People: Napthens; Regional REIT; Aaron & Partners; The HR Dept; Medicash; Leonard Curtis; Diversity Travel; Slater Heelis

The Liverpool office of North West law firm, Napthens, has appointed legal directors Anna Hayes and Veronica Howley.
Their arrival takes the number of staff at the Liverpool office of Napthens to 37 and follows the fast-growing firm recently taking a 10-year lease on 5,000 sq ft of office space in Bruntwood SciTech’s The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street.
Anna progressed her legal career in corporate real estate in Liverpool, training with Hill Dickinson before moving to DLA Piper and latterly CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang. Her practice covers various sectors with a focus on industrial/logistics and retail assets.
Having joined Napthens from Slater Heelis in Manchester and working in dispute resolution for more than 20 years, Veronica heads the firm’s contentious probate team. She helps clients to resolve disputes arising from the death of a loved one or the administration of their estates, on claims under the Inheritance Act and relating to the administration of will trusts.
Their appointment follows that of Kevin Howard, a senior associate in the corporate team who joined from TLT having worked at national and international law firms following a previous career in tax with Big Four accountancy firms. He is experienced in advising on public and private mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts, joint ventures and restructurings, acting for public and private businesses, institutions, management and entrepreneurs.
Corporate partner, Kieran Donovan, said: “Our recruitment of Anna, Veronica and Kevin proves the enduring appeal to leading legal practitioners of wanting to be part of the exciting growth of Napthens in Liverpool, the city region and wider North West.”
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David Hunter
The board of Regional REIT, the property firm with offices in Old Trafford overseeing properties throughout the North West, said that David Hunter will be appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair designate, becoming a member of the Audit, Nominations, and Management Engagement and Remuneration Committees, with effect from January 2, 2025.
Following a handover period, David will succeed Kevin McGrath as Chair of the Board, on March 18, 2025. This follows Kevin’s announcement in October 2024 that he will step down as Chair having completed the duration of his nine-year tenure, in accordance with the company’s policy.
David is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair of listed REITs as well as a strategic adviser to real estate private equity businesses. He has a background in property fund management, latterly as Managing Director of Aberdeen Asset Management’s £6.5bn real estate business, but since 2005 he has taken a wide range of non-executive positions in UK and international businesses.
He was previously Chairman of Capital and Regional, Dar Global, Custodian Property Income and GCP Student Living, among other roles.
Massy Larizadeh, Senior Independent Director of Regional REIT, said: “David’s impressive career in fund management and extensive listed commercial real estate experience will be of great benefit to the company at this important stage of its life and in the future. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Kevin for his leadership and significant contribution to Regional REIT.”
David Hunter said: “Regional REIT is at a key inflection point having recently completed a successful significant capital raise. This has placed the company on a much firmer financial footing and we can now focus on enhancing shareholder value through further active portfolio management activities, maximising occupancy and capitalising on the developing trend of workers returning to the office.”
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Katy Seago
Fast-growing Chester-based law firm, Aaron and Partners, has appointed Katy Seago as a Restructuring and Insolvency Partner to support ongoing growth both regionally and nationally.
Katy joins from DLA Piper in Manchester where she worked for more than 10 years, having previously held positions at national firms DWF and Cobbetts.
Katy specialises in non-contentious aspects of corporate recovery, restructuring, turnaround and insolvency, and has a wealth of experience advising insolvency practitioners, lenders, directors and other stakeholders in relation to financially distressed situations.
Based at Aaron and Partners’ Altrincham office, Katy will support the firm’s strategic objectives, expanding its reach across the Greater Manchester area and continuing the firm’s commitment to growth in the region and beyond.
Mark Davies, Head of Restructuring and Insolvency at Aaron and Partners, said: “Katy joins at a really exciting time for our department and the wider firm. We’ve seen a huge amount of growth in the Greater Manchester area and our Altrincham office is key to that, so with Katy onboard we’ll be looking to accelerate that growth even further.”
Katy said: “I’ve been aware of Aaron and Partners’ excellent reputation since my time at the College of Law in Chester, so I’m delighted to make this move and am looking forward to playing my part in the firm’s growth strategy.”
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Emma Fay
Outsourced HR and employment law consultancy, The HR Dept, has strengthened its position in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with the announcement that HR and employment specialist Emma Fay will take ownership of the long-standing HR Dept Trafford and Warrington.
Emma Fay has been successfully running the HR Dept Wilmslow since 2014 and hopes to build on these foundations by expanding into the neighbouring franchise, bringing her team up to seven employees.
