Matt Beckley, DTE Group

Judging: Corporate Financier of the Year & Banker of the Year

Jonathan Boyers, Partner, Corporate Finance, KPMG

Judging: Accountant of the Year & Lawyer of the Year categories

Jonathan joined KPMG in 1988. He transferred into Corporate Finance shortly after qualifying as an ACA in 1991. Since then he has advised a variety of clients including both private and public companies in particular in respect of company disposals, acquisitions and private equity work. Jonathan worked in the firms London office managing one of the Mergers and Acquisitions teams for two years until he returned to Manchester in 2001.

Jonathan now heads the Corporate Finance team in the North of England. He also sits on KPMG's UK Corprate Finance Executive Board. In addition to his M&A and Private Equity work, he is also a Partner in the firms National Share Valuation team.

Jonathan was awarded the North West Insider Magazine Deal Maker of the year award for 2009.Jonathan was awarded the EN Magazine Corporate Financier of the Year award 2011 and the EN Magazine Dealmaker of the Year award 2011. Jonathan was awarded the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales Corporate Finance Faculty's Corporate Financier of the Year Award for 2011.

Fran Eccles-Bech, Chief Executive, Manchester Law Society

Judging: Accountant of the Year & Lawyer of the Year categories

Fran has been at Manchester Law Society for 25 years this year (yes she obviously was a child prodigy!!). 

Her responsibilities at Manchester Law Society include providing an extensive range of services for members and non members, management of the financial business, to investigate and create marketing opportunities, to support the Officers, Council and Committees, to act as a focal point for the Society and to manage and oversee staff, strategy and operations.

Fran's hobbies are her lovely Spanish husband, Peter, her hormonal, adolescent 17 year old son, Jack (aka Kevin), going to their caravan, her charity work for Breakthrough Breast Cancer North West and Salford Six Degrees Social Enterprise, walking the dogs (Beth the cocker spaniel and Daisy the westie), gardening but only in the summer, shopping (NOT window), cooking for friends, reading, riding her motorbike which she only learned to do last year and very sadly, reality tv shows.

Tony Farnworth, Partner, Deloitte

Judging: Business Development Professional & Entrepreneur of the Year Categories

Tony is an audit and advisory partner with considerable commercial experience built up through more than 25 years with the firm. Tony leads our audit advisory practice in the North, with a primary focus on Finance Function Development and Cost Reduction programmes.  He is an expert in and has led a range of projects including computer audit and risk management consulting.

In addition he has worked on a wide variety of assignments including business planning and modelling, due diligence and post-acquisition reviews. He has developed key advisory propositions including those focussed on Business Partnering, Process Efficiency and Profit Maximisation. 

Tim Grogan, Vice Chair Future pro•manchester , Deloitte North West Audit Advisory Practice

Judging: Manchester Champion & Chairman's Rising Star

Tim has over 12 years’ experience across a variety of sectors and organisations, with his focus in recent years being on large, complex plc businesses.

Tim’s experience includes audits and interim reviews for complex private and listed groups in addition to providing a range of transaction and advisory services to his clients which include reporting accountant work on IPO’s, equity raisings, acquisitions and disposals.

Tim has been a member of the future pro•manchester committee since 2010 and is now the future pro•manchester Chairman having been voted into position in 2013.  

Sam Hall, Partner, JMW Solicitors LLP

Judging: Talent and Recruitment of the Year & Mentor of the Year

Sam joined JMW in June 2011 and has specialised in divorce and family law since 2005. His work involves every aspect of family breakdown but specifically, his work focuses on financial settlement and the future arrangements for children. He also has experience in applications by parents to remove children from the jurisdiction of England and Wales.

Professionalism and sensitivity are the two things that Sam never loses sight of and he always acts with his clients best interests in mind, this rarely involves the often financial and emotional stress of a court room. The best outcome is one that can be agreed. He prides himself in offering support and certainty during a period when answers seem hard to come by. A fair percentage of his work comes from personal referrals from people who he has helped in the past.

A recent client's feedback said "he is brilliant at what he does and how he handles each situation".

Legal directory Chambers and Partners 2014 comments that Sam Hall ‘ is noted for demonstrating "experience and aptitude beyond his years." He is held in high regard for his client care, and his strength in handling complex financial proceedings and children matters, including leave to remove and Schedule 1 cases. ‘

Steve Hayes-Allen, Regional Head - Northern UK, BNY Mellon

Judging: Banker of the Year & Corporate Financier of the Year categories

Steve joined BNY Mellon’s operation in Manchester, one of the Company’s Global Delivery Centres, in September 2011 as the Manchester Site Executive and Regional Head – Northern UK.

