People: Innovate Lancashire; Freedom Fibre; Myerson Solicitors; Fortidia UK; DWF; NFDC; Aon; THG Studios; Savills; Slater Heelis
Innovate Lancashire, Lancashire County Council’s (LCC) dedicated innovation economic growth programme, has bolstered its business engagement capabilities with two new appointments to its core delivery team.
Trudi Waldram has been appointed Innovation Engagement Manager, a role which will involve identifying Lancashire companies, including start-ups and scale-ups, which have high growth potential.
Working across Lancashire’s innovation ecosystem, and taking a sector-agnostic approach, Trudi will help these companies access the resources, funding, and expertise they need to maximise their full commercial potential.
Prior to working for Innovate Lancashire, Trudi was senior projects and engagement manager for the Food and Drink Forum (FDF), a national trade organisation for advanced manufacturers working within the food and drink sector.
A second new member of the Innovate Lancashire team is Natalie Wilson.
Natalie, who has worked as an outdoor practitioner and expedition leader for more than two decades, including leading in excess of 35 international expeditions and high-altitude treks in areas like Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan – has been appointed Community Manager at Fraser House, the LCC-funded coworking hub in Lancaster.
Natalie will oversee all aspects of Fraser House’s operations, including recruiting and supporting Fraser House members, programming high value events.
LCC’s innovation lead, Hannah Churchman, said: “Trudi’s role allows us to increase our capacity for more targeted business engagement, helping us to better understand the needs of our business communities and complement our approach of being led by data and insights.
“Similarly, Natalie’s role at Fraser House will have a focus on driving economic growth by supporting new and existing member companies.”
Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth at Lancashire County Council, said: “To ensure we fulfil Lancashire’s potential as a world leading investor destination for fast growth sectors such as defence, energy, cyber and cleantech, we need as many Lancashire businesses as possible to be geared up for rapid technology-enabled growth. Increased business engagement which highlights the innovation support that is out there will be vital to that process, as reflected by these new appointments.”
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Lindsey Sutherland
Alternative network provider, Freedom Fibre, has appointed Lindsey Sutherland as Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective March 4, 2025.
Lindsey joins the Manchester-based firm with an impressive 30 years’ experience, most of which have been spent in engineering and IT roles.
His career started in the military during which he did active tours of duty in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.
He then founded a data systems business to underpin transformation work in industry, including NHS acute hospitals and military shipbuilding.
Lindsey headed up the technology team at Community Fibre where he led the integration of a strategic acquisition and was CTO of the rapidly growing SaaS VOIP providers Nebula.
He said: “I am enormously proud to join the Freedom Fibre team at this exciting time. High-speed broadband is a key building block for our economy and the next few years will see huge changes in the market which we must work tirelessly to keep ahead of.”
Nathan Vautier, CEO at Freedom Fibre, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lindsey to our leadership team. His experience and vision align perfectly with our ambitions for the future of Freedom Fibre.”
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Andrew Stone
Myerson Solicitors has expanded its Commercial Property team with the appointment of Andrew Stone as Partner, further enhancing its expertise in real estate transactions.
Andrew joins from JMW Solicitors, bringing extensive experience in real estate transactions, advising investors, developers, and businesses on acquisitions, leasing, and portfolio management across industrial, office, and retail sectors.
Andrew also has significant experience advising healthcare clients, including GPs and dentists, on real estate matters.
He began his legal career at Burges Salmon and subsequently gained valuable
experience as both an in-house lawyer and National Estate Manager at Integrated Dental Holdings (now MyDentist).
Following his in-house role, Andrew returned to private practice, where he advised on complex real estate transactions at a senior level, before joining Myerson.
Joanne Perritt, Head of Myerson’s Commercial Property Team, said: “Our team is already recognised as a Top Tier practice by The Legal 500 and, with Andrew joining us, we continue to strengthen what is already a highly experienced and senior team.”
The team’s growth trajectory continues, following the arrival of Doug Henderson as a Solicitor last summer, with another Solicitor joining at Easter.
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Naz Sen
Naz Sen has joined Fortidia UK as Network Sales & Operations Manager, supporting franchise growth across three of the group’s brands.
