Breakthrough UK, which aims to help disabled people find work in North-West England, has strengthened its management team with two new appointments.

The Manchester-headquartered not-for-profit firm, formed in partnership with Manchester City Council and local disabled people’s organisations, has appointed Michael Devine as head of enterprise and Peter Jackson as head of operations and performance.

The two new recruits bring a wealth of public and private sector experience to the newly created roles.

Devine previously worked as the senior operations manager in the North for the National Childminding Association and before that was a business development consultant for Lloyds TSB.

Jackson was head of neighbourhoods and communities for Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust —known as Link4Life — and before that spent 20 years at Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council where he was head of sport and leisure.

Breakthrough UK employs 37 staff in Manchester as well as a further eight at its Liverpool office in Merseyside —around 60% of these employees are disabled people.

The organisation offers disabled people free and confidential assistance on how to look for jobs; prepare a CV and fill in application forms; and prepare for job interviews.