Appointments: JMW; Deputy CEO for Bird; Optionis & more

JMW Solicitors has boosted its commercial property team with the appointment of partner Tom Cressey.

Cressey joins the Manchester firm, from SAS Daniels where he was joint head of property. He previously worked at Cobbetts for more than eight years and specialises in all areas of commercial property and his clients include Pochin Developments and Oldham Council.

The team has also recently recruited three paralegals, Rami Prince-Navaratnam, William Foster and Iqrah Hussan. Additionally trainee solicitor Purva Arora has qualified into the department as a Solicitor.  This means that the commercial property team has grown in just three years from eight to 24 .

Joy Kingsley, senior partner at JMW said: “Tom has excellent experience and the team is very much looking forward to working with his existing and new clients. It has been an exciting few years for the commercial property team as they trebled in size as well as fee income and profit.  Tom is a very welcome addition to this growing department.”

Cressey added: “I am excited to be joining JMW. The commercial property team have had a very successful few years and I am delighted to be a part of this expanding and developing team. I believe this is a great opportunity to be involved with the continued development of an entrepreneurial firm.”

::

MANCHESTER-based PR and communications agency Bird Consultancy has promoted Kate Byford to deputy chief executive.

Byford, 33, joined Bird in 2006 as an account executive, and has worked her way up through the company, stepping up to deputy CEO from her position as account director. She has recently returned from maternity leave.

Chris Bird, chief executive and founder of the business, said: “Kate is a huge asset to Bird, and I’m delighted she has agreed to take on this role as she returns to work. Kate has been with us for nearly a decade and her hard work, commitment and professionalism have played a huge part in shaping Bird to where it is today. We are entering an exciting time at Bird and Kate will play a vital part in moving the business forward.”

There have been a number of internal promotions at the agency, including Rebecca Sims who has been promoted from account executive to account manager, and Paige O’Grady who has been promoted from PR assistant to account executive. Vikki McCrindle has also joined Bird as an account manager.

The promotions come 12 months after Bird relocated to the Sharp Project, and ahead of its 25th anniversary next month.

::

WARRINGTON-based  business services provider Optionis has appointed Robert White as managing director of its SME division.

This newly-created role sees White lead a 60-strong team across Optionis’ offices in Warrington, Poole and Hounslow.

He will be responsible for providing accountancy, tax, payroll and HR services to small businesses, pubs and the leisure industry through the ClearSky Business and ClearSky Pub Solutions brands, as well as specialist tax solutions to Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) workers via the Brian Alfred and Arnsco brands.

The appointment comes as Warrington based Optionis looks to grow its small business offering via partnerships and a buy and build strategy.

White joins Optionis from technology distribution firm Exertis, where he was chief operating officer for the UK and Ireland.

::

LAW firm Linder Myers Solicitors has boosted its medical negligence team in Chester with the promotion of Tim Dennis to associate and the appointment of a new nurse.

Sharron Coleing joins the Pepper Street based firm from the Countess of Chester Hospital where she helped set up a project reviewing retrospective reviews of individuals’ healthcare needs. She previously specialised in moderate / end stage dementia care and worked with ex-servicemen suffering with PTSD.

Trevor Ward, head of medical negligence at Linder Myers Solicitors, said: “We have a strong team of specialists in Chester led by Tim Dennis who has recently secured £5m for a client and whose promotion recognises his growing expertise in this complex field. Sharron brings strong skills in investigation techniques and will be supporting the team with our increasing number of enquiries providing invaluable medical insights from her nursing background.”

::

JAM, the PR and creative agency has made three new hires following a strong year.
 
Lauren Digby joins JAM’s creative division as a middleweight designer. Joining from DeVere Hotels where she worked within the marketing team, she will be responsible for responding to briefs with creative solutions, mentoring junior members, client liaison and supporting the creative director.
 
Alex Cupial-Jones also joins the creative team as junior designer following a six month work experience placement.
 
Rebecca Ore joins JAM’s PR team as account researcher, after impressing during a work experience earlier this year as she completed a MA in Journalism.