People: Story Homes; CBRE; Forward Role & more
HOUSEBUILDER Story Homes has signalled its intent by appointing Sue Warwick as its new managing director for the North West.
Warwick has more than 17 years’ experience in residential development and was most recently regional managing director, northern region for Bovis Homes.
She will be based at the Carlisle-based Story Homes’ newly opened North West office in Chorley, where she will lead a 50-strong team, with further recruitment already underway.
Warwick said: “Story Homes has achieved incredible things in Cumbria, South Scotland and the North East and we are now set on replicating that success in the North West,” says Warwick, who will lead the company’s growth strategy in a region where the brand is already starting to establish a foothold.
“We have a solid platform to build on — our land bank is strong, we have a number of projects in planning and we are on track to hit our current delivery plans. We have three sites in the region with three more due to start before our year end in March 2016.
“Story Homes’ reputation is underpinned by the high quality of its homes and I’ve been impressed by the attention to detail.
“That only comes about through strong management and a high degree of professionalism throughout the operation – from the board room to the building site. I’m delighted to be part of the team.”
Warwick also holds a non executive directorship with Wigan and Leigh Housing and was previously with Miller Homes, where she was national sales and marketing director, Fairclough Homes and Countryside Residential.
She added: “It’s a very exciting time to join the business and for anyone in the industry who is looking for a new challenge.”
::
THE Manchester office of CBRE has announced Rory O’Leary as associate director within its North West Lease Consultancy team.
O’Leary joins from The Co-Operative where he was estates manager for the North West and Central and Eastern regions.
He has more than13 years’ experience and specialist knowledge in dealing with rent reviews, lease renewals and re-gears on all types of commercial property, and in his role at CBRE will act for both landlords and tenants with clients including funds, private landlords, retailers and occupiers.
Fiona Halliwell, Director of the North West Lease Consultancy Team, said: “Having previously worked with Rory earlier in our careers, I am looking forward to resuming that working relationship on CBRE’s highly varied client base, to enable us to achieve potential future growth.”
O’Leary added: “Joining CBRE is a fantastic opportunity and I am looking forward to working at a company that provides access to a huge and diverse client base.
“The role will allow me to use my previous client-side experience to provide clients with an excellent service and opportunities to enhance value and promote much needed cost saving where possible.”
::
MANCHESTER-based Forward Role has expanded its business to business marketing recruitment offering with the appointment of managing consultant Dan Middlebrook from Blue Skies.
Middlebrook started his career in the world of oil and gas recruitment and has also worked in financial recruitment in both Manchester and New Zealand, before moving into the marketing sector. He will concentrate on the client-side B2B sector with particular emphasis on engineering, manufacturing, construction and logistics.
Brian Johnson, sales director of Forward Role, said: “We’re delighted to strengthen our B2B proposition with a consultant who is so well connected in his space. Dan’s expertise and experience will allow us to offer a more tailored and focussed service to a sector that has not traditionally been our core offering.”
::
NORTH West based law firm Forbes Solicitors has promoted solicitor Jennifer Wilkinson to associate.
Alongside wills and tax, Wilkinson who has been with the firm for more than two years also looks after probate and trusts.
Wilkinson said: “Meeting and helping our clients is the most rewarding part of my role at Forbes and I look forward to continuing and progressing my career here.
”
Patricia Prescott, head of department at Forbes also said: “Jennifer is a valued member of our team and we wish her well with her continued future with Forbes.”
::
PR agency Mason Williams Communications, founded in Manchester almost 30 years ago, has announced a dream team who join the agency this month.
Janine Limb has moved from London to be a senior director in the Manchester office. Previously she was heading up an art, culture and lifestyle agency.
Virginia Webb joins the agency as a board director following her recent success launching the Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London.
She has been working in the hotel, hospitality and travel industry for over fifteen years and joins from the Massey Partnership.
Senior managers Rose Allerston and Lauren Broughton complete the senior appointments with backgrounds spanning culture, arts, tourism, hotels, hospitality and family sector brands.
::
PRESTON-headquartered law firm Harrison Drury has appointed experienced lawyer Simon Price to lead its people and client development functions as it seeks further growth in Lancashire and Cumbria.
Price, whose experience includes roles with national and international law firms, including DWF and DLA Piper, has been appointed a director at the which has five offices in the region.
As well as being an experienced commercial litigation specialist, Price is an expert in professional development coach and mentor.
John Chesworth, managing director at Harrison Drury, said: “A large part of our growth strategy is focused on developing our people and making Harrison Drury a place where they can flourish. This is evident in the high calibre of recruits we’ve attracted in recent times and our low staff turnover rates.”