She said: “The team at Trafford and Warrington are exceptionally talented at what they do and look after their clients amazingly well, often receiving 100% in client satisfaction surveys.”
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Andrew Healey
Medicash has announced that its Chief Executive, Sue Weir, will be retiring in March 2025 after 21 years at the company.
Currently the UK’s largest provider of corporate cash plans and with more than 600,000 policyholders, Medicash has named Andrew Healy as her successor. Andrew’s background includes CEO roles in a number of mutual and community-focused financial services businesses and he was awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to the local community. He will commence on March 3, subject to regulatory approval.
Andrew said: “I am truly delighted to be joining Medicash, a wonderful organisation that for more than 150 years has been making a positive difference through its innovative healthcare offerings and outstanding charitable foundation. I look forward to building on the strong platform created by Sue Weir and to working with the talented Medicash team to continue to grow the business and to support our customers, colleagues and communities in every way possible.”
Medicash Chair, Jonathan Brown, said: “It was always going to be a momentous occasion when Sue decided to retire and her unwavering commitment to both the business and the charitable work supported through the Medicash Foundation have left a permanent mark on the sector. I want to thank her personally for all her expertise and guidance.
“In Andrew Healy, we’re confident we have a capable and worthy successor who very much shares our vision for the business to take it forward, while possessing the personal values and characteristics necessary to maintain the existing culture and ethos of Medicash.”
Sue Weir said: “I’d like to thank my wonderful colleagues for making my time here an absolute pleasure. The team has embraced change to enable Medicash to become the best in its sector and I wish Andrew well in his new role. I’m looking forward to building on my portfolio of Chair and Non Executive Director positions in the commercial, charity and public sectors, along with spending more time with friends and family.”
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Phil Lyons
Leonard Curtis has appointed Phil Lyons, a restructuring expert with more than 20 years of experience, to lead its newly-launched performance advisory offering.
He brings extensive expertise from both large and boutique restructuring firms, where he partnered with management teams across the public and private sectors, guiding stressed organisations and businesses through rapid change and complex restructuring.
He said: “The focus of our performance advisory function is on providing practical, impactful solutions to underperforming areas of clients’ businesses. I believe there is a significant opportunity for growth in this area. I’m looking forward to working with the leadership team to realise that potential.”
Gary Cain, Head of Funding at Leonard Curtis, said: “It’s great to welcome Phil on board. He brings a fantastic skill set to the group, and his expertise will complement our debt advisory offering, especially in complex transformations. Providing solutions is at our heart, and Phil’s experience aligns perfectly with that mission.”
Alex Cadwallader, Head of South and Offshore at Leonard Curtis, said: “With his 20-plus years of experience, Phil will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand our services.”
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Joanne Bowden
Manchester-based travel management company, Diversity Travel, has recruited a new Chief Technical Officer to its senior leadership team.
Joanne Bowden joined from Premex Group in July 2024, and is one of three new recruits at the company, as part of a continued and strategic drive to improve the organisation’s technology integration, maturity and the overall customer experience.
Joanne has been joined by Diversity Travel’s first Head of Engineering, Dan Johnson, and a new Head of IT Services, Ben Dale.
Chris Airey, Chief Executive of Diversity Travel, said: “We are thrilled to have welcomed Jo, Dan, and Ben to the team this year, who will each play a central role in our growth plans and the strategic direction that Diversity Travel is heading into next year, and beyond.
“Jo’s decades of experience in software engineering and passion for technology makes her the ideal person to drive operational efficiencies, future-proof platforms, and customer-centric innovations.”
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From left: Chloe Huggins, Jodi Tuson, Amy Price, Gabriella Basiuk
Amy Price, Associate Solicitor in the family team at Sale-based Slater Heelis, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Manchester Young Resolution (YRes).
Resolution is a national organisation representing family law professionals, and Young Resolution is an important division within it, supporting members with up to 10 years’ PQE. The Manchester branch of Young Resolution is widely respected for its active engagement and strong support network.
Three other members of the Slater Heelis family team have been appointed within the committee, joining Claire Higham who remains an active member of the committee.
Chloe Huggins will be joining as the Social Media Representative, Jodi Tuson will continue her role as Social Secretary and Gabriella Basiuk has been appointed as Treasurer.
Mark Heptinstall, Partner and Head of the Family team at Slater Heelis said: “With five members of the Slater Heelis team now actively involved in the Manchester Young Resolution committee, including Amy as Chair, this is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our presence and contribute to the development of the legal sector.
“We are extremely proud of all them and we know they will achieve great things over the course of the year and we look forward to playing our part in supporting the amazing work of YRes and nurturing the talent of the future.”