People on the move: Clarion; Zut; R3; Intelligent Conversation; HOW Planning; Legat Owen; St Johns Market
Clarion Wealth Planning, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, has appointed Keith Thompson as its non-executive chairman.
Thompson is a highly-respected figure with an illustrious background in the wealth management industry.
He has helped to build and grow two wealth management businesses and brings more than 50 years’ experience to the role.
Clarion says Thompson will be central to the delivery of its long-term expansion strategy.
After founding and managing Taylor Knowles Financial Planning, a financial planning business in Lancashire, Thompason went on to become a founding director of Altrincham and London-based Greystone Financial Services. He spent more than 20 years at the latter firm, acting as Chairman from 2001.
Clarion managing director Ron Walker said: “Keith’s extensive industry experience will be a huge asset to Clarion. During his career he’s been central to the growth of two financial planning firms and his business acumen will be very valuable as we continue to grow.
“Keith’s knowledge and expertise will also help us further enhance the service we offer to successful business owners who are seeking to achieve the lifestyles they deserve.”
Thompson said: “Having worked in the industry for many years, Clarion’s comprehensive approach to financial planning appealed to me.
“Putting their clients’ long-term aims first, they help hard-working business owners articulate and then achieve what they want from life. I am looking forward to supporting the team at Clarion during its latest expansion stage.”
Thompson will also play a leading role within the firm’s sister company, Clarion Investment Management Limited. This business provides discretionary investment management services designed specifically for clients of Clarion Wealth Planning.
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Liverpool-based video agency Zut has strengthened its team with three new appointments as part of the company’s ambitious plans for growth in 2017.
Andy Horan has been appointed as lead animator following a huge increase in client demand for design animation.
Having previously worked at Mighty Giant in Manchester before establishing a successful career as a freelance motion designer, Horan brings more than 10 years experience to the team.
Producer Tom Guerrier joins Zut from Bite Communications in London, where he worked with a raft of high-profile brands including Amazon, Hasbro, The Trainline and Williams Martini Racing.
He has also previously worked with Comedy Central, Coca Cola and The National Trust as well as the BBC and ITV. During his TV career, he worked on more than 40 episodes of Come Dine with Me.
Michael Kenny, a TV and film production graduate, joins the team as a production assistant as part of the agency’s commitment to training and nurturing young talent.
Zut director, Mark Hancock, said: “Andy, Tom and Michael bring strong experience and serious talent to the team and we are thrilled to welcome them on board. This is set to be an exciting year of growth at Zut so it’s fitting that we are starting the new year with three fantastic new appointments.”
Zut video agency, which launched in 2008, works with clients across the country from its Liverpool headquarters.
Recent work includes video production for Betfred, Everton, Umbro, The Hut Group, Carillion, Brabners, Russell Hobbs and the NHS. The team has also recently worked on live web broadcasts for TalkTalk, Salford University, Cheshire Police, Nestle and The Royal Bank of Scotland.
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Businesses will need to be alert and agile if they are to thrive in the new age of uncertainty, warns the new North West chair of R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body.
Paul Barber, a partner and insolvency practitioner at Begbies Traynor in Manchester, says we are now entering a period of great change, with technological disruption, political upheaval and the prospect of Brexit among the main drivers.
He takes over from Richard Wolff, the outgoing regional chair who is also head of corporate recovery and insolvency at law firm JMW. The new vice chair will be Allan Cadman, a partner and insolvency practitioner at Poppleton & Appleby.
Barber says change management will be a key skill for business in the years ahead.
“While the full impact of Brexit will not be apparent for some time, businesses are already dealing with the immediate impact in the shape of exchange rate fluctuations,” he said.
“At a local level, we will see the introduction of city mayors and combined authorities while internationally, we can expect further political turmoil and the prospect of protectionism in the US. Meanwhile new technologies are changing the landscape and forcing many firms to rethink their business model.”
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Manchester-based PR, content and social agency Intelligent Conversation has appointed two new consultants following continuing business growth.
