Member Article

This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Jill Bolton & Chris Archer, Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton is continuing to strengthen its Northern corporate advisory practice with the appointments of Jill Bolton as associate director and Chris Archer as director, both based at the firm’s Leeds office.

Jill has over 15 years’ experience advising management teams and financial institutions across a wide range of industries, specialising in the private equity market and with a strong focus on fast growing businesses.

She joins from Callcredit Information Group where she was corporate finance manager and latterly advised on the sale of the business to US private equity house GTCR.

Prior to this, Jill worked for Park Place Corporate Finance where her work covered a variety of areas including corporate acquisitions and disposals, private equity backed buyouts, refinancing, fund raising and valuations.

Chris joins from Yorkshire Bank/nabCapital where he worked for seven years as a senior director in business development in the mid-market and also as national head of the food and drink sector for the bank.

Richard Goldsack, partner in Grant Thornton’s corporate finance advisory practice, said: “These latest appointments are part or our ongoing commitment to building the corporate advisory practice in Leeds. Jill and Chris’s experience add further depth and strength to the team as M&A activity in the region continues to gain momentum following what has been a very busy period for us.”

Jill commented: “Grant Thornton has a great reputation for providing sound advice and building long term relationships with high growth businesses. I’m looking forward to working with some of the region’s most dynamic companies to help them develop their businesses.”

Chris added: “It’s great to be joining a vibrant, fast growing team. With the market really picking up, we’re well-positioned to provide the support businesses need in order to realise their growth plans.”

Simon Ramshaw, Williamsons Solicitors

Williamsons Solicitors Clinical Negligence team, from left to right, Nick Gray, Simon Ramshaw, Tim Slow, new paralegal Lizzie Mould, and Wayne Walker

Williamsons Solicitors has boosted its team with the appointment of experienced lawyer Simon Ramshaw.

Mr Ramshaw, who has left his partnership in another Hull practice after 30 years, is one of the longest-serving members in England on the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel, on which his new Williamsons’ colleague Nick Gray also sits.

With senior solicitor and head of department Tim Slow accredited to the AvMA (Action against medical accidents) panel, Williamsons is one of the few regional practices to be represented on both bodies.

Mr Ramshaw said: “Obtaining a cheque for damages is only part of the story. Our role goes further and I have been involved with families long after the compensation claim has been settled, such as advising on the appropriate expertise needed when clients subsequently face new challenges later in life.”

Ellie Hinds, Harriett Ashton, Natalie Richardson & Jenny Atkinson; Dine

Bespoke catering and event management company Dine is expanding with the appointment of two new event managers, an assistant manager and a business and marketing manager at The Mansion headquarters in Roundhay Park, Leeds.

Harriett Ashton and Natalie Richardson have both been appointed to support with promoting events at Dine’s 10 venues across Yorkshire. Harriett has five years’ experience in the events industry previously working at art gallery The North Light in Huddersfield and with the Cedar Court Hotel group.

With more than 13 years events, sales and customer service experience, Natalie joins Dine from Hotel Van Dyk - a 4 Star Boutique Hotel in Chesterfield - where she was wedding and events manager for the last five years.

Jenny Atkinson joins the company as assistant manager for the Garden Room restaurant at The Mansion. She has previously worked at Wetherby Golf club, Headingley Stadium and most recently as assistant manager at The Punchbowl – Churchtown.

Ellie Hinds has four years’ industry experience. She has been the executive personal assistant to Dine managing director Daniel Gill since October last year. She has since took up the role of business and marketing manager.

Daniel Gill said: “We are delighted to welcome Harriett, Natalie and Jenny to the Dine team at such a busy and exciting time. Their joint experience and skills will help support the future success of our weddings and events and the Garden Room.

“Ellie has worked with me for the past year and her enthusiasm for marketing and business development and passion for the Dine brand made her the perfect candidate for this new role.”

Ann Christian, LCF Law

A senior solicitor from Ilkley, who specialises in personal law, has been promoted to Partner at LCF Law.

Ann Christian, who has worked for the firm for eight years, has been responsible for growing the firm’s client base across a wide range of services including wealth protection, inheritance planning, wills and probate.

Head of Personal law at LCF Law, Neil Shaw says: “We have a sound reputation for providing people with trusted advice and guidance across all elements of family law and Ann has a particularly strong ability to guide our clients through their specific needs when it comes to financial issues – she has great technical skills and is a real asset to the team.”

