People: Armstrong Watson; Marketing Cheshire; DLA Piper; Plus Dane Housing; Astoriom; Harrison Drury
Accountants and business adviser, Armstrong Watson has announced the appointment of tax partner, Tania Dimitrovich.
Tania brings more than 20 years’ corporate tax experience to the team and will lead Armstrong Watson’s tax practice in Manchester.
Tania joins after 13 years with KPMG, where she spent the last five as a tax director. She held various roles at the Big Four firm and worked with diverse clients and sector specialisms, including tax risk management and governance, real estate and transactions, and the public sector.
Originally training with HMRC as both a corporation tax inspector and Chartered Tax Advisor, Tania worked as a customer relationship manager for some of the largest businesses in the South West.
Tania said: “I’m looking forward to being able to build a local team and help the Manchester office grow.”
Becky Bowness, head of tax, said: “Tania brings a wealth of experience advising clients on complex corporate tax matters and adds further depth to our tax offering with her extensive knowledge and experience advising on tax risk and governance. The strategic appointment of Tania to lead our tax offering in Manchester marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of our Manchester team.”
Armstrong Watson expanded into Manchester in 2022, when it acquired specialist automotive advisory business ASE Professional Services and moved into a new office in Cheadle Royal Business Park, near Manchester Airport.
Since then, the team has grown significantly, with the recruitment of 17 additional staff including audit and assurance partner and office lead Steve Preston and restructuring and insolvency partner Lindsey Cooper.
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Chris Naylor
The manager of the UK’s biggest designer outlet, a tour operator chief and director of an historic estate are among a new ‘super six’ team of experts enlisted to spearhead the continued growth of Cheshire’s £3.9bn visitor economy.
Marketing Cheshire, the region’s tourism body, has confirmed the names of its new board members who bring with them a wealth of experience and business acumen straddling the tourism, retail and hospitality sectors.
In March, Marketing Cheshire confirmed it had appointed Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, the UK’s most visited paid attraction outside London, as its chair.
Today it was confirmed the board will be bolstered further with the appointment of six high-calibre new recruits.
Kirsten Warren
They are: Kenny Murray, general manager, of Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet; Kirsten Warren, assistant director for the North, National Trust; James Hall, senior agent and director of Cholmondeley Estates; Chris Naylor, owner and MD of the Boutique Hotel Group; David Lyne, managing director, Barton Hill Travel; and Rachel Scott, marketing and business development director at the Bolesworth Estate near Tattenhall.
Marketing Cheshire’s chair, Jamie Christon, said: “Thanks to our world class attractions, innovative businesses and stunning destinations, Cheshire and Warrington’s visitor economy is worth £3.9bn a year and supports 38,000 jobs.
“We attract more than 56 million visits a year with ambitions for significant growth in the coming years.
“These six new board members hold crucial roles across the visitor economy. Their collective expertise and insights will ensure our work to enhance and promote our tourism offer continues to evolve and thrive.”
Marketing Cheshire worked with recruitment specialists, Sherrington Associates, to appoint the new chair, and several new members for the board.
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Gary Davies
Global law firm. DLA Piper, announces 65 promotions to its partnership, including three in the North West.
Globally, the corporate practice group has the largest intake of new partners with 19 promotions; followed by 12 in finance; 13 in litigation; and six in real estate. Other practice groups include employment (five), intellectual property and technology (five), tax (three), and regulatory and government affairs (two).
The North West appointments include Gary Davies (employment) in Liverpool, and Ben Morton and Rob Lyons (finance) in Manchester.
Mark Beardwood, North West office managing partner, said: “Ben Morton, Gary Davies and Rob Lyons have shown that they are trusted advisors and it’s wonderful to welcome them to the partnership.
“I am certain that they will devise smart, creative solutions for our clients as partners in the projects, pensions and restructuring teams, respectively.”
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Max Steinberg
Max Steinberg has taken the helm as the new chair of Plus Dane Housing.
