Appointments: AEW; BDO; Yorkshire Bank; BCL Legal; HSBC

MANCHESTER-based architecture practice AEW has promoted Andy Rainford to director, joining managing director Steve

Burne and fellow directors Andy Critchlow and Nigel Machin.
 
Rainford joined AEW in 1999, and became an associate director in 2008. He manages a large team of architects who have delivered GG Hospitality’s Hotel Football at Old Trafford and Ronald McDonald House at St Mary’s in Manchester.

AEW’s managing director Steve Burne said: “I am delighted to announce that Andy has accepted the position of director within the practice. It is a well deserved recognition of his effort and commitment to AEW. With the practice getting busier and hopefully continuing to do so, it is essential not to stand still.”
 
Rainford said: “Having been at AEW for 15 years, I have seen firsthand how the practice has developed and grown. I am excited to be an integral part of the new management structure, which will strengthen the business going forward.”
 
AEW is a 50-strong practice is based at Spring Gardens in Manchester city centre.

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ACCOUNTANCY group BDO has promoted Emma Suchland to tax partner in the North West.

Suchland, previously a corporate tax director at the firm, joined BDO in 2008 following seven years at EY.

Specialising in advising mid-market clients on corporate tax planning, she also works on the tax aspects of transactions for personal and corporate shareholders, private equity houses and management teams.  

She said: “The opportunity to become a partner in the tax team is an exciting one. Our corporate clients across the North West have set their sights on growth in both domestic and international markets; I know we have a great team in place to help them achieve that.”

Tim Entwistle, partner and head of BDO in the North West, said: “Emma’s promotion is thoroughly deserved. Not only is her technical expertise and leadership second to none, but her commitment to delivering the very best service is a huge asset to our growing team across Manchester and Liverpool.”

Suchland is one of 14 new partners at BDO.

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YORKSHIRE Bank has appointed a new business development manager at its business and private banking centre in Manchester.

Mike Ricketts, a banker with more than 25 years’ experience, joins Yorkshire Bank from Santander.

He has worked in the North West throughout his career, beginning in retail banking but moving in to commercial more than 10 years ago.

He said: “During my career I have always strived to be an important part of the local community and provide a service which customers can trust and rely on. I believe the value of local knowledge and understanding can’t be underestimated and I look forward to bringing that to my new role.”

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MANCHESTER-based legal recruiter BCL Legal has appointed three members of staff to its private practice and support teams.

Sharan Kokri has joined as a consultant and will be working in the North West personal injury and insurance team. Her focus will be on roles in Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire.

Kokri trained as a lawyer and has worked in the recruitment industry since 2003; she has previously held positions at Hudson, Taylor Root and G2 Legal.

Nick Carroll has joined as a consultant, specialising in recruiting residential property fee earners. He has worked as a barrister’s clerk at both Young Street & 18 St John Street chambers. He has also been a conveyancer at Eversheds and his last role before joining BCL Legal was as business development manager at Pannone.

Victoria Taylor has joined as central support manager. She will be overseeing HR, CV production and marketing

administration as well as IT and facilities management. She has joined from The Hut Group.

Managing director James Batt said: “This latest wave of new starters reflects the pace of growth within the business. The last 12 months has seen each of our teams expand so our focus is to build on that by continuing to recruit the best people who can add value and provide the best possible service to both our candidates and clients.”

The new starters take the firm’s total headcount to 49.

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HSBC’s Lancashire and Cumbria Commercial Centre has appointed Shaun Blake as a senior commercial manager.

The role will focus on supporting companies with a turnover of between £5m-£30m. HSBC now has 31 relationship managers in Lancashire and Cumbria.

He previously spent three years at Santander, where he was most recently a relationship director covering the North West. Prior to that he was with Barclays in Manchester for over 20 years.   

Jason Gledhill, HSBC Lancashire and Cumbria Area commercial director, said: “Shaun’s appointment demonstrates a clear commitment from HSBC to SMEs in Lancashire and Cumbria. We want to help ambitious British businesses to grow and we have the expertise and experience to help businesses to do that. We have recently launched a £100m Lancashire &

Cumbria SME Fund as we believe the economic climate offers fantastic growth potential for UK SMEs.”