People on the move: Infinity; Gorvins; Exact Abacus; Linda Lewis Kitchens; Forward Role Recruitment
A BANKING veteran who held numerous senior posts during a 42-year career with HSBC has taken up a role with investment firm Infinity.
Norman Davidson, 59, who retired at the end of 2015, has joined the investment committee for Infinity’s debt fund.
He is the first external figure to be appointed to the committee. His duties will include advising on prospective deals, reviewing the existing portfolio and acting as an ambassador for the debt fund and Infinity’s other activities, which include private equity and property investment.
Infinity, based in Salford Quays following its move from Manchester city centre earlier this year, manages and advises on clients’ investments across a range of funds and asset classes.
Its debt fund, which provides flexible finance of between £2m and £10m for growing businesses, is headed by partner Dave Furlong, who joined Infinity last year.
Furlong previously worked with Norman at HSBC as head of leveraged finance for the north west.
Davidson began his career with the former Midland Bank as a 17-year-old clerk and rose through the corporate ranks to finish as head of the UK regions for HSBC Leveraged Finance.
In charge of five offices between 2011 and 2015, he jointly managed a substantial book of leveraged loans to mid-market companies.
Furlong said: “Norman is a true heavy-hitter from the banking world and his appointment is a fantastic boost for Infinity.
“He has vast experience, strong analytical skills and excellent working relationships with the corporate and professional communities across the north.
“His attributes will greatly complement the skillset of our existing investment committee members, and we could not wish for someone with a better track record to become our first external appointment.”
Davidson said: “Debt funds have shown tremendous growth over the last five years and I’m looking forward to helping Infinity develop its offering.
“I spent a good proportion of my career filtering deals, making sure we did the right transactions. It was not just about lending the money but also about looking after it.
“I like the culture at Infinity and am excited to be using my background and experience to good effect to help the business grow.”
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MARTIN Hoare has been appointed the new managing partner of Gorvins solicitors, one of the North West`s largest full service law firms.
Already head of the Stockport company’s commercial property team, Hoare specialises in commercial and residential development and investment, advising some of the North West’s major businesses, including H2O Urban, NPL Group PH Property Holdings, Seddon Developments and Urban Splash.
In his new role, Hoare – who has been recognised for his work by client guides Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners – intends to build on the firm`s continuing success.
“We pride ourselves in standing out from the competition with our quality, partner-led teams teams delivering commercially savy advice, projects and transactions for clients.” said Hoare, 43.
“We have a client base to rival many bigger firms thanks to the fantastic lawyers working at Gorvins. I’m looking forward to overseeing the firm as it goes forward to grow its market share.”
Married with three children, Hoare, who lives in Wilmslow, joined Gorvins in 2010.
He takes over as managing partner from Lorraine Lockie, Gorvins’ head of residential property.
Hoare said: “I thoroughly enjoy working in a firm which is committed to providing stand out legal services – in particular to the SME sector, the north west business community and its private clients.”
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CHORLEY-headquartered eCommerce, software and fulfilment specialists Exact Abacus has appointed Jackie Hargreaves to the newly-created position of head of customer service.
With more than 25 years’ customer service and communications experience, Hargreaves has held a number of senior roles in private and public sector organisations.
Tasked with managing the modernisation of processes and systems to deal with inbound enquiries from its international customer base, Hargreaves’ main remit will be to streamline and enhance the firm’s customer service offering.
With more than 200 multi-channel retail customers across the globe, Exact Abacus provides a range of services that enables businesses to maximise their online, stock management and delivery processes. The company boasts a number of partners, including Google, Microsoft, eBay and Sage Pay.
Hargreaves said: “I have a wealth of experience in reviewing and auditing customer journeys and looking at ways in which processes or procedures can be changed in order to make improvements that will ensure we put our customers first.
“There have been so many advances in digital, we’re taking steps to ensure the company has the requisite services in place to meet customer demand and I’ll be working closely with staff across the business, especially our account managers and support engineers, to ensure we have the very best frontline support. “
Lee Gregson, managing director at Exact Abacus, added: “Jackie has a very impressive résumé and her background and scope of experience made her the perfect choice for the role.
“She’ll be a valuable addition to the team and will ensure that our clients receive the very best service.”
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ITALIAN catering equipment importer and supplier Linda Lewis Kitchens has expanded its team to support both continued growth and exciting new product launches in its tenth anniversary year.
The dedicated and innovative catering equipment specialist has recruited four new members of staff who are now working from LLK’s new head office in Oldham.
Significant investment has enabled LLK to create a demo kitchen and expand its warehousing function, as well as providing larger and better equipped office accommodation for the growing team.
Joining LLK managing director Linda Lewis as business development manager is her 26-year-old daughter, Jenna Lewis.
Jenna has a solid background in retail having held management positions with multinational retail companies H&M and Debenhams. Jenna is tasked with looking for new business opportunities to support LLK’s growth plans.
Grace Carr, a 22-year-old who has gained experience with global PR firm Weber Shandwick and Manchester agency Ledigo PR, has been appointed digital marketing executive. Responsible for LLK’s website and social media activity, Carr will continue to develop the firm’s online presence.
Accounts apprentice, 17-year-old Tom Ashworth, is now working alongside financial director Joe Solomon while warehouse operative Ben Jackson, 29, has been taken on to assist with stock control and order dispatch.
The new appointments see the LLK team grow from seven members of staff to 11, supported by two engineers and four regional sales representatives.
Linda Lewis said: “LLK is delighted to welcome new faces to the team and to continue our expansion in our 10th anniversary year. Having boosted our business development and marketing capacities, and with exciting new products in our portfolio, including a new range of wood-fired and living flame ovens, 2016 will be a landmark year for us.”
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SPECIALIST digital and marketing agency Forward Role, based in Bolton, has increased the scope of its technology offering with the addition of Mike Rhodes to its fast growing team.
The company already has an established web design and development offering and believes that Rhodes’ expertise in IT development will allow it to offer a complete service across the whole sector with the addition of back end development, technical lead and testing roles.
Managing director Steve Thompson said: “We find that our clients are increasingly keen to use one agency for all their technology recruitment needs, so we have responded to this by widening the scope of our IT capability.
“The tech sector in the North West is growing and Mike’s expertise will enable us to help shape the future of this important market.”
Rhodes found his way into recruitment via a career in financial services and started in the world of senior placements before finding his home in IT recruitment.
As an expert in the technology market in the North West, his current focus is on IT development of all levels from junior developer through to development director and architects, as well as senior IT director and head of roles.
