Appointments: Treanor shapes up with Mills & Reeve; Sale Sharks; Morson & more

NATIONAL law firm Mills & Reeve has appointed corporate partner Philip Treanor in its Manchester office.

The new hire follows Mills & Reeve’s merger with George Davies in June 2013.

Mr Treanor, a well-networked corporate partner, joins the firm from Pannone, and will work with the firms three other corporate partners Chris Wilkinson, Chris Ross and Scott Sands.

Mark Jeffries, Mills & Reeve senior partner, said: “Philip will make an excellent addition to the team in Manchester. 

“He specialises in corporate finance work for mainstream private companies and his expertise increases our bench strength for corporate work on behalf of some of the largest and most innovative businesses in the North West.”

::

GORDON McKie, a former chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union has become chairman of the region’s leading rugby union club, Sale Sharks.

After leaving the SRU in 2011, Mr McKie became chief executive of the Hong Kong Football Association, where he secured several major sponsorship deals.

Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy said, “I have known Gordon for several years and I believe he is the man to chair the club at this stage. He is highly respected within the game of Rugby Union and his commercial, organisation and administration experience will be of great benefit to the club.”

::

LANCASHIRE-based Forbes Solicitors has promoted three lawyers, all of whom started their careers with the firm.

Pauline Rigby has been promoted to partner within the Business Law team.  She has been with Forbes for over 10 years and acts for clients from start-ups and family-run businesses to banks, financial institutions and insolvency practitioners.

Nicola Beneduce and Nick Holgate have been promoted to associate solicitors within the commercial property and insurance departments respectively.

John Barker, Forbes’ managing partner, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Pauline, Nicola and Nick on their promotions. All  of them are home-grown talent, having undertaken their training contracts with Forbes’ before qualifying as solicitors.” 

::

MANCHESTER aerosols and consumer chemicals manufacturer James Briggs has appointed Max Bass to its board as commercial director.

He was previously with Holt Lloyd, where he was vice president of sales and marketing.

Chairman Jim Sumner said: “This is an exciting time in James Briggs’ history and I have no doubt that he will have a very positive impact on the business.”

Bass said: “For nearly 200 years, James Briggs has been a leader in the manufacture of specialist chemical products for both the UK and international markets and is widely acknowledged as such by its peers. I am delighted to have now joined the board of James Briggs and looking forward to working with the wider management team as the company enters a new phase of development.”

James Briggs employs around 200 staff over two manufacturing sites in Greater Manchester.

::

THE Manchester office of PR agency Weber Shandwick has appointed Liz Larvin to lead its corporate team.

Ms Larvin has nine years’ experience in corporate PR, advising firms in the energy, financial services, technology, and professional services sectors. She has worked with companies including Lloyds Banking Group, British Gas, Oliver Wyman, Barclays Business, Princes Group, BT and HSBC.

In her new role she will help drive the property, energy and regeneration practice and will develop Weber Shandwick’s financial services team with Jess Wilkinson who has been promoted to account director.

Previously Liz was press and communications manager for the British Chambers of Commerce in London, representing the interests of over 100,000 business members, and prior to this was a consultant at Fishburn Hedges for over four years.
 
She said: “Weber Shandwick Manchester has a brilliant reputation, not only amongst its clients and across the region, but as one of the top performing offices in the agency’s global network. They were one of the top performers again in 2013 alongside the Geneva office.”

::

TECHNICAL recruiter Morson International has appointed David Lynchehaun as business development manager for the company’s growing IT division.

He has previously worked as a sales director and head of sales at companies in the North West.

Salford-based Morson said the appointment highlights the development of its IT recruitment division, established in 2007.