Appointments: NatWest; Keoghs; Napthens

NATWEST has appointed Gemma Kirby as the new entrepreneur development manager based in Manchester.

In her new role SHE will be supporting entrepreneurs in and around Greater Manchester as they bid to achieve their business aspirations.

This will involve developing relationships within the Greater Manchester-business network and developing new contacts across the region.

Kirby will also work with Entrepreneurial Spark and support the new Manchester ‘Hatchery’ which is opening in February 2016 on Hardman Boulevard.

Entrepreneurial Spark, powered by NatWest and supported by KPMG, is the world’s largest free entrepreneurial accelerator programme with hubs across the UK.

Applications are currently being accepted for a new cohort to join the Manchester programme of 80 enterprises.

Kirby has previously worked as a Women in Business specialist in Manchester and as a Relationship Manger. Gemma is passionate about encouraging Entrepreneurs to succeed and has worked to support businesses for the past eight years.

She said: “This is a very exciting time for Manchester and all those who want to be involved in the Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery at Hardman Boulevard.

“This is a superb opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and those who are looking to grow and scale their business in the North West to access some first-class support.”

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SAMANTHA Ramen has joined Bolton-based law firm Keoghs as director of market and public affairs.

She joins from ABI where she was policy adviser. Ramen will now work closely with Keoghs’ market and public affairs consultant  Steve Thomas and director of strategy Don Clarke to continue a programme of thought leadership activities, including  most recent initiatives involving driverless cars and young driver safety.

Thomas said: “Sam is an experienced policy adviser and lobbyist and brings considerable strength to our thought leadership proposition.
 
“This will reinforce our reach and focus on key issues such as driverless cars, young driver safety and further personal injury compensation reform.

“These are strategic issues that matter to our clients and where we are already well positioned in the debate with Government and other key stakeholders.”

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EXPANDING Lancashire and Cumbria law firm Napthens has appointed five new trainees to its ranks.

Farhan Saleh, Matthew Parr, Gillian Hanson, James Stocker and Roshni Valibhai have joined the firm, and will now spend time working across a range of services, gaining experience as they train.

Salah will be based in the firm’s Blackpool and Fylde office and is currently working with the commercial property team.

Parr, is also working in the Blackpool and Fylde office, in the residential conveyancing team.

Hanson is to work in the litigation and dispute resolution department in Preston. 

Stocker has joined the rural department, based in Blackburn and Valibhai is working in the firm’s corporate department, based in Preston

Partner Helen Lucking said: “The appointment of five trainees demonstrates our commitment to providing clients with the highest level of service.”