Appointments: American Golf, Kuits, Forresters, and more
FORMER Iceland executive Trudy Hills has joined Warrington-based American Golf as trading director.
In her new role she will lead the buying and marketing functions at the retailer and oversee a team of 15.
A key part of her work will be to engage with some of the sport’s leading brands, including Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping, Cobra, Nike and Adidas.
She began her 21-year career in retail at Procter & Gamble and went on to hold a number of senior positions in the sector, including general manager of health and beauty and babycare at Asda, buying director at Pets at Home and most recently as category controller for frozen and chilled at Iceland Foods.
She said: “American Golf’s mission is to improve its customer’s game, and everyone in the business is focused on that goal. I look forward to bringing that energy and passion into my role and ensure that we combine the best product with the best prices, and then support our Customers in-store with expert advice.”
American Golf now has a portfolio of 103 stores across the UK and annual sales of £133m.
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MANCHESTER law firm Kuits Solicitors has bolstered its corporate and commercial team with the appointment of associate Jamie Partridge who joins from Brabners.
Dealing with a broad range of corporate and commercial work Partridge specialises in mergers and acquisitions with particular experience in the insurance, logistics and manufacturing sectors.
Robert Levy, executive partner at Kuits, said: “With over 10 years experience Jamie has a strong pedigree and we’re delighted to welcome him to the firm. We’ve seen growth in corporate and commercial activity over the last 12 months and this hire allows us to continue to improve the commercial advice and quality of service we provide to our clients.”
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INCORPORATE Travel Management has appointed Karen Lopez to look after sales and business development.
The firm was launched in Manchester earlier in the year by former Co-operative Travel Management managers Paula Cullen and Mike Crotty.
Lopez joins Incorporate from Click Travel where she was business development manager. Prior to this she held various sales positions for Co-operative Travel Management and Capita Business Travel.
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INTELLECTUAL property specialist Forresters is expanding its Merseyside operation with the appointment of associate Kate Cruse and patent attorney Sean Thomas.
Together they will work closely with the North West partner Ross Walker to build on Forrester’s strong portfolio of work across the region and in the international market.
Cruse is a qualified UK and European trade mark attorney and trained with Withers & Rogers in Birmingham and went on to work for UK Trade & Investment in Costa Rica.
Thomas has previously worked for leading patent attorney firms in the North West and specialises in IP protection and strategy, particularly in electronic, software and mechanical fields.
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MANCHESTER PR agency We Are Indigo has taken on Rebecca Smyllie and Hana Bednarova as account executives.
The firm was founded 18 months ago by former Brazen staff Helen Pickerill and Gemma Gore.
Pickerill said: “The past few months have been an exciting time within the agency, with significant growth across our client portfolio and the We Are Indigo team. Hana and Rebecca impressed us with their enthusiasm, integrity and creative thinking and we’re thrilled to have them on board.”
The firm has also won three new clients – Desire Clothing, cushion maker Shirtee Bertie and estate agent Curtis & Bains.
