People: Primas Law; Leyland Trucks; Handl Group; DaDa Disability and Deaf Arts; WCF; Airframe Designs; Identity Consult
Corporate law firm, Primas Law, with offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and London, has welcomed Jennifer Gallagher as Corporate Partner to support ongoing plans to grow the firm’s presence in Liverpool and the wider region.
Bringing with her more than 15 years’ experience specialising in all aspects of corporate work, including both domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, complex corporate reorganisations, shareholder arrangements and joint ventures, Jennifer’s knowledge and reputation will significantly enhance Primas’s Liverpool offering.
Jennifer has spent much of her legal career in Liverpool, bookending four years working overseas in Dubai, specialising in international corporate transactions and foreign direct investments.
Primas opened its office in the Royal Liver Building in 2022.
Jennifer said: “I was really excited by the opportunity to join the Primas team and support their plans to further grow their presence in Liverpool as well as the wider North West.”
Managing Partner, Adam Kerr, said: “As soon as we all met Jennifer it was clear that she was going to fit perfectly into the team. As an added bonus, Jennifer has hit the ground running, getting stuck into plenty of client work.”
::
Zain Ul Hussain
Leyland Trucks has welcomed 25 new apprentices to its long standing apprenticeship programme.
This year’s cohort spans various key areas within the company, with 10 assembly operative apprentices, nine automotive engineers, two project managers, one business administration apprentice, and one facilities and maintenance apprentice.
Leyland Trucks has also brought on two design engineering apprentices, who will focus on developing cutting-edge innovations for both diesel and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and driving the future of green transport.
Zain Hussain, 22-year-old automotive engineer apprentice, said: “Starting an apprenticeship at Leyland Trucks felt like the perfect next step for me. The company is great at encouraging people to keep pushing themselves and growing, which is something I’ve always aimed for.”
Maria Rogers, learning and development manager, said: “Apprentices are truly the lifeblood of Leyland Trucks – contributing far beyond the day-to-day and shaping the future success of our company. Former apprentices can be found throughout the business, from driving cutting-edge technological innovations to holding senior management roles, both locally and internationally.
“We invest heavily in our apprentices because we believe in their potential. They have a bright future ahead, filled with opportunities and growth.”
::
Susan Henry
Buy-and-hold investors, handl Group, has appointed key directors in its Expert Witness and Assessment Services and Health and Wellbeing divisions.
Made up of seven brands, including founder members of the handl Group and the company’s latest acquisition, the Expert Witness and Assessment Services division, will be led by handl Group stalwart Sue Henry.
Having worked alongside the group since joining Speed Medical in 2004, Sue brings an in-depth knowledge of how the brands in her division can work together, the markets they work in, and the customers they serve. In her words, growth depends on people: “We’ve got a division that’s really built on mutual respect and trust. From the handl Group board to me, and then from me to the brands. We’re all about buying into people. People are our biggest strength, and it’s a real opportunity to learn together.”
Sue will be supported by Commercial Director, Caroline Arrowsmith, another individual with huge experience of the group, having worked as Speed Medical’s Commercial Director and supported other handl Group brands including Foresight, Harrisons and ACCA.
The Health and Wellbeing division encompasses 12 brands, and will be headed up by Margaret McNab, who brings 22 years’ experience in the healthcare market, working in a vast range of roles at Maximus, United Health Group, HCML, Bupa, Spire Healthcare and Capita.
Having worked as a Hospital Director, Sales Director, COO and MD, Margaret is enthusiastic about the opportunity to grow the division and the range of services available: “Within handl Group, there’s an opportunity to be responsive to customer needs and agile in delivering solutions that can make a difference to people’s lives.”
David Trendle and Scot Smith join Margaret as the new Finance Director and Commercial Director, respectively.
Trained at Baker Tilly, and with a CV boasting multiple CFO roles, David Trendle brings with him a career’s-worth of experience, while Scot Smith can draw on experiences as Commercial Director at Nuffield Health, MD of Capita Health, and work with the NHS, the government, councils, private companies and insurers.
Daniel Franlin, Group Chief Strategy Officer with Chorley-based handl Group, said: ““We’re putting together a team with the right combination of experience, expertise, drive and – crucially – personalities. It’s not a decision we have rushed or taken lightly, and our patience has paid off with the appointment of some very highly skilled people who we believe will take us to the next level.”
