People: Ascend; Fluid Marketplace; MGS Technical Plastics; Pannone Corporate; Black & White Bridging; PAS NW
Ascend, the Manchester-based third-party operator of single-family rental (SFR) homes, overseeing two thirds of the entire asset class, has further strengthened its team with the recruitment of Alie Horton as its new head of asset management.
Alie will be leading Ascend’s team of build-to-rent (BTR) portfolio managers, further developing the firm’s best-in-class management platform to maximise opportunities and drive performance across its mandates.
She will work closely with Ascend’s institutional investor clients to deliver operational excellence and value within the SFR platforms it oversees.
As part of her role, she will help develop portfolio strategies tailored to the goals of each site and platform.
Alie joins Ascend with more than 20 years’ experience of residential property, with specific expertise in managing operational performance, and formerly held senior positions at firms including CBRE and JLL.
Alie’s arrival follows the recent recruitment of Clair Barry as head of mobilisation, working closely with investor partners to develop tailored delivery and leasing strategies for new homes and schemes being onboarded.
Ascend has a significant pipeline through its existing management mandates, with more than 1,500 homes due to be onboarded by the end of 2025.
Adam Stephenson, operations director at Ascend, said: “Our market-leading asset management capabilities sit at the very heart of what we do, and drive the performance of the platforms we oversee.
“We have made considerable investments not only in technology, but also in recruiting people that have an unrivalled understanding of just what is required to succeed with such assets. Alie’s experience and expertise will further strengthen our best-in-class team, and help us deliver even better outcomes across these portfolios.”
::
Léonie Ford-Miah
Manchester based Amazon advertising agency, Fluid Marketplaces, has appointed Léonie Ford-Miah as head of client services.
Léonie, who previously worked for Amazon for several years, including holding senior roles within its advertising team, will be tasked with helping the clutch of new clients won by the agency with a strategy for selling their products globally on Amazon. She will also be responsible for bringing more clients on board to help Fluid Marketplaces to achieve its ambitious growth plans.
Léonie previously ran her own marketing consultancy, deciding at the start of 2025 that she wanted to be part of a wider team of experts.
She said: “Amazon is a crowded marketplace, so clients are finding my knowledge of how its advertising services work advantageous in helping them to stand out and achieve growth.”
Fluid Marketplaces also recently appointed Harry Power into the role of senior Amazon PPC executive. Harry joined from online toy retailer TopToys2U where he was a digital marketing manager.
Adam Hindle, managing director of Fluid Marketplaces and Fluid Commerce, said: “It’s a very exciting time for Fluid Marketplaces and Léonie’s appointment offers a substantial growth opportunity, not only for our clients, but also for us as a business, due to her expertise.
“We plan to bring more staff like Harry on board as that growth is realised and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
::
From left: Mark Preston, Judson Smythe, Neil Garrity
Blackburn-based injection moulding firm, MGS Technical Plastics, has unveiled its new leadership team.
All in-house promotions, Judson Smythe has been appointed as the new managing director, taking over from Neil Garrity who will continue to serve as chair. At the same time, Mark Preston is named as the new commercial director. Following a management buy-in by all three leaders in mid-2024, the succession strategy forms a critical part of the company’s wider business growth plans.
The new team says they, along with founder John Sturgess, remain totally aligned in their vision for the company.
Judson said: “I am honoured to accept the position of managing director. The company’s unwavering commitment to people, progress and culture has propelled us through 50 years of success, and I’m humbled to continue John and Neil’s legacy and be part of this journey. By being good stewards of the firm and staying true to our core values, I’m confident that MGS will continue to rapidly grow, evolve and navigate commercial challenges for many more decades.”
Mark Preston said: “We remain firmly focused on long term stability and growth, underpinned by delivering the highest standards and quality to customers.”
Welcoming the appointment of Judson as his successor, Neil Garrity said: “This
next leadership chapter is all part of our succession strategy and ambitious growth plans that will drive the business forward.”
::
From left: Sarah Bazaraa, Gareth Birch, Michael McNally
Manchester law firm Pannone Corporate has promoted three lawyers to partner, as it secures its position on two long standing legal panels.
