People: Travel Counsellors; Pleasure Beach; Aaron & Partners; Zen Internet; Savills; Forvis Mazars; Back to the Garden Childcare

Manchester-based travel company, Travel Counsellors, has appointed entrepreneur and businesswoman, Sara Davies, as the brand’s first growth and entrepreneurship partner. 

In this new role Sara will provide tailored coaching on entrepreneurship to the company’s 2,100-strong community of business owners, as well as prospective franchisees, helping them launch and scale their businesses.

Her support will include a series of webinars and exclusive in-person events, offering mentorship, training and guidance to help Travel Counsellors launch and grow its businesses.

Having started her crafts business in her university bedroom, Sara went on to build a business with a turnover of £26.3m a year. Now a public champion of business, Sara is passionate about supporting entrepreneurialism and helping others to develop the tips, tricks and lessons she has learned in building a multimillion-pound business from scratch.

She said: “Helping ambitious entrepreneurs build and grow their business is incredibly important to me. Being a Travel Counsellors customer myself, I’ve seen first hand the dedication, passion, and support that defines this business. It’s truly inspiring to witness how they uplift one another to achieve success, and I look forward to sharing my life lessons and perspectives on entrepreneurship.”

Steve Byrne, Travel Counsellors CEO, said: “We’re so pleased to be welcoming Sara as our first ever growth and entrepreneurship partner. Her track record as an entrepreneur, coupled with her passion for empowering others with energy, positivity and authenticity, makes her the perfect fit for our community.

“We know that her insight and experience will be invaluable in helping our Travel Counsellors achieve success for their business on their own terms.”

::

Abbie Farnell

A wardrobe mistress who has worked on the likes of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing and Gavin and Stacey has joined Pleasure Beach Resort to lead its wardrobe function.

Abbie Farnell has been appointed as head of wardrobe for the Blackpool theme park’s entertainment division as it re-opens for the 2025 season.

As head of wardrobe, Abbie will lead the department and be responsible for overseeing all aspects of costumes, including purchasing, maintaining, altering, and managing the presentation of clothing worn by dancers, skaters and singers as well as ensuring the costumes align with the artistic vision and design of director Amanda Thompson.

Abbie’s career started out in hair and make-up on the set of Gavin and Stacey, from where she continued to work across multiple industries including film, theatre and stage, before moving into wardrobe and also becoming a specialist in wig design.

She said: “I’m really happy to have joined Pleasure Beach Resort, a place with such a rich history of creativity and entertainment. Costumes are a vital part of storytelling, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in that and adding to the experience for audiences and performers alike.”

Amanda Thompson said: “Abbie is so incredibly talented, and we’re so excited to have her on our team. We’re known for the quality and beauty of our costumes, and we think Abbie’s skill-set lends itself perfectly to that.”

::

Adam Pavey

An employment law expert and leading voice on menopause discrimination law has rejoined Chester-based law firm, Aaron & Partners, 20 years after starting his career there as a typist.

Adam Pavey joins the growing business’s Altrincham office as an employment law partner, bringing with him a wealth of experience and stellar reputation gained from working at firms across the North West.

A key advocate for menopause discrimination law, Adam has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and provided expert testimony to Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee.

Adam’s other specialisms include representing medical professionals, but his work is also international in scope. Fluent in Italian, he has built strong business connections in Italy and Europe, and more recently, expanded his client base into China.

Adam said: “There aren’t many partners at law firms who can say they began their career there as a typist. It was a temporary job and my first professional legal experience. Safe to say, I really enjoyed it, and it’s great to come full circle and rejoin the business as a partner.”

::

Maxine Blackwell

Rochdale-based Zen Internet has appointed Maxine Blackwell as the new director for people and  culture. 
With a wealth of multi-sector experience, including law, manufacturing, retail and social housing, Maxine brings a proven track record at board level of achieving results in fast-paced environments. Known for her strategic mindset and excellent communication skills, she is a valuable addition to the team.

With a focus on people, planet, and purpose, Maxine is busy shaping Zen’s people strategy that is contributing to the company’s overall direction. To this end, Maxine has become ExCo sponsor of Zen’s Women in Tech (WIT) network, and its environmental and B Corp working groups, driving initiatives that align with its commitment to people and planet.

