Appointments: Premaitha; DWF; Hilary Meredith & more

MANCHESTER-based Premaitha Health has appointed Barry Hextall as chief financial officer to its board with immediate effect, replacing Mark Collingbourne.
 
Hextall is a chartered management accountant with more than 15 years’ experience in senior financial roles, including with AIM-listed organisations.

He has managed many international businesses through major changes and rapid growth, and has significant experience working in the medical devices and diagnostic sectors.

Hextall’s previous employers include JRI Orthopaedics Ltd, Immunodiagnostic Systems, C J Garland & Co Ltd, Ernst & Young LLP and Zeneca (formerly ICI).
 
Premaitha has recently developed a ground breaking non-invasive prenatal screening test for pregnant women, branded IONA, and is on the verge of tapping into a global market worth billions.
 
David Evans, chairman of AIM-listed Premaitha said: “On behalf of the board, I welcome Barry to the team at this exciting time for Premaitha as the Company grows sales of its non-invasive prenatal screening test, IONA.

“Barry’s long term experience as a CFO, especially his knowledge of the AIM market and diagnostics sector, will be invaluable to us as we continue our strategy for growth in Europe.”

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LAW firm DWF has strengthened its pensions practice with the appointment of Sinead Sheehan from Squire Patton Boggs.
 
Sheehan joins DWF’s Manchester office as a senior associate and will advise employers, trustees and government bodies on both contentious and non-contentious pensions matters.
 
DWF’s 16-strong national pensions practice, led by partner Tim Green, has a client portfolio including Morrisons and Bacardi-Martini and the Pension Protection Fund scheme assessment legal panel.
 
Tim Green said: “Sinead is highly regarded within the pensions industry and joins the team at an exciting time. Through strategic investment, we continue to enhance our offering and we’re actively recruiting at senior level to further broaden and deepen our pensions expertise following a series of high profile client wins. She brings a wealth of experience and it is great to have her on board.”

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HILARY Meredith Solicitors, the Cheshire law firm specialising in serious personal injury claims, has strengthened its senior management team with the promotion of finance director Phil Matthews to its board.

Matthews joined the Wilmslow firm in 2014 from Poole Alcock Solicitors.

Founder and chief executive Hilary Meredith said: “I am delighted to announce that Phil has been invited to join the board, this reflects the impact Phil has had not only on the finance department but also in developing communication in the company and interaction with fee earners.”

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MANCHESTER agency One Marketing Communications has bolstered its PR team with the appointment of Jenna Fordie as account manager.

Fordie joins from Citypress, where she worked within the business and corporate team supporting clients from across a range of sectors including manufacturing, recruitment and social housing.

At One, Jenna will work on a number of accounts, including care home provider, Fremantle Trust and homebuilder Taylor Wimpey.

Wayne Silver, One’s managing director said: “Jenna’s appointment is another significant hire for the One team. Her experience and passion for PR makes her the perfect fit for the agency and we’re pleased to welcome her on board.”

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DOW Schofield Watts Transaction Services has expanded its Warrington-based North West team with the appointment Ros Jones.
 
Jones joins after spending a number of years gaining significant practical industry experience as a group financial accountant for Air Energi, the Manchester-based  oil and gas sector recruiter.

She is an experienced transaction services practitioner, having previously been a manager in the M&A team at Midlands based financial advisory firm, Hazelwoods.
 
Patner Ed Brentnall said: “We are delighted to announce the arrival of Ros as part of our growing team commitment to the region. Her appointment further reinforces our continued desire to deliver outstanding financial due diligence support to the investment community. We continue to welcome new talent, such as Ros, and will be strengthening the team further both in the North West, North East and Yorkshire regions.”