Fortidia manages the Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options brands in the UK from its headquarters in Accrington, with the three companies together maintaining and supporting more than 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m, providing ecommerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers.
Naz’s role as NSO Manager sees him heading a team working with franchisees across all three brands, supporting them operationally and helping them grow their franchise businesses.
With a 10-year career in the franchise sector, ranging from launching a franchised brand from inception, to serving as a Franchise Support Manager and UK Head of Operations, Naz has helped a number of high growth and established franchisors to take their businesses to the next level.
He said: “The NSO team works across the UK, supporting the network operationally and helping our franchisees to grow and expand by making the best use of the resources available to them.
“My team’s role is to support those people through our proven franchise models. We help our partners build and expand their unique businesses to achieve their personal goals, whether that’s creating an asset to sell, generating a sustainable source of income, or growing their very own multi-site empire.”
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Katherine Carey
Manchester-based international law firm, DWF, has announced 47 promotions in its Manchester office.
This latest round of promotions at DWF, whose largest office is based at Scott Place on Hardman Street, includes promotion to partner for real estate lawyer Katherine Carey and insurance lawyer Patrick McBrien.
Dan Monaghan has also been promoted to partner and head of chambers, and Seth Hughes has been promoted to partner and global head of eDiscovery.
Additionally, insurance lawyer Tom Higson and regulatory, compliance and investigations lawyer, Vikki Woodfine, were promoted to a higher level within the partnership structure.
Eight colleagues have also advanced to director or equivalent roles, including: Charlotte Ellis, Christopher Hudson, Ian Jenkinson, Lauren France, Liam Gibson, Matthew Judge, Neal Mellor, and Velida Pudic.
Managing partner of DWF in Manchester, Joel Heap, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many of our colleagues in Manchester progressing in their careers. These promotions are a testament to their dedication, expertise, and contribution to the firm. I’m proud to celebrate their success and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive in their new roles. Congratulations to you all.”
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Michael Freeley
The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) has appointed Michael Freeley as Chair of the North West.
A director at Worsley-based demolition contractors, J Freeley, Michael has been the NFDC’s vice chair of the North West for the past two years. Since joining the family business in 2008, he has been actively involved with the NFDC, building on the contractor’s long established membership which began in 1982.
In his new role, Michael will be responsible for chairing regional meetings and representing the North West at national council meetings in London.
As well as providing a voice for members’ views, he will be championing the importance of using NFDC companies to prospective clients, particularly public sector organisations and blue-chip companies.
Michael said: “I’m really looking forward to chairing the North West region and flying the flag for NFDC members, including industry service providers.”
Duncan Rudall, CEO of the NFDC, said: “J Freeley is a long standing member of the Federation since 1982, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards in the demolition industry.
“Michael’s extensive experience, industry knowledge, and dedication to NFDC values make him the ideal representative to lead the North West region. His commitment to promoting competence, safety, and sustainability within demolition aligns perfectly with the NFDC’s mission.
“We look forward to his leadership in championing the expertise of NFDC members and strengthening our industry’s reputation across both public and private sectors.”
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Matt Foy
Aon, the global professional services firm, has announced the appointment of Matt Foy as head of its Manchester office.
In his new role, Matt assumes overall responsibility for the firm’s Manchester office and its team of experienced Corporate Commercial Risk advisers, and their clients. Reporting to Dan Hopkinson, managing director of Commercial Risk UK North at Aon, Matt will draw on 16 years of experience and be responsible for implementing the national and regional strategy.
Matt joined Aon in 2018 as client manager, and following several promotions, his remit has expanded to include managing colleagues and leading client work. Prior to joining Aon, Matt spent almost a decade with the UK-based insurance broker Griffiths & Armour, which Aon recently acquired.
Matt Foy said:”I am proud to have been appointed as head of Aon’s Manchester office at such an exciting time for the firm. I am fortunate to work alongside a talented and experienced team, and I’m eager to support their growth and development in my new role.”
Dan Hopkinson said: “We are pleased to announce Matthew Foy as the new head of office for Aon in Manchester. Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Matt’s outstanding leadership and the incredible value he brings to both our clients and colleagues.”
