People on the move: One iota; Forbes Solicitors; Taylor & Taylor Financial Services; Knights; ICS; CoolKit

ROSSENDAL-based multi channel retail technology specialist One iota, a Sanderson Group company, has announced the appointment of Christian Brooks as its managing director.
 
He brings a wealth of experience across the technology and retail industries and will be focussing on accelerating the growth of the company.

Since being established in 2010, One iota has enjoyed success delivering digital transformation for major retail clients including JD Sports, Quiz, Shop Direct and Superdry.

Brooks said: “One iota is clearly an ambitious company, focused on and committed to enabling retailers to deliver best in class customer experiences online and in-store.

“I am very much looking forward to working with such a strong and successful team to continue to grow the One iota business.”

Sanderson Group CEO Ian Newcombe said: “We are thrilled to welcome someone of Christian’s calibre into the One iota team. He has a proven track record growing businesses and inspiring teams and we’re all excited to work with him on the next phase of our continued growth and development.”

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THREE members of staff at North West legal firm Forbes Solicitors are celebrating after qualifying as solicitors.

Lorraine Wilson, Callum Halley and Mohassan Mehmood are now beginning the next stage of their careers with the firm.
 
Wilson, based in the Preston office, specialises in matters relating to wills, lasting power of attorney, planning for later life and court of protection. She also deals with probate and the administration of estates.

Halley, based in the Central Lancashire, works in the Dispute Resolution department and has extensive experience in litigation, having previously worked as a paralegal and trainee solicitor in the defendant insurance department.

Mehmood, also based in Central Lancashire, is a solicitor within the commercial property team.

Siobhan Hardy, senior partner at Forbes said: “We are delighted that Lorraine, Callum and Mohassan are beginning the next stage of their careers with us. All three are very talented and we are pleased to have them as part of our team.”
 
Forbes has around 320 staff including 39 partners and 9 offices. Office locations include Blackburn (3), Accrington, Central Lancashire, Preston, Chorley, Leeds and Manchester.

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A PENSIONS law specialist with more than 12 years’ experience has joined growing Chester-based professional services business Knights.

Philip Woolham who joins Knights as a partner will head up the new pensions team, formed in response to the surge in demand for specialist pension law advice.

Woolhm said: “Pensions is an incredibly hot topic.  For employers, getting it wrong can be very expensive and for employees there are life-changing consequences if pensions aren’t properly considered.

“The demand for pension advice is growing enormously. People are living longer, legal obligations are changing for businesses of all sizes – particularly following auto-enrolment of workplace pensions – and they also have a huge impact of corporate transactions and acquisitions.”

Having worked at a number of leading law firms, Woolham has extensive expertise across multiple sectors including public, private and third sector organisations, as well as specific knowledge in advising schools when transferring to academy status.

Knights’ CEO David Beech said: “2016 has been an important year for Knights as we focus on extending our current client offering to include specialist and non-law services. Our culture and alternative business structure is helping us attract talented lawyers like Philip.”

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ROSS Taylor has joined the Bolton company run by his father Chris, Taylor & Taylor Financial Services as a director.

The independent financial advice firm based on Chorley New Road in 1993.

Ross, 30, joins the company after starting out as teacher on the TeachFirst graduate scheme. After graduating from the University of Manchester in international business management he spent two years teaching at a secondary school in Manchester and further two years at a boarding school in Nairobi, Kenya.

He then left the profession and has recently qualified as a chartered accountant at EY in Manchester.

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LANCASTER accountancy firm ICS has bolstered its senior management team with the appointment of two new department heads.
 
Andy Stevens is the firm’s new head of marketing and sales, while Maggie Aston-Green has been appointed as head of contractor and small business accounting.
 
Stevens brings with him a wealth of experience across different sectors, including education, sports, technology and agriculture. In his new role, his responsibilities combine marketing and sales to drive forward the growth of ICS and its offerings to clients and recruitment agencies.

He said: “I will oversee both the sales and marketing teams while ensuring that everything we do is in line with our ethos of trust, care and compliance, and that we are giving the best advice and options to each one of our clients.”

Aston Green has also brought with her vast experience working with companies in a variety of sectors, including charities, academies, haulage companies, wholesalers and professional sports clubs.

Her key responsibilities include supervising and managing the large team of accountants, as well as leading and supporting the planning, conduct and delivery of accounting services to more than 1,300 clients.

She said: “I am looking forward to helping many individuals and small businesses with their tax and accounting needs, therefore freeing up their time to focus on their business development.”

ICS managing director, John Lyon, said: “The senior management team is delighted with the appointments of Andy and Maggie as department heads. Their combined experience across different sectors makes them terrific additions to ICS, and they will both play important roles in leading the company’s growth and development.”

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BURNLEY-based refrigerated vehicle specialist CoolKit has promoted Alicia Threlfall into the newly created role of production planning manager.

After many years of dedicated service to the company, Threlfall will be moving from the sales department into the new position, which will provide improved linkage between the sales and operations teams.

She said: “Having worked alongside the sales team I have gained knowledge of the refrigerated products and services we provide and understand our high quality standards and the importance of delivering a perfect refrigerated van to our customers each and every time.”