People: Panache Cruises; DeSimone Consulting Engineering; Co-op Live; Vine Hotels; Perch Group; RSM UK; Refresh
Luxury travel retailer, Panache Cruises, has made two senior hires as part of its growth strategy to hit £100m turnover by 2027/28.
The Chorley-based business was launched in 2020 by James Cole and employs a team of 58 in the UK and another eight in the US.
Following a period of record growth, Alex Langton has been appointed head of sales and operations while Rhianna Latham is the company’s first head of people and culture.
Cole said: “It’s a significant step for us to have appointed two people of the calibre of Alex and Rhianna. Alex comes from the travel industry while Rhianna is from the utilities sector. Neither have a cruise background, which gives us a different perspective.”
Latham has previously worked as HR business partner at Leep Utilities and Cole said her appointment was a sign of the company’s ambition.
Langton has previously worked at ITC Travel and Audley Travel.
In the last financial year Panache Cruises grew turnover to £22.2m – up 68% from the previous 12 months – and booked 2,623 cruises.
Panache Cruises opened a US office in Orlando in June 2024.
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Mark Moppett
Structural engineer and expert legal witness, Mark Moppett, has joined DeSimone Consulting Engineering as a director based in Manchester.
Mark has nearly 40 years as a practicing Chartered Structural Engineer, and more than 30 years of experience as an expert witness.
Stephen V. DeSimone, CEO and Chairman of DeSimone Consulting Engineering, said: “As we expand our services to serve our clients worldwide, Mark’s expertise in structural engineering, compliance, and legal areas will be invaluable. We welcome him to our Manchester, UK, office, and anticipate that he will be instrumental in helping our clients deliver innovative projects across industries.”
Mark Moppett said: “DeSimone’s reputation in the built environment as a responsive, trusted, and highly skilled partner – built over 55 years – assures me that this move offers me the opportunity to contribute my diverse expertise at the highest level of service. It will also be great to work alongside some former colleagues once again.”
Mark began his career at Ove Arup & Partners in 1986, where he excelled across various divisions within the firm, including R&D, building engineering, and bridges. During this period, he contributed his expertise to several world class projects including City of Manchester Stadium, Hong Kong Stadium, Imperial War Museum, and Manchester Art Gallery.
In 2001, Mark joined Booth King, eventually taking ownership and transforming it into a thriving practice with offices across Ramsbottom, Manchester, and Edinburgh. He tripled the size of the business, working with high profile clients on complex projects such as Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre Oldham and No. 8 Bishopsgate, all while remaining a hands-on engineer.
Mark is also a visiting tutor at Liverpool John Moores University, where he teaches practical structural engineering to architecture students.
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John Honrby
Co-op Live has made two key appointments to its senior leadership team. Scott Feldman joins as Assistant General Manager and Operations Director, and Jon Hornby as Security & Facilities Director. Both bring a wealth of experience to the venue’s operations following its opening in May 2024.
Scott Feldman started on October 14, 2024. He brings with him more than two decades of experience in live entertainment venues, most recently as Vice President of Event Services at Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, California; one of Co-op Live owner and operator Oak View Group’s (OVG) Stateside venues.
Prior to that, Feldman was appointed General Manager of Cincinnati’s Music Hall and the Director of Events & Facilities Sales for the Minnesota Orchestra & Orchestra Hall.
Scott Feldman
Jon Hornby stepped into the role of Security & Facilities Director on October 1, 2024. Jon joined from Manchester United FC, where he was responsible for safety and security at one of the world’s renowned stadiums, Old Trafford. In his new role, Jon is now leading Co-op Live’s facilities team and spearhead the venue’s health, safety, and security strategies.
Feldman and Hornby mark the first major appointments by Guy Dunstan, Co-op Live’s new General Manager and Senior Vice President, who took over from Interim General Manager, Rebecca Kane Burton from October 21, 2024. Kane Burton now steps into her role at Oak View Group International as Executive Vice President of Venue Management.
Guy Dunstan welcomed the duo, saying: “Their industry experience and leadership will be crucial as we continue to build on the success of the venue. I’m looking forward to working alongside them to ensure Co-op Live remains at the forefront of live entertainment, delivering unforgettable experiences to fans and artists while maintaining the highest standards in operations.”
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Rob Nicholson
Vine Hotels has appointed Rob Nicholson as the new general manager for Best Western Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham.
