Winterhill launches new risk management division

The new firm, based in Wakefield, will provide commercial investigation, risk management and asset recovery services across all sectors, including due diligence, employee screening and business investigation.

The business will be headed up by Mark Smith, who has 15 years’ experience in the risk management field.

Neil Duckworth, chief executive of Winterhill Largo, said: “The creation of a risk management division makes good business sense for us.

“It enables Winterhill Largo to provide a raft of new services that will add value to many of our debt recovery clients, as well as winning new work in a specialised area for which demand is growing.

“Our team often operates on behalf of clients in situations where there is business distress, when managing risk becomes a priority. Being able to provide in-house checking, screening and investigation services will make the whole process less stressful, quicker and easier for clients.”

He added that Winterhill Risk’s services and investigations will be tailored to individual clients and will include consulting, intelligence, full commercial and field investigations, recovery services, surveillance and covert operations, IT security and forensics.

Mr Smith, managing director of Winterhill Risk, said: “There is escalating demand in the UK for services such as employee screening, which has become an integral part of the recruitment process for senior staff, while risk awareness generally is growing exponentially.

“That makes it an exciting time to be heading this new venture and we look forward to delivering the next generation of essential risk management services.”

The launch of Winterhill Risk follows Winterhill Largo’s acquisition earlier this month of Chorley-based field services business, Chase Solutions.

In 2012 the group acquired Sovereign Credit Management, and in 2011, surveyors and real estate practice David Currie & Co.

A merger with debt recovery firm Largo took place in 2010.

Winterhill Largo now operates from seven UK offices in Manchester, London, Liverpool, Blackburn, Wakefield, Horsham and Chorley, in addition to five overseas offices.

Winterhill Risk will be able to call on the services of the 30 people who already work in the Winterhill Largo Wakefield offices, but it will largely rely on and use a network of specialised freelance operators.

Winterhill Largo, which also specialises in asset valuation and financial outsourcing, employs over 90 staff in its 12 domestic and international offices.