Appointments: UCLan, Hill Dicks, and more…

THE University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has appointed Philip Dyer, chairman of marketing agency NXO as its first ever ever entrepreneur in residence.

The voluntary role has been created to extend the support and encouragement of entrepreneurial education to students, with Dyer becoming a student mentor.

The 53 year-old, who is also Lancashire’s president of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, started his first business in 1986 before subsequently setting up NXO.

He said: “I’ve always been really impressed with the work that UCLan does with industry; that’s why I was delighted to accept when I was offered the position. It’s my chance to offer the experience I have gained over 20 years in business to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“When people think of entrepreneurs they think of Sir Richard Branson and Lord Alan Sugar but it is much more than that – it is the 16-year-old behind a computer or the 50-year-old with their own market stall.”

Dyer has had close links with UCLan since starting his further education there in 1981. He has since gone on to study for an HNC in Business and Finance and a postgraduate diploma, all at UCLan.

Dharma Kovvuri, dean of Lancashire Business School, said: “I am particularly pleased that Philip has agreed to work closely with Lancashire Business School in this role and support students on public relations and marketing-related courses.

“It is envisaged that Philip will provide guest lectures, help establish live student projects, undertake a mentorship role and underpin our work in the area of employability.”

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LAW firm Hill Dickinson has appointed Sean Williams as a partner in its private client team. He joins from Addleshaw Goddard, where he worked for 11 years, latterly as a legal director.

In his new role, Sean will provide the full range of private client services directly from Hill Dickinson’s Manchester office.

Paul Baker, head of the firm’s private client team, said: “Sean is a serious player in the Manchester market and has a high profile through his involvement with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP ). We believe that private client services will be an important engine of growth in Manchester in the coming years and Sean will play a key part in the development of this line of business.”

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LIVERPOOL-based accountancy practice Mitchell Charlesworth has appointed two new people to its financial management arm.

Neil Martin joins from PKF as head of financial planning, while Sarah Godfree joins as office manager.

Mr Martin has spent more than 30 years in the financial services industry and has experience in advising both corporate and individual clients on all aspects of financial planning. His experience includes dealing with medium and large owner managed businesses.

Miss Godfree, a qualified paraplanner, has been brought in to elevate customer service and improve in-house systems and procedures.  

David Darlington, managing partner, said: “The arrival of Neil and Sarah will hugely strengthen our wealth management division. They bring an array of skills.”

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LAURA Edgeley and Sarah Moore have been promoted to senior associate and associate respectively by Manchester-based personal injury law firm, Express Solicitors.

Both lawyers successfully completed a training contract with the firm, which aims to promote from within where possible.

Managing partner James Maxey said: “Career progression with solid promotion opportunities are paramount to young and talented solicitors.  It is fantastic to be able to recognise and reward the hard work and successes of both Laura and Sarah, who are important members of our fast growing team.”

Express Solicitors is a growing personal injury firm based in Northenden with 72 employees including three partners and 36 fee earners.

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FRESH Group, the Cheadle-based event management and creative agency business, has appointed eight new members to its team.

Gemma Connolly joins as senior account manager, whilst the video team continues to grow as Christopher Davies joins as associate producer. Further appointments to the account team include Fiona Cariss, Sophie Parkinson and Charlotte Dewhurst as senior account executives, Kate Doyle as senior account manager covering maternity leave and Alex Jackson as account executive.

The digital team also welcomes new account executive Naho Taniyama.

Chief executive Nick Porter said: “We pride ourselves on bringing together the best talent in the region and our host of new starters reflect this and will support the delivery of our busy order book for 2012.”

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CHESTER-based PR and marketing agency de Winter has recruited two new members of staff – 21 year-old Kate Williams and 23 year-old Jaselyn Melling as account executives.

Both will be involved in regional and national media campaigns for clients such as Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Golden Square Shopping Centre, Adoption Matters Northwest, Deafness Support Network and Click Consult.  

Managing director Kate Cox said: “We’re always on the lookout for fresh talent and both Jas and Kate bring a wonderful new blend of skills to the team here at de Winter.”