People: UD Group; Moore & Smalley; Knight Frank
UD Group, the transformational software developer for the energy sector, has announced the appointment of Steve Armitage as its managing director.
Armitage, who has a long track record of success in multinational energy businesses, will spearhead Manchester-headquartered UD Group’s commercial and organisational development.
Paul Hodnett, founder and sales director at UD Group, said: “We’ve seen rapid growth as a business over the past 18 months, securing contracts with the energy market’s major players.
“That growth has expanded our reach internationally and, having experienced both competitive wholesale and retail energy markets in the UK, Europe and US, we feel the addition of Steve’s knowledge is the perfect way to support the Group’s continued success.”
Armitage joins UD Group with more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector that has seen him become a regular advisor to Ofgem and DECC.
A founder of renewable energy buying firm SmartestEnergy in 2001, he grew the business before exiting in 2010 to join Gazprom Energy, where he developed the energy giant’s pan-European commercial strategies.
Armitage added: “The growth of UD Group since forming as a technology start up in 2009 has been hugely impressive and is one of the many reasons I was attracted to the role. Our software is now recognised as market leading and we’re seeing demand for it with the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers and further afield internationally.”
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TWO experienced accountants have landed senior promotions at North West accountancy and business advisory firm Moore and Smalley.
The firm, which has six offices across Lancashire and Cumbria, has promoted director Mike Hardaker to partner, while senior tax manager Lisa Pennington steps up as director.
Mike, who lives in Lytham St Annes, is among the firm’s longest serving staff members. The 40-year-old has been advising Lancashire’s SMEs, owner managed and family run businesses for almost two decades after joining Moore and Smalley as an accounts trainee in 1997.
As part of his promotion to partner, Hardaker will play more of a role in the strategic growth and future of the business.
Pennington joined Moore and Smalley as a personal tax consultant in 2005 and now heads up the firm’s healthcare services team. The 49-year-old, who is from Cheshire, provides advice on all strategic tax and pension planning matters to private healthcare businesses, NHS trusts and GP practices.
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KNIGHT Frank has appointed Bradley Angel as a graduate building surveyor in its project and building consultancy team.
With a first-class building surveying degree from Liverpool John Moores University, Angel has joined the firm’s Manchester office.
His role will involve working with clients across the North West, assisting with instructions ranging from pre-acquisition and dilapidations surveys through to workplace consultancy and contract administration.
Angel joins a team led by partner Simon Matley and will now work towards his APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) to achieve RICS chartered status.
Matley said: “Bradley is the second graduate to join our team within the last 12 months and will benefit from our structured training and development programme. With a first-class degree, Bradley has the skills to help us grow the team through more instructions and further enhancing the service we provide to our expanding client base.”
Knight Frank’s Manchester-based building consultancy team is currently working on projects, including dilapidation strategies for St Modwen’s sites across the North West and acquisition surveys for pension funds, investors and occupiers throughout the region.
