New Head of Business Development for Napthens

SOUTHPORT based Regional law firm Napthens has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of an experienced business development professional. Gillian Seville joins the firm after 14 years working for KPMG in Preston and Manchester and will become Head of Business Development for Napthens across the North West. As a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualified marketing expert, Gillian has over 20 years' worth of experience working with large corporate businesses and SMEs in the professional services sector. Shru Morris, CEO of Napthens, said:- "Gillian brings a wealth of experience and success with her to Napthens. She is extremely well known and respected for her work across the North West and as we continue to invest and grow our service offering across the Region, she will play an important part in understanding what matters to our clients and ensuring they receive the best possible legal insight."

Since starting her career within her own family business, Gillian worked for nine years at the Central and West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce before spending 14 years as a Business Development Executive for KPMG. Gillian's new role will involve her strengthening and growing client relationships, ensuring Napthens services work effectively for commercial clients by supporting them to achieve their strategic objectives. She will also develop existing and new relationships within the wider business community. Gillian Seville added:- "This is an exciting time for Napthens, with growth across Lancashire and Cumbria plus investment in Merseyside. I already know many of the team here at Napthens and I'm looking forward to working with them and supporting them in developing and growing the firm's fantastic client base."

Further funding secured for Kirkby

FOLLOWING the announcement that Knowsley Council had purchased St Modwen's assets in Kirkby Town Centre, there is more good news for the Town. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be stepping up to support the Council's purchase by investing ₤10 million allocated from the Single Investment Fund.  The Combined Authority has also set aside a potential further ₤5m for further regeneration of the Town Centre. Steve Rotheram commented:- "I'm so happy to see the regeneration of the 'Townie' is finally happening. There have been too many false dawns caused by broken private sector promises but I'm really proud that we have been able to play a part in bringing this much needed development to the area I grew up in. Devolution is all about taking back control from Westminster and shaping our own destinies. When I was elected, I promised that no borough would be left behind and it's fantastic that, in partnership with Knowsley Council, we will see the heart put back into Kirkby again."

Knowsley Council's purchase of St Modwen's assets in Kirkby will be the 1st time in the town's history that the Council has owned and managed the Town Centre. Crucially, the purchase will allow the Council to push ahead with regeneration plans which include:- a new 45,000 sq ft Morrisons, 9 new retail units, 2 drive thru restaurants, a petrol station, and associated car parking. Councillor Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, commented:- "The people of Kirkby have waited long enough for the regeneration of their Town Centre. The private sector has failed to bring forward the development it has promised for almost 20 years and that's why we stepped in. This is the largest investment which Knowsley Council has ever made, so agreeing this additional support from the Combined Authority is great news and yet more evidence of our strong partnership. It provides us with additional reassurance that our decision to intervene in Kirkby is the right 1."

Knowsley Council announced its intention to buy St Modwen's assets in Kirkby on 19 July 2019 with the ₤43.8 million purchase that was finalised on 19 November 2019. The deal includes the purchase of 87 shops (with plans to build an additional 9 new retail units) and 12.4 acres of land. This includes the existing shopping centre, development land, and costs associated with building the new facilities. The development will lead to nearly 500 new jobs being created in Kirkby, alongside 278 construction jobs during the building phase. This will help to create a ₤15.3 million boost to the local economy each year. In addition, it is anticipated that the completed scheme will generate ₤650,000 per annum in Business Rates which can then be ploughed back into key public services and support. In addition to the retail development in the Town Centre, good progress is also being made on plans to deliver a cinema and associated food and drink outlets (on the former Kirkby Library site on Newtown Gardens). The Council is also progressing with plans to purchase the Knowsley Community College site on Cherryfield Drive and facilitate the College's ambitions to open a new facility at the heart of the Town Centre. Work on the new retail development will commence very soon.