the goal of showcasing the company’s home renovation projects and reconnecting Adamsons with both existing and new clients.
Rachel Moors, Managing Director at Adamsons, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Paul for his 35 years of outstanding service and dedication. His contributions have been instrumental to our success. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.
“We are also pleased to welcome Alice and Eve to our team. Their experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate, following our recent rebrand.”
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Paul Ratcliffe
Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has bolstered its Marine Finance business with the appointment of an experienced front and back-office team as it looks to grow its support for the maritime sector.
First launching in 2023, BFS Marine Finance provides specialist financing and support to the sector across a wide range of vessel types, including wind farm service vessels, general purpose workboats, passenger vessels and ferries, survey vessels, tugs and barges, coastal ships, charter boats and hire boat fleets.
Since this time, Managing Director of BFS Marine Finance, Paul Ratcliffe – who began his career at Liverpool-based Bibby Line Group and returned to the group after 35 years – has been joined by Marine Finance specialists Jason Crump and Ryan Baverstock, in addition to Chantelle Bradwell, Head of Sales Support, and Sales Support Specialists Debbie Weir, Colleen Dalais and April McGhee.
Paul Ratcliffe said: “Combined, we have over 80 years’ experience within the marine finance sector, so we have the depth of experience and knowledge required to support new and existing customers to grow and thrive.”
Supporting the new team are Richard Hargraves, Head of Portfolio Risk, Howard Quinlivan, Senior In-house Legal Counsel, and John Folan, Senior Credit Risk Underwriter.
Derek Ryan, Managing Director for BFS UK, said: “BFS Marine Finance is an excellent example of how we are combining BFS’s financing specialism with the Bibby Line Group’s heritage to grow our support for businesses across all sectors of the economy. Paul and the team are in a fantastic position to be able to support those businesses looking to refinance existing assets or expand their fleets.”
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Stephen Gater
Fellwood Advisory, a specialist and nationally operating mid-market debt advisory firm established in September 2023, has recruited Stephen Gater as its first team member. Alongside this significant appointment, Fellwood has also secured its inaugural office space at Clockwise in Manchester.
Stephen joins Fellwood Advisory from Thincats and prior to that, Virgin Money and Royal Bank of Scotland. With more than a decade of experience working on lending to complex private equity and owner-managed M&A transactions, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be instrumental in shaping the future of Fellwood Advisory.
Fellwood founder, Craig Cheetham, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Stephen Gater to the Fellwood Advisory team. Stephen’s extensive experience and proven track record in the delivery of complex and time-critical transactions make him the perfect fit for the firm. His insights and strategic thinking will be critical as we work to establish ourselves as a trusted partner for businesses and sponsors seeking expert guidance and leadership through their financing requirements.”
He added: “Securing our first office space at Clockwise in Manchester is a significant step for Fellwood Advisory. This strategic location in the heart of Manchester provides us with the perfect base to serve our clients and expand our operations.”
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David Cox
David Cox has been appointed the new head of Greenbank, part of Rathbones Group. David will take over the role from John David, a founding member of Greenbank who is due to retire later this year.
John David has led Greenbank, which has an office in Rathbones’ Port of Liverpool Building base, over the past 15 years and played a pivotal role in growing the business since it was first founded in 2004. Under John’s leadership Greenbank has grown significantly, with assets under management (AUM) currently sitting at £2.3bn.
David Cox joined Greenbank in 2023 and has more than 20 years’ experience working in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Greenbank, David was Deputy CIO at Brunel Pension Partnership, spearheading the set-up and management of public market investments and strategies. As part of his role David led award-winning initiatives in sustainable and environmental investments across asset classes and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, specialising in alternative asset classes and portfolio and index construction.
John David said: “I am confident that David will continue to drive forward Greenbank’s commitment to delivering the investment returns that our clients are seeking in a way that aligns with their values, whilst helping create a more sustainable future for all.”
David Cox said: “John has been a great leader in our industry and for Greenbank’s growth over the years. It has been fantastic working with him and I wish him well in his retirement and future endeavours. Looking forward, we as a team will continue to work tirelessly with our clients on their financial and ethical/sustainable goals.”
