This week’s Yorkshire appointments

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has appointed three new partners.

Duncan Firman, Michael Finnett and Graeme Davy have been promoted from within the firm’s corporate, property and litigation teams respectively.

Duncan joined Gordons eight years ago. In addition to advising clients on a wide range of corporate matters, he has a particular focus on businesses within the leisure and hospitality sector.

Duncan’s notable transactions during the last year include the sale of Bradford’s Redhead International to German logistics giant DB Schenker; advising brewer Timothy Taylor on the expansion of its hotel portfolio; and advising Yorkshire-based insurance firm JM Glendinning on its acquisition of AS Green, an independent insurance broker.

A property specialist for the past 14 years, Michael joined Gordons in 2011. He has particular expertise in residential property acting for a number of developers including Orion Homes and Mandale Homes.

Graeme Davy has been with firm since 2002 and advises businesses involved in litigation and other forms of dispute resolution. He also heads up Gordons’ debt recovery unit which is described by legal directory The Legal 500 as “excellent”. Graeme’s clients include high street lenders, buy-to-let specialists, manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.

Paul Ayre, Gordons managing partner, said: “Duncan, Michael and Graeme deserve their promotions. They each have outstanding expertise in their specialist areas and build really strong relationships with clients, which is what Gordons is about.”

Andrew Cragg, Langleys Solicitors

Langleys Solicitors has promoted Andrew Cragg to lead its medical law team.

Andrew takes on the role from Sally-Ann Robinson, who retires this month after more than 30 years with the law firm.

Andrew is a partner in medical law and has worked at Langleys for almost 10 years. He has already achieved recognition of his expertise by attaining membership of both the AvMA (Action against Medical Accidents) and The Law Society’s specialist clinical negligence panels.

Andrew is currently involved in a number of cases with high profile medical issues, such as the management of septicaemia. He specialises in claims relating to cerebral palsy, brain injury and misdiagnosis of cancer. He is acknowledged in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a specialist in preventable suicides.

Andrew said: “I am very pleased to be picking up the reins from Sally-Ann. We have an extensive clinical negligence team and will continue to support people and their families while at the same time influencing and promoting best practice in health care through the cases we take on.”

Jaella Henry-Robinson, Clarion

Jaella Henry-Robinson has joined Clarion in Leeds as an associate in its dispute resolution and litigation team.

Jaella joins from Eversheds in Dublin where she spent almost six years during which time she completed her training contract and subsequently qualified into the general commercial litigation department.

She has experience of working on a broad range of matters including general commercial contract and business to business disputes, banking and financial services disputes and investigations, and commercial landlord and tenant disputes.

Simon Young, partner and head of Clarion’s dispute resolution team, said: “With her excellent track record in dispute litigation, Jaella will be a real asset to the team as demand for cost-effective litigation services continues to increase.”

Jaella added: “Clarion has a strong reputation as a dynamic and progressive firm with an impressive client base. I am delighted to be joining the team and am very much looking forward to my future with the firm.”

Gwyn Evans, Lighthouse Risk Services

A Leeds-based risk services business has appointed new partner, Gwyn Evans.

Gwyn, who has eight years’ experience in insurance and risk management, joins Lighthouse Risk Services partner, Chris Hall, to head up the team.

Gwyn started work at Lighthouse Risk Services in 2013 coming from an insurance broking background where he gained experience working for independent regional broking businesses, primarily to further strengthen client relationships.

He studied business studies at Leeds Beckett University where he developed his interest in risk control, electing to specialise in insurance as an undergraduate.

Lighthouse was established in 2007, originally named JM Glendinning Risk Services, when health and safety specialist Chris Hall was approached to provide risk services as a division within the Guiseley based JM Glendinning group. After a year, the division became a business in its own right and renamed itself Lighthouse Risk Services.

Lighthouse’s services include being appointed to the role of ‘Competent Person’ for its Health & Safety clients, along with providing a range of audit, documentation and training services. This is backed up by 24/7 telephone advice as well as online support via Lighthouse’s own purpose-designed client portal.

Chris Hall, managing partner at Lighthouse, said: “We pride ourselves on being able to react to clients’ individual needs. We’ve positioned ourselves to remain personal, with the back-up of a strong team and a range of support services to enable us to compete with larger industry players.

“We give cost effective, straight talking advice and assistance to businesses that want to reduce overall risk costs and exposures. Gwyn’s appointment as partner will support future growth of the business – we are currently recruiting for additional health and safety consultants and this strengthening of the senior team will keep us on course to become a £1million turnover business within a years’ time.”

Matthew Beddall, Investec Wealth & Investment

Investec Wealth & Investment (IW&I) has appointed Matthew Beddall to head of the firm’s Sheffield office.

A Senior Investment Director, Matthew has worked in IW&I’s Sheffield office since 1998 and is responsible for managing significant funds for the firm on behalf of individuals, trustees, charities and pension funds.

He has also played a key role in building the Sheffield team’s successful provision of services to independent financial advisers in the region.

Matthew has spent his entire career in investment management. Prior to joining IW&I, he worked at Nicholson Barber, which was acquired by IW&I in 1999. Matthew is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Matthew takes over as Head of IW&I’s Sheffield office from Tom Street, who has been promoted to the newly created position of Managing Director IW&I UK.

