Post by Christopher Maguire

It’s Friday which means it’s my Good News Blog. 1.  Congratulations to Michelle McHugh, who has clocked up 20 years at Rochdale Development Agency.  She’s a legend 2.  Continuing the Rochdale theme, Julie Murphy has been appointed CEO at Rochdale Borough Council, having done it on an interim basis since December 3.  UK and Ireland professional services firm AAB has launched a new Manchester office at the landmark No.1 St Michael’s development, led by head of North West Chris Harland 4.  Congratulations to Ann Beetham who has just turned 60. Michael Taylor has also celebrated a similar milestone and I know he would be touched to get a mention in my ‘happy clappy’ blog 5.  Well done to Simon Braham, who has been promoted to chief investment officer at Northern Gritstone 6.  Megan Leeming has joined Freshfield as senior PR and communications manager. Well done to her and chief executive Simon Turner 7.  ProofID, the pure-play identity security specialist delivering advisory, implementation and managed services, has appointed Neil Evans as its first chief AI officer 8.  Congratulations to William Lees-Jones after North West brewer and pub retailer JW Lees Brewery announced another record year with a 5.7% increase in revenue to £105.5m for the 12 months to the end of March 2026 9.  Russell Moore has been promoted to partner at EY after 20 years with the firm. Top effort 10.               Well done to Emma Neville, founder of ThisisMe, after been named Menopause Champion of the Year by the All4Inclusion Awards. It’s a subject she’s passionate about 11.               Finally, they say you should never meet your heroes but yesterday I got to interview cricket legend Graham Gooch at the My Digital golf day at Carden Park. I’m sure he was happier than he looked but he was brilliant. Apologies to my team-mates Phil Whelan, Barry Matthews & Sebastian Sauca for my horrendous drive on the last which cost us a top 3 finish