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Richard Aldiss
Creative agency, THG Studios, part of Manchester-based THG Ingenuity, has appointed Richard Aldiss as Senior Vice President, to spearhead growth.
His appointment will see THG Studios build on its growth in 2024, which saw the agency craft campaigns for the likes of Toblerone, ASDA, Disney and Sky Bet’s The Overlap, along with the launch of its AI-driven studio, iLab.
Richard brings more than 30 years of experience in advertising, alongside a proven track record in business development and driving agency growth. Having previously held positions as Managing Director at McCann, Manchester and Chair of the IPA (Insitute of Practitioners in Advertising) in England and Wales, Richard currently sits on the board of the MPA (Manchester Publicity Association) championing the digital, creative and media industries.
Richard said: “The THG Studios team have achieved so much, it’s jaw dropping. The ambition and potential for our clients, our people and the business is huge and I look forward to applying my experience, energy and passion as we enter an exciting new chapter of growth and transformation.”
Hannah Pym, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, THG Ingenuity, welcomed Richard, saying: “His experience and leadership across advertising and businesses development, alongside his fervour for the industry, align perfectly with our commitment to supercharge brand growth for our clients and our long term vision for THG Studios.”
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Cameron Luckas, left, and Tom Burke
Savills has strengthened its residential sales and lettings teams in Cheshire with the appointment of Tom Burke as head of residential sales in Knutsford and Cameron Luckas as head of Cheshire lettings.
Tom, who will be responsible for property sales throughout Knutsford and East Cheshire while also taking on a role as head of office, is familiar with the region’s housing market having worked for nine years as head of Cheshire lettings at Savills. Prior to this, Tom spent seven years in London, where he worked as part of Savills’ specialist waterfront team.
Tom said: “It is a real privilege to lead our exceptional and well established team in Knutsford. After working alongside the team since moving back to the North West in 2015, I am looking forward to further building on our offering in both the core and prime property markets.
“We have a very strong multi-discipline team covering the North West and I’m excited to have an opportunity to shape this further with the support of the significant wealth of expertise we have across a diverse range of departments.”
Cameron Luckas originally joined Savills in January 2024 in a regional business development role in Manchester before stepping into his new position in which he will oversee lettings activity across the Chester, Knutsford and Wilmslow offices.
Prior to joining Savills, he held the position of sales manager and subsequently branch manager for an independent sales and lettings agency in Cheshire.
The Savills Cheshire residential lettings department was established by Tom in 2015.
Cameron said: “I am very pleased to head up our lettings department across Cheshire, where we have established a well-performing business over the last nine years. I look forward to continuing to build our presence, using my strong local knowledge and network of clients to complement the existing – and longstanding – team.”
Cameron Ewer, head of Savills’ residential business in the North West and West Midlands, said: “We are incredibly pleased to be able to provide our clients with consistency in the dynamic duo of Tom and Cameron, who already know the business and the area incredibly well. Their combined wealth of experience and local knowledge is a tremendous asset to us and our clients in Knutsford, in what we anticipate will be a very positive year ahead.”
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Clare King and Shannon Jenkins
Slater Heelis has welcomed Shannon Jenkins to the firm as a Solicitor in the Court of Protection Department, marking the third appointment this year to this growing team.
Shannon brings with her a strong background in civil litigation, having previously specialised in pursuing claims against the police on behalf of her clients.
Her experience advocating for individuals’ rights makes her a valuable addition to the team as she now transitions into Court of Protection work.
Clare King, Partner and Head of Court of Protection Team at Slater Heelis, said: “Her background in civil litigation and commitment to protecting individuals’ rights align perfectly with our values. It already feels like she’s a key part of our team and we look forward to seeing her thrive.”
With its head office in Sale, Greater Manchester, the firm offers a range of legal services to both private and business clients including: Family Law, Wills and Probate, Court of Protection, Personal Injury, Corporate Law, Crime, including Business Crime & Regulatory, Dispute Resolution, Employment & HR, Property Law and Construction & Engineering.
