Appointments: UKFast, Seneca, IBEX, Emanuel Whittaker, and more…

INTERNET hosting firm UKFast has appointed Rudi Feitsma as sales director of the company’s growing data centre complex.

Feitsma has previously held senior roles at blue-chip companies including Ericsson and Vodafone in Australia, the US and UK. UKFast said he was “the driving force” behind the growth of data centre operator UKGrid that prompted its sale to Telecity Group in 2011.

He will oversee operations within the company’s newly-opened data centres and roll out UKFast’s £100m data centre project over the next four years. This month the firm will open its third data centre project, taking its total space to around 30,000 sq ft.

Feitsma said: “This is an exciting time to be joining UKFast. Data centres and colocation are a natural evolution for UKFast as they are undoubtedly the largest cloud and hosting provider in the North West. The scale, design and quality of the data centres and operational delivery provide the market with a level of choice, innovation and support not previously available.”

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FUND manager and corporate adviser Seneca Partners, has appointed Chris Summerscales as its new head of research.

He joins from the accountancy firm BDO in Manchester where he spent 11 years leading its research and deal origination activity.

Gordon Lane, head of corporate finance at Seneca, said: “We are delighted that Chris has chosen to join the Seneca team. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge which will be of tangible benefit to our clients. Chris has genuine sector knowledge built up over many years and his origination skills will be a real draw for both new and existing clients.”

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PRESTON information management and document storage specialist IBEX has strengthened its senior management team with two key promotions.

Anna-Maria Rossi, formerly of the NHS, has been appointed office manager, while Phillip Mould has been promoted from warehouse operative to logistics manager.

Rossi, 37, joined eight months ago in a systems support role but will now manage an office administration team of six.

Phillip Mould, also 37, has progressed to the management team from a five-year role in the IBEX warehouse.

Managing director Lorraine Birch said: “As we expand the business we require new skill sets and so we support and develop our talented individuals to strengthen our team accordingly.”

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DAVE Prescott has joined Oldham construction and regeneration company Emanuel Whittaker as commercial director.

He will work with the firm’s existing clients in the social housing sector and seek new markets.

Managing Director Clive Newton said:  “We have been in negotiation with Dave for some time. He is a well-known and well respected figure in the North West construction industry and we are delighted he has decided to join the team.”

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PERSONAL injury specialist Scott Rees & Co Solicitors has promoted two lawyers to associate level.

Chris Connor and Alum Ullah, who both work in road traffic accident litigation, are now undertaking greater management responsibilities at the Skelmersdale firm which specialises in claims for accidents on the road, in the workplace and in public places.

Connor, from Skelmersdale, joined the firm nine years ago while Ullah, from Liverpool, joined three years ago.