People: DSW; Butcher & Barlow; Rickitt Mitchell; Integritas; Fisher German; Appleyard Lees; PM+M; Manchester Uni
Business advisory group, Dow Schofield Watts, has appointed Shru Morris as its new chief executive, marking a significant step in the Daresbury-based firm’s continued growth and commitment to empowering entrepreneurial talent.
In her new role, Morris will drive DSW’ growth by expanding its licensee network, which offers ambitious professionals the opportunity to build and scale their own advisory businesses. She will also lead the firm’s diversification strategy and oversee future acquisitions, building on its 2024 purchase of DR Solicitors.
Founder, James Dow, steps down as CEO and takes on a new position as executive director. He will remain actively involved in shaping the firm’s strategic direction, mentoring advisers across the network, and representing the business through his ambassadorial role for both Dow Schofield Watts and the international Pandea network.
Morris joined DSW in August 2024 as deputy CEO and has served as CEO designate since November 2024.
As part of the leadership team, Pete Fendall will continue as chief finance and operating officer. Fendall, who joined the firm in 2021 after eight years at Deloitte, plays a central role in operational strategy and supporting the expansion of the licensee network.
Shru Morris said: “It’s a real privilege to step into the role of CEO of Dow Schofield Watts. Since founding the business, James has done an outstanding job of taking it from strength to strength and establishing a serious challenger platform to traditional advisory firms.
“I’m very much looking forward to leading the business through its next chapter as we continue to grow and diversify our licensee businesses and attract ambitious entrepreneurs.”
James Dow said: “Since establishing Dow Schofield Watts more than 20 years ago, I am extremely proud of everything that the team has achieved in that time.
“Shru has already done an excellent job in leading the business through recent successes, and her experience will be invaluable to Dow Schofield Watts’s expansion and diversification journey.”
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Asim Din
Bury-based Legal 500 firm Butcher & Barlow has promoted three team members as part of its ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening its legal expertise across the North West.
Asim Din and Helen Chadderton have been promoted to partner, while Benjamin Davenport-Lawton has been promoted to associate.
Asim Din joined Butcher & Barlow two years ago and has quickly established himself as a key contributor to the firm’s success. Asim said: “Joining the firm has been a breath of fresh air. From the outset, I have been entrusted by senior management to play a meaningful role in the business and given the freedom to grow and develop.
Helen Chadderton
“Becoming a partner is the culmination of years of dedication and trust built with both colleagues and clients. I look forward to helping drive the firm’s continued success.”
Helen Chadderton, who has been with the firm for several years, said: “I work in a fantastic office environment with supportive colleagues, and the encouragement I’ve received – both in terms of my client work and professional development – has been invaluable. I was incredibly proud to be invited to become a partner at Butcher & Barlow.”
Ben Davenport-Lawton
Ben Davenport-Lawton began his career at Butcher & Barlow as a paralegal in 2018, before qualifying as a solicitor in 2021. He has since built a strong reputation within the agricultural law sector and works closely with clients across Cheshire and beyond.
He said: “I was drawn to Butcher & Barlow because of its standing in agricultural law and over the years I have been supported in developing my expertise. This promotion is a significant milestone for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue growing within the firm.”
Senior partner, Jonathan Aldersley, said: “Recognising and developing talent from within is a key part of our firm’s ethos. Asim, Helen, and Ben have each demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and commitment to their clients. Their promotions are well deserved and I have no doubt that they will continue to contribute significantly to the firm’s success.”
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Neil Mitchell
Independent M&A advisory firm, Rickitt Mitchell, has appointed Neil Mitchell as its new managing partner.
Joining Manchester-based Rickitt Mitchell in 2004 and promoted to partner in 2014, Mitchell boasts a corporate finance career spanning more than 20 years. Throughout his career Neil has advised on transactions valued in excess of £1.75bn and has led countless disposals, acquisitions and IPO processes to a successful conclusion, many of which have been private equity-backed or had international involvement.
