Appointments: Co-operative Food; Havas PR; SAS Daniels; K7 Media; Aaron & Partners

CO-OPERATIVE Food has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Michael Fletcher as the retailer’s trading director.

Fletcher joins the executive team as the business embarks on a new strategic direction under the leadership of Steve Murrells.

Previously at Tesco for 22 years, Fletcher spent time as commercial director for Tesco in Malaysia and, latterly, as commercial director for group procurement.
 
In addition, Ian Ayling has also been appointed to the food executive team, as customer change director. Ayling had been working at The Co-operative as a marketing consultant, having previously worked at Dunhumby as general manager France. He will be reporting to customer director, Andrew Mann, who recently joined The Co-operative from Sainsbury’s, where he was director of insight and loyalty.

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HAVAS PR UK has made four new appointments at its Manchester office following a run of new business wins.
        
Account director Claire Quansah joins from MC2, where she managed accounts for a range of corporate clients. Prior to this she worked at London agency Golin Harris. Her new client portfolio includes Greggs, DFS, Pets at Home and Ideal Standard.

Sophie Dinsdale joins the agency as an account manager from Manchester law firm Turner Parkinson, where she headed up the marketing and PR team. She previously completed a graduate internship with Havas PR UK in 2010.

Lauren Wynne-Williams has been appointed as a senior account executive from Mason Williams where she managed a range of retail accounts for clients such as The Quays and Lowry Outlet. Louise Proctor completes the list of new starters. As office manager she will provide administrative support to the rest of the team.

Brian Beech, Managing Director of Havas PR’s Edinburgh and Manchester offices, said: “These latest additions will bolster what is already a strong and talented team. The economic climate remains challenging, but with exciting new clients on board and exciting new projects in the pipeline, we are confident of continued success.”

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LAW firm Aaron & Partners has hired specialist lawyer David Delaney.

An expert in planning and compulsory purchase law, he has been appointed as a partner and head of planning at the Chester-based firm.

He provides advice on issues arising on nationally significant planning projects such as wind farms, housing development schemes, retail developments and compulsory purchase matters. He also advises on other planning and development related issues and is an expert on town and village green law. 

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LAW firm SAS Daniels has named Helen Gowin as the new head its Congleton office.

Gowin, a partner at the firm, joined in 2004 and is currently head of the estate administration team.

She replaces Rebecca Simpson, who is leaving to become an in-house lawyer and also undertake judicial duties.

She said “I’m delighted to be following in Becky’s footsteps as head of the office. She has done a fantastic job, and I will be looking to build on her success and continue to develop the office as a hub for legal services in the area.”

SAS Daniels also has offices in Chester, Macclesfield and Stockport.

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K7 Media has appointed Phil Birchenall as project director. He was previously in a similar role at MediaCityUK-based Mediasmiths.

Birchenall has been hired to expand the Bramhall-based media consultancy’s project and event arm. The company provides media insight and research services to broadcasters and producers. In the last couple of years it has been delivering conferences and events in the UK and internationally.

Managing director Keri Lewis Brown said: “We got to know Phil when we were working together on a bootcamp for Welsh TV producers. He worked very closely with the team and the event was a major success. I’m thrilled he’s now part of the senior management team here.”

Birchenall has over 10 years’ experience in events and training within the creative, digital and media industries. He founded the Creative Times and while at The White Room managed The App School – a pioneering course designed to fast-track young people into the digital industries.