People on the move: de Poel; The Tate; Solgain UK; Davis Blank Furniss; Ultimate Finance Group; St George’s Hall Charitable Trust

Cheshire-based temporary worker recruitment firm de Poel – which underwent a recent buyout by CEO Andrew Preston – has made two key appointments.

The Knutsford company has welcomed James Parker as director of business development and Tim Flanagan as director of strategy and commercial.
Parker joins following a successful career in recruitment across both temporary and permanent placements.  

Flanagan has considerable director-level experience gained through strategic consultancy assignments and holding senior management positions in FTSE 100 companies.

He has previously held Managing Director positions at Serco and Capita, as well as being a managing partner of a strategic management consultancy business.

Andrew Preston said: “In what has been a period of significant change, introducing a new way of working, I am delighted to welcome James and Tim to de Poel, to head up our business development, strategy and commercial output across the entire group.

“Not only do they share an abundance of knowledge within the recruitment, outsourcing, public and private sectors, but each have their own individual talents, skill sets and experience to bring to the table.
 
“Our people are an asset to helping de Poel group achieve its ambitious goals, and I wish James and Tim every success in helping to drive the business forward in 2017 and beyond.”

::

Dr Maria Barlow is step down as director of the Whitworth and Manchester City Galleries in early summer to take up the role as the first female director of the Tate.

Barlow has been an integral part of the city’s cultural reinvigoration, helping to secure Manchester’s place as an internationally significant home for the arts.

Alongside her role as director of two major Manchester institutions, she held the post of director of culture for Manchester City Council and in 2015 was awarded a CBE for services to the arts in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “Under Maria’s inspiring leadership the Whitworth, and the arts in Manchester, have been transformed.

“The numerous awards and accolades the Whitworth has received are a testament to the high esteem her work is held in by the culture sector. Though we are very sad to see her leave, it is in recognition of her achievements in Manchester that she has been selected for such a prestigious new position.”

Balshaw said: “I am honoured that the Tate trustees have asked me to be Director and take forward the next exciting chapter of Tate’s life.

“I’m immensely proud to have played a part in making Manchester one of the leading cultural cities in the world and I look forward to seeing what my wonderful colleagues at the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery do next.”

::

Jo Haigh, CEO of fds Director Services has been appointed as the non-executive director of Solgain UK, based in Liverpool.

Solgain UK, a provider of renewable energy solutions, has appointed her to support the company in its continued growth and assist as it bids to becoming the market leader for the installation of solar panels, battery storage and renewable energy solutions for local authorities, housing associations and commercial projects throughout the UK.

With more than 30 years’ experience in electrical, building and insulation technologies Solgain says it is committed to creating positive and harmonious relationships with tenants and providing a green energy solution that will help housing associations and tenants alike reduce their energy costs.

Haigh was named NED of the year in the national Non-Executive Director awards in association with Peel Hunt and the Sunday Times and is the CBI first woman in business services.

She said: “I have worked with the guys from Solgain for a while now on various transactions and was so proud to then be asked to join as a NED. I know this company has a great future and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”
 
Edward Reed, the shareholder at Solgain UK, said: “We are delighted to have Jo on board at Solgain UK. Jo has been supporting us in several different areas for a while now and, as we have seen a hugely positive impact as a result of that, it made sense to retain her as part of the team to help us achieve our ongoing business goals. We know she will always be honest with us and work with us to achieve the best for our business.”

::

Davis Blank Furniss – the Manchester and Glossop based law firm – is further strengthening its residential conveyancing department following the announcement of a new appointment at its Manchester office.

Robert Parkinson has joined the firm from Cyril Morris Arkwright Solicitors in Bolton. He has also previously worked at Glassbrooks in Lytham. Parkinson completed his law degree and LPC qualification at UCLan in Preston.

His new role includes handling the sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold properties, advising on buying a council house, remortgaging of residential property, transferring ownership as well as shared ownerships
Richard Hamilton – head of property at Davis Blank Furniss – said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard to the practice and I’m sure he will be a valuable addition to the team.”

Whilst Robert added: “I’m really excited to be joining Davis Blank Furniss and I’m now looking forward to helping further grow both our client base in Manchester and across the North West.”

::

Ultimate Finance Group, a leading independent provider of finance to UK business based in Mosley Street, Manchester has announced four new senior appointments across the business, further strengthening its leadership team following a record year of growth in 2016.

New hires include industry stalwart Vince Tovey, who will head up its national trade finance and northern regional sales teams, and Rob Mercer who takes the role of senior regional director for Ashley Finance, the group’s specialist lending arm.

Robson, chief executive, said: “This is an exciting time for Ultimate Finance, as we build for the future. A key part of this is investing in the right people, who are the heart of the company and are core to our growth success.

“We are delighted to welcome Vince and Rob to the team, who are both well-respected in the sector and will bring some fresh perspective to the team in Manchester.”

The team will be further bolstered with the appointment of well-known sector specialist Steve Noble, who takes the role of chief operating officer. Jenna Forbes leaves GE Capital to manage the direct sales & telemarketing team with a remit to expand the group’s offering in this important area.

::

St George’s Hall Charitable Trust has appointed a new chair to help raise funds to develop and restore one of Liverpool’s jewels in the crown.

Claire Dove, renowned for spearheading social change and having a huge impact on the region’s business, social enterprise and charity sectors, took up the role as chair of the Hall on Thursday (January 19).
 
One of her main remits is to raise funds using her national and international contacts which can then be invested in projects which develop the venue.

As chief executive of the Blackburn House, Dove has managed the restoration of the derelict building, raising £4m for the project and playing a pivotal role in its transformation in to a hub of successful social enterprises.

Her vision for St George’s Hall is to lead a board of trustees which adds value to the Hall and develops a successful strategy for the iconic building.
 
She said: “It is an honour and privileged to become the chair of St George’s Hall. I look forward to working with trustees to ensure that this iconic building is preserved for future generations to come and that we leave a lasting legacy during our tenure.”