People: NWBLT: Clearwater; Tristone; Fortidia; Colliers; Leonard Curtis; Land Studio; Intro; Harrison Drury
The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) has created a new strategic partnership with the Northern Nuclear Alliance (NNA), which will involve the NNA’s chair and NWBLT member, Rachel O’Donnell, also chairing the NWBLT’s innovation and growth subgroup.
The purpose of the partnership is to support the shared goal of advocating for the ongoing success of, and investment into, the nuclear sector in the region, which is home to a nationally significant hub for the industry and 28,000 people employed in power generation, research and decommissioning in Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire.
NNA members are a group of like-minded nuclear industry organisations who share their collective business knowledge and who collaborate to make nuclear a success.
NWBLT chair, Simone Peppi, said: “This partnership will cement the importance of the nuclear sector to the North West.
“With so many people in the North West being reliant on the industry, it is vital that we work closely with each other and share knowledge to ensure that the region is best placed to benefit from the considerable rewards that can come from the sector,” she continued.”
Rachel O’Donnell said: “We were a driving force behind the North West’s ‘Made Smarter’ pilot and we continue to advocate for investment in science-based assets and champion the benefits of digitalisation, high performance computing and AI.”
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Zack Goddard
Clearwater, the corporate finance advisory firm, has promoted Zack Goddard, based in Manchester to Partner.
Part of the Industrials team, he recently advised on the sale of specialist power connections provider JSM Group to TowerBrook Capital Partners and the sale of technical engineering specialist BGEN Group to CVC-backed M Group Services.
The promotion comes after Clearwater’s strongest since 2021, when the global M&A market rebounded strongly following COVID-19. During 2024 the firm advised on over 70 transactions.
Mark Taylor, Clearwater’s UK CEO, said: “Over many years at Clearwater we’ve consistently enhanced our dedicated sector coverage, with true industry experts, based across our regional offices that have access to our international network. We’ve also invested heavily in our people to differentiate ourselves from competitors centralising teams and scaling back their regional footprints.”
Zack Goddard said: “Having seen the business go from strength to strength during my eight years at Clearwater, it is a huge honour to be joining the partnership. We have great momentum in the market with a talented and growing team and some fantastic clients, making it a really exciting time for the business.”
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Dawn Lundergan
Tristone Healthcare, part of buy-and-build-and-hold investment company Tristone Group, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Dawn Lundergan as director of safeguarding.
She brings more than 30 years’ experience to Tristone, with a wealth of expertise in safeguarding, including leadership in residential childcare, working as a LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) and having been a director of safeguarding within the charity sector and in education.
She joins Tristone’s Manchester office having previously worked for Rochdale Safeguarding Children’s board, as well as acting as an independent investigator for national safeguarding panel, Sports Resolutions.
At Tristone, she will be responsible for safeguarding strategy, safer recruitment, leading operational auditing activity, including property quality checks for the CQC and 16 to 18-year-old provision, heading up investigations and grievances, as well as joining Tristone’s Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB).
Rob Finney, Tristone chief operating officer, said: “Dawn’s in-depth knowledge and expertise into safeguarding matters and early intervention across education, the local authority landscape and social care, will be invaluable to our portfolio of businesses, as we continue to take a proactive approach to protecting the wellbeing of every child, young person and adult in our care.”
Dawn said: “The quality and diversity of the Tristone portfolio was a real draw for me, joining a passionate team of industry specialists who are all committed to delivering the highest standards across the social care sector.”
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Ian Coggle
Fortidia UK has appointed Ian Coggle as network sales and operations supervisor for the South West of England to help support franchise growth in the region.
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.
Based from offices in Poole, Ian’s role will see him providing hands-on support and advice to franchisees across all three brands, aimed at helping them to develop and grow their businesses.
With a 16-year career in sales and marketing, Ian’s previous roles include managing director of a B2B marketing agency, working directly in support of growing SMEs and franchised businesses.
He said: “Heading up the South West operations of the NSO team at Fortidia, my role will be to support the network operationally, helping our franchisees to grow and expand by integrating at the optimum level with the head office team to make best use of the full range of resources available.”
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Robert Smithson
Commercial real estate firm, Colliers, has promoted three staff in its Manchester office, effective from this month.
Sophie Crossley (rating) and Robert Smithson (hotels agency and parks) have been promoted to director, while Rebecca Farquhar (valuation) has stepped into the role of associate director.
These promotions recognise their dedication, expertise, and contribution to the firm’s success in recent years, particularly during a record-breaking 2024 in terms of revenue and profit.
Dominic Pozzoni, head of Colliers’ Manchester office, said: “These well earned promotions reflect the exceptional talent we have within the Manchester office.
“These three individuals have made a significant impact, demonstrating expertise, commitment, and a client first approach in everything they do.
