People: World Options; GM Business Growth Hub; Sedulo Group; Roq; Drive Further Collective; Embryo; Harrison Drury
World Options has appointed Natasha Langley as Marketing Specialist to help promote franchise opportunities across three brands.
Part of MBE Worldwide, Accrington-based World Options Holdings manages three brands in the UK: Mail Boxes Etc, PACK & SEND and World Options, providing ecommerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers.
In 2023, MBE Worldwide served omore than one million business customers worldwide through its multibrand operations, generating €1.4bn.
Langley said: “My role at World Options involves clearly communicating and promoting the different offer of each brand to individuals interested in running their own successful business, to help them make the right choice, and match franchise opportunities to potential franchisees.”
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Heather Waters
GM Business Growth Hub has added three new team members to its Access to Finance Team. Heather Waters, Daniel Ponting and Adam Clayton, join the team following the appointment of Ian Dixon as head of the service.
The three new hires bring the team to eight members, all dedicated to helping Greater Manchester businesses both to raise funds and become investment-ready.
Heather Waters has been appointed as the new Access to Finance Network Manager, which is a new role within the A2F team. She will work with the team to expand connectivity across the GM business support landscape while Daniel Ponting and Adam Clayton have joined as Access to Finance Specialists to increase the team’s delivery capacity and capabilities.
Heather has more than 25 years’ B2B experience, having spent time at NatWest supporting businesses across the region and nationally.
She said: “I have spent my career building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with public, private and third sector organisations. In this new role I will work with the team to continue supporting and working with businesses in Manchester.”
Ian Dixon said: “I am excited to welcome Adam, Daniel and Heather to the A2F Service. Individually and collectively, they bring a wealth of additional experience, skills and knowledge to the team.”
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Kate Taylor
Business advisory firm, Sedulo Group, has appointed Kate Taylor as the new Managing Partner for its Liverpool office.
Sedulo, with offices across most major cities in the UK, is on target to hit in excess of £20m in revenue this year – a 30% growth on the figures of circa £15m announced in 2023.
Kate’s appointment is the latest in a series of managerial partner appointments across the UK. It follows the arrival of Billy Green in the Manchester office from beauty brand London Lash and another partner-level appointment set to arrive in Leeds.
Kate joins after an 18-year tenure at Haines Watts, where she most recently served as a partner, She has a wealth of experience across multiple industries and service lines, including statutory audits, financial reporting, business and personal tax solutions, and strategic advisory services. She will also be overseeing the continuous professional development of Sedulo’s Liverpool team.
The Liverpool office currently has 50 advisors, covering services in Audit, Accountancy, Corporate Finance, Transaction Services, Wealth Planning, Tax Advisory, Funding, and Tax Relief. Kate will be tasked with doubling these numbers over the next three years, in line with the overall group strategy.
Founder, Paul Cheetham-Karcz, said: ““Being the largest independently-owned advisory firm, which has a heavy presence in the Liverpool region, allows us to combine national knowledge with localised talent to give clients the best of both worlds.
“Bringing Kate in to progress this further is the next natural step – she has huge experience, understands the local business community and has bags of personality, all the ingredients necessary to guide our Liverpool office towards 100 advisors over the next few years.”
Kate Taylor said: “I am very excited to be starting my next chapter at Sedulo, it has come at a great time for me both personally and for the business as it coincides with the appointment of a number of other senior appointments.”
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Sourabh Dixit
As Chorley-based Roq continues its strategic growth journey and vision to become the UK’s leading quality engineering consultancy, the company has appointed Sourabh Dixit to the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
With a career spanning more than 25 years in quality engineering leadership roles across various industries and regions, Sourabh brings an extensive background in consultative sales, client engagement, and quality delivery.
Roq founder and CEO, Stephen Johnson, said: “We are thrilled to have Sourabh join Roq at such a pivotal time. His impressive track record and deep understanding of quality engineering, coupled with his commitment to excellence in client relationships, align perfectly with our growth ambitions.”
Sourabh said: “I am inspired by the passion within the Roq team for innovation and quality, as well as the company’s values-centered approach to both client success and employee well-being.”
