This week’s North West appointments

Sally Pilott and Robert Harris, DTM Legal

North West law firm DTM Legal has appointed Robert Harris and Sally Pilott to its commercial property team.

DTM Legal, which has offices in Liverpool and Chester, welcomed Robert as its newest consultant, while Sally has joined the firm an associate solicitor.

Robert, who was previously a partner at Weightmans LLP’s Manchester office, has worked in commercial property law for for over 35 years. Sally, meanwhile, has been hired from DWF LLP in Manchester and has experience working with clients in the retail, leisure and warehousing sectors.

DTM Legal’s head of commercial property, Anna Duffy, said: “We have seen major growth in this area with a total of 66 new property clients in the first three quarters of 2015.

“This is no wonder given the investment pouring into the sector. Over £1.13bn of development is happening in Liverpool City Centre alone, while Chester’s One City Plan continues to build momentum.

She added: “Next year will see more exciting projects unfold as Liverpool Waters and the Atlantic Gateway Project get underway and the city hosts the UK’s second International Festival for Business (IFB).”

Founded seven years ago in Chester, DTM Legal provides legal advice on issues such as commercial and corporate law, commercial property, employment, construction and intellectual property.

Anna continued: “Robert and Sally are very welcome additions to the growing team and will help build on our established reputation in this sector, allowing us to assist developers and investors in all aspects of the legal work required to undertake these developments.”

Rebecca Minto, Birchall Blackburn Law

The Preston office of Birchall Blackburn Law has appointed Rebecca Minto to the position of solicitor.

Joining the company’s private client team from Blackpool-based law firm Cobains, Rebecca specialises in all aspects of tax planning, probate and wills.

Commenting on her new role, Rebecca said: “BB Law has a great reputation and passion for helping clients with watertight inheritance plans, protecting their property, financial assets and personal possessions.”

Rebecca qualified as a solicitor in 2012, when she obtained a masters in law from UCLan and completed a legal practice course at BPP Manchester.

Cathy MacCracken, a partner at Birchall Blackburn Law, said: “We are really pleased to welcome someone of Rebecca’s ability to the private client team.

“She has a real passion to help people and their families, often advising not just on Wills but the benefits of Court of Protection or Lasting Powers of Attorney.

She added: Her attention to detail ensures the client is always provided with the highest level of service.“

Daniel Clarke, CBRE Manchester

The Manchester office of real estate services firm CBRE has taken on Daniel Clarke as a senior director of its national engineering services team.

Daniel has joined CBRE from Balfour Beatty Investments Ltd, where he helped in the delivery of commissions across school hospital and university projects.

The appointment marks a return to CBRE for Daniel, as he worked in the firm’s Manchester office from 2009 to 2011.

The head of CBRE’s North West building consultancy division, Angela Seddon, said: “We are delighted to welcome Daniel back to CBRE’s Manchester team.

“He brings a wealth of experience with him and we are confident that he will be able to successfully grow and develop the Engineering Services team to offer world class engineering and commercial advice and expertise to existing and prospective clients.”

His new role with CBRE will see him working alongside the firm’s engineering services teams based in Scotland and London, to develop national business, enhance client relations and explore avenues of potential new business.

Daniel commented: “We have exciting plans for the growth of the division and I am looking forward to working with my national CBRE colleagues to put new initiatives into action.

“The North West market is experiencing continued buoyancy and we are looking forward to engaging with clients.”

Pictured: associate solicitor Sarah Fowden

12 promotions, Express Solicitors

Express Solicitors, the personal injury law firm based in Manchester, has followed up its new Legal 500 listing with the announcement of 12 new promotions.

Jonathan Flattery, Craig Phillips, Sarah Fowden, Kate Sanderson, Anna Woodruff and Daniel Jamieson have been promoted from assistant to associate solicitors.

Further, three litigation executives have become trainee solicitors, while three more promotions were made across administrative roles.

Express Solicitors’ managing director, James Maxey, said: “We’re committed to the training and development of all our employees to help them progress in their careers.

“The fact that a number of our partners started with us by taking enquiries in the new client team and worked their way up, is testament to the opportunities we offer.

He added: “This is a fantastic time for the firm having just been named for the first time in The Legal 500 and having broken our ambitious £10m turnover target.”

Chris Curtis, Seddon

Construction firm Seddon has appointed a new development director to its housing partnerships team.

Chris Curtis has joined the firm from Adactus, the social housing provider, where he worked in a similar position for close to two years.

With his 10 years’ experience in the local authority and affordable housing sectors, Chris will now work alongside Seddon’s development manager, Ian Ridgway, on the firm’s land-led schemes in the North West.

Seddon’s regional director of housing, Duncan Williams, said: “Chris brings with him extensive experience in the sector and it is a testament to our reputation that we are able to attract people of his calibre to the team.

“As a company we are expanding our borders. Chris’ appointment is part of our vision for expansion in Wales and will work closely with Nikki to explore land-led schemes in the region.

He added: “It is an exciting time for Seddon as we increase our portfolio of work in both the social housing and commercial sectors, in the North West and across our offices in Stoke, Birmingham and Wales.”

Commenting on his appointment, Chris said he believes ongoing growth in the North West’s construction sector will boost house building in the region.

He said: “Seddon is unique in many ways, as it looks to work in partnership with social housing providers – bringing the land for development and sharing the risk – even in the planning stages.

“More and more housing associations are looking to develop in this way.”

Ian Plumb, NorthEdge Capital

Private equity firm NorthEdge Capital has bolstered its team by appointing Ian Plumb as its portfolio director.

Joining from Endless LLP, where he has worked as an investment professional since 2007, Ian has experience in all matters relating to business transformations, acquisitions, private equity exits and refinancing.

