Appointments: New MD for family firm; Sudlows & more

MATT Dodgson, 28, has become managing director of Liverpool catering and cleaning supplies firm ICS.

In taking the reins at the Bootle business, which is entering its 50th year,  Mr Dodgson follows in the footsteps of his father Malcolm and grandfather Stan.

He said: “It is strange to be managing a company with a team who have known me since I was a baby. I used to help out in the summer holidays, so I’ve always been involved in some way. It’s a really great company that my grandfather and father have built, so I’m glad that I can continue it and help to grow it further.”

Before returning to the region, he had a successful career in the music business working at  pre-production studio The Joint, mastering and remixing tracks before becoming involved in tours with The Libertines, Eliza Doolittle and Stevie Wonder.

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NORTH West data centre specialist Sudlows had made a key hire for its Middle East operation with the addition of John Rippingale as regional manager.

Mr Rippingale has more than six years’ experience in designing, consulting and building energy-efficient data centre projects.  Based in Dubai he will support Sudlow’s growing customer base in the region.

Andy Hirst, global director at Sudlows said: “As we continue to expand our operation in Dubai and the Middle East, working on contracts with clients such as Atkins Global, John’s appointment is perfectly timed with the opening of a permanent office within the DMCC Free Zone and demonstrates how the demand for data centre expertise, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, is rapidly growing.”

John Rippingale added: “Sudlows have an outstanding reputation in the data centre industry and I’m thrilled to be part of this award winning team.”

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ANDREW Steele has been named managing director for Middlewich-based shop-floor software specialist, Forcam.

In his new role Mr Steele, previously an aerospace engineer with previous experience at Rolls-Royce, Meggitt and Smiths Aerospace, will be leading the sales of Forcam’s Factory Framework system.

He explained: “I’m no stranger to innovation and change and relish the challenge. Networking plant on the factory floor has a huge potential to energise UK industry at all levels. Productivity is one aspect of this, but the possibilities arising from having more agile and responsive production through the application of the ‘Internet of Things’ will revitalise manufacturing in the UK.”

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LOW carbon and energy efficient buildings consultancy Beverley Clifton Morris has created two new executive level positions as part of its expansion plans.
 
The company, based on One Central Street, Manchester, has welcomed Alex Pitman as commercial director and promoted Rich Hart to operations director, with plans for six further recruits to join within the coming months.
 
Mr Pitman joins from The Co-operative Group, where he helped reduce the group’s energy consumption by 40% across 5,000 sites in his role as energy, environment and engineering manager. 

Mr Hart joined BCM in 2005 as a graduate and has worked his way through the ranks.  As operations director he will be responsible for the successful delivery of projects.
 
Managing director, Brian Morris, said: “These appointments come as part of our strategic expansion in line with our growth plans both within the North West and nationally. We already have significant demand for our low carbon services in London and are currently advancing our plans to establish an office in the capital.”
 
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PROPERTY consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall has appointed three new starters at its Manchester office.

Matthew Fletcher has joined as a project manager having previously worked at Capita Property & Infrastructure for six years. He is currently working in the retail sector with clients such as Tesco.

Jacqui Crooks has been appointed as office manager and previously spent 27 years at the Co-operative Group as PA and assistant to the chief executive. More recently she was PA to the company secretary at Bolton-based Seddon Construction.

Heather Evans has joined as environmental and corporate responsibility assistant having just completed a masters in sustainable environmental design in architecture. She will be working on corporate responsibility and carbon management projects.

Pictured left to right: Heather Evans, Matthew Fletcher, Jacqui Crooks.

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CHESHIRE PR agency, The Source Partnership, has added Katie Meadway to its team.

Joining from a London agency she is responsible for managing different platforms of social media, creative writing, client relations as well as building relationships with the media.

Laura Fearnall, partner at Malpas-based agency said: “The Source Partnership is growing at a rapid pace and Katie is set to play a key role in our expansion. We’re thrilled to welcome her, she brings a great set of skills and already has fantastic relationships with key journalists, bloggers, online press and TV.”