Johnson added: “Sourabh’s appointment marks a strategic advancement for Roq. As we project significant growth over the next few years, Sourabh’s expertise and vision will be essential in ensuring we navigate this growth while maintaining our core values and delivering the highest quality outcomes for our clients.”
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Phil Bellamy
The Manchester-based Drive Further Collective has restructured several of its leadership roles following the decision by Managing Director, Karen Beales, to retire from her executive position and move to a non-executive capacity last month.
Replacing Karen, Financial & Legal Commercial Director Jon Daniels has been appointed Managing Director responsible for general insurance products, as well as Managing Director of MSL, the motor claims business. He will report to Drive Further Collective CEO Nick Garner.
The group has also appointed Phil Bellamy as Managing Director for its after the event (ATE) legal expenses products within Financial & Legal and Magnus Insurance Services. Phil will also report to Nick Garner.
And in the third senior move for the business, Richard Neve has been appointed commercial director, reporting to Jon Daniels. Richard will oversee business development across Financial & Legal (insurer), MSL and Magnus.
Jon, who joined the legal expenses insurer in 2022, was previously Commercial Director at UK General Insurance and brings more than two decades of experience in the sector to his role.
Richard Neve
He said: “It’s a great honour to take over from Karen, and I’m excited to build on the outstanding success she has overseen in transforming the business into a leading player in specialist general insurance products.”
Phil Bellamy said: “I’m thrilled to take on this new role and look forward to working closely with the team to continue delivering value and innovation in our legal expenses products. It’s a privilege to build on the great work that’s already been done, and I’m eager to contribute to the next phase of our growth and success.”
Richard Neve said: “This is a great time to be joining the Drive Further Collective. With so much change going on across the sector there are plenty of opportunities to win new business and deepen relationships with our existing customers.”
Karen Beales said: “We’re very lucky to have both Jon and Phil stepping into these roles, and Richard joining the business, too. They complement each other perfectly, each bringing their unique strengths and deep industry knowledge, and I’m confident they will continue to lead the businesses towards even greater success.”
Nick Garner said: “I want to thank Karen for her immense contribution to the business. She has overseen a successful period of growth for Financial & Legal, which I am confident will continue with both Jon and Phil’s new roles, and with
Richard joining our team, too.”
These changes are subject to regulatory approval.
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Nick Hussey and Helen Booth
Independent digital agency, Embryo, has welcomed two new industry professionals to the team – Nick Hussey as Managing Director and Helen Booth as Client Director.
Both Nick and Helen bring a wealth of experience to Manchester-based Embryo. Nick previously of Rise at Seven and Jaywing, while Helen boasts a strong track record of leading marketing teams during her time at Peel Ports Group and Tactical Solutions.
These strategic hires are part of Embryo’s team development plans, which prepare the business for exciting growth and M&A activities in the coming year. With these hires, former MD Ross Green will transition into the role of CEO, overseeing the agency’s overall vision and direction.
Ross Green said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Nick and Helen to the team. Their expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to futureproof our services and deliver exceptional client results.”
In addition to Nick and Helen, Embryo will end November with four more new team members. The agency is also actively recruiting talented digital marketing professionals to join its Digital PR and PPC teams to meet growing demand.
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From left: Roger Spence, Lauren Wood, Emma Butterworth
North West law firm, Harrison Drury, has strengthened its employment team in Manchester with the appointment of experienced solicitor Lauren Wood.
Lauren joins from Forbes, where she worked as a solicitor, and will be based at the firm’s Manchester office serving clients across the North West.
She will advise on contentious and non-contentious matters, supporting both employers and employees, and assist on employment tribunal claims and support with drafting essential documents like contracts of employment and staff handbooks.
Roger Spence, partner and head of Harrison Drury’s employment team, said: “With our employment law team growing across the region and bringing on talented people like Lauren, we’re even better equipped to help clients navigate changing workplace rules and tackle challenges with confidence.”
Emma Butterworth, partner in Harrison Drury’s employment team, said: “Lauren is an excellent addition to the team and brings a wealth of experience and valuable local connections. She will play a key role in supporting our clients across both Manchester and Preston.”
Lauren said: “I chose Harrison Drury because of its strong reputation in Manchester, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to delivering quality work for clients.”
