People: Forbes Solicitors; Russell WBHO; Xenia Estates; Celerity; Ripe; Enabl; Boost
Forbes Solicitors has appointed Laura Docker in the newly created role of Debt Recovery Team leader, as the firm continues to strengthen its Insolvency and Debt Recovery team.
Laura’s arrival follows the appointment of two paralegals to the team during the past 12 months and is in response to growing demand from North West SMEs for payment dispute advice and commercial debt recovery services.
A Chartered Legal Executive, Laura has 12 years’ experience covering financial litigation, dispute resolution, bankruptcy and winding up proceedings, and claims for money under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 7. She has previously acted for a range of commercial lenders including asset finance houses, as well as businesses working throughout a range of different sectors.
Laura Docker, said: “I’m looking forward to supporting efforts to further expand the debt recovery part of the team and helping businesses avoid financial headaches caused by bad debtors.”
Chris Bowers, a Partner and Head of Department, Insolvency, said: “Laura’s appointment helps expand our team’s capabilities to stay ahead of the demand for debt recovery services and ensure we continue to provide timely advice when businesses need it most, and before it’s too late to get what they are rightfully owed.”
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Eddie Bradenhann
Manchester-based construction company, Russell WBHO, has appointed Eddie Bredenhann as new business director.
With more than 20 years’ experience of the construction industry, Eddie joins from civils and demolition contractor, PP O’Connor where he spent five years as pre-construction and business development director.
Gareth Russell, managing director of Russell WBHO, said: “Eddie’s background in business development and pre-construction, combined with his deep industry knowledge, makes him an invaluable addition to our team.”
Eddie said: “I’m looking forward to returning to a role in main contracting and re-connecting with clients and contacts.
“Russell WBHO has a strong industry reputation, and I’m eager to contribute to the company’s continued success. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a talented team and I’m confident that together, we can achieve great things.”
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Richard Huckvale
Xenia Estates, a property management agency based in Manchester, has appointed a new business development manager as it targets 20% growth over the next three years.
With more than 15 years’ property industry experience in both the UK and New Zealand, Richard Huckvale has joined Xenia to help grow the firm’s national footprint, with a particular focus on Manchester and the North West.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to bringing a different commercial perspective to Xenia Estates as it embarks on a new high growth strategy. I’m hopeful my breadth and depth of industry and sales experience will help catalyse the business onto the next stage, with exciting new developments, both bigger and higher end, strengthening our portfolio.”
Director, Gemma Latham, said: “Over the past year, we’ve invested heavily into our growth strategy and brand, and appointing Richard at this pivotal time in these plans will help us realise our ambitious long-term targets.”
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Craig Aston
Hybrid cloud and IT managed services, Celerity, has appointed Craig Aston as CEO. Formerly its Chief Operating Officer, Aston moves into the CEO role with immediate effect as the Manchester-based company embarks on its next phase of growth.
Founded in 2002, Celerity has a turnover exceeding £40m and team of 90. It supports organisations through digital transformation and modernisation, helping optimise critical enterprise infrastructure.
Since securing a £15 million investment from growth capital investors BGF in 2021, Celerity has achieved significant and consistent growth driven by service diversification, strategic partnerships, and complementary acquisitions.
Craig Aston said: “Chris’s vision and leadership have transformed Celerity from a leading infrastructure reseller into a cutting-edge provider of managed services for mission critical IT solutions. He has been fundamental to the company’s success for over two decades, so it’s an honour to follow in his footsteps as CEO.”
As part of the leadership transition, Celerity has already taken steps to enhance its senior team. Mike Gowen has been appointed as Chief Revenue Officer and Graeme Smith has been named Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Departing CTO, Chris Hall, has also moved into a non-exec role.
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Alan Thomas
UK Digital MGA, Ripe, has announced that Alan Thomas, the former UK CEO at Simply Business, has joined the team to power its next phase of growth.
Having been instrumental in shaping Simply Business’s strategic direction and enhancing its position as a leading insurance provider for landlords and small businesses, Thomas brings significant industry experience to Manchester-based Ripe, which delivered 17% year-on-year growth across its SME, leisure and lifestyle product portfolio in last results.
Thomas succeeds Paul Williams who, after almost eight years as CEO at Ripe, is moving to a Non-Executive Director (NED) role at the company. Founder and Managing Director John Woosey will also move to a NED role. Following 15 years of double-digit growth, both executives will transition to advisory roles to continue supporting the business.
Alan Thomas said: “Ripe has been on my radar following its impressive trajectory in previous years, and I’ve long admired their unique approach of using data, digital marketing and technology to improve the way customers experience insurance. This is a great time to join Ripe. With such strong foundations already in place within Ripe, I’m confident about what lies ahead and excited to begin this new chapter.”
Outgoing CEO, Paul Williams, said: “Alan is the perfect person to lead the next phase of our journey. I couldn’t be prouder of the Ripe team and our success to date, and I have no doubt that Alan, with his wealth of strategic leadership experience and deep insurance industry knowledge, will achieve fantastic results. John and I look forward to supporting him and our team in our new roles and as significant shareholders, and we’re confident Ripe will continue to thrive and innovate in the years ahead.”
The appointment is the second major addition in recent months, after Jamie Richards joined as Head of M&A.
Thomas’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval and in the interim, Williams will continue as CEO and then work with Thomas to ensure a smooth transition.
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From left:Matt Dixon, Cameron Higgs, Louis Howard
Built environment consultancy, Enabl, has appointed Cameron Higgs as a director following a period of sustained growth, which has seen the headcount double to 12.
The Altrincham-based company, founded by Matt Dixon and Louis Howard four
years ago, has also undergone a rebrand and website refresh as it continues to secure new business.
Louis said: “The appointment of Cameron is a big moment for Enabl and brings with it a huge amount of excitement across the team. Our clients know that we provide senior level support at all stages of the project and having Cameron on board allows us to grow and continue to offer a truly director led service.”
Most recently leading the quantity surveying team at Bruntwood, Cameron has been involved in a wide range of schemes across various sectors and said: “I am really looking forward to reinforcing the success of Enabl and bolstering the established team to develop our service offering. Having known Louis from our university days and Matt more recently, our approach is very much aligned and I am looking forward to seeing how Enabl can help existing and new clients make exciting projects happen.”
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From left: Firoza Ismail, Mark Gibbons, Cllr Haythornthwaite, Warren Lunt
Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub has appointed two experienced new finance advisers to its fully-funded Access to Finance team.
Firoza Ismail has joined the service as Access to Finance adviser alongside her role at finance brokerage Roza Capital where she is a director, following more than 20 years’ experience advising businesses in banking and financial services roles including at TSB, HSBC, Habib Bank, and Al Rayan.
Business adviser and entrepreneur, Warren Lunt, will be supporting the team as Access to Finance adviser – equity specialist. Warren has founded several businesses throughout his career and has strong experience of growing businesses using equity finance.
Warren and Firoza’s appointments mean the service now has a total of six advisers, supporting businesses on a full range of commercial finance options including debt and equity, grant funding and specialist areas such as Islamic finance.
County Councillor, Carole Haythornthwaite, lead member for economic development and environment, Lancashire County Council, said: “Firoza and Warren’s appointments will expand the range of fully funded expertise Lancashire businesses can access, ensuring they receive the very best possible support at the right time at no cost.”
Firoza Ismail said: “Helping businesses to grow has always been my passion. Joining the Access to Finance team gives me the opportunity to use my experience and contacts to provide guidance to Lancashire business owners which will help them over the long term, supporting both their growth and the wider Lancashire economy.”
Warren Lunt said: “I’m looking forward to working with Lancashire business owners to understand the right option for them, create compelling funding propositions and secure support to achieve their objectives.”
Mark Gibbons, lead advisor at Access to Finance, said “Warren and Firoza’s appointment will strengthen the team’s expertise across all areas of commercial finance, particularly in equity and Islamic finance, two areas where we have seen an increase in demand for our advice.”
