Appointments: Burnley UTC; The Heath; Marsden Rawsthorn; Secured Mail
AN experienced education professional has been appointed as the new operations director for Visions Learning Trust, Burnley’s £10.3m University Technical College (UTC).
John Proctor, 43, has more than 20 years’ experience in the education sector and has previously worked for Blackburn with Darwen Council.
He will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the UTC, based at Victoria Mill on Trafalgar Street, Burnley.
He said: “I am delighted to be given this fantastic opportunity and I am thoroughly looking forward to working closely with managing director (principal designate), Martin Callagher, to provide local young people with learning that meets the needs of employers,” said John.
“Our vision is to bridge the gap between education and business and we will be leading the way on innovative learning in Pennine Lancashire.”
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DR Peter Cook, chairman of SOG and one of the driving forces behind The Heath business and science park in Runcorn, is retiring at the end of this month.
The 71-year-old was instrumental in negotiating the successful sale of The Heath from ICI in 2000 after the chemicals giant announced it was closing its headquarters site.
Under his leadership, with support from former ICI colleagues and Liverpool businessman John Lewis, SOG set about regenerating the site by turning it into a multi-occupancy business and technical park that today is home to over 150 separate businesses employing more than 1,900 people.
In 2010 Dr Cook from Chester took up a new role of SOG chairman after Mr Lewis was appointed managing director.
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LANCASHIRE law firm, Marsden Rawsthorn, has appointed a new partner to its commercial property team.
Joanne Wilcox joins the Chorley and Preston-based practice from Goodman Harvey in Manchester.. She has previously worked at Warrington-based Forshaws Davies Ridgway, DWF, Sefton Borough Council.
She said: “Although the commercial property market remains challenging, Marsden Rawsthorn is enjoying relative success as existing clients look to take advantage of quick acquisitions. The firm has an excellent reputation in the region, and I am looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”
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SECURED Mail, the Warrington postal operator, has hired three additional members of its business development and account management teams.
The newcomers are senior business development managers Clara Philpin and Lauren Metaal and Anne-Marie Robinson, the firm’s new key account manager for the south.
Tom Kilroy, sales and business development director for Secured Mail said: “We welcome Clara, Lauren and Anne-Marie into our team during this period of steady growth for the business.
“We are excited about what 2013 has in store for Secured Mail and look forward to developing the business further.”
