People on the move: UKFast; Colliers International; Just PR; Black Cat Building Consultancy; Macclesfield College; Haworths Financial Services; RICS

MANCHESTER hosting firm UKFast has further bolstered its analysis and strategic planning capabilities with the appointment of Stephanie Potts as commercial manager.

Potts, a CIMA qualified management accountant, joins the company following a successful period as European commercial manager at online used car trader WeBuyAnyCar.com.

She is tasked with implementing more systematic use of data analysis into all parts of the business, improving performance and accelerating the firm’s growth.

UKFast chief executive Lawrence Jones said: “As UKFast grows I realise that there are many more numbers within the business, beyond the ones processed for the accounts. Steph is the first analyst we’ve recruited to help us use the numbers to make better decisions.

“We’ve grown the UKFast team from 200 to more than 300 in the last year. As a small businessman you try and do a lot of decision making yourself, acting on gut and instinct.

“There’ll always be some element of that, but there’s nothing better than making an instinctive decision and then having the data back up the idea. The answer is always in the numbers.

“I’ve gone from somebody who’s proud of only having one accountant in the business to wanting hundreds of them.”

UKFast has enjoyed 17 consecutive years of organic growth, generating revenues of £34.3m in 2015. Earlier this year the firm opened up the option of a £40m bank facility from RBS to fund acquisitions and drive new growth.

Potts said: “I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and using the numbers to implement a layer of KPIs.”

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REAL estate advisor Colliers International has appointed Sophie Attwood as associate in its rating team in the North West.

Based in Liverpool, she will also assist the Manchester office rating team, working alongside director of rating Adam Burke, associate director Edward Stanley and graduate Oliver Potts.

She joins Colliers from the Liverpool office of property consultants Dunlop Heywood where she held the post of associate director, rating and head of office.

Her extensive experience in rating includes casework settlement, presenting cases at valuation tribunal, market rent valuations and reduction of rates liabilities for businesses including Peel Investments (UK), Peel Ports Group, Pure Gym, Anytime Fitness, NewRiver Retail, Speedy Hire and The Money Shop.

Attwood said: “While based at the Liverpool office of Colliers International, I look forward to working with the rating team at both Liverpool and Manchester offices for clients throughout the North West of England and nationwide.

“My appointment reflects the commitment of Colliers to growing its Liverpool office headed by director Andy Delaney and to ensuring clients benefit from the specialist services and collective expertise of the best rating team in commercial property ahead of the draft rating list being published in September and the actual list taking effect on April 1 2017.”

Adam Burke added: “Sophie’s appointment will give further confidence to businesses which will need best-in-class business rates advice and assistance to mount an appeal in the coming months.”

Other recent high-profile appointments by Colliers in the North West of England included Dominic Pozzoni joining as a director to head the firm’s seven-strong Manchester National offices team, working closely with established directors Michael Hawkins and Peter Gallagher.

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MANCHESTER-based Black Cat Building Consultancy, has signed another former CBRE colleague, Stuart McBride.

McBride joins the business as an Associate Director from CBRE’s Leeds office. McBride has previously worked for Savills, GVA and CBRE within the Manchester, London and Leeds markets.

McBride said: “I am very excited at the prospect of working with the Black Cat team. The freedom and opportunity to do things differently than the norm for their growing list of clients was the key reason for my choosing to join the business”.

Stephen Barnes, director at Black Cat Building Consultancy and former CBRE man, said “We are delighted that Stuart is joining us. He is a fantastic surveyor with a huge amount of experience for his age. His energy and enthusiasm makes him a perfect fit for our more entrepreneurial approach to Building Consultancy.”

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JUST PR & Marketing, a Manchester-based niche PR consultancy specialising in the built environment sector, has appointed Bradley Agnew as the company’s new head of digital.

The appointment comes after a number of client wins including Henry Boot Construction, PRP, McCauls, Civic Engineers, and CRS Demolition and a desire to further develop Just’s digital offering as the business continues to grow.
 
Prior to joining Just, Agnew was the head of sales and marketing for one of the UK’s leading cost management consulting firm and also performed a number of in-house marketing and digital roles.

Bradley founded his first company at age 14 and has worked with brands such as Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, and dozens of other leading organisations across a diverse range of industries.

Justine McGuinn founded Just PR & Marketing in 2008 and has 30 years’ experience in property, construction and regeneration from an agency and client-side perspective having worked for FD Tamesis which is now part of FTi Consulting and Amec Developments which is now Muse Developments.

She said: “Bradley is a great addition to the team at Just PR. His enthusiasm and experience will be of exceptional value to our client base whilst navigating the digital arena and assist them to get the best possible return on their investment in digital marketing.”

Agnew said: “I look forward to working closely with Justine as we continue to grow and further raise our profile in the North West and across the UK. Justine has earned an enviable reputation for her track record in PR, and together we aim to provide a cutting-edge digital service to match.”

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MACCLESFIELD College has appointed a new chair of governors to its board.
Mark Sharples takes the position following a successful two years on the board of governors.

During that time Sharples has worked on the board’s audit committee and been the link governor for hospitality and catering.

Sharples previously worked for 32 years as an officer within Cheshire Police serving within their family protection unit. He also ran his own Manchester-based industrial and domestic landscaping business.

Currently he now runs Five Clouds bar and brewery in Macclesfield. He has previously worked as a volunteer within Youth and Colts Rugby at Macclesfield Rugby Club.

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ACCRINGTON-headquartered Haworths Financial Services has appointed independent financial adviser Paula Gahan as part of a strategic move to build on the holistic financial management services it offers clients.



She joins an established IFA team at Haworths, which also has offices in Bentham and Settle, and will work across clients from all three offices, helping them to maximise their financial assets and plan effectively for the future.



Gahan said: “Haworths Financial Services has an enviable client retention record because the company puts a very clear focus on building relationships with its customers and proactively working with them to identify ways in which they can manage their finances in the most efficient way possible.



“My new role builds on that approach and will enable Haworths to incorporate a financial planning health check into client relationships, ensuring that we not only answer their immediate retirement, investment or financial protection needs, but also help them achieve their current and future financial goals.”



John McGregor, director at Haworths Financial Services, added: “Paula’s impressive experience and informal approach are an excellent fit for the business and the challenging remit of this newly created role.

“Her appointment will help Haworths provide added value services for new and existing clients, spearheading growth whilst maintaining our high standards.”

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A LIVERPOOL-based chartered surveyor has been appointed chairman of RICS Matrics Merseyside & Cheshire – a networking and support group for professionals in the land, property and construction sectors at the start of, or in the early stages of their career.

Dean McDonough, project manager at AECOM in Liverpool has taken up the chair role, after proving to be an invaluable member of the committee, helping to organise many popular activities and seminars to help young industry professionals increase their knowledge and skill set, whilst making invaluable contacts.

McDonough said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of chair – we already have some insightful seminars lined up for autumn, with topics including due diligence for acquisitions, asbestos management, and rating case law, with lots more planned for the forthcoming year.”