Appointments: Hurley Partners; Freeths; EHL & more

HURLEY Partners, the independently-owned private client investment and pension manager has unveiled James MacLaren as an investment director at its recently established Manchester office.

MacLaren has managed relationships with clients throughout the North West as well as further afield, and has a reputation for his holistic approach to their financial objectives along with the careful handling of family assets from one generation to the next.  

He and fellow director Julius Manduell, who heads up Hurley Partners Manchester, were formerly at Brown Shipley.

The move into Manchester is a serious strategic initiative for Hurley Partners. Based in the South East, taking its first clients in September 2013, the business has grown rapidly and now looks after client assets of over £350m.

Manduell said, “I am delighted that James is now on board and able to work with me in building our business here in the Northern powerhouse of England. James is a true professional who takes a real interest in his clients and brings with him, formidable investment expertise and local connections.  I am sure we will see a steady growth in clients who value long-term relationships of meaning and value.”

MacLaren said, “I am looking forward to working with Julius again as well as professional contacts and former colleagues. Hurley Partners have strong values that underpin everything we do and central to this is that our interests are totally aligned with those of our clients. This fundamental belief is demonstrable. I am confident that as we grow our base of private clients, pension schemes and family trusts word will get around that we offer a real difference.”

::

LAW law firm Freeths  has announced the appointment of Jennie Matthews as an associate in its growing construction team in Manchester.

Matthews specialises in all aspects of construction law, with particular expertise in advising on disputed accounts on standard and bespoke construction contracts.
 
Previously at another national law firm, she has acted for both claimants and defendants on a large number of construction disputes and has experience in arbitration, mediation and adjudication; she has also been involved in a number of reported cases.

Managing partner for Freeths Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield offices, John May, said: “Over the last couple of years our construction portfolio has increased quite considerably, so the addition of Jennie will ensure we continue to offer the highest service levels to our clients.

“As the Manchester office continues to grow, so does our reputation in the city and we are glad to attract top class talent.”
   
::

STOCKPORT-based food ingredient supplier EHL Ingredients has welcomed a new recruit into its growing team.

Eimear Tubritt joins as mechanical manager and is responsible for product specifications, overseeing all quality and food safety procedures and ensuring all food standards policies are met.

Tubritt brings many years’ experience to the EHL team. Prior to her appointment at EHL, she held roles at a range of high profile companies within the food and drink sector, including Bright Blue Foods, Ryvita, Cadbury and Cow & Gate Baby.
 
She will report into sales director, Tasneem Backhouse. She will create, amend and adapt product specifications, both for existing ingredients and new herb and spice blends, as well as oversee all quality systems to ensure they meet regulatory standards.
 
Eimear’s appointment takes EHL Ingredients’ staff total to 28 at its Stockport head office.

::

NORTH West law firm Hillyer McKeown has doubled the size of its residential property team to meet growing demand.

Eight new recruits have joined the department in recent weeks on the back of increased activity and confidence in the region’s property market.

The 16-strong team is based in the firm’s Chester and Wirral offices and handle a wide range of property matters including sale and purchase, remortgages, transfer of shares of ownership and property auctions.

New recruits include solicitor David Formby, paralegal Jenna Smart, legal executive Daniel Hewitt, conveyancing executives Darshini Patel and Sean Jones and legal assistant Craig Deacon.

David Wright, Partner and Head of Residential Property, said: “The North West and North Wales property market has shown increasing confidence over recent months which has resulted in significant additional work for Hillyer McKeown.”

::

LLOYDS Bank Commercial Banking has strengthened its operations in Merseyside with the appointment of Alex Bodie as business development director.   

Based at the bank’s flagship offices in Liverpool city centre, Bodie will provide guidance on financial solutions, support and expertise to mid-sized businesses and large corporates that have turnover in excess of £25m.

He moves to the Mid Markets team with a wealth of expertise in working with businesses occupying this space. He was previously relationship director in Lloyds Banking Group’s hire purchase and leasing team, providing asset-based funding solutions for mid-sized businesses to drive their growth and development.

Bodie said: “The UK’s burgeoning economic recovery looks set to continue throughout 2015 and beyond, and prospects for the Merseyside region are particularly strong. Our locally-based team is committed to helping mid-sized businesses fulfil their potential so that they can play their crucial role in contributing to that recovery.”

::

RICHARD Higham has become director of corporate finance at UHY Hacker Young’s Manchester office.

Having established its in-house corporate finance offering 18 months ago, Higham will add significant experience and expertise, joining up with lead partners David Kendrick and Paul Daly.  

Higham said: “I am delighted to have joined UHY Hacker Young and I’m excited about the prospect of working with this highly respected and experienced team in Manchester. I hope to bring some new ideas and contacts with me and am looking forward to the new challenge.”

::

SOUTH Manchester lawyer Charlotte Brinsley has been announced as the new chair of the Manchester Young Solicitors’ Group.

Brinsley, 28, a family lawyer at Slater and Gordon in Manchester, said she looked forward to leading an organisation that would support and assist the city’s young solicitors as they furthered their professional, social and charitable aims.

“I’m looking forward to helping the voices of young solicitors be heard and advocating on their behalf,” Brinsley said.

“As a young solicitor myself I understand the ups and downs of the profession and that the support from peers and more senior colleagues is key.

“I hope to be able to further the professional and personal lives of my fellow members by working hard to support them while also continuing the great charitable work the group already does.”

::

COOPER Specialised Handling, the dedicated heavy handling division of Cooper Handling Group, has appointed Martin Dale as sales manager for the northern regions of the UK.

Dale was previously one of Cooper’s technical engineers, based on site at the Hams Hall Rail Freight Terminal near Sutton Coldfield and with responsibility for mobile engineering. The company has a northern base at Trafford Park, Manchester.

He brings a wealth of industry experience to his new role, which will involve overseeing sales and rental of new and used heavy lift trucks and container handlers. Martin will also be responsible for the complete range of Mantsinen material handlers, for which Cooper Specialised Handling is the UK distributor.

Cooper Handling director David Cooper said: “We congratulate Martin on this exciting new appointment. He has shown real drive and ambition to develop his career in sales, which we welcome, and we wish him well in his new role.”

::

BUTTRESS Architects in Manchester has announced that Stephen Anderson and Neal Charlton have both accepted the position of associate director in recognition of their significant contribution to the practice.

Charlton has been with Buttress for 16 years and is a key part of the arts and culture team having completed numerous museum projects. He is currently leading projects for the new Blackpool museum, and at grade I listed Headstone Manor in Harrow.

Anderson plays a key role in the historic buildings team, having led a number of significant projects within the practice that involve heritage and existing buildings. He is currently working with the National Trust at Quarry Bank Mill on the HLF funded Quarry Bank Project, and the new visitor centre at Norton Priory.

Managing Director Gavin Sorby said: “Neal and Stephen have been making an increasingly important contribution to Buttress for several years and I am delighted they have accepted the position of associate directors.”