Steve is the senior management representative for Manchester, responsible for supporting the continued development of the Global Delivery Centre with over 1,100 staff. Steve chairs the Manchester Executive and Operating Committees and is responsible for developing and executing Manchester’s local strategy.

In addition to this, Steve chairs a committee that represents our locations in the North of England – Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. The committee ensures a link between the northern UK region and EMEA, as well as a consistent approach and sharing of best practice in relation to employee engagement, business partner support, business continuity, crisis management planning, CSR and external affairs. Steve represents the region on a number of EMEA and Global committees including the EMEA Operating Committee.

Steve has over 18 years of financial services industry experience, including over 12 years with BNY Mellon. He is an investment professional with considerable strategic and people management experience gained from investment management, trading and asset servicing.

Steve has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and is a member of the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute (CFAI) and an Associate of the Society of Investment Professionals (ASIP).

He lives in the north of England with his wife and son.

Mark Hovell, Partner, Mills & Reeve

Judging: Accountant of the Year & Lawyer of the Year categories

Manchester lawyer Mark Hovell heads up the local office of national law firm Mills & Reeve. Awarded the title Partner of the Year at the 2013 Manchester Legal Awards, Mark knows what it takes to be a stand out lawyer in this city. Having qualified as a solicitor with George Davies Solicitors in 1993, Mark moved up the ranks to managing partner. After six successful years at the helm he oversaw the firms recent merger with Mills & Reeve. A sports lawyer by trade, Mark is also a qualified insolvency practitioner and sits as an arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

John Jones, Partner, Beever and Struthers

Judging: Banker of the Year & Corporate Financier of the Year & Rising Star

John joined the chartered accountants and business advisors Beever and Struthers in 1997. He was appointed Partner in 1999 and a Member of the Society of Expert Witnesses in the same year. In 2007 he was awarded the ICAEW’s prestigious new Corporate Finance Qualification, the Advanced Diploma in Corporate Finance. He is currently Head of Beever and Struthers’ Corporate Services Department. As well as Chairman of pro-manchester 2014 – 2015, John is a council member of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and has been co-opted to the Partnership Steering Group of the Business Growth Hub.

Adam Jupp, Editor, MEN

Judging: Property Professional of the Year & Digital, Media or Creative Professional of the Year

Guy Levine, CEO, Return on Digital

Judging: Business Development Professional & Entrepreneur of the Year categories

Guy is the CEO and Founder of Return. He started his Internet career by founding an internet business at 17 and exiting 1 year later during the .com boom. He has not looked back since.

He has won industry accolades for campaigns he has worked on including the Big Chip’s and was named Entrepreneur of the Year. A speaker keynoting global conferences, and a regular in the press.

In his spare time, he can be found with his wife and two daughters, flying helicopters, riding bicycles and generally getting into mischief.

Katrina Mackay, Director, Savills

Judging: Property Professional of the Year & Digital, Media or Creative Professional of the Year

Al Mackin, CEO & Co-Founder, theEword

Judging: Property Professional & Digital, Media or Creative Professional categories

Al Mackin is CEO of search marketing agency theEword, a thirty strong Manchester based agency that services clients such as Ralli, Roberts Jackson, Betfred, Bruntwood and Renault. His business turns over £2.5m per annum, and over the last three years has taken on and trained six north west young apprentices, and four graduates. He was the winner of the Made in Manchester Digital, Media or Creative Professional of the Year in 2013.

Al is also founder of Formisimo, an advanced web-form analytics tool, as well as  being an ambassador for Forever Manchester and co-chair of the Creative Pro.Manchester committee. He is also a support of the charity CALM.

Alana McCrosson, Student Recruitment Manager, BDO

Judging: Talent and Recruitment Professional of the Year & Mentor of the Year

Paul McGlone, Chair Future pro•manchester & Business Development Director, Turner Parkinson LLP

Judging: Manchester Champion & Chairman's Rising Star category

Having graduated and completed post graduate studies at MMU, Paul has worked within the professional services sector throughout his entire career. He is Turner Parkinson’s Business Development Director having joined in 2013. 

His responsibility is to deliver all business development and marketing activities for the firm, focusing on lead generation opportunities and delivering value to the business.

Paul has been a member of the future pro•manchester committee since 2010 and is now the Vice Chair, having been voted into position in 2013.

Colin Mercer, Managing Director, Wickland Westcott

Judging: Talent and Recruitment Professional & Mentor of the Year Categories

Colin is Managing Director of the business. He has been with Wickland Westcott since 1994, prior to which he was a member of BT's Business Psychology Group. He holds a degree in Psychology and a Masters degree (with Distinction) in Occupational Psychology. He is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and is fully qualified in psychometrics.