Senior consultants Natalie Lanyon and Lizzie Horridge join the now 14-strong Manchester-based agency following a series of client wins.
These include Manchester Metropolitan University, leading national charity After Adoption and the agency’s first public health project, Public Health Tameside, extending the reach of its specialist health and social care team.
The agency has also grown its brief with charitable trust Life Leisure and continued to win new projects from existing client United Utilities.
Healthcare expert Lanyon joins from SKV Communications. She has nine years’ in-house experience working in health and higher education, including roles at Central Manchester Universities Hospital Trust. Horridge, who has seven years’ PR experience across professional services, education and FMCG, joins from boutique agency Candor Creative.
The new recruits will be based at Intelligent Conversation’s purpose-built offices in the Hive in Manchester’s thriving Northern Quarter. They will work for clients across the agency’s business and industry, health and social care, and public information divisions.
Intelligent Conversation managing director Libby Howard said: “In line with our senior team philosophy, each of the new recruits brings with them proven experience and skills that will add real value for our clients.”
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Manchester-based HOW Planning has further strengthened its environmental team with a number of new appointments and promotions.
Principal environmental consultant Hilary Brett is now leading the team which has also been boosted by the arrival of Laura Day as senior environmental consultant.
Brett joins from RSK and will be working on HOW’s growing portfolio of environmental work including environmental impact assessments, EIA screening and scoping reports and sustainability assessments.
Brett and Day each have 10 years’ EIA experience, project managing and advising on significant projects across a range of sectors, including mixed-used regeneration, housing, retail, commercial development, leisure and infrastructure and energy.
New addition, Samuel Oliver, graduate environmental planner, brings the number working within HOW’s environmental team to six, with environmental planner Jamie Lynch, principal environmental planner Elizabeth McFadyean and partner Jon Suckley, who oversees this specialist area of the business.
Suckley said: “Over the past few years we have grown steadily as a company and our environmental team is an integral part of our planning advisory service. These latest appointments and promotions further strengthen our overall business and will help us achieve our longer term aims and ambitious targets.”
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Commercial property consultancy Legat Owen has announced the promotion of Natalie Tansey, who works in the firm’s management team, to director.
The news comes after a highly successful start to the year for the management arm of the business.
From its offices in Chester and Nantwich, the 10-strong management team advises over 70 clients across the UK and overseas, helping to maximise the value of their property assets.
The firm collects an aggregate rent roll of over £30m and manages £4m service charge funds.
Peter Johnston, managing director at Legat Owen, said: “Natalie has been with the firm for 13 years and has been a loyal, dedicated and highly respected member of the team, who is respected by both clients and colleagues.
“Natalie, along with Mark Hopley and the team, have been instrumental growing this core area of our business and winning major clients. Her promotion is fully deserved.”
Tansey added: “I’m thrilled with my promotion. The management team has gone from strength to strength and I believe that’s largely down to the high standard of service we provide our clients.”
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A new manager has been appointed to run Liverpool’s recently reopened St Johns Market.
Colin McCrory, 55, has spent the past 25 years running shopping centres across the UK before taking up his new role at one of Britain’s oldest indoor markets.
The former merchant navy seaman’s most recent role was at Stretford Mall in Manchester where he helped increase trade by 35% in his five year tenure.
McCrory, a father of three, who lives in the Wirral, said he was hoping his experience would make an impact at St Johns, which was re-opened by Sir Ken Dodd in November after a £2.5m revamp.
His arrival coincides with Liverpool City Council, which runs the market, announcing the Hair and Beauty section of the market is now 100% let and three new food operators are to open in the next two weeks making the food court 80% let.
McCrory said: “Market halls are regaining their popularity with shoppers and I want to ensure Liverpool has an indoor market the people can be proud of and want to use daily for all their shopping needs.
Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and markets, said: “Colin’s experience is going to be invaluable for St John’s Market.
“I’m delighted we have someone with such a sold all-round track record who immediately understands the challenges and the opportunities to showcase St Johns Market and reassert its place in the hearts of Liverpool’s shoppers.”
