People: Tosca Debt Capital; Pannone Corporate; Grant Thornton; Alexander Knight; Addleshaw Goddard & more
Judith McMath joins the company, which is part of Toscafund Asset Management, as corporate development director.
McMath joins from Wells Fargo Capital Finance where she held the position of regional director for the North of England for ten years.
Oliver Reece also joined the debt fund company after a ten-year career in the North West corporate advisory market including roles with Deloitte Corporate Finance and Barclays Leverage Finance.
Meanwhile, Craig Monks has joined Tosca as investment executive from EY, where he worked with founding partners Gary Davison and Richard Williams for five years in the Capital and Debt Advisory team.
Richard Williams, partner at Toscafund, said: “The calibre of our newly-extended team is second to none and are valuable assets for us as a regional lender. Judith’s deal structuring and underwriting experience and extensive network of professional contacts across the North of England will be of particular value to the team as we look to extend our reach and deploy our capital.”
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LAW firm Pannone Corporate has expanded its real estate team with two appointments.
James Wynne will join the firm as a partner from Shoosmiths’ Manchester office where he was also a partner.
Wynne has a wealth of experience advising high profile clients operating in the logistics, leisure, industrial and student accommodation sectors. He advises on all aspects of real estate matters including landlord and tenant, corporate support, insolvency and property finance.
Gareth Birch joined the firm as an associate solicitor in the real estate team. Birch, who was previously at Napthens, advises retail, investor and developer clients on real estate issues.
Wynne said: “The quality of both the clients and the people at Pannone Corporate was a major factor in deciding to join the firm. There is a refreshing culture at Pannone Corporate and I am looking forward to further expanding the client base across a number of sectors.”
Pannone Corporate managing partner Paul Jonson said: “We are delighted to welcome James and Gareth to the team. I am confident they will both play a significant role in further developing and raising the profile of the real estate team.”
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GRANT Thornton has promoted Jason Bell to restructuring director and Philip Stephenson to debt advisory director at its Manchester office.
The appointments come as part of Grant Thornton’s strengthening of its wider advisory team across the north including the appointment of Martin Barron and Richard Goldsack to partner in Leeds.
Bell has operated in the Manchester market place for nearly 20 years and has managed a number of the areas large insolvencies including the administration of Carcraft last year.
Working with companies with debts ranging from less than £1m to almost £1bn in a range of sectors, he has a particular focus on the motor retail and education sectors.
To take up his new role, Stephenson will move from the Grant Thornton’s Newcastle office to the Manchester office.
He has been instrumental in establishing the firm’s National Debt Advisory team and its wider network throughout the UK.
Stephenson will be advising clients on raising funds for a variety of events, such as a merger and acquisition or a general refinance, and working closely with Grant Thornton’s other advisory teams to ensure corporates understand and achieve their strategic ambitions.
He said: “This move to Manchester is a great opportunity for me and for Grant Thornton. The city has a vibrant and growing economy that has an effect all over the north. It is also an interesting period in the debt markets with borrowers having more options than ever before. This does, however, make it confusing and difficult to understand what is possible.”
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MANCHESTER accountants Alexander Knight & Co has expanded its team after taking on a new trainee accountant.
Jack Crowther joins the Wythenshawe chartered accountancy via Stockport-based apprenticeship provider Damar Training.
He will continue his training while completing the practical side of his apprenticeship at Alexander Knight & Co.
Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co said: “He will play a key role in helping to maintain our service to new and existing clients.
“We’re committed to providing an excellent platform for a successful career in accountancy for local apprentices.”
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ADDLESHAW Goddard, a corporate law firm with offices in Manchester, Leeds and London, has appointed Charles Penney as its new senior partner.
Penney, who is the company’s head of corporate finance, will take up the position on May 1.
A former secretary of the UK takeover panel Charles Penney joined Addleshaw Goddard in 2005 and is a well-known figure in the City of London.
Penney will combine his existing client responsibilities with his new leadership responsibilities. The role is market-facing and, alongside the governance aspects, Charles will focus on growth across the firm’s UK and international markets.
Outgoing senior partner Monica Burch said: “It has been a great privilege to serve as senior partner and I wish Charles well as my successor.
“He brings experience and energy and, with Charles as Senior Partner and John Joyce as Managing Partner, the firm is in very good hands.
“They have the support of our business and are passionate about two aspects which remain core to AG – our people and our clients.”
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MANCHESTER PR and marketing agency Roland Dransfield has expanded its team after two major contract wins.
The company has recruited Emily Hallinan, 23, as a junior account executive straight from the University of Manchester, where she attained a first class honours degree while working for Red Bull as well as holding the position of general secretary of the University’s Management Society.
The appointment comes after Roland Dransfield won two major contracts with regeneration company St Mowden NW and residential developer Beech Holdings. The company also retained its account with structural defects insurance provider CRL following a competitive re-pitch.
Roland Dransfield’s associate director Caroline Aspinall said: “It is such an exciting time for Roland Dransfield – for the business, our team and also for our clients.
“We appointed Emily after she had completed a fortnight of work experience with us where she bowled us over with her enthusiasm, confidence and ability to use her initiative.
“She has the potential to be a superb PR practitioner and fits in perfectly with the existing team.”
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LIVERPOOL-based investment group Seneca Investment Managers has appointed Cathy Growney as marketing manager to support the growth of the firm.
In her new role, Growney will be managing all aspects of the marketing function of Seneca IM, to develop and deliver messaging around Seneca IM, its investment process and products with regard to all Seneca stakeholders and the wider financial community.
She joins Seneca Investment Managers from JLT Employee Benefits, where she spent 13 years, most recently as a consultant with responsibility for all marketing aspects of the investment consulting team. Previously she has held managerial consultancy positions at BWD Rensburg and Dresdner RCM Global Investors.
David Thomas, chief executive, Seneca Investment Managers, said: “Catherine has exceptional experience across all operational and marketing aspects of the investment business. It’s great to have Catherine on board, driving the marketing strategy for the ongoing growth of our range of multi asset funds and multi asset investment trust.”
