People: Unity Trust Bank; BTG Advisory; Eleven; BANC; Leonard Curtis; Redrow; Graham & Brown; ASCEND
Unity Trust Bank has appointed Philippa Moors as Charities Relationship Manager, to further support the bank’s growing portfolio of customers in the charity sector.
Based in Manchester, the specialist role reflects Unity’s strong commitment to supporting charitable organisations through ethical and responsible finance, it said.
With extensive experience in financial services, Philippa previously worked at Barclays Bank for 15 years as part of its Relationship Management team, supporting customers across a range of sectors including Retail & Wholesale and Hospitality & Leisure.
During a career break, Philippa set up her own business providing sustainable grocery deliveries, which gave her a unique insight into the ethical business sector and led to her current role at Unity.
Philippa said: “At Unity, we have a deep understanding of the financial challenges faced by charities, and the sector’s unique regulatory and organisational frameworks. This requires a bespoke approach to ensure that every charity customer can access, and benefit from, the right financial support. Our regional network of relationship managers are experts in this field, and I’m delighted to lead our charities strategy to help better serve the sector.”
Leanna McEwan, Regional Director (Specialist Sector) at Unity Trust Bank, said: “With her financial expertise and personal business acumen, I’m pleased to welcome Philippa to spearhead our charities strategy and further expand our growing customer base.”
Unity was founded by the trade union movement in 1984 to serve the common good. It reported a record level of lending in its end of year results in 2023 – exceeding £1bn for the first time and growing 21% from the previous year – with 45.3% of financing going into areas of high deprivation.
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Jack Clitheroe
BTG Advisory has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of experienced forensic accountant Jack Clitheroe as a partner in its Manchester office.
Jack joins BTG Advisory, a division of Begbies Traynor Group, from Azets, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in forensic accountancy, including 11 years at EY.
In his new senior role at BTG Advisory he will advise clients and lawyers from around the UK on a range of different matters including commercial disputes, loss of profits claims, contentious business valuations, matrimonial valuations, transaction disputes and fraud investigations.
A Chartered Accountant and a member of the ICAEW, he is a senior professional in the forensic accountancy sector.
Richard Pughe, partner at BTG Advisory, welcomed Jack, saying: “His tremendous wealth of experience and deep knowledge in forensic accountancy will be invaluable to our team. We are committed to bringing on board well connected, highly skilled and experienced professionals and Jack is a perfect example of that as we grow and develop in 2024.”
Jack said: “I am thrilled to join BTG Advisory and I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues across all our offices. I’m committed to maintaining my existing professional relationships and developing new ones as we continue to develop the business.”
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Dan Muir
Cheshire based creative agency, Eleven, has appointed Dan Muir as its new Head of Creative.
With more than two decades’ worth of experience in the creative industries, Dan joins the agency following a six-year stint at Manchester-based creative agency Jam.
Dan brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for purpose-driven work that perfectly aligns with Eleven’s mission, having delivered campaigns for the likes of Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester Pride.
Muir said: “I’m incredibly excited to join Eleven. The opportunity to work with such a talented team and contribute to meaningful projects and campaigns that make a difference in the world is both humbling and inspiring. I look forward to seeing what we can all achieve together.”
Clare Lydon, founder and Managing Director of Eleven, said: “Dan’s appointment comes at an exciting time for Eleven as we continue to expand our strategy and creative expertise and deepen the impact of the work we deliver for non-profits. His extensive experience and proven track record make him the ideal fit for Eleven.
“We’re excited to see how his unique perspective will further elevate the creative work we deliver for our clients.”
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Jamie Feely
Joining the company at the end of March, Manchester-based digital marketing agency, BANC, has appointed Jamie Feely as Senior Account Manager.
As the agency goes from strength to strength, Jamie’s appointment is just one of a number of recent additions BANC has made to its line-up of digital experts.
Bringing with him nine years of experience, Jamie has previously worked with a range of clients across industries as diverse as e-commerce, higher education, non-profit and manufacturing, including the likes of Forestry England, Chatham House and Merlin Entertainment.
Jamie joins BANC’s Client Services team, where he’s already made a positive impact catering to the agency’s client base, including securing a long-time client for a sixth year.
BANC’s Account Director, Neil Dring, said: “Jamie has worked his socks off to get all his accounts in a great place and is currently pushing on with some ace roadmaps for clients. He’s slotted into life at BANC brilliantly, is great to work with and I’m really chuffed to have him on the Client Services team.”
Managing Director, Martin Cozens, said: “An employee like Jamie is invaluable at a place like BANC. He’s eager, full of great ideas, and isn’t afraid to have the difficult conversations when they’re needed. Neil is in good company, and as the Client Services team continues to grow, Jamie’s presence will continue to influence it for the best.”
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Leonard Curtis has announced a raft of promotions in which a total of 27 members of the team have been promoted across eight departments as part of the company’s annual celebration of high performance, in addition to 13 interim promotions made in the past 12 months.
The business has promoted four people to Director, including Katy McAndrew and Rochelle Schofield in the Manchester office, Vicky Pitts in the compliance team and Christian Waller in IT. Five people have been promoted to Associate Director in the past 12 months, including Amelia Ladbrook in marketing, James Hall in IT, Kirsty Swan in the Birmingham office, Lauren Fitton in the Bury team and Sophie Smith in Guernsey.
