People: Provenio Litigation; Symatrix; FCHO; Slater Heelis; Harrison Drury; Haydock; Broadway Insurance Partners; Avison Young
Liverpool-based Provenio Litigation has continued its expansion by promoting Lucy Baker and Jack Enright as Associates.
Lucy and Jack become the first trainees to complete Provenio’s Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship programme and qualify as solicitors.
Since August 2022, Provenio’s trainees have enrolled on to the firm’s Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship programme to study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE 1 and SQE 2) with The University of Law (ULaw). Provenio Trainees benefit from the opportunity to specialise in dispute resolution for the whole period of their training contract rather than just six months under a traditional training contract and work under the direct supervision of our partners.
Provenio founder and managing partner, Mark Goodwin, said: “Huge congratulations to Lucy and Jack on their promotion to Associates at the firm. We wish them a long and successful career with Provenio. From day one of their apprenticeship, Lucy and Jack took on a high degree of responsibility, under the direct supervision of our partners.
“I would like to thank Hannah Catterall and Emma Charnock for the huge amount of time, guidance and support they have invested in our Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. They are both fantastic mentors and role models for Lucy and Jack and our future pipeline of trainees to newly qualified solicitors, which is crucial for the team build out over the next few years.”
Lucy Baker said: “The graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme has been an invaluable experience.”
Jack Enright said: “The graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme at Provenio has been outstanding training. I have developed my legal skills and been provided with a platform for professional growth.”
::
Sheila Bilung
Symatrix, a provider of IT and managed services, has announced a key strategic initiative to expand its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) practice, spearheaded by Sheila Bilung, the company’s newly-appointed ERP Practice Lead.
This development is part of Symatrix’s growth strategy, which is on track to meet its target for ERP to contribute 30% of its total revenue this financial year. Now, under Bilung’s leadership, Symatrix is pursuing an even more ambitious goal – aiming for 50% of the company’s revenue to come from its ERP services in the coming years.
Bilung brings nearly two decades of hands-on experience with Oracle ERP to this task having led large-scale ERP implementations across a wide range of industries.
Prior to joining Symatrix, Bilung built a strong track record across a range of blue chip companies, including Tesco Bank, Accenture, and Grant Thornton, where she played a pivotal role in establishing and scaling ERP practices.
Bilung said: “I am thrilled to join Symatrix at such an exciting time. We are at the forefront of bringing ERP solutions to a broader client base, and our acquisition by AST, a leading name in Oracle ERP implementation, will enable us to leverage their extensive expertise and resources.”
Chris Brooks, managing director, Symatrix, said: “Sheila’s appointment is critical to our ERP growth strategy. Her in-depth experience, together with our additional scale and expertise through AST, ensures that Symatrix is well equipped to meet the rising demand for ERP solutions.”
::
Mark Gifford
The new chief executive of First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has started work and pledged to build on the organisation’s strong foundations and deliver the housing people need.
Mark Gifford, who lives locally, said he was proud and honoured to take the role at FCHO, which owns 11,500 homes in Oldham and the surrounding areas.
He said: “My aim is to build on the tremendous work FCHO has achieved already. Our priorities will be to focus on our customers and our important role in Oldham as a major landlord and employer. Another important priority and a huge challenge is the urgent need to build more family homes for local people.
“At the same time, we will further develop the bonds we need to strengthen our communities in partnership with councils, the government and other local organisations.”
Mr Gifford was previously CEO of the National Citizen Service – a Royal Charter body offering programmes for young people to help them build confidence, life skills and stronger communities. Before that he spent 23 years with the John Lewis Partnership in a variety of senior leadership roles, including leading all the Waitrose supermarkets.
The 53-year-old is also a non-executive director of Manchester University Foundation Hospital Trust and a School Academy Director.
Chair of FCHO board, Amanda Harris, said: “Mark’s wealth of experience, plus his strong knowledge of the local area, will help take us forward and deliver our vision of providing quality homes, fostering pride, and enhancing lives in our communities.”
Mr Gifford takes over from interim CEO, Anne McLoughlin, who he thanked for all her hard work and good advice as he prepared to take over the role
::
Corrie Gerrard
Corrie Gerrard, a former trainee at Slater Heelis, is celebrating having fully qualified as a solicitor after an intense 18-month training programme.
Corrie has been with Slater Heelis since July 2022, and now as a fully-fledged solicitor within the family law team, she is taking the first steps in her legal career based at the Manchester office on Deansgate.
Having graduated with a first-class law degree from the University of Leicester, Corrie studied the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Manchester, achieving a distinction. Prior to qualifying, Corrie has gained experience as a paralegal and trainee solicitor in a number of areas including family, residential property and commercial litigation which reinforced her decision that a career in family law is where she wanted to specialise.
Mark Heptinstall, Partner in the family team at Slater Heelis, said: “We’re very proud of Corrie and know she will be an invaluable member of the team. She has shown hunger, dedication and commitment throughout her training and is set for a very successful career in her chosen field.”
::
Mark Traynor and Rory O’Hare
North West law firm, Harrison Drury, has appointed Rory O’Hare to head up its commercial team.
Rory, a specialist in commercial law and non-contentious intellectual property matters, joins from Primas Law where he spent two years as partner and head of commercial. Prior to this, Rory spent more than 12 years working as in-house counsel with global consumer brands such as New Balance and DreamWorks.