::
Zoe Partington
DaDa Disability and Deaf Arts has launched its 40th anniversary festival, DaDaFest International 40, and as part of the celebration announced the appointment of new CEO, Zoe Partington.
The multi artform Liverpool charity promotes greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts and cultural sector.
Zoe Partington is an international consultant and speaker on Disability Art, heritage and architecture in relation to inclusion and accessibility and, alongside her role at DaDa, Zoe is C/Director of Disordinary Architecture working with cultural institutions such as The Bartlett School of Architecture, The British Library, Tate Modern and disabled people as architects and curators.
A practising disabled artist, Zoe references her own sight loss and chronic condition in her work, and is excited to lend her expertise to DaDa. She said: “As a disabled woman in a leadership role I feel honoured to follow other strong political disabled women form the North. I believe as disabled people we should not let fear hold us back from striking out and being at the centre of decision making in the cultural sector – our voices are often ignored, we will change this together in partnerships and with allies. I am so fortunate to have an amazing team and board.”
DaDa Chair, Robert Martin, said: “DaDa is turning 40 years old this year and we are looking forward to celebrating that legacy with DaDaFest International 40 in March 2025.
“Zoe is a hugely respected and talented person and, on behalf of everyone at DaDa and also our funders, we’re very much looking forward to seeing where she’ll take us next.”
::
Jo Ritzema, Andrew Mochrie, Phil Murray
Employee-owned Cumbrian business, WCF, has made a key appointment as part of its commitment to long-term success and innovation.
Andrew Mochrie has joined as Chief Operating Officer, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the business. His experience spans manufacturing, law, logistics and high-end retail.
A Chartered Management Accountant by trade, Andy previously served as Logistics Director at END, where he was part of the leadership team during the business’s successful sale to Carlyle.
Andy said: “WCF is a fascinating company operating in a broad variety of sectors. Having worked in different ownership structures, I’m excited to bring a new perspective to an employee-led model.”
To facilitate Andrew’s appointment, WCF has also announced other key leadership changes. Phil Murray has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, taking on responsibility for the overall direction and performance of the business, including governance and risk management.
Jo Ritzema transitions to Executive Chair of the board, focusing on strategic development and rebuilding the company’s acquisition pipeline while retaining leadership of specific business areas, including its three five-star camping and glamping sites, and North Yorkshire-based Bella di Notte.
Jo Ritzema said: “Andy’s broad experience across industries and leadership of large teams makes him a perfect fit for WCF’s culture and growth ambitions.”
::
From left: Thomas Renshaw, Adam Snelson, Ben Porter
A trio of apprentices are taking off with Lancashire specialist Airframe Designs as they develop the skills needed for the modern aerospace industry.
Three new apprentices, Ben Porter, Adam Snelson and Thomas Renshaw, have joined three others at the expanding aerospace company in their five-year apprenticeship development programme.
Ben and Adam are taking the Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at Blackpool and the Fylde College undergoing practical and academic learning, while Thomas is initially focusing on practical upskilling at the company’s additive centre before he also embarks on the course.
CEO of Blackpool-based Airframe Designs, Jerrod Hartley, said: “We are committed to nurturing talent and by employing apprentices we are developing young people who can help the business. They just need support and training and they are already becoming a valuable part of the company.”
::
From left:Sophie Bellamy, Hayley O’Brien, Keane Egerton, Holly Hunting
Identity Consult (IC), an independent development and construction consultancy with offices in Salford and Preston, has announced three new appointments and two promotions in its Salford based team.
The business will welcome Fern Pritchard as project manager, Sophie Belamy as consultant project manager and Hayley O’Brien as office manager and bid coordinator; significantly strengthening North West output.
Fern Pritchard brings a wealth of experience with almost a decade spent in project manager roles with positions at Motion Project Management and Turner and Townsend.
Supporting Fern is Sophie Belamy who joins the company following her role as junior project manager at Warwick Investments. Office manager and bid coordinator Hayley O’Brien has also been appointed, reinforcing the North West team following a career at the NHS in a similar role.
The company has also promoted Holly Hunting and Keane Egerton from placement roles to full time apprenticeships.
North West director, Alex Atkinson, said: “Their appointments will help support the business as we continue to deliver excellence to our customers and invite further clients to our portfolio.
“We also welcome our new apprentices who’ve come through our proven apprenticeship programme – one that is a driving force behind our dedication to fostering growth in the industry and providing opportunities for new talent to emerge. We look forward to seeing Holly and Keane evolve their careers with us.”