Sophie Crossley
“Their contributions have been instrumental in strengthening our presence in the region, and I look forward to seeing them continue to thrive in their new roles.”
John Munday, Colliers UK CEO, said: “I am thrilled to be celebrating the recognition of this group of talented individuals across the business who have shown their passion for seeing Colliers and our clients succeed.
“I’m sure many of them will be the future leaders within Colliers and the real estate industry, and I’m proud of their dedication and determination to be innovative and deliver excellence.”
The achievements of Colliers’ Manchester office employees are part of a wider recognition across the firm, with 65 promotions made across the UK.
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Becky Owen and Mark Robinson
Professional services group, Leonard Curtis, has appointed Mark Robinson as business development manager, further strengthening its funding team in Manchester.
Mark joins the firm following 25 years’ experience in financial services, including roles with Barclays, Aldermore and Allied Irish Bank.
He brings significant experience, having advised businesses across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and engineering, professional services and law.
Head of funding, Becky Owen, said: “It is fantastic to be able to welcome Mark to the team. His vast experience and customer centric approach align with our culture and will allow us to support more clients with bespoke funding.”
Mark Robinson said: “Leonard Curtis has a great team supporting its clients and their funding needs, with a focus on service and a clear point of difference in the market.
“Having held roles as both a broker and a funder, I am well placed to support clients in achieving their objectives, positioning funding requests to deliver the best outcome.”
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From left: David, Lyn and Melissa
Land Studio is expanding with the appointment of three new people to its ecology team.
The Chester and North Wales-based firm, which provides clients with landscape architecture, civil engineering and ecology services, has appointed Lyn Pearce as its new director of ecology.
She is joined by senior ecologist, Daniel Finegan and consultant ecologist, Melissa Finch.
Lyn brings extensive experience as an ecologist and has led large scale, complex ecology projects across both the private and public sectors, including residential developments, rail infrastructure, utilities, quarries and parks/nature conservation schemes.
Simon Richards, founder and director of Land Studio, said: “We are seeing increasing demand for our specialist ecology offering both as a stand-alone service and also as part of a more holistic offering.”
Lyn Pearce said: “I’m thrilled to have come on board at Land Studio at such an exciting time for the business and to be joined in the ecology team by Daniel and Melissa.”
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Intro team
Carlisle PR agency, Intro, is expanding by taking on three new members of staff.
The company, based on Paternoster Row, has recruited social media specialist Maddie Roe, account manager Amber Patterson, and writer Mark Walton.
Maddie, from West Cumbria, graduated from Newcastle University in 2023 with a Degree in Business, Media, Communications and Cultural Studies. After graduating, she gained experience in agency-based marketing, working with a range of clients in different industries, but decided to return to Cumbria to be closer to family and friends.
She said: “My role at Intro involves building relationships between businesses and their audiences, creating engaging content that sparks conversations, and helping businesses with their online presence in a fast-paced digital landscape.”
Carlisle-born Amber also studied in Newcastle, earning a First Class Degree in Fashion Communication at Northumbria University.
She began her career at Twist, a Tyneside PR and marketing agency, where she progressed to the role of digital marketing manager.
Amber said: “My focus is on proactive project management, resource co-ordination and collaboration, as well as budget oversight, all with the goal of driving measurable outcomes and exceeding client expectations.”
Having previously been a freelance writer for Intro, Mark, originally from Stoke-on-Trent, returns after working for the Evening Standard in London.
He said: “It’s a pleasure to be back working for Intro during an exciting time as it looks to widen its roster of clients and promote all that is positive about Cumbria.”
Intro director, Helen Statham, who co-founded the agency with Nick Turner in 2017, welcomed the three “exceptional new members who each bring a high level of expertise in their particular fields. It reinforces our commitment to doing all we can to help make Cumbria a better place.”
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Duncan Rawlinson and Kelechi Maduakolam
North West law firm, Harrison Drury, has further strengthened its residential conveyancing team with the appointment of Kelechi Maduakolam.
Kelechi, who joins from Russell and Russell Solicitors, has experience in dealing with a wide variety of residential property transactions, acting for individuals, companies and lenders.
He is able to advise clients on residential property sales, purchases, equity release, remortgages and transfers of equity.
Duncan Rawlinson, partner and head of the residential conveyancing team, said: “Kelechi becomes the 18th member of our growing team and will help us continue providing high quality support to our clients across the North West.”
Kelechi said: “This felt like a great opportunity, and I’m so pleased to be joining the team.”
Kelechi graduated from Staffordshire University in 2017 with a law degree and, while working his way through university, qualified as a Gateway Assessor for Citizens Advice Bureau.
He continued his education with an LPC (Legal Practice Course) at the University of Law (Manchester), graduating in November 2019 and qualifying as a solicitor in November 2022.