His clients include market leading organisations in telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, professional services, and private equity. He operates at senior level in the areas of executive assessment, development, coaching and board evaluation. He also works with top teams to optimise their effectiveness and create a high-performance culture.

Daniel Mesrie, Director, MDM Resourcing

Judging: Talent and Recruitment Professional of the Year & Mentor of the Year

Lucy Perkins, Chief Executive & Co-Founder, LDA

Judging: Property Professional & Digital, Media or Creative Professional categories

Lucy is Chief Executive and Co-Founder of LDA, with business partners David and Andrew Eccles. Based at The Landing in the heart of MediaCity, LDA work with some amazing brands across strategy, content, creative, tech, marketing and communications.

 Whilst LDA have a portfolio of clients across the UK and US, they play a key role in developing brands within Manchester, working and partnering with leading organisations across the Northwest such as Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Business Growth Hub, pro·manchester, Economic Solutions, Manchester United, Nike and MBNA.  As part of their strategy to grow talent in the Northwest, LDA are currently undergoing a recruitment drive to bring fresh young talent into the agency across all aspects of their business.

Nick Rose, Sales Manager, Midshire

Judging: Business Development Professional & Entrepreneur of the Year & Manchester Champion

Nick Rose arrived at Midshire Business Systems with no previous industry experience, more than seven years ago.  Sales Manager for the last five years he has consistently been the company's top performing sales generator and was recently promoted again within the senior management team.  In 2013, Nick’s World Record breaking 72-hour football match raised £45,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice.  Last year, Nick came Runner up as “Business Person of the Year” at the Stockpot Business Awards, and was crowned “Manchester Champion” at the Made in Manchester Awards. Following the MIMA awards, Nick was invited to have a place on the Future Pro Manchester Committee. 

Clare Schofield, Associate Head of Department, Faculty of Business and Law, MMU

Judging: Business Development Professional of the Year & Entrepreneur of the Year

Dr Clare Schofield is Associate Head of Department and Deputy Director of the Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University.  The Centre for Enterprise is an established and professorially led team of enterprising academics within the Business School. Clare is the Academic Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme in the North West.  The programme is aimed at unlocking the UK economic and job creation potential of small businesses and social enterprises.  She has more than a decade of experience developing and growing businesses, their teams and their leaders and has a PhD in Management.  Clare is an International Entrepreneurship Educators Fellow, a European Entrepreneurship Educators Fellow, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Senior Enterprise Fellow. She is a Director of Enterprise Educators UK.

To learn more:

[email protected]

http://www.mmucfe.co.uk

http://www.10ksbnw.co.uk/

@EnterpriseMMU 

Claire Sofield, Founding Owner, Four Recruitment

Judging: Manchester Champion

Judging: Manchester Champion Category

Claire Sofield is a founding owner of Four Recruitment and currently sales director based in the central Manchester office.  Claire established Four at the age of just 25 and, with the other three founding owners has developed it into one of the fastest growing recruitment consultancies in the north west.  She is also the driving force behind the Manchester city office and its phenomenal growth over the past two years.

Sarah Thrippleton, Regional Risk Manager, HSBC

Judging: Corporate Financier Professional of the Year & Banker of the Year

Sarah is Regional Risk Manager for HSBC, Corporate Real Estate in the North. She has been in banking for 38 years and during that time had a varied and successful background in all disciplines, Corporate, Commercial and Retail and more latterly a specialism in Real Estate.

In her current role Sarah covers a large geographical patch. As part of the senior leadership team, she has specific responsibilities to analyse, control and mitigate all aspects of risk to ensure consistently high standards are maintained in line with HSBC/Capital Markets quality standards ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards.

During her career, Sarah has been able to undertake many varied opportunities outside the normal ;’day job’ including time at Cambridge University, Sailing a tall ship down the Thames to France, Leadership course in Brazil and Diversity Champion. She is a member of the Institute of Financial Services, CAifs, being the first Lady President for the IOB in Leeds.

Will Whawell, Senior Costs Consultant, Auxilium Legal

Judging: Accountant Professional of the Year & Lawyer of the Year

William Whawell is a Costs expert with over 25 years’ experience.  Commercially focused he conducts work for both claimant and defendant solicitors and has worked on a number of complex and high profile cases throughout his career including Hillsbrough as regards the audit trail ,and the recent case of Best where a squatter was allowed to be allowed to remain in a property that he had occupied. He has served on TSOL's panel and firmly believes that the future of effective legal service provision is through collaborative efforts. An adviser to a number of Third Party funders and Ate insurers his work is niche not mass. He has presented at a number of events across the North West highlighting the need to adopt a proactive approach to client management.