Appointments: Lancaster University; Love Energy Savings & more

FORMER Health Secretary Alan Milburn has been installed as the third chancellor of Lancaster University.

Milburn, a former student of the university, succeeds mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington who was also at the event in the Great Hall.

The installation ceremony for the university’s ceremonial head  was conducted by vice-chancellor Professor Mark E Smith in front of an audience of 190 invited guests.

After a lunch Milburn opened the University’s multi –million pound engineering building.

Milburn, the Labour MP for Darlington (1992 to 2010), served within the UK Government as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Health (1999 and 2003) and as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, before his resignation from party politics in 2010.

He is now the Chair of the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission and runs his own consultancy, advising governments and corporations worldwide.

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BUSINESS energy specialist Love Energy Savings has appointed Jonathan King as its chairman.

He replaces Tony Ford who will remain an active member of the board of  the Bolton-based firm.

King has joined Love Energy after stepping down last year from the board of FRSE 250 HomeServe where he was responsible for the growth of the US subsidiary, and the last three years as chief executive of its UK business.
 
King said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed to the role of Chairman of this great company. Managing director Phil Foster, supported by Tony Ford, the other directors and the terrific staff have already built a company to be proud of.”

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CHARLIE Pogson has joined investment company Crosslane Group as director of marketing.

Based in the Manchester office, he will be responsible for raising the profile of the firm and all its individual business activities, both in the UK and the global markets.

Prior to joining Cross lane, Pogson spent more than six years in international business to business marketing at workwear supplier Kwintet.

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BUSINESS lender Reward Finance Group has expanded its senior team with the appointment of experienced financier Rob Mercer.

He is the company’s new business development director for the North West the a brief to continue its expansion in the region.

The recruitment of Mercer, who has 23 years’ experience in the field, represents another high profile appointment for Reward following on from the recent recruitment of industry heavyweights Tim Stafford and Neil McGivern.

The group has flourished since the 2014 opening of its Manchester office through its unique offering of short term cash flow solutions via Reward Capital, alongside its invoice finance offering via Reward Commercial Finance.

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NORTH West law firm Brabners has boosted its property solutions team in Liverpool with the appointment of three solicitors.

The most recent recruit is Hannah Carter who joins from DWF in Liverpool and has experience in resolving property disputes, including the commercial, agricultural and residential sectors.

Her appointment follows the arrival of senior associate Karen Beddow, who has also worked at DWF and Addleshaws and specializes in the resolution of retail property disputes, portfolio management issues and other claims arising from property transactions.

Also new on board is solicitor Heather Morris who advises on a wide range of property disputes, including high value professional negligence claims arising from real estate transactions.

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COMMERCIALlaw firm Bermans has further expanded its employment team.

Rachel Power has joined the Liverpool office as a consultant from DLA where she led the employment team in Liverpool.

This latest addition to the team comes on the back of a recruitment drive last year to boost the employment department.

Nicky Benson, who heads up Bermans employment team said: “Rachel is a very experienced lawyer and will be a fantastic addition to our team.

“With DLA ceasing  their employment offering in Liverpool there are now significant opportunities for Rachel to continue to develop her employment practice in the Liverpool market, helping us in our drive to grow the employment department.”