People: Northern Gritstone; M&T Hotel Mgmnt; BWS; University of GM; Stiebel Eltron; Equity Release Group; Glaisyers ETL
Northern Gritstone, the life sciences and deeptech investment firm, has promoted Joanne Hosker to the newly created role of head of NG Innovation Services.
NG Innovation Services is Northern Gritstone’s ‘early-stage toolkit’ accelerating growth of its portfolio companies by working closely with their leadership teams. Hosker joined NG Innovation Services in March 2024 to establish NG Talent – a programme mentoring early stage leaders and connecting them with sector-specific entrepreneurs, operating partners and c-suite expertise.
Hosker will now oversee NG Innovation Services’ entire business including the venture building programme NG Studios and the best-in-class provider panel NG Business Services.
Hosker’s new role also sees her become a member of the Northern Gritstone executive committee.
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “Joanne has successfully built NG Talent, mentoring business leaders and connecting them with talented people. Her experience in supporting our early stage portfolio companies as they scale for growth makes her well placed to lead NG Innovation Services”
Joanne Hosker said: “NG Innovation Services is the Capital+++ of Northern Gritstone and Gritstone and is a vital part of how we support early-stage companies on the path to success. This is a critical time to support growth and innovation in the north and I’m delighted to lead a business that makes a difference.”
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Steven Burgess
M&T Hotel Management has launched ‘Lavelle’, a new restaurant concept at its DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Airport property.
It is the first launch under the direction of M&T’s latest senior hire, Steven Burgess, who has joined M&T’s team of industry expert advisors to drive a new era of destination restaurants and bars in hotels, or ‘R&B’.
Steven said: “We’re creating restaurants and bars in hotels, not hotel restaurants and bars – it might feel like a subtle difference, but it’s much more significant than that. That’s why we are moving away from talking about ‘F&B’ and talking about restaurants and bars, or ‘R&B’ – it no longer describes what is really happening.”
As group head of restaurant operations, Burgess, himself a trained chef, brings a 20+ year career in bars, restaurants and hospitality. He is overseeing and innovating restaurant and bar operations across M&T’s UK portfolio of 22 UK hotels, from brand development to operational performance, working closely with hotel teams.
Prior to joining M&T, Steven was a key figure in Liverpool’s increasingly revered and award-winning restaurant and bar scene. He was a founding partner of the renowned Camp & Furnace, which is now at the heart of the reimagined Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool. More recently, he managed national hospitality consultancy practice, Lucky Penny Group.
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Michael Baron
Lancashire-based bid management and writing firm, BWS, has promoted its commercial director, Michael Baron, to the position of managing director.
Michael’s career as an accomplished executive-level leader spans decades, with a breadth of experience on his resume including stints at companies such as Recycling Lives, Taziker, and Havelock International.
This latest change to the senior leadership team marks the continuation of a period of strong growth for the firm, following their win of the Micro Business of the Year Award at the 2024 Red Rose Awards, and a nomination for BIBAs Scale-up Business of the Year 2024.
Michael said: “I’m very pleased and proud to step into the role of managing director at BWS. My focus moving forwards will be on continuing to deliver excellence across all areas of the business, as myself and the team strive to build on our already exceptional reputation for demonstrating best practice across the industry.
“We will continue to prioritise supporting our clients in delivering consistently high quality bid and proposal submissions across a wide range of industries, and hopefully expanding our service offering even further.”
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Nick Richardson
The University of Greater Manchester says Nick Richardson, founder of The Insights Family, has been appointed as a visiting business Fellow and entrepreneur in residence.
The appointment comes in recognition of Nick’s business successes and contributions to the Greater Manchester ecosystem.
Nick received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2022, for his outstanding contribution to innovation, and sits on the university’s Industry Advisory Board.
Nick founded The Insights Family in 2017, with a vision to revolutionise the way businesses understand and engage with families and children.
As entrepreneur in residence, Nick will be involved in a range of activities, including guest lectures, mentorship programmes, and collaborative projects with students and staff in the university’s schools, working closely with Carol Brown, head of University of Greater Manchester’s Business School.
Carol said: “This is fantastic news for our students who will benefit from Nick’s laser-sharp entrepreneurial spirit and his experience in setting up and growing substantial businesses. This is the latest development in our strategy to strengthen Greater Manchester Business School as an accessible business school, where students learn about enterprise through practice”.