Tasked with expanding the property’s business and leisure bookings, taking advantage of its unique location on the outskirts of Cheshire and Greater Manchester, Nicholson brings more than 20 years of senior hospitality leadership experience to the company.
He joins Vine Hotels from the role of general manager at Best Western Plus Pinewood Manchester Airport-Wilmslow Hotel where he was responsible for a significant increase in top line revenue, driven through a clear growth strategy and nurturing young talent within the business.
Nicholson said: “The Cresta Court is in an excellent position to become a go-to affordable hotel for guests travelling to the area for business and leisure.
“What makes this property special is the team, who are full of passion and commitment. We have much to offer our guests, and I can’t wait to help our team demonstrate that in the coming months.”
Garin Davies, CEO of Vine Hotels, said: Rob brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge built over a highly successful hospitality career. Cresta Court is an important property within the Vine Hotels portfolio. We’re certain that with Rob at the helm, guests can expect the highest standards and a warm welcome from
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Mark Onyett
Perch Group, the debt purchase and resolution firm, has appointed two new Non-Executive Directors to its board, Chris Patrick and Mark Onyett.
Chris Patrick has more than 100 completed portfolio acquisitions and debt financings across 24 European jurisdictions. With more than 20 years in the industry, he has the proven ability to assess, price and manage risk, negotiate and close complex financial transactions, and successfully identify and develop new business opportunities.
As a long standing adviser to Perch Group, he is well placed to support the business at non-executive level.
Mark Onyett is an experienced non-exec and adviser working mostly in fintech, data and analytics and has a passion for and track record of working with management teams to build businesses.
He said: “I’ve been watching Perch Group’s journey over the last few years and been very impressed with the rapid growth and big ambitions of the capable and dynamic senior management team. I’m looking forward to working with them on realising their growth plans in a sustainable and agile way.”
Perch Group’s CEO, Craig Hinchliffe, said: “Chris and Mark are fantastic additions to our Non-Executive board, bringing their specialist expertise to help strengthen our position in the market even further.”
Blackpool-based Perch Group, which comprises debt purchaser Perch Capital, FCA-regulated debt resolution agency ACI, SRA-regulated TM Legal, and ‘intelligent’ field services firm Verify, now also has offices in Skipton, North Yorkshire, and Manchester city centre to accommodate its growing team.
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Paul Bennett
Audit, tax and consulting firm, RSM UK, has appointed Paul Bennett as a Risk Assurance Director in Manchester, as part of the firm’s growing national consulting team.
Paul’s strategic hire brings more than 18 years of experience working with large corporates and owner-managed businesses. He joins from a prominent role in industry at Salford-based TalkTalk where he led the audit and risk team. Prior to that he has worked at MBNA, JTI and PwC leading on internal audits.
Paul has worked across many industries, specialising in TMT, financial services and consumer, delivering strategic advice to allow each organisation to succeed through effective management of financial risk and compliance.
He said: “It’s an exciting time to join RSM. We are investing to build capability across the team to enhance our consulting offering.”
Alex Tait, national head of risk and governance at RSM UK, said: “Paul is a prominent adviser and brings both practice and industry expertise to his new role – further strengthening our risk and governance solution.”
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From left: Rick Hollister, Laura Mashiter, Libby Zbaraska, Lucy Moore, Naomi Wainwright
PR and communications agency, Refresh, has appointed Rick Hollister, as an associate director to accelerate its growth and bolster its senior leadership team.
Rick has more than 12 years of PR and marketing experience across a broad range of international clients and has completed a comprehensive list of B2B, corporate, and consumer campaigns. He is a multi-specialist practitioner who has worked on many high profile accounts across the technology, built environment, healthcare, FMCG, and professional services sectors.
He joins Refresh from PR Agency One, where he spent eight years across two stints, most recently as a Senior Account Director. He has also worked at Brazen and Peppermint Soda.
Rick said: “The opportunity to join Refresh excited me as the agency has a fantastic reputation in the technology, built environment, and construction industries. I plan to build on the agency’s strong foundations and grow its client base across sectors.”
Laura Mashiter, managing director at Manchester-based Refresh, said: “Rick will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the business alongside the senior leadership team. His expertise spans a variety of sectors, and he is well positioned to lead client acquisition efforts and contribute to the agency’s continued growth.”