Commenting on his new position, Ian said: “NorthEdge has an excellent track record and is one of the best-known private equity houses in the region.

“The firm has a broad portfolio across a range of sectors and my priority will be primarily managing and supporting these existing relationships.”

Ian added: “This will allow for increased focus on value generation within the portfolio as NorthEdge continues to invest in and build businesses across the North.”

NorthEdge, which focuses on investing in northern businesses, has invested more than £140m across the North in the last two and a half years.

The firm’s managing partner, Grant Berry, said: “We are extremely happy to welcome Ian to the NorthEdge team at a time when prospects for businesses in the North are so strong.

“Ian can draw on an excellent range of skills and experience and his appointment highlights our continued commitment to providing excellent services to our portfolio businesses.”

Aamar Ahmad, Search Consultancy

Manchester firm Search Consultancy has chosen its senior recruitment consultant, Aamar Ahmad, to head up its executive IT search arm.

Aamar has worked in the IT recruitment sector for over seven years, with companies such as UAE-based Digital Gurus and Manchester’s Steria Recruitment.

Before his appointment at Search Consultancy, Aamar ran a number of divisions at London-headquartered First Resort Global Recruitment.

Aamar commented: “I am incredibly excited to have taken on this role with Search Consultancy.

“With the backing of a fantastic team, I hope to use all my experience to help both candidates and clients find the best solutions.”

He added: “With such a huge client base and candidate network, I feel that Search Consultancy is the ideal place for me to make this happen.”

Ruth Heap, Hillyer McKeown

Ruth Heap, the head of the wills, trusts and estates department at law firm Hillyer McKeown, has become the company’s 12th partner.

Ruth, who has been with Hillyer McKeown since 2011, recently qualified as a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is one of only a small group in the North West to do so.

Steve Harvey, the firm’s managing partner, said of the promotion: “Ruth has proven herself to be an exceptional lawyer and head of our Wills, Trusts and Estates team during her time with Hillyer McKeown and her promotion is richly deserved.

“We want to attract and retain the best legal talent in the region and, in order to do so, it is important we are seen to be rewarding success.”

Michelle Gray, Berg

Law firm Berg has appointed an employment specialist to the position of partner.

Michelle Gray, who has more than 10 years of experience in employment law, has joined Manchester-based Berg from Laytons Solicitors LLP, where she was associate partner.

Michelle, who is referenced in the Legal 500 ranking, has experience in various aspects of employment law, including restructuring, redundancy and injunction claims, providing advice to clients in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, education and recruitment.

Commenting on her new role, Michelle said: “I have always admired the independent Berg culture and its reputation for providing holistic business solutions, so when the opportunity arose I had no hesitation to take it.

“I look forward to working with the team and helping clients to manage all of their employment law needs.”

Reuben Berg, the firm’s senior partner, said he considers Michelle’s appointment to be “key” at a time when the company is continuing to expand.

He said: “I am sure that Michelle will be a great asset to the firm and is a welcome addition as part of our further growth plans and enhancing our distinctive offering to clients.”

Gemma Kirby, NatWest

NatWest has appointed Gemma Kirby as its new Manchester-based entrepreneur development manager.

Gemma’s new role with the bank will see her offering support to entrepreneurs in the Greater Manchester area, strengthening her relationship with the local business community and building contacts.

Following her appointment, Gemma will also work with Entrepreneurial Spark, the world’s biggest free accelerator programme from NatWest in partnership with professional services giant KPMG.

Gemma commented: “This is a very exciting time for Manchester and all those who want to be involved in the Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery at Hardman Boulevard.

“This is a superb opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and those who are looking to grow and scale their business in the North West to access some first-class support.”

She continued: “The successful applicants will get to work in a collaborative atmosphere in our offices in Hardman Boulevard and will have plenty of access to the local team from NatWest and KPMG as well as our wider networks.

“We hope to receive lots of exciting applications from across the Greater Manchester region.”

Dan Collings, Clock Creative

Following its move to Manchester, digital marketing agency Clock Creative has appointed Dan Collings to the role of UX designer.

In his new position at Clock Creative, Dan will work to create a visual connection with target audiences on digital platforms.

The latest hire follows the appointment of Iain Thompson, at the start of the summer, as digital project manager.

Andy Sweeting, Clock Creative’s head of digital, commented: “There is a huge amount of interest in Clock at the moment and we are working hard to convert and deliver some exciting client projects.

“Dan and Iain bring an added injection of creativity and steely project management to the team that is needed as our growth ambitions for the year are now bearing fruit”.

The agency has spent recent months working on projects for a number of new clients, including asset management firm DV-Global and refreshment services company Broderick’s.

Paul Manning, Barclays

Barclays has expanded its North West corporate banking team with the appointment of relationship director Paul Manning.

Following his appointment, Paul will be responsible for the bank’s global corporate segment in the region, having joined a national team of locally based global corporate relationship directors.

Paul has worked for Barclays for close to three decades, in roles with Barclays’ SME & Corporate Bank, Retail Bank and Barclays Wealth. More recently, Paul was Jersey based and managed a portfolio of law firm and trust company clients.

Barclays’ North West managing director, Michael Hartig, said: “Our Global Corporate franchise is a key pillar of our long term corporate banking strategy.

“We are seeking to bring an increasing level of consistency in how we join up and run our Global business internationally while strengthening our partnerships with regional business communities throughout the UK.”

Paul will operate from Barclays’ offices on Hardman Street in the Spinningfields area of Manchester.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “A key priority for Barclays is delivering a full International banking service to our clients.

“A local understanding of Global organisations is a very good place to start. I am very excited about joining the team, and supporting Barclays ambitious aspirations in this market.”

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