Ann says: “I thoroughly enjoy my role at LCF Law, solving complex legal problems and guiding people through what can be very complicated processes when it comes to inheritance planning.

“People have the right to leave their assets to whomever they chose, many want to provide for a mix of family members, friends and charities and of course ensure that as much of their estate as possible is passed on without contest and minimum tax penalty - which is where we excel.”

Oliver Maloney, Jed McGinnis, Georgina Harriman, James Brindley, Sophie Angus, Ross Jackson & Henry Watson; CBRE Leeds

The Leeds office of CBRE has recently appointed six new graduates and placement students to join its expanding team as part of the firm’s commitment to nurturing new talent within the region.

Joining on the CBRE graduate training scheme are Ross Jackson and Sophie Angus in the Rating and Valuation teams respectively. Jed McGinnis also joins the Building Consultancy team.

Taking up 12 month placements within the Leeds office are Oliver Maloney in the Retail team, Henry Watson within Industrial Agency and James Brindley who has joined the Specialist Markets team.

Richard Sunderland, Managing Director at CBRE Leeds, said; “We are delighted to welcome the new graduates to our growing team here in Leeds. The new appointments reflect our commitment to nurturing young talent within the region, and we are confident that the new starters will contribute an innovative approach to business whilst benefitting from the experience of our highly qualified teams.

“In addition, we are proud to lend our continuing support to the CBRE women’s network which has helped to promote high growth in female employees within the Leeds office.”

Julie Hutchinson, Berwins Solicitors

The life team at Berwins Solicitors has welcomed a new solicitor to its team.

Julie Hutchinson joins Julie Jewers and Gareth Marland, who were both recently named as notable private client practitioners in the 2016 edition of Chambers UK.

The life department at Berwins was also recognised by Chambers for its ‘proactive estate and will planning’ and expertise in trust administration and agricultural advice.

Ms Jewers said the latest appointment would support continuing expansion of the department and the services it offers to the local community.

“Berwins has an excellent reputation for its private client work in the Harrogate region, as our latest showing in Chambers demonstrates, and Julie will be a valuable addition to our growing team of will, probate and trust specialists,” she said.

Alan Herbert, Gordons

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has appointed one of the region’s top litigation lawyers to head its property litigation team.

Alan Herbert joins as partner and head of property litigation from DWF where he was real estate litigation partner for the past six years. Alan was formerly head of property litigation at Pinsent Masons for seven years.

At Gordons, he will sit within the firm’s commercial property team which comprises 23 people. In particular, Alan will work closely with partner and head of commercial property Paul Young and partner Joanne Fearnley who have particular expertise in the development and retail sectors respectively.

Commenting on his appointment, Alan said: “Gordons has an excellent reputation in the marketplace and, in particular, for its property offering. It stands out as one of the best firms in Yorkshire and this is an excellent opportunity for me to lead an experienced and gifted property litigation team.

“My aim is to further enhance our position as one of the leading dedicated property litigation groups in the region by reputation and experience.”

James Richardson, Wood Richardson

For over 30 years, John Richardson has been at the helm of Wood Richardson, shaping the future for this York based firm and catapulting the business to the cutting edge of the printing world.

Now he hands over the reins to his son, James who becomes the new Managing Director of the York-based in-house print and production services company.

A traditional family business since 1905, Wood Richardson has seen considerable change as the business has developed and adapted with changing printing trends and customer requirements over the years.

John has been a leading light in the developments of the business and has been an enthusiastic mentor for his son James, who now bestows the honour of keeping it in the family and carrying on the excellent reputation Wood Richardson enjoys today.

James Richardson, new Managing Director of Wood Richardson said: “What a great honour to be given the opportunity to take Wood Richardson forward as the incoming Managing Director. My father has been a wonderful example for me to follow and I am proud to take on the responsibility and maintain the values the company has embedded throughout its culture in the future.”

John Richardson, current Chairman and previous Managing Director, Wood Richardson said: “I am delighted to be welcoming James as new Managing Director of Wood Richardson. James has a strong printing and production background gained across a variety of printing companies and therefore has the experience and skill set to continue the good work, maintain the credible family name and steer Wood Richardson to the next level.”

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