Amy Atkinson has been appointed Operations Supervisor by Mail Boxes Etc, in support of its franchisees across the UK.
Mail Boxes Etc is a third-party provider of shipping, fulfilment, print and marketing solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises and consumers across the globe, with a network of more than 1,800 franchise locations in 48 countries.
Based out of the company’s offices in Accrington, Atkinson’s new role will see her heading up a team, centrally managing queries from across the company’s UK network, also working with the learning and development team as part of continuous improvement of operational processes at store level.
She said: “As a brand, Mail Boxes Etc is currently bucking the trend on UK high streets and is one of the few chain store outlets opening more stores. We believe that’s because our service range meets a growing need, with the emergence of so many ecommerce businesses, who want a professional solution for shipping worldwide, or a postal mailbox separate to their operational or residential address.
“My role at Mail Boxes Etc has been created to enhance our capabilities in providing central support to the network, ensuring queries are handled effectively and efficiently, with full transparency and accountability.”
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George Tilbury
Consensus Workspace has appointed George Tilbury as Commercial Director, to help the firm continue its growth.
The Manchester commercial fit-out company has doubled turnover in the past year and with a range of secured contracts about to start, will be expanding the team further over the coming months.
A Chartered Surveyor, George joins the Consensus team with a wealth of experience, having spent nearly a decade client-side at Bruntwood before moving to contractor-side work. At Consensus he will be leading a new growth strategy, building on recent successes alongside directors Andy and Ollie Plastow, while developing the design department.
He said: “It’s a great time to be joining this well established and hugely popular family business. Consensus has recognised experience at the management level, complemented by a very young, energetic team with a strong work ethic and a really creative approach to workplace interiors.
“And the company has fantastic clients including Orega, Peel and MediaCity, Knights and TicketMaster, to name a few. I’ll be based in the Greater Manchester office but joining the team on projects all over the UK.”
Managing Director, Andy Plastow, said: “This feels like an exciting new era for the business. As we add to the team we are expanding our own office space, we have rebranded and we have launched a new website.
“George brings another level of design expertise to the team, enabling us to increase the business development aspect of the company, and welcome even more top-calibre clients to our portfolio.”
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Matthew Symons
Manchester-based town planner, Edgeplan, has appointed Matthew Symons as Associate Director.
Matthew joins the practice after eight years at Hollins Strategic Land, where he worked on promoting sites and winning planning permission for residential and mixed-use development. Prior to this, he spent nine years with Sedgwick Associates in Bolton where he was promoted from Consultant to Associate.
He will be based in Manchester and will continue to work on Hollins projects, predominantly in the North, but will also work alongside the rest of the team on projects across the country.
Formed in 2012, Edgeplan is an independent planning practice acting on behalf of retail, residential and commercial clients across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The company works principally for the development industry, providing planning advice and promoting commercial development schemes.
Alongside Matthew’s appointment, James Berggren has been promoted to Associate Director and together they will focus on expanding the company’s residential and strategic land planning service.
Managing Director, Steve Edgeller, said “The appointment of a residential land specialist will allow the company to diversify into a full service practice, after 10 years focusing mainly on retail and commercial development. We’re looking forward to introducing land to housebuilder clients and working with them to deliver new housing schemes across the country.”
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Allen MacKenzie
Santander UK has expanded its Real Estate Finance team with the appointment of Allan MacKenzie as Senior Relationship Director-Real Estate.
MacKenzie will report into Nick Peet, Divisional Head-Real Estate Finance and be based in the bank’s Manchester office.
He has more than 25 years’ experience within commercial real estate finance sector, and joins Santander from Lloyds Banking Group, where he held several roles including Head of Commercial Real Estate for Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man and Managing Director, Commercial Real Estate and Housing for Scotland, North of England and Midlands.
The team’s new addition will be managing a large portfolio of the bank’s existing clients within the commercial real estate sector, alongside contributing to Santander’s growth strategy within the North West of England and nationally.
Nick Peet said: “Allan brings with him a wealth of experience within the commercial real estate sector and invaluable connections across the North West, which will be vital as we continue to focus on our growth strategy within the Real Estate Finance team.”
