People: Momentum Group; Montagu Evans; Eddisons; PushON; Irwin Mitchell; Speedy Freight; Harrison Drury
Liverpool-based property services company, The Momentum Group, has appointed two new directors, as the company focuses on the next stage of its growth following a successful 2024.
Jacqui Saunders has been appointed as Director of Momentum Manage, with a remit to grow the group’s property management division across the North West and South East. With more than 20 years’ experience, Jacqui was previously Associate Director at Network Space, and held positions at The Arch Company and Savills.
The second senior hire is Jyssica Murphy, who has joined as Health, Safety, and Quality Director, overseeing the group’s strategy across the business. Jyssica brings a wealth of experience, including her previous role as Building Safety Regulatory Lead at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). She has also worked at Redrow Homes, Torus and as a consultant for a wide array of construction and refurbishment projects.
In addition to the two new directors, Momentum Advise has strengthened its team with the appointment of Stella Costa as Senior Project Manager, James Blackmore as Project Manager, Lucas Smith as Trainee Project Manager and Claudia Watson as Graduate Project Manager, to support the division’s growing portfolio of retail delivery projects following the team’s recent geographical expansion.
Momentum Build has also welcomed Nick Barrett as Construction Project Manager to help facilitate further growth as the team diversifies its client base across retail, leisure, residential, and parking facilities, while Momentum Manage has appointed Jo Miller as Property Manager.
Chris Bliss and Chris Renshaw, co-founders and directors of The Momentum Group, said: “The success of The Momentum Group is driven by its people and, as we grow, we remain committed to attracting and retaining the very best staff. Jacqui Saunders and Jyssica Murphy bring not only renowned sector expertise, but the senior leadership skills that will help to drive our growth.
“Together with our other heads of the individual businesses and our board advisors, Yvonne Emmett Cannell and Ian O’Doherty, we are in a great position to expand, diversify and, ultimately, thrive.”
Jacqui Saunders said: “Momentum Manage already plays a part in making great places, places that people, be they shoppers, workers or residents, actively want to spend time in. There is an opportunity, however, to expand our client base, not only in the North West, but across the UK. The company has the ambition and ability to do that, and I am very excited to be leading the team to make it happen.”
Jyssica Murphy said: “The Momentum Group’s values and culture reflect what I believe matter in a business, so to join now, as the company pushes to achieve its next stage of growth, is very exciting.”
With the seven new hires, Momentum Group now employs more than 60 people, with the growth in the team reflecting a strong 12 months for the company.
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Julie Chalmers
Montagu Evans has expanded its 50-strong national rating team ahead of the 2026 revaluation, appointing Julie Chalmers as Partner.
Based at the partnership’s Manchester office, Julie joins the firm following three years as a Director at Colliers, and before that seven years at Newmark, then Gerald Eve.
She will initially work on major mandates including Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford College, Transport for Greater Manchester, Arnold Clark (in England), Innside Hotels (Melia) and Greater Manchester Fire both now, and moving towards the 2026-2029 period.
Other clients in the region include the Combined Authority in Manchester, Manchester City FC, several health trusts, Glyndwr University and significant college estates at Wigan, Salford and in Manchester and Bradford, led by Partner Richard Wackett.
Josh Myerson, Head of Rating Advisory at Montagu Evans, said: “Julie has reported some outstanding rating achievements for clients, reflecting a high level of expertise and commerciality in our key sectors. Her place as a senior member of the rating team nationally will ensure additional resource and depth of experience at this important time, as well as a commitment to new and existing clients long term.”
Julie Chalmers said: “Montagu Evans has strong regional and national teams supporting clients during this time. Its clear technical expertise, focus on specialist sectors and collaborative approach are all very attractive, as is the chance to be part of a growing team.”
Julie’s appointment follows lease advisory specialist, Amy Bracey, and occupier specialist, Kieran Webber, joining the partnership in the past three months, both part of its industrial and logistics team.
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Tom Pitt
Eddisons has appointed building surveyor, Tom Pitt, as an associate director in its growing North West building consultancy team.
Based in the firm’s Manchester office, Tom joins from Colliers, where he spent eight years developing expertise across core building surveying services including technical due diligence, project management and dilapidations.
His new role at Eddisons is part of the firm’s strategic expansion of its commercial building consultancy services across the North.
Eddisons director, Ashley Parkinson, who heads the building consultancy team in Manchester, said: “It’s great to welcome Tom on board as we continue to grow our team here in the North West. With his extensive commercial sector experience and contacts throughout the region he will play a key role in our hands-on approach that delivers outstanding service and expertise for clients across every project.”
Tom Pitt said: “I am really excited to have joined the firm’s growing building consultancy team here in the North West, where we currently have a team of seven people.
“In my new role I’m helping lead the expansion and improvement of our professional services offering to the commercial sector as Eddisons continues to expand its building surveying services client base across the region.”
