Leigh-based Jigsaw Homes Group has appointed Roli Barker as the new chair of its group board.

Roli was previously the chair of Jigsaw Homes North board and brings a wealth of leadership experience, ability to drive transformation and a passionate commitment to social justice, diversity and inclusion.

She succeeds the outgoing chair, Fay Selvan, and will take up the new role in January 2024.

A director at The Big Life Group, a pioneering organisation focused on creating positive change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities, Roli champions anti-racism initiatives and is dedicated to the betterment of communities.

In addition to her role at The Big Life Group, she is also on the board of trustees at The Lowry in Salford. Her knowledge and experience of positive community engagement aligns with Jigsaw’s mission to provide quality, affordable homes, support its neighbourhoods and enhance lives.

Roli said: “I am committed to enabling our tenants and communities to continue to live successfully and create a home. I look forward to working collaboratively with the board, colleagues, tenants and other stakeholders to deliver Jigsaw Group’s values and purpose, and further our mission of building sustainable and inclusive communities.”

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Taziker, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, has appointed Neil Harrison as CEO, supported by Jason Worrall as the group managing director. Both Neil and Jason are long standing members of Taziker’s leadership team and each brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry.

These appointments follow a recent investment round led by the Chorley-based company’s original founders, Tom Taziker, Nigel Taziker and Graham Moor, who now own a majority stake in the business and have rejoined the board of directors. The investment round was supported by new capital from Freshstream, and resulted in a considerable strengthening of the company’s balance sheet, which is now free from financial debt.

Jason Worrall

Taziker has now revamped its corporate structure to focus on its core service offerings, which include structural steel refurbishment and renewal, in addition to complementary services.

Neil Harrison said: “With our improved financial position, robust order book and promising pipeline in our primary sectors of rail and highways, the road ahead has never been more exciting.”

Jason Worrall said: “This represents a truly excellent step forward for the business, which is now in prime position to take advantage of its strong pipeline with a significantly strengthened balance sheet.”

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Mike Turner

Architectural technologist, Mike Turner, has been promoted to associate at architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP.

The promotion comes as the multi-disciplinary practice is seeing increasing work across all sectors and is involved in a growing number of landmark projects in its native North West and across the UK.

Mike, who has been a member of the FWP team for 12 years, leads and manages construction projects for the Preston-based business. He specialises in using Building Information Modelling (BIM) design software, ensuring compliance, and balancing the technical and aesthetic aspects of design.

FWP managing director, David Robinson, said Mike’s appointment is well deserved, adding: “It is also a testament to his dedication and his wealth of experience and a range of knowledge that ensures that we consistently deliver projects efficiently and cost-effectively.”

Mike said: “FWP’s wide portfolio of work has allowed me to become part of a close-knit team with a fantastic record of project delivery across several sectors and disciplines. I’m looking forward to playing my part in FWP’s continued success and growth in my role as associate.”

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Paul Buxton

Asset finance specialist, Paul Buxton, has joined rapidly-expanding national financial intermediary MAF Finance Group (MAF) to lead its operation across the North West.

With more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, Paul joins as regional director for the North West having held positions with leading lenders such as NatWest and Lombard working across the UK supporting major corporate clients. Paul has worked with both mid and large corporate customers and has expertise in transacting complex and project finance facilities for leading companies.

He said: “With significant capability to support clients with larger, more complex and bespoke transactions, joining MAF will enable me to work with a wide panel of banks and alternative funders, giving much more scope across a wider range of clients where we don’t have to say no to a client with a great business plan just because they don’t meet a particular lender’s criteria.”

Sue Chapman, MAF joint manging director, said: “Paul strengthens our representation in Manchester and across the North West as we continue to support major corporate clients and SME businesses, enabling them to realise their growth aspirations.”

Created in 2009 and now part of Manchester-based Begbies Traynor Group, MAF spans the complete financial market, working to support SMEs and larger corporates to source funding across a range of products.

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Cameron Field and Carl Wright

The first cohort to undertake a ground breaking apprentice programme at Newton-le-Willows-based quantity surveying practice Solomons Europe are celebrating passes and promotions.

Members of Solomons’ North West team, Cameron Field and Carl Wright, have passed the Level 7 MSc in Quantity Surveying and secured promotions to intermediate quantity surveyor.

The duo started a tough and fast-paced ‘MSc Apprenticeship Plus Programme’ two years ago – a new approach which is being delivered by the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), alongside enhanced training through Solomons Europe’s in-house Future Skills Academy.

In addition to on-the-job experience working with Solomons clients, the programme includes a Level 7 MSc in Quantity Surveying, Level 6 Apprenticeship qualification and MRICS End Point Assessment and review. If successfully navigated, the programme offers the prospect of securing much coveted RICS Chartership.

Managing director, Dominic Doig, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Cameron and Carl for this fantastic achievement. Their promotions are well deserved and testament to their hard work, determination and resilience.”

Cameron Field joined Solomons’ North West team after returning from the University of Tulsa, in the United States, on a scholarship programme. He said: “Looking back on how far I’ve come since starting with Solomons two years ago, it’s extremely rewarding to reach this goal.”

Carl Wright, who was a data analyst before deciding on a change in career, works for a client providing highways maintenance services nationwide. He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to have completed the MSc and it’s amazing to be to be promoted to intermediate quantity surveyor.”

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Nathaniel Jones, Leia Smith, Mark Scott, Rebecca Shaw, Danny Davis

SJC Partners has hired Danny Davis and Leia Smith into its financial and legal recruitment teams, respectively.

Danny, who joins Manchester-based SJC’s industry finance team to focus on transactional and part-qualified finance positions across Merseyside and the surrounds, brings six years’ recruitment and sales experience.

Leia joins the business to focus on legal property, private client and family law placements in the East Midlands, having spent five years in legal practice prior to joining SJC.

Mark Scott, head of transactional finance, and Rebecca Shaw, director of financial recruitment, said “Danny is a fantastic addition to the team. We have grown strongly this year and with Danny’s experience, we’re excited to continue this growth as we look to 2024.”

Nathaniel Jones, Head of Legal Recruitment said “Leia brings invaluable experience, having sat in the shoes of the clients and candidates she represents. She is a brilliant addition to the team as we continue to increase our national coverage.”

Managing director, Steve Crossley, said: “Our legal property and finance teams are both expanding and bucking the market trend, which is a credit to the team.”