In a wave of significant appointments, leading firms are reshaping their top teams with skilled professionals. Gateley has named Avril England as Head of National Employment, while Grant Thornton UK welcomes Nick Sands as Relationship Director. These hires represent a strategic push towards growth and expertise.
Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) has honoured Patrick Vizzone as an Honorary Professor, emphasising their commitment to sustainable innovation. Simon Saffidine joins Evolve as Chief Technology Officer, bringing considerable IT expertise. Travel Counsellors for Business, Langtons, Ward Hadaway, and Roger Hannah are also strengthening their teams with experienced professionals.
Avril England Appointed Head of Employment at Gateley
Gateley has appointed Avril England, based in Manchester, as the head of its national employment team. Avril, with nearly 20 years’ experience as an employment lawyer, joined Gateley as an associate in 2010 after the company’s acquisition of Halliwells. She became a partner in 2018.
In her new role, Avril will lead a team of more than 30 employment experts. She continues her duties as a partner, offering employment advice to a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to large UK-wide companies. Avril, a Manchester native, attended Bramhall High School and Aquinas College before earning her law degree from the University of Warwick.
Nick Sands Joins Grant Thornton UK
Grant Thornton UK has welcomed Nick Sands as a Relationship Director in its North West practice. Nick comes with two decades of experience from Deloitte, where he held several business development roles, including leading the relationship development focus across the Northern and Scotland M&A business for the past four years.
Nick will now spearhead Grant Thornton’s relationship-building efforts with North West businesses. His hire is part of a broader expansion strategy, with recent senior appointments also in Birmingham and Leeds. More senior roles are expected to be filled in other regions soon.
Patrick Vizzone Honoured at AMBS
Patrick Vizzone has been named an Honorary Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS). Patrick is a renowned financier, investor, and agri-food tech founder, co-founding Vertical Oceans, a Singapore-based aquaculture firm.
Patrick started his career in the fresh produce industry before moving into financial services. He has held senior roles at ANZ, NAB, and Rabobank. He commented on his appointment, expressing his honour and eagerness to work with AMBS faculty and students to address global issues.
Simon Saffidine Joins Evolve as CTO
Evolve has appointed Simon Saffidine as its Chief Technology Officer. Simon, an IT engineering and technical service delivery expert, will help further Evolve’s growth strategy.
Simon previously worked as Director of Technical Transformation for ANS Group and as Technical Director at UKFast. At Evolve, he aims to build on the company’s impressive growth and work with a talented team to take the business to the next level.
Wayne Durkin Takes Role at Travel Counsellors for Business
Travel Counsellors for Business has named Wayne Durkin as the new Head of Business Development. With over 25 years’ experience in the travel industry, Wayne will drive key areas of corporate growth and lead the direct sales strategy.
He has previously held significant roles at Clyde Travel Management, Good Travel Management, Meon Valley, and Griffin. Wayne’s strategic vision will be vital as the company continues to expand its corporate travel offering.
Langtons Expands with New Hire Ben Lewtas
Liverpool-based Langtons has appointed Ben Lewtas as Corporate Finance Executive. Ben joined Langtons’ Audit Team as a graduate in 2019 and became ACA certified in 2022. In his new role, Ben will support the Corporate Finance team on acquisitions, disposals, fundraises, valuations, and strategic planning.
Corporate Finance Partner Andy McCall expressed excitement over Ben’s new role, highlighting the firm’s continuous growth and the strategic support they aim to offer clients.
Ward Hadaway Grows Manchester Team
Ward Hadaway has announced 13 new appointments across its offices, including four in Manchester. These appointments include two new partners: Carlyn Weale in the commercial litigation team and Stuart Whitehead in the housing management team.
Carlyn advises on commercial disputes and frequently represents clients in the High Court. Stuart brings vast experience representing housing associations and local authorities in various legal matters. Additionally, new recruits have joined teams in corporate finance, debt, employment, housing, real estate, and family law.
Roger Hannah Welcomes New Head of Property Management
Roger Hannah has appointed Andrew Sutcliffe as the new Head of Property Management. Andrew, now a director, will oversee all property management instructions and service delivery to clients and occupiers.
Andrew previously worked at MAPP as a Regional Director in Manchester and held positions at Workman and Carter Towler. He aims to grow Roger Hannah’s property management business and enhance client and occupier experiences as transactions rise.
In summary, these new appointments mark a significant period of growth and strategic expansion for the firms involved. Avril England, Nick Sands, Patrick Vizzone, Simon Saffidine, Wayne Durkin, Ben Lewtas, Carlyn Weale, Stuart Whitehead, and Andrew Sutcliffe have joined their respective companies, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise.
These appointments not only highlight the firms’ commitment to excellence but also reflect a broader trend of investing in talent to drive business success. The strategic roles each new member will play in their firms underscore the importance of robust leadership and innovation in today’s competitive market. As these organisations move forward, their focus on growth and excellence will undoubtedly yield positive results.