Eddisons’ UK-wide building consultancy team is currently 60 strong. The firm continues to be one of the country’s fastest growing property consultancies, employing more than 450 people across 30 offices.
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Liam Gibson
Manchester-based eCommerce agency, PushON, has appointed Liam Gibson as its new Business Development Manager to accelerate growth across its digital marketing and eCommerce services.
Liam’s appointment is part of PushON’s broader strategy to scale operations and expand its client portfolio.
Bringing extensive experience in business development, Liam has previously worked at Silverbean as a Business Development Manager, playing a crucial role in the agency’s expansion.
He also held a key position at Durham-based social media agency, The Social Co, where he was instrumental in growing its paid social division.
In his new role, Liam will be responsible for identifying and securing high value clients, enhancing the agency’s market reach, and driving new business opportunities across its full suite of services.
Within just his first month, he has already made an impact by onboarding a high profile men’s clothing brand.
Liam said: “PushON has ambitious growth plans, and I’m excited to play a key role in driving them forward. My goal is to build a robust sales function that will fuel PushON’s continued success.”
Sam Rutley, Managing Director, said: “Liam’s track record in business development and his understanding of the digital landscape makes him a fantastic addition to the team. His strategic approach will be invaluable as we continue to scale our services and expand our client base.”
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Georgina Garner
Irwin Mitchell has added experienced Court of Protection Partner Georgina Garner to its Manchester team.
Georgina was previously a Partner and Head of the Court of Protection Department at Slater Heelis and has more than 10 years of experience managing mentally incapacitated individuals’ property and financial affairs.
She brings a strong reputation in the market and regularly receives direct instructions from multiple local authorities and other law firms acting on behalf of people without capacity or those who need additional assistance managing their financial affairs.
Lucy Nicol, head of the Court of Protection team at Irwin Mitchell, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Georgina Garner to our team. Her extensive experience and dedication to managing complex cases will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our firm.
“Georgina’s reputation in the Manchester legal market is outstanding, and her strong relationships with her clients speak volumes about her commitment and professionalism. We are excited to see the positive impact she will make as we continue to grow.”
Georgina, who will also become a Director of the Irwin Mitchell Trust Corporation, said: “Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team is the leading team in the country and I can’t wait to work with my new colleagues to help even more people to navigate the difficult circumstances that life has dealt them.”
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Mitchell Bryant
Knutsford-based logistics solutions specialist, Speedy Freight, has appointed Mitchell Bryant as Senior Commercial Manager, responsible for driving expansion and development for its fast growing fulfilment proposition Speedy Fulfil.
With a career that includes senior commercial roles at Honeywell, Toyota Material Handling and Windsor Materials Handling, Mitch has an impressive background in sustainable logistics and technology-driven solutions and brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
Prior to joining Speedy Fulfil, Mitch was Head of Business Development at Fulfilmentcrowd where he played a key role in deploying custom solutions for high volume global fulfilment.
Mitch said: “I am thrilled to be joining Speedy Fulfil at such an exciting time. I am looking forward to building on Speedy’s established reputation, identifying and developing new opportunities to drive growth and delivering exceptional end-to-end logistics solutions across air, freight, fulfilment and parcels for our customers.”
COO, John Munnelly, at Speedy Freight, said: “Mitch has a strong track record in strategic communications, operational efficiencies and customer-centric fulfilment services, supporting high growth omnichannel brands with their fulfilment and supply chain needs. His deep understanding of automated and SaaS-based logistics solutions makes him a perfect fit to drive Speedy Fulfil’s growth and innovation and we are pleased to welcome him to the team.”
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L-R:Sean Gibbs, Stuart Farr, Lucy Benton
North West law firm Harrison Drury has strengthened its commercial dispute resolution team with the appointment of Stuart Farr as partner.
Stuart, who joins from Taylors Solicitors, will be based at the firm’s Kendal office and serve clients across Cumbria as well as the wider regions. He previously held partner roles at several high profile firms based in the Midlands.
Lucy Benton, head of Harrison Drury’s Kendal office, said: “Stuart will be a great addition to the team and brings along invaluable experience in the manufacturing sector.
“He’ll be a huge asset to our clients, not just for advice on supply chain disputes but also for issues surrounding investments, franchises, and commercial relationships. We’re excited to see the positive impact he’ll have within the firm.”
Stuart maintains close connections with the gun trade, with specialist expertise in firearms-related matters. He has previously served on the research ethics committees of both Edge Hill University and the University of Oxford and was a founding member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.
Sean Gibbs, head of the commercial dispute resolution team at Harrison Drury, said: “Stuart’s arrival is a big boost for our team that will help us provide even more tailored support for clients navigating tough challenges.
“His expertise in professional negligence and firearms law adds real depth to the type of service we can offer. I’m looking forward to working closely with Stuart and achieving great results for our clients.”
Stuart said: “I’m excited to bring my experience to the firm and support businesses and individuals in managing and resolving their disputes effectively.”