A well known business leader across the North West, he has a wealth of senior experience across the regeneration, innovation, health, culture and housing sectors.
His appointment marks a return to his roots in housing, where he began his career 50 years ago, an anniversary he shares with Plus Dane, which also celebrates its 50-year milestone this year.
He started his working life at Liverpool City Council in 1975, before moving to the Housing Corporation where he spent 25 years. In 2003 he became chief executive of Elevate East Lancashire, a housing market renewal pathfinder that evolved into an economic development company.
Max was awarded the OBE in 1997 for services to Housing and Regeneration on Merseyside, and the CBE for services to Business and the Community in 2013.
He said: “Becoming chair of Plus Dane marks a return to my roots in housing which I began 50 years ago. I am a firm believer that everyone has a right to a good quality, decent and safe home, so I am excited to be back supporting this important sector.
“The past four years has brought major changes to housing and the board will need to support the executive team to navigate this, so that we continue to be a strong and sustainable provider.”
Ian Reed, Plus Dane chief executive, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Max back to an organisation he has known and worked alongside for many years. Max has an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience that made him an exceptional candidate for our new chair, and I look forward to working with him to shape the future of Plus Dane.”
Max joined the board of Plus Dane as chair designate in October last year as part of its succession planning. Sir Peter Fahy stepped down at the end of his nine-year tenure as chair in March, in line with the organisation’s governance policy and procedures.
The former head of economic development agency Liverpool Vision, Max has served as chair on the boards of a number of organisations throughout his career, including Riverside Housing, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, and The ACC Liverpool Group.
Max is currently the chair of Shakespeare North Playhouse and chair of The Walton Centre Foundation Trust Hospital Board and has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside since 2020.
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Ryan Smith
Astoriom, a global player in the R&D sample stability and biorepository storage industry, has appointed Ryan Smith as global head of sales.
He will build on the strong foundation already in place to further scale Rochdale-based Astoriom’s portfolio of sample stability storage, biorepository storage, disaster protection and recovery, as well as sample storage equipment and validation services.
Ryan has more than two decades of experience leading global commercial teams in life sciences to deliver revenue growth, optimise commercial processes, and scale global operations.
He has a BS in Human Biology with a minor in Business Administration, from the University of Indianapolis.
Lori A Ball, Astoriom CEO, said: “We’re committed to investing in world class leadership to deliver exceptional service, innovation, and global scalability. Ryan’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in Astoriom’s growth trajectory. He brings a deep understanding of the unique demands of R&D, regulatory compliance, and expanding biopharma operations.”
Ryan Smith said: “I very much look forward to being a part of a company that is well-positioned to be the global industry leader within the R&D sample stability and biorepository services market and building on the strong foundation they’ve created. Having the opportunity to apply the knowledge, processes and strategies I’ve developed over the last 20 years at this phase of the company’s growth is really exciting.”
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Jennifer Potts and Jake McLaughlin
North West law firm, Harrison Drury, has appointed associate solicitor, Jake McLaughlin, to join its commercial property team in Manchester.
Jake, who joins from BBS Law, specialises in secured lending, having spent several years working closely with a major national lending company, and is experienced in acting for a range of lenders, from bridging finance providers to private investors.
He will advise on complex loan arrangements, including purchases, sales, refinancing, and new developments, and is well-versed in dual representation.
Jennifer Potts, legal director in Harrison Drury’s commercial property team, said: “Jake’s experience in secured lending, corporate support and dealing with commercial property transactions make him another valuable addition to our growing team in Manchester.
“He’s well known for working with a wide range of clients and his handling of complex property transactions. His arrival strengthens our offering across the North West and shows our commitment to providing clients with expert legal advice.”
Jake said: “I’m looking forward to joining the team at Harrison Drury. They’ve got a great reputation, especially in commercial property, and it’s an opportunity to be part of the firm’s continued growth in Manchester.”
