People: Central Power Services; Sale Sharks; CRM; Napthens; Veritas Solicitors; Start Communication; MCASS

Central Power Services, a Preston-based business which installs, maintains and repairs diesel-powered generators for sale or hire, has appointed a new financial director to support its ambitious growth plans.

The business has named Liesl Potgieter as its financial director. She joins the company having qualified at Deloitte and brings two decades of experience gained in private equity-backed permanent and interim FD roles. Liesl is a highly commercial finance leader and brings an outstanding track record of delivery in transforming entrepreneurial businesses.

Managing director, Stuart Brakewell, said: “We’ve created strong foundations to accelerate our expansion over the next few years. To deliver against our ambitions, we need to bring onboard talented people who understand the nuances of our growth plans and also have a passion and expertise for the sectors and markets in which we operate.  Liesl perfectly fulfils that brief.” 

Liesl Potgieter said: “CPS is a business with a rich history, excellent team and ambitious plans. It’s an extremely exciting time for the business. All this combined made the opportunity to join a compelling one.”

::

Luisa D’Aprano

Sale Sharks has boosted the club’s off-field team with the appointment of a new Commercial Director and a Head of Commercial Operations. 

New Commercial Director, Luisa D’Aprano, comes with a wealth of experience in sport, having been Vice-President of Partnership Delivery at Liverpool FC, and Relationship Manager at Manchester United.

She held the post of Commercial Director at Co-op Live until February this year, when she joined sports sponsorship and marketing agency PLUS as Head of Brand Activations.

Having initially joined Sharks on a consultancy basis, Luisa will now oversee and drive all business-related activities of the club, including the marketing, partnerships, hospitality, and commercial operations. 

Robbie Stott has joined the club as Head of Commercial Operations and will take charge of matchday operations and the fan experience at the Salford Stadium.

Robbie previously worked as Event Operations Manager at NFL UK and Stadium Event Manager at Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Sharks CEO, Paul Smith, said: “Luisa has worked at the very highest level of elite sport I’m confident she’s the perfect person to drive our business and our commercial team forward.

“Robbie brings really valuable experience in a variety of sports and he will be key to our plans to improve the fan experience on matchdays. I’m thrilled to welcome Luisa and Robbie to Sale Sharks.”

Luisa said: “There is so much potential at the club both on and off the pitch and it’s a really exciting time to be joining the team.

“I’m also excited to work with current partners, including Salford City Council and our friends at Salford Red Devils, to build the Salford Stadium into a home for rugby in the north that we can all be proud of.”

::

Katie Pomfret

Debt-recovery and credit management specialist, Cerberus Receivables Management (CRM), has appointed Katie Pomfret to its board of directors.

Katie has been with the business for more than 12 years, and during that time she has held roles including receivables manager, operations manager and, most recently, head of funder services.

CRM managing director, Tony Roche, said: “Katie has always demonstrated a ‘can-do’ attitude and exceptional drive, both in her work and in maintaining strong client relationships. Her promotion reflects her unwavering commitment to the company and her colleagues, and we know she will bring even more to the board in her new role.”

Katie said: “I look back at the 16-year-old me who started as an office junior at Davenham Trade Finance, and I never imagined I would one day be a director. I’m proud of the journey I’ve taken.”

::

Jodie May Eldon

North west law firm Napthens has announced a major expansion of its Kendal hub with seven appointments, taking staff numbers there to 20, including business administration apprentice Jodie May Eldon.

She discovered that the Napthens apprenticeship scheme provided via the firm’s emerging talent development programme, Flourish, gave her what Jodie described as ‘the perfect opportunity’ to gain hands-on practical experience while learning about theory by continuing to attend Kendal College one day a week.

Jodie said: “I’ve become more confident in myself and appreciate that colleagues trust me to complete tasks independently.” 

Overall, Napthens recently appointed nine new trainees, including two apprentices. 

Simon Price, head of learning and development at Napthens, said: “Flourish has been co-created with lawyers and professional colleagues from across the firm.

“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, added: “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.”

::

Elisse Roebuck and Gabriella Marriott

Manchester law firm, Veritas Solicitors, has announced that two more of its trainees have qualified as solicitors.

Elisse Roebuck and Gabriella Marriot celebrated their success after successfully completing their legal training contracts at Veritas.

Gabriella said: “It doesn’t quite feel real yet, but I’m glad I continuously pushed myself to get where I am.”

After completing a law degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, the 24-year-old undertook the Legal Practice Course (LPC) before pushing straight on to acquire a training contract with Veritas Solicitors.

Elisse, 25, took a similar path, completing her LPC at the University of Huddersfield followed by her training contract at Veritas, where she also completed the Professional Skills Course.

She said: “I’ve always liked helping people. For me, becoming a solicitor is helping people in the best way.”

Managing partner, Faraz Fazal, said: “My warmest congratulations go to Elisse and Gabriella, who have both worked extremely hard to progress through their training and are reaping the results.

“The journey to becoming a solicitor can be a challenging one, both intellectually and emotionally, and it speaks to their strong abilities and determination to succeed that they have achieved such a significant milestone.”

::

Rachel Chesters and Vicky Daly

Manchester-based B2B marketing consultancy, Start Communication, has hired former Head of Business Marketing at The Growth Company, Vicky Daly, as its Client Services Director.

In her role, Vicky will oversee the delivery of marketing and communications projects for Start’s new clients, which have, to date, included the Ethical Supply Chain Program, Envair Technology, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, Manchester Metropolitan University, Verastar and gunnercooke. Vicky brings 21 years of marketing and PR experience, having previously worked at agencies in Manchester and London.

Rachel Chesters, Managing Director, welcomed Vicky, saying: “She will play an essential role in delivering strategic results for our clients.”

Vicky Daly said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Rachel and the wider Start team at such an exciting time for the business. The model has huge potential, particularly in delivering value for businesses, and I’m looking forward to helping to drive Start’s ambitious plans for growth.”

::

Graham Rigby and Miles Dolman

Miles Dolman, Associate at Azets, the accountancy and advisory group, has been appointed as Chair of the Manchester Chartered Accountants Students’ Society (MCASS).

MCASS is the official body that represents Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification students who are employed under training contracts with the ICAEW in the Greater Manchester area.

The society is made up of around 2,000 student members at any one time. Miles previously held the role of Treasurer. 

Miles said: “As part of my role as Chair, I’m responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the society. I’m looking forward to continuing the momentum with a whole host of social, wellbeing and networking events and revision sessions planned, to ensure that members of the society are connected and feel supported during their training contracts.”

Graham Rigby, Office Managing Partner at Azets in Manchester, holds the position of Chair of the ICAEW Manchester Network Board and has been an integral part of the organisation since 2022, when he joined the Board as Deputy Chair.

He said: “Miles and I consider it a privilege to represent the Institute locally. Working alongside an assortment of fellow board members our roles include organising events and activities that support members to create connections as well as gain experience and receive career development advice. It’s very rare for an Institute to appoint these two positions to colleagues in the same firm, but I believe it shows our commitment to supporting members’ needs across the whole profession, in a voluntary capacity.”