Allan Mackenzie said: “I am thrilled to have joined the fast growing Real Estate Finance team at Santander and look forward to meeting both new and existing clients in Manchester and across the North of England, as I settle in to my new role.”
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Rob Smith
Lancashire aerospace composite supplier, Velocity Composites, has appointed Rob Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer as it expands its services worldwide.
Rob will oversee the company’s finances as Burnley-based Velocity Composites pursues its plan for growth by using its technology to support sustainable composite production and reduce avoidable waste and costs for customers.
Rob is a Chartered Management Accountant with significant experience in leadership roles in a number of AIM-quoted technology companies, where he has been instrumental in leading growth strategies and improving operational efficiencies.
He was formerly Chief Financial Officer at Biome Technologies, a specialist technology group in the development of bioplastics.
Prior to that he was CFO and CEO of Filtronic, an AIM-listed electronics designer and manufacturer of advanced filters, antennas and mmWave transceivers to the telecommunications and critical communications markets.
Rob said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Velocity Composites as the business grows as an international organisation offering efficiencies in the aerospace industry worldwide. The ambitions are high and the aim is to continue to expand in the marketplace.”
CEO, Jon Bridges, said: “Rob brings a wealth of relevant financial experience to the company from working in technology and manufacturing sectors. We look forward to working with him as we open up further opportunities being created by the international expansion of our services.”
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Jonathan Cook
Colliers has welcomed Jonathan Cook to its National Offices team in Manchester as a director.
Additionally, Ella Millington is also joining the team as a graduate surveyor.
Cook has more than 12 years of experience in the Manchester office market, including working at LSH and CBRE. He is a highly renowned and experienced agent who provides localised strategic asset management and development guidance, leasing and tenant mix advice for the North West’s prominent occupiers and landlords.
In his new role, Cook will be pivotal in strengthening Colliers’ agency presence across the North West and supporting the firm’s expanding portfolio of projects in the region.
Millington, as a graduate surveyor, will bring fresh perspectives and support to the team, highlighting Colliers’ commitment to nurturing new talent alongside experienced professionals.
Dominic Pozzoni, head of Colliers’ Manchester office and director in Colliers’ National Offices team, said: “I am thrilled to announce Jonathan’s hire and welcome Ella to the team.
Ella Millington
“Jonathan’s impressive client network and extensive industry knowledge and experience will make him an invaluable addition to our team and will ensure that we continue to provide a best-in-class service and drive real value for our clients across the North West. Ella’s addition also underlines our focus on growth and innovation through nurturing emerging talent.”
Tony Horrell, Colliers CEO, UK and Ireland, said: “Jonathan’s proven track record and connections within the market will undoubtedly drive Colliers’ growth and enhance our service offerings nationwide. We look forward to the significant impact he will have on our company’s continued success. Ella’s involvement in the team further demonstrates our commitment to investing in the future of the industry.”
Jonathan Cook said: “The office landscape is changing but activity levels remain high, with occupiers realising the true value of collaborative and cohesive space, and I am really excited to be joining Colliers at a time of significant growth.”
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Simon Denye
North West accountancy and advisory firm, DSG, has appointed Simon Denye as a tax partner in its Liverpool city centre office.
With more than 25 years of tax advisory experience, Simon is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants England & Wales and has spent his career working across all areas of tax, with a particular focus on owner-managed businesses. His expertise includes group reorganisations, share schemes, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Prior to joining DSG, Simon spent the first half of his career at Big Four firms. Most recently, he held a senior role in a regional firm where he assisted owner-managers in achieving their commercial goals in a tax-efficient manner.
In his new role, Simon will help to develop DSG’s tax department and its commitment to customer service excellence. As the go-to resource for research, technical, and reporting issues, Simon will manage and nurture a portfolio of clients who will rely on his expertise and advice on taxation.
Simon said: “DSG’s culture and commitment to adding value in everything it does aligns perfectly with my personal values. I look forward to driving the business forward and helping to ensure that DSG continues to provide innovative and effective solutions to its clients.”
Andrew Moss, corporate partner at DSG, said: “Simon’s extensive experience and dedication to technical excellence will be instrumental in strengthening our tax advisory services.”