People: SAS Daniels; Avison Young; Peel Ports Group; Wirral Council; FSB; Social; H&H Group
Cheshire-based law firm, SAS Daniels, is celebrating the recent promotion of Aisling Foley, from solicitor to associate.
Working in the firm’s employment law team, Aisling covers all areas of employment law with a focus on settlement agreements and employment contracts.
Aisling joined the business as a trainee solicitor in 2019, working in family, residential property and employment. With a particular interest in employment law, Aisling became a fully qualified solicitor in 2021 and moved permanently to the employment team.
CEO, Jeremy Orrell, said: “I would like to congratulate Aisling on her hard earned promotion and thank her for her valuable contributions to the success of the firm, a reflection of her passion, dedication and hard work.
“It has been a pleasure to see Aisling succeed in her profession, and I look forward to seeing her develop in her new position.”
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Ed Harvey
Global real estate firm, Avison Young UK, has announced 43 senior promotions across the business to associate director and director levels.
In Manchester, two team members have been promoted to director, alongside two promotions to associate director. These include: Ed Harvey as director – Place; Emily Davies as director – Place; Mandy Poon as associate director – Rating and Technology; Kate Young as associate director – Client and Business Solutions.
Nick Walkley, principal and UK president, said: “I look forward to working closely with this highly skilled cohort of new senior leaders, who exemplify our values and will continue driving forward our vision.
“Highlighting professional excellence and dedication to our collaborative company culture, these accomplishments showcase our belief in creating positive impact.
Mandy Poon
“Underlining the wealth of internal talent at Avison Young, these promotions display the diverse expertise and experience our teams offer. We continue to invest in our people, supporting current and future leaders within the business.”
Stephen Cowperthwaite, principal and managing director, regions and Liverpool, said: “Regional investment is key to Avison Young’s growth strategy for 2025 and beyond, our local market experts are vital in achieving this goal. These promotions will help deliver real growth and net benefit to our towns, cities and communities across the UK.”
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Gareth Davies
Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second largest port operator, has appointed logistics expert Gareth Davies as sales director for the Port of Liverpool to drive commercial growth, maximise opportunities, and deliver tailored solutions for new and existing customers.
Bringing with him more than 30 years’ experience in the multimodal road and rail logistics industry, Gareth joins Peel Ports from Wincanton, where he served as head of operations, responsible for all bulk transport including fuel, food, and cement.
The appointment comes as research found almost half (47%) of UK businesses experienced supply chain disruption last year, citing unpredictable consumer demand, escalating trade tensions, and unreliable supplier networks.
Gareth said: “Supply chain inefficiencies are creating significant challenges for businesses operating all over the UK. We want to play our part in optimising supply chains for those in the project cargo, bulk materials, RoRo cargo, and many more industries, by helping them streamline their logistics.
“The Port of Liverpool is iconic, it’s at the heart of the UK supply chain, and we have a fantastic team here that I’m thrilled to be joining.”
Phil Hall, Mersey Port director, Peel Ports Group, said: “Gareth brings a wealth of experience to this role, and we’re excited to see him nurture the strong relationships we’ve built with our customers. His knowledge of the logistics industry will prove invaluable for them.”
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Marcus Shaw
Wirral Council has appointed its new director of regeneration and place, Marcus Shaw.
Marcus has been carrying out the role on an interim basis since last summer, having previously been the council’s assistant director, property and regeneration investment.
Marcus said: “I am very proud to be appointed to this key role on a permanent basis, which will give us the continuity to drive forward Wirral’s ambitious regeneration plans at pace, supported by the hard working staff within the department and the council’s wider senior management team.
“With over 16 years of experience in property and regeneration, I’m looking forward to building on the foundations laid since I took on the interim role last summer, leading the team to deliver against one of the country’s most progressive and biggest regeneration schemes.”
He added: “As we move toward adoption of our brownfield-only local plan – the culmination of years of hard work – as well as bringing forward catalyst projects such as Hind Street and Woodside, it’s an exciting time to take the helm permanently, and continue to build a better place to live, work and visit.
“I’m excited to lead the way in making Wirral’s plans a reality, working with the talent within the directorate, as well as with our wider partners.”
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Simon Edmondson
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has selected Greater Manchester businessman Simon Edmondson as Regional Chair.
He will now go on to assemble a ‘council’ of volunteers to support him and the staff team with the organisation’s aims and objectives.
He has been an FSB member for 20 years and has previously served the FSB – the UK’s largest business organisation – as the area leader for Greater Manchester in 2015 for four years. He runs a networking business with his wife, Win, and hails from Trafford.
He said: “I will be banging the drum for our small business community at all times, and there’s certainly no shortage of issues at the moment to get stuck in to.
“I want to help and support FSB staff and volunteers with the various causes we champion as an organisation – but it’s all ultimately about creating a better business environment in which our members can grow and prosper.”
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L-R: Yaems Collins, Sairah Butt, Becki Ord, Mike Burgess
Purpose-driven communications agency, Social, has made several new appointments in its Manchester office, strengthening its consultation and engagement offer.
New arrivals include Mike Burgess as consultation and engagement account manager, Yaéms Collins as designer and Sairah Butt as account executive.
Mike has joined Social having built his experience working in third and public sector communications for organisations including Groundwork Greater Manchester,
Stockport Homes and National Highways, where he was communications manager, North West.
Yaéms has worked at various agencies and as a freelance graphic designer and creative consultant, with significant experience in the built environment – a key
sector for Social. He excels at brand identity creation, graphic design, web design and working with digital platforms.
Sairah initially joined Social on a placement through the Taylor Bennett Foundation, an award-winning charity that welcomes diverse talent from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds to pursue a career in PR and communications. Having impressed during her placement and graduated from King’s College London, she was offered a full time role in the team.
Becki Ord, director at Social, and head of the Manchester office, said: “All three have hit the ground running, delivering impressive client work.
“I am particularly proud to be growing our consultation offer, which builds upon the PR, media relations and storytelling foundations of the Manchester team and wider Social business.”
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Scott Donaldson and Robin Anderson
Strengthening its leadership within livestock trading and building for the future, Carlisle-based H&H Group has made two strategic appointments.
Robin Anderson, current head of farmstock operations, will take up the role of managing director, while Scott Donaldson will move into the newly-created role of group director for H&H Group.
Both Scott and Robin take up their new positions with immediate effect.
Group chairman, Will Hamilton, said: “Following positive results and a period of continued growth and profitability, these appointments are the strategic next steps in the evolution and reach of both the group and H&H Farmstock’s influence.
“Scott has been a driving force in our business for many years, and as a group director I am confident he will continue to provide the strategic insight that will shape the future of both our farmstock division and our other businesses within the group. We are excited to see both Scott and Robin bring their guidance and vision to the next stage of H&H’s development.”
CEO, Richard Rankin, said: “These changes cement our vision and dedication to the agricultural industry, ensuring we live our mission.”
Robin said: “I’m honoured to take on this new role. The livestock industry is a dynamic and challenging sector, but with the support of our excellent team, I am confident we can continue to provide the highest level of service to our clients.”
Scott Donaldson said: “The livestock and farming industry is evolving rapidly, and my aim is to ensure H&H remains at the forefront of these sectors, adapting to the changing landscape and minimising risk.”
