People: Kinaxia Logistics; H&H Insurance Brokers; Essity; Transfer Travel; DWF; Women in Property; Azets; Urban Splash
Macclesfield-based Kinaxia Logistics has created a new role of national sales director to leverage its full service offering and nationwide infrastructure to secure new business across its transport, warehousing and distribution portfolio.
Jane Cooper has been promoted to the post from her role as Kinaxia’s regional director for southern England.
Her new position sees her lead the sales and business development teams to grow Kinaxia’s commercial pipeline, expand its customer base and strengthen client relationships.
Kinaxia’s chief commercial officer, Mark Tabor, said: “Jane has a vast amount of logistics and transport industry experience, a very positive attitude, and takes a proactive approach to sales development.
“She is the ideal person to fill this new role as the sales team targets the North West and the Midlands as a priority for growth. In both regions there are exciting commercial opportunities which are aligned to our end-to-end logistics services and can benefit from our reputation for delivering local market excellence.”
Jane has worked at Kinaxia for nine years and has risen through the ranks after joining as an account manager at Lambert Brothers in Eastleigh, which the company had acquired.
She said: “I’m really excited to be appointed to this new role and to playing my part in supporting and developing Kinaxia’s growth strategy.”
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Victoria Twentyman
A former apprentice at Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokers has been appointed to a leadership role just weeks after completing her studies.
Victoria Twentyman has been promoted to Claims Team Leader, leading the firm’s in-house claims department.
Her promotion marks a significant milestone, coming less than a month after she successfully completed her apprenticeship with HHIB, which operates across the North of England, the Scottish Borders and Wales.
Victoria will work alongside Stuart Torrance who has moved from Claims Manager to the newly created role of Quality Assurance Manager, and be supported by Operations Director Kally Shane in her new role.
Victoria, 19, who lives near Penrith, joined the independent insurance brokers as an apprentice admin assistant straight from school and achieved her professional insurance qualifications in January this year.
She said: “The apprenticeship route was perfect for me because it enabled me to work and study at the same time. I’m excited about what the future holds and looking forward to working with the team to further develop the department.”
Kally Shane said: “It’s part of our ethos as a firm to provide opportunities for people to pursue rewarding career paths in the financial services industry and Victoria is a great example of that.”
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Giuseppe Di Benedetto
Giuseppe Di Benedetto has been appointed as mill manager at global hygiene and health company Essity’s Manchester mill in Trafford Park.
Essity’s products include household names such as Plenty, Bodyform, TENA and Cushelle.
With more than 12 years of experience at Essity, Giuseppe has developed a strong career in operations and manufacturing leadership. His journey with the company has seen him hold key roles, including process engineer, operations manager, and, most recently, site manager at Essity’s Altopascio mill in Tuscany, Italy.
Trafford Park produces products such as Plenty kitchen rolls and Cushelle toilet paper, alongside private-label items for major UK retailers.
Giuseppe said: “My ambition is to create an environment where colleagues feel proud to work – a site that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and mutual trust.”
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Carl Carter
Transfer Travel, a Manchester-based travel resale platform, has appointed Carl Carter, CEO of CSC Global Partners, as its new Strategic Advisor.
This move comes as Transfer Travel is expanding its team to meet rising demand. More insurance companies are actively seeking solutions to resell cancelled bookings, rather than accepting total losses on claims.
Carl brings more than 30 years of insurance industry expertise, including his 11-year role as Managing Director at IMG Europe. A recognised industry leader and innovator, he has led business strategy, product innovation, and multi-channel distribution, working across 40+ countries to develop bespoke insurance solutions.
He said: “The insurance sector must embrace digital innovation to remain competitive and meet evolving consumer needs. Transfer Travel’s technology offers a compelling opportunity for travel insurers to reduce claim losses while improving customer satisfaction. This is a major cost containment opportunity for travel insurers worldwide.”
Maisie Blewitt, Head of Commercial at Transfer Travel, said: “Carl’s deep insurance industry knowledge will be invaluable as we expand our travel insurance sector partnerships. Our mission is to make travel booking resale as straightforward as the original purchase, and working with insurers is key to achieving this at scale.”
