People on the move: Forbes Solicitors; Sunny Thinking; Hotter; ITS; Co-op Electrical

COMMERCIAL Property Lawyer Matthew Jones has joined Forbes Solicitors as an associate as the firm continues to grow its commercial team.

Jones, who is based in Blackburn, has developed long-term relationships with many sole trader and SME clients and helped them on projects ranging from the lease of shops and restaurants to larger scale developments of multiple unit housing developments.
 
His work has involved a wide range of other commercial property matters including option and overage agreements, pre-planning arrangements, secured lending work, general landlord and tenant matters and dealing with the property aspects of business shares sales.

Adam Bromley, head of commercial property at Forbes, said: “Our commercial team deals with an incredibly wide range of work for a wide variety of clients and we are delighted to have recruited someone as talented and enthusiastic as Matthew to help us with that work.”
 
Jones, who joins from Solicitor Direct in Leyland, said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of improving and developing my department, and myself and providing the very best of client care and service.”

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SUNNY Thinking, the Altrincham, Greater Manchester-based creative marketing agency, has appointed Danielle Knibb as senior account executive.

The appointment comes following a number of new account wins for the award-winning agency.

With a Graphic Design degree from Liverpool John Moores University, Danielle has spent the last few years working as an Account Executive developing, planning and implementing effective marketing campaigns on behalf of a wide range of clients across different sectors.  

Jonathan Reed, managing director of Sunny Thinking, is hugely excited that Danielle joined his established team: “Danielle was on our transfer wish list for some time so we’re delighted to announce her as our big summer signing.

“Her eye for design, combined with her knowledge and approachability is already proving incredibly popular with clients such as GreaterSport, Gilpin Energy Services and Making Space.”
 
Danielle, 25, said: “I’ve been watching Sunny Thinking for the last few years and I always really liked their work and their down-to-earth approach to marketing and design. Just as important to me was their philosophy and working with like-minded clients.”

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VICTORIA Betts has been appointed as West Lancashire-based Hotter’s first omni-channel director to fuel the comfort shoe brand’s rapid expansion across all retail platforms.

Adam Marsden also joins the Skelmersdale headquartered shoe company as head of wholesale with the aim of quadrupling its wholesale sales.

Responsible for creating a seamless shopping experience for Hotter’s customers across UK, Europe and US markets, Betts will be working with the Hotter teams to build and enhance the brand’s reputation in its niche 50 plus market.

Betts joins the UK’s biggest shoe maker, which uniquely serves customers via 76 UK stores, and international website and direct channels, with over 16 years’ experience at key brands, including Shop Direct and was most recently marketing and trading Director at Missguided.
 
Marsden has a wealth of footwear experience including 15 years working in Clarks wholesale management.

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BROADAND infrastructure company ITS has announced the appointment of Kevin Gaskell as group chairman at its base at Saighton, Chester.

As the new incoming chairman, Gaskell will lead the board and help attract further investment into the ITS Technology Group.
 
He brings with him the experience and expertise to strengthen the management team in a fast growing company which is committed to the delivery of superfast connectivity and services throughout the UK.

His portfolio includes leading iconic brands such as Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW. He was recognised as a ‘top 40 leader under 40’, founded epyx Limited, the market leader for automotive e-commerce solutions and as Group CEO of EurotaxGlass’s Group created a world leader in electronic data. He now acts as Chairman to a number of growing companies.

He said: “I have been involved in founding and growing a number of successful companies and I am delighted to be joining ITS.

This is a business with a first class team, an energetic and innovative approach to the market and the clear objective to become the UK’s leading independent alternative communication network provider. I am looking forward to working with Roy and the team to build something very special.”

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MANCHESTER-based Co-op Electrical has announced Alan Williamson has been appointed head of marketing.

Williamson, previously digital director at Netflights.com, brings a wealth of digital and e-commerce knowledge and expertise to Co-op, to support its online Electrical arm.

He has 15 years’ experience and has previously held positions within marketing and eCommerce at Thomas Cook, Bupa, Shop Direct and Citi Bank, will be responsible for marketing and eCommerce.
Williamson will report directly into Co-op Electrical managing director, James Holland.
James Holland, managing director Co-op Electrical said: “We have a vision to really grow Electrical and to innovate within the market and we are confident that Alan is integral in helping us to achieve this.”