People: Damar Training: Howorth Air Technology; Aaron & Partners; Gateley Legal; Gorvins Solicitors

Apprenticeship provider, Damar Training, has appointed a new Divisional Manager to bolster its Business Development team and drive growth.

Manchester-based Damar currently supports around 500 employers and 1,200 apprentices in England, and has ambitious plans to increase this to more than 2,000 apprentices in the next 18 months.

Katrina will work alongside fellow divisional managers Nicola Fletcher, Lee Clements and Steve Logan and bring her extensive experience to drive forward the company’s growth and vision.

Nicola has worked for Damar for nearly 18 years and leads the delivery team, consisting of highly experienced coaches. Lee’s role is to drive through Damar’s commitment to becoming an Ofsted outstanding training provider in its newly-created Quality of Education Division. The Business Support Unit is headed up by Steve and this division plays a critical role in all the journeys across the business, supporting the best experience of students and employers.

Katrina said: ”My passion for the apprenticeship career route and the value that quality programmes provide for employees and employers, is in part because I’ve been on that learning journey myself.

“I started out as an apprentice and went on to become qualified as an assessor, so I can bring lived experience to the role.”

Jonathan Bourne, MD and co-owner at Damar Training, said: “We’re so pleased to welcome Katrina as our new Business Development Divisional Manager. This investment in the team will put us in a strong position to realise our goals and vision.”

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Mike Dunne

A clean air technology company is ramping up its focus on innovation with a new department specialising in the research and development of products for the healthcare sector.

Mike Dunne has been promoted to head the new medical technical team at Bolton-based Howorth Air Technology and has joined the company’s operating board.

The department will spearhead the design and implementation of new products for operating theatres at both NHS and private hospitals as well as the commissioning and handover of equipment.

Managing director, Jim Liptrot, said: “Mike will play a leading part overseeing the continuous development and improvement of the existing Howorth medical product range to ensure we remain the leader in our field, and will review, develop and plan the implementation of new products with the support of the design team.”

Mike, 37, joined Howorth in 2009 as a newly-qualified electrical engineer and became a team leader before being promoted to become a service and aftersales technical manager in the company’s medical division.

His new title is medical technical director, and he said: “To be appointed to lead our new department is a fantastic honour and exciting challenge to ensure we remain at the forefront of our industry, while also presenting the opportunity to mentor and guide our team members, work with internal and external stakeholders, supply chain, and help to develop the next generation of engineers.”

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Caroline Cockill-Guy

A renowned family lawyer with national acclaim has taken up a new role with Aaron & Partners, as the Chester-based business continues to grow its presence in Altrincham.

Caroline Cockill-Guy has become Legal 500-listed Aaron & Partners’ new Family Law Partner, in what’s been described as a “big statement of intent” for the firm’s local expansion.

Caroline, who qualified as a solicitor in 1999, has been practising law for 25 years, and is an industry-leading specialist in complex, high-asset financial cases, including many in the agriculture and farming sectors. She also specialises in complex private law children disputes.

She has joined the business from Butcher & Barlow and will focus on helping the firm continue to grow its presence across key regional areas such as Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Shropshire.

Caroline said: “I knew that if I was going to move to another law firm, it had to be the right move. And I’m pleased to say I think this is the perfect fit. The team are absolutely lovely, and everybody’s made me feel very welcome.”

She will be based at Aaron & Partners’ Altrincham site, which was opened in 2022.

Simon Magner Mawdsley, partner and head of family law at Aaron & Partners, said: “Caroline’s appointment is a big statement of intent on our behalf but it’s a senior hire we think will help enhance our services and add tremendous value to our client base.”

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Dan Kendall, left, Callum Nuttall

Gateley Legal has bolstered its specialist residential development team in Manchester with the appointment of new partner, Dan Kendall.

Kendall joins following four years at DAC Beachcroft where he specialised in strategic land and joint venture acquisitions, including Homes England developments and partnership schemes.

He will work closely alongside partners Louise Ilhan and Leanne Murray, as well as legal director, Nick Molloy.

Kendall said: “The Manchester team is well known for its outstanding contributions to the residential development sector across the North West, and I’m already familiar with a few faces so knew it would be the right move.”

Callum Nuttall, partner and national head of the residential development team, said: “It’s brilliant to have Dan on board with us in Manchester. He brings vast experience in handling complex strategic land matters which will really bolster our specialist offering.”

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Samantha Kennedy, Katie Fletcher, Ines Quadah

Stockport-based Gorvins Solicitors has appointed two associate solicitors and an associate legal executive to support three growing service areas. 

Samantha Kennedy joins the Wills, Trusts & Probate team as associate solicitor with a decade of experience under her belt.

Having provided advice on a broad spectrum of matters, her particular areas of expertise include care home fee planning, asset protection, compensation protection trusts and trusts for parents of disabled children.

Ines Ouadah has also been appointed as associate solicitor within the Corporate & Commercial department and will assist the team on all areas. These include share and asset acquisitions, corporate restructuring and MBO’s. 

They have been recruited alongside Katie Fletcher, who has been recruited into the military claims team – one of Gorvins’ specialist areas.

Her work will focus on claims where life-changing physical or psychological injuries have occurred and call on her experience supporting clients with severe brain injuries, amputations and complex PTSD.

Managing partner, Mark Deverell, said: “We continue to grow as a firm and welcome on board our new colleagues.

“Whilst we are an historic business, we continue to evolve by bolstering our existing workforce with new talent and have stepped-up our recruitment drive since the turn of the year.”