Member Article

This week’s Yorkshire appointments

James Sweetzer, Mark Heppinstall, Amanda Hughes & Paul Cantwell, Gordons LLP

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has recruited four young solicitors and one of its newly-qualified former trainees on a permanent contract.

James Sweetzer has joined the firm’s commercial property department, Mark Heppinstall its private client team and Paul Cantwell the commercial litigation team.

Amanda Hughes has also been recruited into Gordons’ corporate team, after completing her two-year training contract.

Gordons’ managing partner Paul Ayre said: “We’re constantly looking for lawyers with talent, who want to be part of our continuing success story. We’re delighted to have all four aboard and are confident they will do well here.” Susie Barrett & Stephen Proctor, Harrowells LLP

North and East Yorkshire Law firm Harrowells LLP has appointed two new partners to its commercial division.

Corporate law specialist, Susie Barrett, who has previously worked in two major commercial law firms in Yorkshire, advises on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, shareholder issues, corporate governance and all forms of commercial contracts.

Commercial property and agricultural lawyer, Stephen Proctor, who joins from a major West Yorkshire law firm where he led the commercial team, advises on all aspects of commercial property including sale, purchasing, leasing and development deals

The two appointments take Harrowells commercial division, which operates from Clifton Moor, Thirsk, Easingwold and Pocklington and encompasses commercial litigation, company commercial, commercial property, agricultural and employment law, to ten partners and 14 further staff.

The head of Harrowells’ commercial division, Simon Black, a partner who also leads the litigation and dispute resolution team, says: “These two senior appointments demonstrate our confidence in the commercial sector across North and East Yorkshire.

“We are seeing growing confidence in Britain’s economic recovery, demonstrated by greater demand for services across the spectrum and the appointment of Susie Barrett and Stephen Proctor add to our ability to deliver top-class advice in key areas where we face increasing demand.”

Kate Aitchison, Jose Vilchez, & Louise Edwards**, Mazars**

Mazars has appointed three new members to its Tax and Financial Planning departments.

Louise Edwards joins the Leeds office of the accountancy and business advisory firm as a corporate tax director, along with private client tax manager Kate Aitchison and financial planner Jose Vilchez.

Louise has over 25 years experience acting for large and SME clients on corporate and shareholder tax issues in national and independent firms.

Kate joins Mazars having previously worked at a big 4 and an independent firm. Kate is a personal tax and trust specialist and has worked on a portfolio of clients which includes High Net Worth Individuals, Trusts and OMBs.

Jose brings to Mazars extensive experience in financial planning, having provided independent advice to a wide range of high net worth personal and corporate clients. He joins the team led by Partner Carl Ward from Cullen Financial Planning.

Carl Ward, Private Client Partner at Mazars said: “We are delighted to welcome Louise, Kate and Jose to the Mazars team. They have considerable experience and excellent reputations in their field of expertise and will be valuable additions to the Leeds office.”

Lucy Johnson, Mills & Reeve

The Leeds office of national law firm Mills & Reeve has appointed Lucy Johnson as a solicitor in its real estate team.

Lucy joins from Langleys Solicitors in York. At Mills & Reeve, Lucy will be part of the growing Leeds office and a member of its well-respected real estate team led by partner Simon Sherwood.

Simon said: “We are delighted to welcome Lucy on board. She will be a valuable addition to our nationally recognised real estate team in Leeds.”

Rachael Moore, Windle Beech Wintrop

Rachael Moore has been appointed as chartered surveyor at rural practice chartered surveyors Windle Beech Winthrop, based at Skipton Auction Mart.

Rachael qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2010, becoming a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. In her new role at Windle Beech Winthrop, Rachael will be involved in all rural agency professional dealings, including valuations, landlord and tenant issues, land compensations claims and Single Payment Scheme advice.

Windle Beech Winthrop director Adam Winthrop said: “Rachael has already proven herself to be a valuable addition to the team and we hope she has a long and successful career ahead of her within our expanding rural services department.”

Craig Butterill, Xeros

Rotherham-based laundering company Xeros has appointed experienced industry professional Craig Butterill as its first customer applications manager. In his new role, Mr Butterill will manage the company’s customer applications team and ensure the Xeros wash process is implemented correctly for all customers.

In addition, he will support the whole sales process, help with installing and testing machines, so user performance expectations are met, provide technical support to customers over issues or changing needs, and be their first point-of-contact within the business. Mr Butterill has joined Xeros from York-based Blood Analysis, which has developed a system to detect bacteria in blood platelets in real time, where he was a technical engineer for five years. Mr Butterill said: “I’ve always been interested in innovation and given that Xeros is marketing the first massive breakthrough in the industry for decades, I had no hesitation in applying for the job, particularly as the role fitted my skill sets perfectly. I’m really looking forward to getting involved with our customers and ensuring we provide them with the equipment and support they so clearly deserve.”

Kev Smith, Continuum Leading Attractions

Continuum Leading Attractions has appointed Kev Smith to the board.

Juliana Delaney said: “Kev has been a stalwart of the business for 14 years, working across individual attractions and projects, now leading the operation of all seven attractions. “His appointment to the board is much deserved. Strengthening the board is a key move in our growth strategy – which Kev will now contribute to at this senior level.”

Kev Smith, attractions director said: “It is a privilege to join the Continuum Board after 14 years at the forefront of our visitor attractions. “As Continuum celebrates its 30th year, it’s an exciting time for the company. I look forward to continuing to work with the brilliant team to deliver further growth in our existing portfolio as well as securing new opportunities for the group.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .