People: Ruth Badger Consultancy; BCN; Napthens; Eric Wright Group; DJH; PAS NW; MHA; Champion Accountants; My Digital
Manchester-based SME growth specialist, The Ruth Badger Consultancy, has appointed two new directors to its leadership team as part of a major strategic review.
Appointees Julie Hughes and Fiona Kelly have both worked with the consultancy for several years. In their new roles, Julie and Fiona will join existing directors, Ruth Badger and Jackie Hall, with the four all now equity partners.
Founder, Ruth Badger, said: “After 18 years supporting businesses to grow, it was time to invest in our own. RBC represents an exciting new chapter for us as we embark on our mission to challenge the status quo when it comes to business growth consultancy. We’ve started, built, grown and sold businesses personally, and for countless customers, earning us the right to talk the talk, and walk the walk.
“Quite simply, we are transforming business as usual into business extraordinary.”
Julie has worked with a wide range of businesses and sectors, developing their staff and HR strategies to ensure they have the right team in place to achieve their full potential. In her role at RBC, Julie heads up the People and Wellbeing service offerings.
With more than three decades of experience in holiday parks and holiday home sales, Fiona Kelly is a proven operator who achieves tangible results for customers. In her role at RBC, Fiona will lead the Holiday Park service offering, with responsibility for enhancing strategic and efficient operations, implementing holiday home sales processes, owner engagement and training.
“In order to achieve our ambitious five year growth plan, it was vital we had the strongest senior team possible,” said Ruth Badger. “Working alongside Jackie, Julie and Fiona for many years, and seeing the commercial impact they have on all of the SMEs and business owners we support, made them the obvious choice.”
RBC, formerly The Ruth Badger Consultancy, was founded in 2006 by businesswoman and former BBC One The Apprentice finalist, Ruth Badger.
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Victoria Jackson
BCN, a Manchester-based Cloud IT Managed Service Provider and Digital Transformation specialist, appointed a new Chief People Officer to oversee the human resources function.
Victoria Jackson, who has vast experience in HR and has formally held senior leadership positions in the TV, technology, retail and hospitality sectors, will assist the company in ensuring that its culture, working environment and leadership strategies make BCN stand out in the tech industry, attracting new talent while also nurturing existing relationships with employees.
The business has more than 400 staff across Manchester, Leeds, Reading and Belfast.
Victoria has been in the HR industry for 20 years and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. With a background in a range of different industries, from boutique independents to FTSE100 businesses, as well as holding a trustee and board member role at Octagon Theatre Bolton.
She said: “The business has built up a strong people-first ethos over the years, and I am looking forward to supporting this.”
Rob Davies, CEO, said: “At BCN, we pride ourselves in creating a workplace where talented employers have room to grow and keep up with industry trends and changes. Therefore, we are delighted to welcome Victoria as our new CPO to oversee our HR and talent functions.”
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Simon Price
North West law firm, Napthens, has appointed nine new trainees, including two apprentices.
The new trainees and apprentices also begin their participation in the firm’s innovative emerging talent development programme, Flourish.
Apprentice Evie Noblett joined from Cardinal Newman College in Preston on a solicitor apprenticeship, while Lauren Jones followed a new graduate apprenticeship pathway.
Evie is Napthens’ second solicitor apprentice following Amy Wright’s appointment in 2023. She begins a five-year course to a law degree and to take her SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Exams), while working full time.
Lauren, a legal assistant at the firm, studied Law at Sheffield Hallam University. She will complete the graduate apprenticeship in just over two years, so she can complete her Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Evie said: “I’m excited to start my journey in the legal profession and grateful for Napthens having the pathway that suits me best.”
Lauren added: “I can’t wait to get started and follow a new apprenticeship route to becoming a solicitor.”
In addition to the two apprentices, Napthens welcomes Paige Draper and Zuzanna Tunska as they take seats in commercial contracts and the family team, respectively.
Five existing colleagues will begin their training contracts.
Declan Duffy and Emma Odudu-Harrison will join litigation teams in Preston and Blackburn, with Amira Bhailok joining real estate in Preston.
Liam Henry starts his contract with residential conveyancing in Preston, while Charlotte Senior begins her training contract with wills and estate planning.
Head of learning and development, Simon Price, said: “The Flourish curriculum enables our people to learn key business, financial, technical, digital and professional skills at the start of their careers and will enable them to flourish in their roles with the firm.”
Napthens’ head of people and operations, Nicola Mason, said: “Apprenticeships enable us to widen the demographic of candidates for all roles, opening a career in the legal profession to people who might not ordinarily think it could be for them.
“We look forward to watching the progress of all our new colleagues, as they navigate a path to a legal career, always supported by people and teams across the firm.”
In addition to Amy Wright studying the solicitor apprenticeship, Amy Davies and Cheryl Hood are studying the paralegal apprenticeship, to enhance their knowledge in their roles as legal assistants.
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Ryan Pearce
Preston-based Eric Wright Group has appointed Ryan Pearce as Managing Director of its Facilities Management division.
Pearce has more than 20 years’ experience in the facilities management industry having held leadership roles with organisations including Tetratech, where he led the asset and facilities division for the EMEA, and EQUANS – (Formally ENGIE UK & Ireland), where he was regional partnerships director, overseeing contracts worth more than £100m.
Eric Wright Facilities Management employs more than 350 people and is looking to further increase its headcount, recruiting for positions ranging from business development and procurement to general operatives.
Pearce said: “Having accrued in-depth experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary organisation, I understand the benefits that come from working as part of a wider group. Nurturing relationships is key to our commercial success and our priority is to focus on the exit management process for our PFI & LIFT concessions and retain our loyal customers.”
Jeremy Hartley, Eric Wright Group CEO, said: “We would like to extend a warm welcome to Ryan, who has an impressive track record of delivering high quality services and fostering innovative growth from within the FM sector.
“Ryan’s arrival marks the start of an exciting new chapter which will see further growth and success in years to come.”
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Natasha Milward
Accountancy group, DJH, has appointed Natasha Milward as Client Services Director for its Manchester office.
Natasha’s appointment is particularly meaningful, as she previously worked at Mitten Clarke, a firm that became part of DJH following their merger in 2021.
In 2018, she transitioned to Knights, a large listed legal and professional services business, where she served as the finance lead on projects and acquisitions.
Now, Natasha returns to the world of practice, bringing with her valuable commercial experience and a deep passion for working directly with clients.
Alongside Sue Redmond, Joanne Beamish and Chris Abbott, Natasha will lead the client-facing Manchester team, helping to grow the brand in Manchester through business development and taking on her own portfolio of clients, advising on all aspects of their accounts and tax advisory.
Natasha said: “The firm’s reputation for delivering exceptional client service and its forward thinking approach to business align perfectly with my own professional values. Working alongside such a talented group of professionals, I’m confident we can achieve great things for our clients and the business.”
Scott Heath, CEO, said: “We are excited to welcome Natasha to our Manchester office. Her wealth of experience and dedication to client service make her a valuable addition to our team. We are confident that Natasha will play a key role in driving our growth and maintaining the high standards of service our clients expect.”
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Fraser Linaker, left, and Paul Sumner
Civil engineering firm, PAS NW, has acquired Fredex through a five-year share purchase deal, following the recruitment of Fraser Linaker, former Managing Director of Duchy Homes North West, who’s company services Fredex was brought on board more than a year ago to drive strategic change.
PAS NW founder, Paul Sumner, has secured Linaker on a five-year contract. Sumner said: “Our goal is to achieve £50m in turnover within the next five years, and this requires outstanding talent. Over the past year, Fraser has demonstrated the leadership qualities I was looking for – someone with extensive experience in housebuilding at the highest level.”
Fraser Linaker, Managing Director of PAS NW, said: “This company is on an upward trajectory. Our initial successes are promising, but we will not become complacent. We are committed to continuous improvement across all facets of the business, particularly in Health & Safety, Quality, and on-site delivery.”
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Jonathan Main, left, and Jimmy Davies
National accountancy and advisory firm, MHA has further strengthened its VAT and indirect taxes team in the North West with the appointment of experienced VAT advisor Jimmy Davies.
Jimmy, a Chartered Tax Advisor with 10 years of experience in VAT and indirect taxes, joins MHA as a director after six years with Forvis Mazars.
Prior to this, Jimmy was a member of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service tackling complex supply chain frauds including labour market and missing trader fraud.
Jimmy is based in MHA’s Manchester office and will act as a key member of the senior advisory team across all MHA’s North West offices.
Jonathan Main, partner and head of VAT and indirect taxes across the North of England at MHA, said: “Jimmy has a broad range of tax advisory experience having worked across numerous sectors including SMEs, listed companies, charities and third sector organisations.
“His experience and knowledge, both in practice and as an HMRC investigator, is a huge asset to our clients, particularly where they need that specialist who can offer practical advice around complex tax issues.”
Jimmy said: “Joining MHA was an easy decision to make – it’s a growing firm with a major national presence and one that leads with ambition. The firm is a real challenger in the market while also benefiting from being a part of a major global network.”
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Sree and Orire
Champion Accountants has appointed three new accountants and auditors to its growing teams in Chester and Manchester.
Joining the Chester practice are Sreelakshmi Prakashan and Orire Oderinde as accounts and audit trainee and accounts and audit semi senior, respectively. Meanwhile, Catherine Dootson has taken up the role of accounts and audit semi senior in Champion’s Manchester HQ.
These new hires follow significant expansion within Champion’s audit arm, driven by the firm’s proactive response to a surge in client demand.
Orire comes to Champion with a wealth of experience managing dental accounts. She joins the firm to diversify her skills across Champion’s range of sectors.
Sreelakshmi boasts a strong background in management and finance, holding a Master’s degree and a CA qualification at intermediate level. With three years’ experience as an audit assistant in India, she will further her career through Champion’s training scheme, contributing her experience to the group’s accounts and audit teams.
Sreelakshmi said: “The opportunity to work with such a diverse range of clients and collaborate with a skilled team of colleagues is incredibly rewarding.”
Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner, welcomed the appointments, saying: Each of them has already demonstrated their value, and we’re excited to support their continued growth and development at Champion.
“Our commitment to colleague progression remains the cornerstone of our success, enabling our people to enhance and advance their skills and careers while providing vital support to our diverse client base.”
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My Digital staff
My Digital, the Stockport-based provider of cloud-based payroll and accounting software, has appointed a new CEO and chairman.
Dan Moss succeeds founder John Whelan as CEO, while private equity veteran Ged Gould has been named as the new chair.
These leadership changes come on the back of a successful management buyout in May 2024, which saw Maven Capital exit the company after investing £1.2m in 2019 to fund growth.
Founded in 2015, My Digital employs 62 staff, which includes 42 in its wholly-owned subsidiary in India.
The announcement sees Whelan step down from his operational role to pursue other interests, although he’ll remain on the board.
Moss has worked at My Digital since 2016, most recently as chief operating officer, and said: “The team we’ve built is brimming with talent and enthusiasm, especially following the MBO earlier this year.”
He paid tribute to outgoing CEO, Whelan: “John has a reputation for developing his teams and stepping aside once the mentoring and development process has completed.
“He’s been a big support for me during my eight years at My Digital, which saw me start by designing and managing the development of the software to becoming the COO.”
New chair, Ged Gould, is the co-founder of investment advisory firm Dealspan and a former director of private equity specialist LDC.