Paul Stockton, CEO of Rathbones Group, said: “We wish John all the best in his well deserved retirement and look forward to the next evolution of Greenbank under David’s assured leadership.”
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Jamie Hanson
NHS eye health provider, SpaMedica, has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Jamie Hanson in the newly-created role of Director of Central Operations.
Jamie joins the board of directors from his previous role as Operations Director at Alliance Medical and will take responsibility for six core functions at SpaMedica’s Bolton head office, overseeing more than 400 employees.
Before moving into healthcare, Jamie held senior positions within the hospitality sector – he was Operations Director at Punch Pubs and also had a 20-year career at McDonald’s UK, in roles including Head of Training and Director of Franchise Operations.
He says he is looking forward to a future of ‘innovation and continuing exemplary patient experience’ at SpaMedica. The company has more than 50 hospitals and recently expanded its surgeon training programme.
Jamie Hanson said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me, joining a company which is leading the industry and has vast amounts of potential ahead. SpaMedica’s many accomplishments to date – such as all hospitals inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) receiving ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ ratings – inspired me to take the role, and I’m looking forward to leading the team to future success.”
Jamie’s career path has seen him navigate a skills route. He joined McDonalds at just 17 years old. This involved management positions which included being based out of the company’s worldwide HQ in Chicago for two years and overseeing restaurant operations in the UK.”
He said: “I’ve built a breadth of knowledge throughout my career – first hospitality and latterly within healthcare – around managing large teams, motivating people to deliver their very best and exceed expectations. I’m excited to bring my skills to the table for SpaMedica. It’s an exciting time to join the company in a new role where I can make a positive impact, and empower other employees across the company to do the same.”
Richard Woodward, SpaMedica’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jamie – and he is already achieving great things at SpaMedica. He’s a brilliant communicator and leader, and we’re excited for him to help steer SpaMedica to ongoing success, as we continue to provide the highest quality care and personalised service to our patients.”
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David Vayro and Kath Sibley
North West law firm, Harrison Drury, has grown its construction law team with the appointment of partner David Vayro.
David, who joins from Primas Law, will head up the firm’s construction law team in Manchester, advising construction and development clients operating across the region.
Working with the firm’s head of construction, Katherine Sibley and the wider North West team, David will advise clients on both transactional matters and in relation to conflict management and dispute resolution.
Kath Sibley said: “David is a true specialist who has honed his expertise over many years advising some of the most well known contractors and developers in the country. We’re thrilled to have someone with his experience and know-how leading our construction team in Manchester. This is a great opportunity to expand our construction offering in terms of a city presence and wider experience.”
David said: “I’m looking forward enormously to helping Harrison Drury grow its construction team in Manchester, supporting clients in the Manchester market and nationally.”
David’s other previous experience includes partner and head and construction roles at law firms including Gately, Trowers and Hamlins, and DWF.
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Andrew Farrell and Jonathan Kay
Prosperity Law has welcomed a new Commercial Director. Jonathan Kay will take on a strategic role for the fast growing firm, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise.
Jonathan’s role will span all four of the firm’s offices, in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds and a serviced office in London, with the aim of building on its continued commercial success and growth.
Jonathan has held senior roles at a number of leading firms – including Head of Real Estate, alongside other senior management positions. As well as his expertise in real estate, his commercial acumen developed over three decades in the sector makes him ideally suited for the role of Commercial Director. In conjunction with the senior management team, part of his role will be the ongoing advancement of the business, including key hires and acquisition opportunities for Prosperity – continuing the firm’s ambitions to scale and diversify its already wide service offering.
He said: “Prosperity has enjoyed a number of successes of late, which speaks to the entrepreneurial and ambitious nature of the teams and specialists there.
“I’m commercially driven but just as interested in people and what they bring to a firm. As well as the strategic work I’ll carry out for the business I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to really drive forward our collective success at Prosperity.”
Managing Partner, Ed Smethurst, said: “We’ve made a number of key hires in recent years to head up different departments across all our offices. Jonathan’s appointment marks a real commitment to our ongoing commercial success and desire to grow the business.”