Neil also brings a global perspective through the firm’s international partners, as part of M&A Worldwide. Leading the UK market’s efforts in the healthcare sector, Neil works with fellow M&A experts in 35 countries across six continents.
He said: “We have always been one of the most active independent players in the UK M&A space. We’ve built an industry-leading team that has delivered fantastic results for business owners, where our advice has not just benefited our clients, but contributed to the wider economic performance of the region.
“After what has been a more subdued deals market recently, we’re beginning to see signs of recovery as strong, high growth businesses are increasingly coming back to market. Having built enduring relationships with businesses and sponsors alike, coupled with our deep sector knowledge and a unique global perspective, we’re well placed to capitalise on this momentum, and I look forward to leading the charge on this.”
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Reece Farley
Integritas Property Group has announced the expansion of its development team with the addition of four new professionals, each bringing a wealth of expertise.
The new hires include Dan James, planner, Paul Smiles, design manager, Gareth Davies, senior quantity surveyor and Reece Farley, assistant quantity surveyor.
With extensive experience in planning, design, cost management, and financial oversight, the new team members will contribute to project execution, financial viability, and high quality outcomes.
Dan James
Dan James’s background includes working on major projects such as One Baltic Square and Heaps Mill, where he developed robust contract programmes, monitored project progress, and identified risks at every stage.
Paul Smiles brings a deep understanding of architectural and technical design coordination. His experience delivering carbon net-zero developments and working on restricted city centres will help integrate architectural intent and on-site construction.
Paul Smiles
Gareth Davies has a track record of managing high value projects, including those exceeding £30m in residential and healthcare developments. He brings a strategic approach to budget forecasting and value engineering.
Reece Farley joins from Manna Construction Group, with a strong background in cost estimation, budgeting, and contract management, He will play a vital role in ensuring strict budget control, accurate financial projections, and the efficient procurement of subcontractor packages.
Emma Greenaway, operations director with Liverpool-based Integritas, said: “We are excited to welcome Dan, Paul, Gareth, and Reece to the Integritas Property Group team. Their skills and experience will help in reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional developments across the North West with precision, quality, and financial stability.”
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L-R: Chloe Dowd, Kaitlyn Ward, Marcus Baumber
Property consultancy, Fisher German, has made a trio of promotions in the North West after an impressive period of growth.
It has promoted Chloe Dowd and Kaitlyn Ward to senior surveyors in its Liverpool office in Tithebarn Street, while Marcus Baumber has also been promoted to senior surveyor at the company’s Deansgate office in Manchester.
Partner, Phil Winckles, said their promotions were fully deserved and reflected the strength of its teams in the North West: “Our bi-annual promotions recognise our growing presence in the region, and it is tremendous recognition of the hard work and talent of Chloe, Kaitlyn and Marcus as well as their contribution to their teams, our business and the culture of the partnership.”
The promotions in the North West are part of 64 across areas of Fisher German.
Senior partner, Richard Benson, said: “These promotions recognise the very best of Fisher German and the hard work so many colleagues put in every day to add value for our clients.
“Huge congratulations to all those promoted, it is thoroughly deserved and ensures that we continue to build for the future across our business.”
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L-R: Paul Roscoe, Beverley Robinson, Sarah Gibbs, James Myatt
Business advisor Appleyard Lees has announced that Paul Roscoe, Beverley Robinson, Sarah Gibbs and James Myatt have joined the partnership. This marks the largest cohort to join the partnership, which has officers in Manchester and Leeds.
Paul Roscoe and James Myatt are based in Manchester and Beverley Robinson and Sarah Gibbs are in the Leeds office.
Paul is one of a handful of UK patent attorneys who specialise in patenting cutting-edge computer technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Beverley is a trade mark and designs expert, and is leading the development of the firm’s growing, specialist designs team.
Sarah works with clients to patent chemical and biotech inventions that span technologies and industries, including in the growing area of ChemBio.