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Hannah Rubix
Manchester-based law firm, DWF, has announced 28 promotions in its Liverpool office.
In its founding office in Liverpool, DWF has promoted insurance lawyers Hannah Fitzgerald and Joanne Baker to partner. Also among those promoted in the insurance team are lawyers Jane Basnett, Laura Ingram, Mark Hill, Sarah Louise Carragher, alongside finance and restructuring lawyer Thomas Murphy, who have all been promoted to director.
The firm made 238 promotions globally. This includes 13 new promotions to partner or partner-equivalent roles. In addition, 13 existing DWF partners have been promoted to a higher career level within the partnership structure.
The business opened its newly-refurbished Liverpool office this week. The new
workspace includes around 180 traditional desk settings, a new client suite, meeting rooms, and a social/breakout area for colleagues to facilitate modern and flexible working.
Julie Simms, managing partner of DWF in Liverpool, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for our Liverpool office as we also open our newly refurbished office space. I look forward to seeing how this new space enhances the way we work together and engage more widely with clients and contacts in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.”
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Nicola Rudman
Women in Property has appointed two new Manchester-based Directors and two Non-Executive Directors to the board, bringing with them the additional skills and professional acumen the organisation needs as it continues to grow.
Nicola Rudman and Siobhan Ryder both join as Directors, having been members of Women in Property (WiP) for many years.
Nicola heads Strategic Business Development for Fairhurst Architects and brings extensive experience in management accounting, finance and risk mitigation. She is North West branch Treasurer and a former branch Chair.
With her 10-year involvement with WiP, Nicola is keen to help support and maintain the integrity of the organisation.
Siobhan Ryder
Siobhan runs her own freelance consultancy business, Campbell Consult, providing marketing, business development and BID support services to construction clients.
She is currently working on multimillion-pound bids for regional and tier 1 contractors and global consultants. Siobhan is sponsorship co-ordinator for the North West branch and responsible for driving income to support delivery of market leading events.
Dan Sames and Hannah Allum join as Non-Executive Directors.
Candice Blackwood, Chair of the Limited Board, said: “These appointments come after an open process and a three-year period of organisational change and restructuring. We now have a terrific team to help take Women in Property forward, as we continue to impact and influence the wider industry.”
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Noel Hankinson
International business advisory group, Azets, has made 122 mid-year promotions at all levels in its UK business, including one Regional Managing Partner and 10 new Partners and Directors.
Partner, Noel Hankinson, has been promoted to Regional Managing Partner (RMP) for the North West region, with five other promotions in the region.
Peter Gallanagh, UK CEO at Azets, said: “This latest round of promotions reflects the exceptional depth of talent we have at Azets. Our people are the driving force behind our success, and it’s fantastic to see so many colleagues progressing in their careers and stepping into new leadership roles.
“As we continue to grow and support the evolving needs of our clients, investing in our people remains a priority.
“These promotions not only reward hard work and dedication but also strengthen our ability to deliver the highest level of service. On behalf of everyone at Azets, I’d like to congratulate all 122 colleagues on their well earned success.”
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Nicky Harries, left, and Sian Stanhope
Urban Splash, the Manchester-based regeneration company, has appointed two experienced property professionals, Nicky Harries and Sian Stanhope.
Nicky Harries has joined the expanding commercial team as Commercial Lettings Manager. Working alongside Head of Commercial Property, Emma Gardiner, Nicky will focus on attracting new customers and income opportunities to the company’s nationwide portfolio of workspaces and mixed-use communities, which includes properties in key cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Plymouth.
The news marks a return to Urban Splash for Nicky, who previously worked in the commercial team and has gained extensive industry experience with roles at organisations including Bruntwood.
Joining Nicky is Sian Stanhope, who has been appointed as Development Manager.
Sian has enjoyed a diverse career, including roles with LCR Property and local authorities such as Barnsley Council, where she worked on the Principal Towns Project.
Nicky and Sian will join the team at Urban Splash’s head office in Manchester.
CEO, Julian Curnuck, said: “Both bring a wealth of experience and a passion for delivering innovative, sustainable projects. Their expertise will be invaluable as we continue to create exceptional new homes and workspaces while reinvigorating communities across the country.”
