Professional services group, Gateley, has appointed Manchester-based Avril England as head of its national employment team.
With around 20 years’ experience as an employment lawyer, Avril joined Gateley as an associate when the company acquired Halliwells in 2010. She was promoted to partner in 2018.
In her new role as head of the employment team, Avril will provide support and leadership to a team of more than 30 employment experts, while also continuing with her responsibilities as partner, providing a full range of employment advice to a variety of clients, from small businesses to large multi-site UK-wide companies.
A Manchester native, Avril attended Bramhall High School and Aquinas College, before embarking on her law degree at the University of Warwick.
Avril said: “Having spent most of my legal career at Gateley, it is with enormous pride that I start my role as head of our employment team. I have seen our team go from strength to strength over the years, and with so many talented colleagues it’s a privilege to be appointed into the role. I am excited to see what we can achieve going forward.”
Andrew Macmillan, head of Gateley’s People Platform, said: “Avril’s commitment, both to Gateley and her clients, over the years has been exemplary and, as such, she makes the perfect candidate to head up our employment team. Avril’s vast experience and enthusiasm will be priceless in ensuring that our lawyers keep achieving fantastic results for our clients and that our rising stars become the leaders of tomorrow. Avril’s promotion to head of employment highlights Gateley’s commitment to investing in the progression of our talented people.”
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Nick Sands
Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK has appointed Nick Sands as a Relationship Director in its rapidly growing North West practice.
Nick joins the North West team following 20 years with Deloitte in a variety of business development roles, the last four leading the relationship development focus across the Northern and Scotland M&A business.
Based in Manchester, Nick will lead Grant Thornton’s relationship building activity with businesses in the North West.
He joins Grant Thronton’s expanding team of regional Relationship Directors, following other recent senior appointments in Birmingham and Leeds. Further senior hires in Relationship Director roles are planned in other key regions in the coming months as part of the firm’s focus on growth.
Nick Sands said: “Making a move after such a long time with my previous employer, it was important for me to join a firm with a great culture, breadth of services, quality people and focus on growth in the North West, and that’s exactly what I have found with Grant Thornton.”
Mick Frankish, Managing Partner and Practice Lead at Grant Thornton UK in the North West, said: “Nick comes with a track record of building strong client relationships and winning work. We have ambitious growth targets across all of our businesses and Nick will play a key part in executing that growth strategy in the North West. We are delighted to have him on board.”
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Patrick Vizzone
Patrick Vizzone, a global financier, investor and agri-food tech founder with a significant international footprint, has been appointed an Honorary Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) at The University of Manchester.
He is a co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Vertical Oceans, an AI-native Singapore-based aquaculture that has revolutionised land-based vertical aquaculture production. This unique approach, which uses no antibiotics, chemicals or hormones, is helping to solve some of the world’s most pressing nutrition problems.
He started his career in the fresh produce industry and subsequently spent more than two decades in financial services, holding senior leadership roles at ANZ, NAB, and Rabobank in Hong Kong. He was Managing Director, Head of Agri-Food, and Impact Investment at Franklin Templeton Global Private Equity.
He said: “This appointment is such an incredible honour and privilege. AMBS’s commitment to turning theory into practice and having a transformative impact on policy and practice resonates deeply with my personal and professional values. I look forward to helping solve some of the world’s most pressing issues alongside our esteemed faculty and students.”
Prof Ken McPhail, of AMBS, said: “Having someone of Patrick’s calibre and passion is immensely important to AMBS. Not only does Patrick bring a wealth of experience to his position, but we are excited to be challenged by him, too. As a business school, we must collaborate with external organisations and individuals to develop our original thinking further.”
Patrick joined the University of Manchester’s Global Leadership Board in 2019 and serves as President of the University’s Hong Kong Foundation. He will be part of the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research at AMBS.
Patrick holds an Advanced Management Program (AMP) from Harvard Business School, an MBA in Finance from Manchester Business School, and a BA in History and Politics from Monash University.
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Simon Saffidine
Evolve, the Wigan-based provider of Managed Network Solutions and IT services, has appointed Simon Saffidine as its Chief Technology Officer.
Simon brings a wealth of expertise in IT engineering and technical service delivery. His appointment will further accelerate Evolve’s growth strategy and strengthen its position as an industry leader.
Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO at Evolve, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Simon to our executive team. He is an accomplished IT professional a proven track record of delivering tailored IT and managed network solutions, and his extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”
Simon joins the Evolve leadership team after serving as Director of Technical Transformation for ANS Group, overseeing the integration of software and processes, and acting as the technical lead for acquisitions. Prior to this, he spent six years at UKFast, the last two years as Technical Director and participating on the board to influence crucial decisions.