James was a drug discovery researcher for many years and now works with highly innovative companies.
Managing partner, Bobby Smithson, said: “I am incredibly proud of our new cohort of partners. They each embody what it means to be a partner at Appleyard Lees – an unwavering commitment to clients and colleagues and a dedication to the firm’s long held culture and values.
“I have no doubt they will strengthen our partnership and continue to inspire those around them. I am excited to see the impact they will make in the years ahead.”::
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PM+M promotions
Blackburn and Bury-based PM+M, the chartered accountancy, business advisory and financial planning group, has made 20 promotions across the firm.
The most senior appointments are Samantha Whittle who has been made a director in the financial planning team, and Kathryn Rigbye, who is now a director in the people team.
Other promotions include two new senior advisers: Mohammed Patel (accounting and advisory) and Steven Flores (cloud accounting). Six people have been promoted to adviser level. They are: Freddie Park (tax), Muneebah Pathan (payroll), Tyler Morton (cloud accounting), and Dylan Howorth, Benedict Smith and Afeefah Panchbhaya (audit, accounting and advisory).
Another six team members are now supervisors: Nicola Day (accounting and advisory), Ellie Morton (risk and compliance), Paula Blurton (cloud accounting) as well as Georgina Russell, Rebecca Nuttall and George Gibson who all specialise in audit, accounting and advisory work, while Luke Irving is now a manager in the cloud accounting team, and Declan Bateson is a financial planning trainee adviser.
The final promotions are in the marketing and business development team. Helen Buchan is now a manager, and Rebecca Campbell is an assistant manager.
Managing partner, Helen Clayton, said: “Myself and the rest of the senior leadership team always look forward to this time of year when we announce the latest tranche of promotions.
“Every single one is hugely deserved and are a result of hard work, talent and dedication.”
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An unprecedented five academics from The University of Manchester have been recognised as leading experts in their fields by being named as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.
New Fellows are named in recognition of their excellence and impact, and their advancement of social sciences for the public good. The Academy comprises more than 1,400 Fellows, 46 societies and affiliates, forming a 90,000-strong network that cements the UK’s global leadership in social sciences.
Joining them is Prof Sherilyn MacGregor, a leading scholar in environmental politics who is internationally renowned for her expertise in ecological feminism and environmental justice.
She said: “I will continue to do work that supports community struggles for eco-social justice, inspired by the countless mentors who have taught me the necessity and the rewards of engaged scholarship.”
Also named as a new Fellow is Prof Stefan Bouzarovski, who also co-leads a core working group of the JUST Centre as well as the Energy Demand Research Centre. Honoured by the EU as an ‘Ordinary Hero’, Stefan is an expert on energy regulation, urban inequality and housing vulnerability who has influenced global climate policies as the university’s associate research director for impact.
He said: “All academic work is collective, and this Fellowship is equally the result of multiple years of cooperation with numerous researchers and practitioners across the world.”
Deputy director of the JUST Centre, Prof Matthew Paterson, is a globally recognised expert in climate politics and environmental governance whose work explores the political economy of climate change, global environmental governance and sustainable transformations.
He said: “I look forward to engaging with other Fellows, and using the visibility of the Academy with them to help public understanding of what it will take to address the climate crisis.”
Prof Toni Haastrup is a leading expert in feminist international studies. Her work has explored contemporary Africa-EU relations, feminist foreign policy and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
She said: “This recognition further validates the importance of feminist perspectives within the humanities and social sciences, at a time we are increasingly seeing a backlash within and outside the academy.”
Prof Sophie Woodward is a distinguished sociologist who carries out research into material culture, consumption and everyday life. She said: “I look forward to working with other Fellows at a time when the world needs social science methods, perspectives and critiques more than ever.”
Academy president, Will Hutton, welcomed the new Fellows, saying: “We look forward to working with them to further promote the vital role the social sciences play in all areas of our lives.”