The firm’s Bury office leads the wave of appointments with 13 colleagues acknowledged for their hard work and commitment over the past 12 months. Sophie McDonough has been promoted to Senior Manager, Aslam Mulla, John Crolla, James Parsonage and Kieran Higson have been promoted to Manager, and Hasan Patel to Assistant Manager.
Ben Hopwood, Laurence Ollerton and Shahzaib Nasser were promoted to Senior Administrator while Grace Cabangal, Isabelle Messenger and Thomas Walkden-Aspinall were made Administrators. In the compliance team Allison Whyborn was promoted to Compliance Senior.
Nine colleagues achieved promotions in the Manchester office. As well as the two new Directors, Mala Patel has been promoted to Senior Manager, Max Richardson to Manager in the funding team, Charlie Ottewill and Joe Thompson have been made Assistant Managers and Jade Roberts has been promoted to Events and Marketing Executive. Zahidur Miah has been promoted to Administrator, and Olivia White to Junior Administrator.
The Preston team has recognised Aminah Dadhabhoy, who has been made Senior Administrator.
CEO, Dan Booth, said: “Huge congratulations to everyone who has been promoted now and in the last 12 months.
“Our people are, and always will be, our most important asset and we will continue to work with everyone on their career journey and help us build a better, bigger business to serve our clients with skill and experience. Maximum credit and well done to all the individuals listed here – hard work and commitment has resulted in well deserved recognition in offices across the UK. We wish them every success in their new roles.”
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Redrow graduates
A trio of Redrow employees have graduated from the company’s unique housebuilding degree course.
Graduates Austin Dalby, 22, Max Smith, 23 and Sean Williams, 22, have finished their three-year sponsored Construction Management degree programme that has seen them work in a range of departments within Redrow’s North West division.
The course, launched by Redrow in 2017 in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Coleg Cambria, is the first of its kind to be developed and fully sponsored by a housebuilder. It is available for school leavers with a strong set of A-Level or BTEC Level 3 results and a desire to start a career in the industry, or for those with a construction background looking for further qualifications.
Austin, from Hoylake, Wirral, comes from a family of construction professionals and knew it was a career he also wanted to pursue. He said that he enjoyed the split between being out on site and then spending some time in the classroom: “It was great to apply knowledge I gained from being out on site, to things in the classroom and vice versa. I also benefited hugely from having mentors.”
Austin is now a trainee site assistant and hopes to one day become a site manager.
Max Smith, from Liverpool, said working full time alongside doing the degree was hard work but it was so rewarding when he graduated with a first-class honours degree. He said: “I think I underestimated how hard it was going to be, however, it definitely taught me to manage my time better and this is something I’ve brought into my new role as a trainee site assistant.”
Sean Williams, from Abergele, completed a bricklaying apprenticeship with Redrow prior to starting the housebuilding degree and wanted to complete a degree to give himself a broader knowledge of the construction and customer journey. He said: “The degree was a big step up from the apprenticeship and I thought I’d struggle with the academic side but I was guided a lot by previous graduates.”
Jason Newton, managing director of Redrow NW, said: “Austin, Max and Sean are great assets to our business. Over the last three years, they have really got to grips with us as a business and I’m so pleased that all of them see a future within the business.”
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From left: Roger Graham, Iona Graham, Andrew Graham
Family-run UK interiors brand, Graham & Brown, has welcomed the next generation. Iona Graham, eldest daughter of CEO, Andrew Graham, has joined the company as Community and Social Manager.
Iona studied International Business at Loughborough University, focusing on Marketing Strategy & Planning and Economics & Global Brand Management. During her placement year, Iona studied at City University of Hong Kong and worked at Tesco’s fashion brand F&F in the buying team. From there Iona secured a job with a London-based fashion start-up, before moving on to luxury women’s fashion brand, Rixo.
Coming into the brand as a fourth generation family member, Iona will bring a wealth of creativity and new ideas aiming to drive the brand forward and continue its growth and success.
Founded by two friends, Harold Graham and Henry Brown, the business has been family-run from its headquarters in Blackburn since 1946.
Graham & Brown products are created by the in-house design studio and by drawing on an archive with more than 50,000 pieces. The company has expanded its collections to include paint, murals, soft furnishings, bed linen and wall art.
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Kellie Noon has joined The GM Business Growth Hub as the ASCEND Scale-Up Network Manager.
She will develop teams so businesses can expand internationally.
She said: “With my background in international growth and business development, I am dedicated to helping ambitious founders navigate their scaling journey. ASCEND offers a unique opportunity for businesses to benefit from tailored support, strategic guidance, and an exceptional network. Together, we will drive innovation and success in Greater Manchester’s thriving business ecosystem.”
The ASCEND Scale-Up Programme is designed to support Greater Manchester’s most ambitious founders. Starting in mid-September 2024, the six-month development initiative will invite 25 founders to join its first cohort. The programme offers tailored support through workshops, personalised coaching and mentoring, and invaluable networking opportunities, all aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by scaling businesses.