Based out of the Manchester office, he will support Harrison Drury to expand its commercial legal services across the UK and assist clients with a wide range of commercial matters, including manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, software development and licensing, and endorsement and sponsorship arrangements.
Mark Traynor, partner and head of the corporate team at Harrison Drury, said: “Rory’s extensive expertise will be an invaluable resource to our clients, helping to protect their commercial interests and giving them valuable strategic support. His experience will also play a key role in driving our ambitious growth plans in Manchester and beyond.”
Rory said: “Harrison Drury works with such a diverse range of clients from SMEs to multi-nationals and I saw this as a great opportunity for me to support those clients and add my expertise to an already impressive team at HD.”
::
Blackburn-based Haydock has strengthened its underwriting team with four Senior Underwriter appointments.
With 25 years’ experience, Angela Hendrie brings a wealth of expertise to the Structured Credit team where she will enhance Haydock’s capabilities in larger and more complex transactions.
She said: “I am thrilled to be taking this next step in my career. Haydock’s innovative and forward-thinking approach shows their commitment to supporting SME growth. I am looking forward to applying my knowledge and experience to support Haydock’s growth trajectory in larger, more complex deals.
Geoff Worrall, Head of Structured Credit from Haydock Finance, said: “Her expertise and deep sector knowledge will enhance our service offering to our intermediary partners. The team are all looking forward to working with her.”
Emma Richardson, Jim Stewart and Stuart MacVicar join the Flow Credit team where their roles will be pivotal in maintaining high service standards and ensuring Haydock’s underwriting reflects their position as a leader for a commercial, can-do approach.
Emma was previously at Handelsbanken where she worked as a Corporate Manager for 10 years. She said: “I am looking forward to working closely with their intermediary partners and helping them to secure the right funding solutions for their clients.”
Having begun his career with Barclays, Jim joins Haydock from Softcat where he spent the past three years as a Credit Assessment Team Leader. Prior to this role he was with Braemar Finance, a division of Close Brothers, for five years as a Divisional Underwriter.
Jim said: “Over the recent years many SMEs have suffered rough times but Haydock’s credit appetite has enabled many businesses to get the funding support they need. I hope to bring my experience to strengthen Haydock’s position as one of the lenders of choice in this market.”
Stuart, who brings a wealth of knowledge of credit in the asset finance market, has been at Carrick Asset Finance for five years as a Senior Underwriter.
He said: “Joining Haydock is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic team, committed to supporting intermediary partners and their clients. With a strong focus on growth, collaboration, and development it feels like the right place to have taken that next step in my career.”
Michael O’Malley, Head of Flow Credit at Haydock Finance, said: “With a huge amount of knowledge and experience, Emma, Jim and Stuart are valuable additions to the team.”
::
Michael Blacklock, Melissa Golder and Daniel Lloyd-John
Broadway Insurance Partners has hailed a brace of senior appointments as it prepares to embark on the latest phase of its development.
The firm has recruited Melissa Golder to its fast growing Healthcare division, while Michael Blacklock has become the latest addition to the firm’s Corporate team.
Chief Executive, Daniel Lloyd-John, said their arrivals were key elements of Broadway’s preparations for further expansion: “Melissa and Michael bring the kind of experience and skills which are incredibly important to the way in which we support clients.”
Despite Altrincham-based Broadway only opening its doors in late 2020, the latest appointments bring the number of its employees to 25.
Ms Golder joins from another familiar North West broking name, Reich, as Senior Health and Wellbeing Benefits Consultant.
She arrives after a dramatic first year for Broadway’s Healthcare team, which is headed by Emma Wood, and has posted more than £1m in Gross Written Premiums (GWPs) during the period.
Client Executive Mr Blacklock has been recruited from one of the world’s biggest brokers, Marsh and McLennan, following an earlier stint with another of the domestic sector’s giants, Arthur J Gallagher.
::
Avison Young transaction team
Global commercial real estate firm Avison Young has announced four new senior hires in its national offices team in three key markets – Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow – as the firm continues to strengthen its provision for clients across the UK.
The Birmingham office welcomes Mark Robinson as Principal and Head of the Birmingham Offices Team, while Charlotte Fullard joins as a Director. In Liverpool, Gabriel Davies takes up the role of Associate Director, while in Glasgow, Craig Dodds also joins as an Associate Director.
Gabriel Davies joins the Liverpool team with eight years’ experience, having worked his way up from Graduate Surveyor to an Associate at Fisher German (formerly Matthews and Goodman).
He is also Chair of RICS Matrics Committee in Liverpool, an early-career community designed to support young property professionals, and sits on the Future Impact Board.
The four senior hires follow a string of key appointments for the firm throughout 2024, including Helen Collins as National Head of Affordable Housing and Managing Director for Birmingham; Hollie Ruddle as Regional Investment Director for the South West; and Chris Wright, formerly of Tesco, as Head of Sustainability and Decarbonisation.
Chris Cheap, Head of Transactions at Avison Young UK, said: “We’re passionate about delivering a first class service and bringing unrivalled expertise to our clients, and part of that is building out a knowledgeable, specialist transactions team.”