Sarah Bazaraa has been promoted to partner in the firm’s dispute resolution team and will head up the IP litigation and media team. Sarah joined Pannone in 2009 as a trainee solicitor and has risen through the ranks, being recognised by Legal 500 as a “rising star” and “one to watch” for several years.
Alongside Sarah, Michael McNally has been made partner in Pannone’s employment team. Michael, who has particular experience working with businesses in the care, manufacturing, transport and logistics, retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, joined Pannone in 2021 and has quickly made his mark at the firm.
Michael and Sarah are joined by Gareth Birch, who has been promoted to partner in the firm’s real estate team. Gareth has built up a strong reputation in the property market since he joined Pannone nearly a decade ago, being listed as ‘Up and Coming’ by Chambers & Partners for three years, before being ranked last year when the real estate team received its first ranking in Band Three.
Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone, said: “The promotion of Sarah, Michael and Gareth to partner is richly deserved, with each demonstrating great commitment, technical excellence and passion in their respective roles.”
The trio of partner promotions follows Pannone’s reappointment to two long standing legal panels. The firm has been appointed by SSP Group for a further three years. Pannone has provided employment law services to the leading operator of food and beverage outlets for the past 15 years.
In addition, Pannone has been reappointed to the legal panel for Manchester-based NG Bailey, an independent engineering and services business. Pannone has supported NG Bailey for almost 10 years.
::
Toyin Ibrahim-Igbo and Aurora Baja
Black & White Bridging has added Aurora Baja and Toyin Ibrahim-Igbo to its newly formed asset management team, led by chief investment officer, David Tropp.
The Bury-based short-term finance provider says the new appointments will help it refine its lending and portfolio strategy and processes, as well as manage its risk appetite.
Aurora joins B&W following almost three years at Simple Bridging UK, where she worked as an operations manager. Aurora previously helped scale a lender from a £5m portfolio to one of more than £20m, leading on process optimisation, compliance, risk management, and team development.
She will be responsible for everything between post completion and redemption of a loan, reporting into CFO David Tropp but also working closely alongside chief operating officer Damien Druce to improve operational efficiency.
Aurora said: “I can’t wait to get started and add to the company’s growth in the coming years.”
Toyin brings almost 25 years of credit risk experience to the role, having worked in a number of credit and real estate positions. He joins from Alternative Bridging Corporation, where he spent nine years as an asset manager, managing a portfolio of development, commercial and regulated bridging and term mortgages worth circa £350m, from completion throughout the life of the loans.
Toyin will also report into David Tropp and be responsible for checking conditions, chasing repayments and will act as the main point of contact for the borrower after completion until the loan is fully redeemed.
Toyin said: “I’m very pleased to be joining B&W during this stage of the company’s journey. I’ve seen the business flourish from afar, and the team’s vision impressed me. I’m looking forward to adding to B&W’s output and ultimately, assisting borrowers with their loans.”
Damien Druce, B&W’s chief operating officer, said: “We are looking to achieve critical mass, and our rapid expansion has enabled us to bring in top talent like David, Aurora and Toyin, who can add immense value to the team, not least with the aftercare of loans post-completion. The scale achieved so far has been exciting, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
::
Lee Jones, left, with Fraser Linaker
PAS NW has further strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Lee Jones as safety, health, and environment (SHE) director.
Lee joins PAS from Miller Homes, where he spent more than 14 years overseeing three regional areas as divisional SHE director, driving industry-leading health, safety, and environmental standards.
Lee’s appointment follows a series of high profile leadership additions at Warrington-based PAS, including Dave Andrews (former M&J Evans leader) and Eddie Booth (ex-Matthews & Leigh commercial director), reinforcing PAS’s commitment to operational excellence.
Lee Jones said: “For me, safety isn’t just about policies and procedures, it’s about promoting a culture where everyone is accountable and committed to maintaining the highest standards.
“I’m excited to get started, refine our approach, and be part of key pre-commencement meetings that will set the tone for the future.”
PAS NW managing director, Fraser Linaker, said: “We’re building something special at PAS, and strengthening our leadership team with industry experts like Lee is crucial to that vision. His knowledge, experience, and innovative thinking will be instrumental in helping us grow safely, sustainably, and strategically.”