CEO, Richard Tang, said: “At Zen, our people have always been at the heart of everything we do, with a purpose built around happy staff, happy customers, happy suppliers. As a proud B Corp with a heightened focus on environmental sustainability, we are committed to reflecting these values in our purpose statement. Since joining, Maxine has truly embodied Zen’s values, and I am delighted to collaborate with her during this exciting period of growth for our team.”

Maxine said: “I am thrilled to have joined Zen, a company that truly places its people at the core of its mission. Zen’s commitment to fostering happiness among its staff, customers, and suppliers is not just a statement, but a practice that is evident in every aspect of the organisation.”

::

Emma Guest

International real estate advisor, Savills, has announced 23 promotions across its Manchester and Cheshire offices, effective from March 1, 2025.

The promotions will see five people move up to director level, six become associate directors, 11 take on the role of associate and one person promoted to senior staff. The promotions include people from a range of teams including residential, lettings, business space, development, and property management.

James Evans, head of Savills Manchester, said: “I am pleased to announce these promotions for 2025, which underline the strength of our standing in Manchester and the wider North West. I want to offer a huge congratulations to all of the individuals who have worked exceptionally hard to deliver excellent service to their clients and have played a key role in the ongoing success of our business.”

The promotions are: Shaun O’Shea, building and project consultancy, director; Andrew Cooke, business space, director; Emma Gues, property management, director; Matt Reynolds, property management, director; Spencer Manuel, property management, director; Adam McLoughlin, building and project consultancy, associate director; Toby Hall, development, associate director; Emma Broadbent, property management, associate director; Rob Moore, property management, associate director; Tony Thorne; property management, associate director; Cameron Luckas, residential lettings (Cheshire), associate director; Ben Alders, building and project consultancy, associate; Sophie Mather, business space, associate; Emma Hitt, development, associate; Kirsty Lau, lettings, associate; Olivia Nunn, lettings, associate; Sophie Moore, planning, associate; Anna Simpson, property management, associate; Gavin Corrigan, property management, associate; Joanna Zub, property management, associate; Sophie Daly, property management, associate; Nathan Ridoch, residential development sales, associate; Joanne Young, development, senior staff.

::

Lisa Pennington

Forvis Mazars, the global professional services network, has appointed Lisa Pennington as an accounting and outsourcing partner in its UK healthcare and life sciences team. Lisa is based in the firm’s Manchester office.

Since joining the firm in 2023, Lisa has led on supporting and developing year-end compliance and advisory services for a range of medical clients, including GP practices, federations, primary care networks and general practitioners.

She has also helped to deliver more co-ordinated accounting, taxation and advisory services to healthcare professionals, as well as advising individuals on their business strategies, including set up structure, annual compliance and exit strategy.

As a partner, Lisa will continue to lead and grow the UK healthcare team as it expands its services to meet the evolving needs of clients.

Laura Clarkson, partner, head of healthcare at Forvis Mazars in the UK, said: “We are thrilled to announce Lisa’s appointment as partner, a well deserved recognition of her exceptional contribution to both our team and clients.

“Lisa’s expertise and in-depth understanding of the healthcare sector are invaluable as we continue to strengthen the services we offer for new and existing clients and we have no doubt that with Lisa’s guidance, the team will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Lisa has two decades of experience in the healthcare finance sector. She also sits on the ICAEW healthcare advisory group panel.

::

Emma James

Child-led natural day nursery group, Back to the Garden Childcare, has announced two key leadership updates.

Emma James, director of support services for the McGoff Group, has expanded her role to become operations director at Back to the Garden, and current nursery manager, Ann-Marie Ellison, has been appointed nursery director and nominated individual with Ofsted.

Extending her current role, Emma will leverage her extensive experience in business operations and proven ability to drive efficiency and innovation to streamline nursery operations and ensure sustainable growth.

Back to the Garden is part of the Altrincham-based McGoff Group, a £150m collection of like-minded construction businesses focused predominantly on the delivery of new build developments in the healthcare, residential and commercial sectors.

Emma currently oversees essential compliance, business operations and HR support for all McGoff Group companies so including Back to the Garden was a natural fit.

Stepping up from nursery manager, Ann-Marie becomes nursery director taking responsibility for the important relationship with Ofsted.

“We are thrilled to welcome Emma and Ann-Marie to their new roles,” said McGoff Group chairman, Dave McGoff.

“Their combined expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand and grow Back to the Garden. We are confident that they will play a vital role in ensuring the continued success of our nursery and providing a nurturing and enriching environment for the children in our care.”