He said: “I am honoured to join Evolve and eager to work with such a talented and dedicated team. Evolve has seen impressive growth in recent years, and my immediate focus will be how we build on that to take the business to the next level.”
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Wayne Durkin
Travel Counsellors For Business, the Manchester-based personal technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, has appointed Wayne Durkin as the new Head of Business Development.
Wayne brings more than 25 years’ experience in the travel industry with a focus on business development and the SME market, having previously held the position of Director of Business Development at CTM. His career to date includes significant roles at leading TMCs such as Clyde Travel Management, Good Travel Management, Meon Valley, and Griffin (now ATPI).
In his new role at Travel Counsellors for Business, Wayne will be pivotal in driving key areas of corporate growth. He will lead the direct sales strategy, oversee new client acquisition targets, and nurture and expand the business development team to support the corporate growth strategy.
Mel Quinn, Director of Corporate Travel at Travel Counsellors for Business, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Wayne to the team and it’s a delight to be working together once again. His experience in business development and the SME market makes him a perfect fit for Travel Counsellors for Business. Wayne’s strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to drive sales growth and maintain our commitment to providing the highest level of concierge-like service for our corporate travel clients.”
Wayne Durkin said: “I am excited to join a fast growing business and team in corporate travel. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together as we continue to enhance and grow our corporate travel offering by combining the very best technology, all supported by the personal touch and global knowledge of our corporate Travel Counsellors.”
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Ben Lewtas (Corporate Finance Exec), Simon Mills (Corporate Finance Partner), Andy McCall (Managing Partner)
Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers Langtons have appointed Ben Lewtas as Corporate Finance Executive as the Liverpool firm continues to grow.
Lewtas joined the Langtons Audit Team as a graduate in 2019 became ACA qualified in 2022.
He will play a key role in supporting the Corporate Finance team on acquisitions, disposals, fundraises, valuations, and strategic planning.
Corporate Finance Partner Andy McCall said: “It’s fantastic to have Ben on board as our team continues to expand. This is a new role and will enable us to offer more clients the strategic support they need.”
Lewtas said: “The firm continues to grow and I’m excited to be growing with them. I’m looking forward to working with the team to deliver the solutions that help our clients take the right steps forward.”
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From left: Stuart Whitehead, Carlyn Weale, Victoria Waller
Law firm Ward Hadaway has announced 13 new appointments across its offices, including four in Manchester, reinforcing its commitment to growth under managing partner Steven Petrie. The appointments add to the nearly 500-strong team at the full service firm, one of the leading independent practices in the UK.
The Manchester appointments include two new partners in the North West. Carlyn Weale joins as co-lead of the commercial litigation team in Manchester, alongside Nick Wells. Carlyn advises businesses and company directors on a range of commercial disputes including corporate claims, complex breaches of contracts and confidentiality, and cyber litigation. She also regularly represents clients as an advocate in the High Court.
Stuart Whitehead joins the housing management team, which now includes 17 sector specialists. The department has grown by more than 65% in the past two years, doubling its client base since 2021. Stuart brings with him extensive experience in representing housing associations and local authorities in housing possession and disrepair claims, anti-social behaviour injunctions, and tenancy breaches.
Additionally, new recruits have joined the corporate finance, debt, employment, housing, real estate, and family teams.
Manchester executive partner, Liz Bottrill, said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our new people who have joined us across our offices. Our ambitious growth plans are strengthened by these skilled legal professionals, enhancing our full service offering.
“Attracting such talent reflects our reputation as an employer of choice and all our new team members are aligned around our values of being straightforward, respectful and ambitious. Each individual is a specialist in their field and supports our vision to deliver exceptional client experiences. It’s a pleasure to have them on board.”
New partner, Carlyn Weale, said: “I was attracted by the firm’s clear ambitions and its focus on developing its people and supporting them to be their very best – the culture here fits perfectly with my values.”
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From left: Angela Juszczyk (director), Andrew Sutcliffe, Simon Cook
Roger Hannah has recently appointed Andrew Sutcliffe as the company’s new Head of Property Management. Andrew joins as a Director and will oversee all property management instructions and be responsible for the service delivery to client’s and occupiers.
Managing Director, Simon Cook, said: “Andrew has spent the past eight years at MAPP, and prior to that he held positions at Workman and Carter Towler. Andrew was a Regional Director at MAPP in Manchester and oversaw the service delivery of some very reputable clients.
“We are confident that he will play an integral role in the development and expansion of the property management business.”
Andrew said: “Roger Hannah is well established business and I will be aiming to grow the business and aim to go from strength to strength alongside the board members and our team.
“I am excited about the company, our service and how we can develop that experience for all of our clients and their occupiers. The company has a strong reputation and with transactions on the rise I am looking forward to all future opportunities that will bring.”
