Appointments: Different Money; Pannone Corporate; PwC & more

CHESHIRE-based short-term instalment loan provider Different Money has appointed Lisa Bayliss as operations manager.

She has more than 12 years’ experience in working within a finance and regulatory environment and joins from Credit 4 Cars where she held the position of underwriting team manager, running a team of up to 20 underwriters for the unsecured credit lender.  

Prior to this, she also held a senior position at the Home Retail Group as well as Black Horse.

In this newly-created role at Bayliss will be responsible for managing the completion of the day-to-day objectives set out by the board and playing a pivotal role in assisting the managing director and the board in driving the business forward.

Different Money managing director Louise Sanders said: “Lisa has the necessary drive and experience to really help us realise our ambitious growth targets for the business. She will also be key in helping us to move away from the stigma of short-term loans and into the more mainstream near-prime lending market.

“She is the perfect fit for our organisation and we all wish her well in her new career.”

Bayliss added: “I was really drawn to Different Money as it is a fast-growing and forward thinking company and one in which I’ll be able to utilise my skills and significant finance experience.”

::

MANCHESTER law firm Pannone Corporate has made two senior appointments to expand its construction and real estate teams.

Kevin Connell has joined the construction team as a legal director after previously working as head of construction at Gorvins Solicitors.

Connell advises on all areas of construction law and his clients include national housebuilder Persimmon.

He said: “Pannone Corporate is a dynamic and ambitious firm with a great entrepreneurial focus. I am delighted to have the opportunity to help grow the construction team and re-join a number of my former colleagues to further develop this energetic business.”

Meanwhile, Kas Davis is joining the real estate team as a senior associate. She was previously at Hill Dickinson for more than 10 years.

Davis advises on a range of real estate issues including landlord and tenant, acquisitions and disposals and development. She will work alongside her former colleague Richard James who joined Pannone Corporate from Hill Dickinson last summer to launch its real estate team.

She said: “I am greatly looking forward to joining Pannone Corporate and working alongside Richard again as he expands and develops the real estate team.”

Pannone Corporate managing partner Paul Jonson said: “Our strategy has been to expand our services based on client demand. I am delighted to welcome Kevin and Kas to the firm. These are important recruits in expanding areas of our business.”

::

JAMES Chalk has joined PwC in Manchester to expand its pensions practice.

He has arrived from BDO having specialised in the employer covenant arena for more than eight years, providing advice to a range of trustee and corporate clients across the UK with a particular focus in the North of England.

Chalk will work in PwC’s dedicated employer covenant team across Leeds and Manchester, which has grown rapidly in recent years.

Mark Jennings, head of the PwC’s Northern Pensions Credit Advisory practice, said: “James joins the team at a time when the covenant of a pension scheme’s sponsoring employer is more relevant than ever.

“He is a great addition and brings a wealth of experience. This highlights our intention to invest in our regional pensions practice, and deliver the highest quality service to our clients.”

::

MACCLESFIELD-based leading plastic card manufacturer, Plastic Card Services (PCS) has appointed Louise Ray as marketing communications manager.

With more than 14 years’ PR and marketing experience, she joins PCS in the newly created role, and will help elevate the PCS brand amongst both new and existing clients.

Adam Unsworth of PCS said: “With year on year growth, now is definitely the right time for us to be investing in both the team and the company vision.

“We firmly believe that our people are central to the business, and pride ourselves on the long term relationships we build with both clients and employees.  We look forward to working with Louise and taking advantage of the skills she brings.”

Louise added: “I am thrilled to be joining PCS, they are a growing company with a great reputation in the industry and I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

PCS employs 53 people from their purpose built Macclesfield manufacturing plant and is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of plastic cards and associated services with clients across multiple markets in the UK and Europe.

::

CHESHIRE commercial law firm Aaron & Partners is continuing to grow with the announcement of seven promotions at its Chester office, including three new Partners.

Previous Senior Associates Helen Kidd (employment), Rowena Ridgway (wills, trusts and tax) and Jan Chillery (dispute resolution and insolvency) have all been made partner.

Solicitor Justin Neal has arrived as a senior associate, specialising in environmental and regulatory issues.

Jamie Hawley (corporate and commercial) and James Wallace (wills, trusts and tax) have been promoted to senior associate from associate, while solicitor Keith McKinney (property services and regulatory) is now an Associate.

Chief executive Andy Duxbury said: “We are committed to recognising and rewarding talent and each and every one of these promotions is thoroughly well deserved.

“These individuals’ professional expertise and experience will continue to add value to our business and I am delighted to congratulate them all on their success.”

::

PETER Steele has joined Haydock-based Seneca Partners where he will be responsible for its relationships with wealth managers and intermediaries.

Prior to joining Seneca Steele spent 18 years in a number of senior positions with both the UK’s largest IFA network and one of the largest IFA support service providers where he had experience of operational, development, compliance and relationship management roles.

He said: “This is an excellent opportunity for me to work alongside a highly regarded and esteemed management team, in a dynamic business with a first rate service offering.

“This is a perfect time to be joining Seneca as it continues to grow and support UK businesses via its various funds and services.”