Nick said: “I am honoured to join the University of Greater Manchester as entrepreneur in residence. The University of Greater Manchester holds a special place in my heart, as it gave me the inspiration and courage to set up The Insights Family in 2016. I look forward to contributing to the university’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and inspiring the next generation of innovators.”
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John Felgate
Bromborough-based heat pump manufacturer, Stiebel Eltron, has appointed John Felgate as its new managing director for the UK and Ireland.
John takes over from the departing Mark McManus, who leaves the organisation having spent 17 years with the company, with John taking up the role on May 1, 2025.
With more than 25 years of experience in building services manufacturing, John has an impressive reputation as a commercial and technical expert in the industry, and has been instrumental in growing Stiebel Eltron UK’s presence in the country’s renewable heating market
John, who previously served as head of technical, worked closely with Mark to see the company experience significant growth, expand its product portfolio, and become a driver of the UK’s transition to low carbon heating solutions.
Heinz-Werner Schmidt, managing director for sales and marketing at the Stiebel Eltron Group, said: “John’s appointment means a seamless transition to our new leadership is ensured.
“We expect this to be an exciting year for Stiebel Eltron UK. With innovative new products to bring to the market, John is charged with maximising growth and market share. With his impressive experience and vision, John stood out to us as the obvious candidate.”
John said: “I know that I have the very best team in the industry around me, supporting the highest quality products and working with the most skilled installer customers, retail and wholesale partners. It is a privilege to take on the role and I am excited to take on the challenges it offers.”
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Gavin Alden
Whole of market equity release experts, Equity Release Group, has unveiled a trio of new hires that will join the group’s equity release advisory business – Equity Release Supermarket – as it expands its UK-wide operations.
The group comprises three divisions: Equity Release Partners; Equity Release Supermarket; and Equitec, powering the future of equity release technology.
The latest appointments are independent advisers Gavin Alden, Stuart Young and Hayley Larham, who all bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from within the financial services sector.
Hayley Larham
CEO and founder, Mark Gregory, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Gary, Stuart and Hayley to our well established team and to further strengthen our position.”
With more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services arena, Gavin has an extensive knowledge of the mortgage and later life lending market. He brings vast expertise, coupled with a personal and transparent approach to his clients.
He said: “I am truly honoured and excited to join this incredible firm.”
Stuart Young
Stuart and Hayley both have a UK-wide presence.
Equity Release Partners – the whole of market and independent referral service for intermediaries – has also aided a significant part of the firm’s growth in the past 12 months.
This is following an increase in referrals, in part due to the FCA stressing the importance for mortgage brokers to provide holistic advice and have a referral network in place.
Having the ability to assess all suitable options, as well as having an extended team of advisers in place, ensures intermediaries receive the best possible solution for their clients.
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L-R: Kene Anthony-Okeke, Amelia Mansfield, Jasmin Knowles, Nisha Patel, Chino Osuji
Commercial law firm, Glaisyers ETL, has boosted its team with seven new starters in the first quarter of 2025.
Its real estate team has been strengthened with the appointment of associate Chino Osuji in Liverpool and solicitor Jasmin Knowles, based in Manchester. Mr Osuji joins from DWF, while Ms Knowles was previously with Salehs Solicitors.
The private client team, meanwhile, has taken on paralegal Amelia Mansfield, who joins from Gorvins Residential. The firm’s back office has also been strengthened with the appointment of legal cashier Nisha Patel.
Three trainee solicitors have also joined the firm.
Nottingham and BPP University graduate Kene Anthony-Okeke was a paralegal in the real estate team at Gorvins before commencing his training contract with Glaisyers ETL this spring.
Patrick Dutton is a University of Liverpool graduate who has recently completed his SQE qualification with the University of Law.
Hafsa Khan has also joined the firm as a trainee, on secondment from the cryptocurrency and investment fraud specialist WRS ETL, a fellow member of the ETL Global group.
Russell Brown, managing partner at Glaisyers ETL, said: “It is a real pleasure to welcome Chino, Jasmin, Amelia, Nisha, Kene, Patrick and Hafsa to the team. They are already making great contributions to the firm, and I look forward to witnessing their progress over the months ahead.
“I would like to extend an especially warm welcome to our three new trainees. At Glaisyers ETL we are committed to developing talent for the future of our firm and the profession as a whole, and I wish each of them all the best as they embark on this journey with us.”