Jonathan Wragg, Investec Wealth & Investment Chief Executive, said: “I am very pleased to be announcing Matthew’s appointment as the new head of our Sheffield office.

“He has played an important role in expanding our presence in and around the city and region, and will continue to ensure we provide clients with the highest level of service.”

Alex Millar, Garbutt + Elliott

Leeds and York-based accountancy firm Garbutt + Elliott has boosted its VAT service offering with the appointment of VAT specialist Alex Millar as a senior consultant.

Alex brings with him a vast wealth of experience having worked in the industry for 19 years. Since 2010, Alex has worked as a freelance VAT consultant and is a published author, having contributed to Tolley’s VAT Planning and Tolley’s Value Added Tax.

Alex has experience within several of Garbutt + Elliott’s key sectors, in particular the charity sector, and will head the firm’s VAT team, working alongside the existing tax team, comprising xx people. Alex’s strong technical knowledge of UK taxation complements the firm’s existing expertise in all aspects of VAT compliance and planning, and allows Garbutt + Elliott to offer high level VAT consultancy to owner-managed businesses and to other smaller accountancy practices.

Russell turner, Garbutt + Elliott’s managing partner, said: “Alex adds a very significant string to our bow with his in-depth knowledge of VAT and we are very privileged to have brought in an expert of his calibre.

“Alex’s appointment as an in-house VAT specialist places us alongside much larger firms such as Deloitte and KPMG and allows us to offer a first-class service to our clients that they would struggle to find at other firms of a similar size.”

Current Garbutt + Elliott clients include York Racecourse, Bill Plant Driving School, Thai Leisure Group and concrete block and block paving manufacturer Plasmor.

Steven Foster, Land Securities

Steven Foster has been appointed as the new General Manager overseeing White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds.

Foster joined Land Securities from Manchester Airports Group (MAG) in 2016, where he was the Head of Retail for the airports of Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands.

Foster has over 19 years of experience in the retail and leisure sectors. Prior to leaving MAG as Head of Retail to become the General Manager of White Rose Shopping Centre, he was the Commercial Marketing Manager at Punch Taverns.

Foster has also held category management and marketing roles at Spirit Group with a portfolio of over 1,200 pubs nationwide and Category Manager at Dollond & Aitchison the opticians.

Rob Jewell, Portfolio Director at Land Securities, commented: “Land Securities is delighted to welcome Steven to the team and have him oversee White Rose Shopping Centre.

“Steven’s background in retail and leisure will be an immense asset to the White Rose team, especially as the centre undergoes its exciting leisure-focused expansion next year. His expertise and passion will serve the loyal and diverse catchment in Leeds perfectly.”

Paul Wilson, Dacre Son & Hartley

Property professional Paul Wilson has been appointed as a director at Dacre Son & Hartley.

Paul, who first started working for the firm over 15 years ago, is responsible for six offices and a team of 20 across Wharfedale and Leeds and will now sit on the company’s board.

He started his career at Dacres in Bingley, spending three years at the office. He was then promoted to branch manager at the firm’s West Park office, where he spent seven years, before leaving to work for another estate agency firm.

Paul returned to Dacres just over two years ago as area manager for the Ilkley, Burley, Bramhope, Otley, Guiseley and North Leeds offices.

Paul, who is based at Dacre Son & Hartley’s head office on The Grove in the town, said: “Our firm is streets ahead of its competitors when it comes to its online presence, marketing and far-reaching branch network, and as a result, business is brisk across all 20 of our offices.

“With decades of experience in both residential and commercial property, our people are very dedicated and renowned for their personal service, and it’s a real pleasure to be part of such a successful and knowledgeable business.”

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, added: “Paul’s promotion reflects his success at delivering the very best outcomes for our much-valued customers. His ability to oversee the sales team effectively, providing support and guidance to our Leeds and Wharfedale offices, has allowed us to further increase our market share in these areas and he thoroughly deserves his promotion.”

Holly Jordan, Gabriella Lloyd, Maria Pignanelli and Jane Smith, Futures

Futures, the Leeds-based recruitment company, has appointed four new team members in order to support its ongoing growth and service a host of new client wins.

Two of the new starters, Maria Pignanelli and Gabriella Lloyd, join the firm’s manufacturing division Manufacturing Futures, which recruits people across all sectors of the manufacturing industry.

Jane Smith joins the firm’s care division Care Futures, as a researcher. The division specialises in recruiting people to oversee IT enabled change projects in social care across the UK.

In addition, Holly Jordan joins the firm’s education division Education Futures as a recruitment consultant providing senior recruitment services and consultancy support to schools and local authorities.

Tom Liptrot, managing director of Futures, said: “Last year we created 10 new jobs and the addition of four new team members means we now employ 40 people across our offices in Leeds, Manchester and London.

“Our manufacturing, education and care teams are incredibly specialised in what they do, working tirelessly to find the very best candidates for what are often niche roles that demand a certain skill set.

These appointments will all help to support our talented teams deliver the very best candidates to our ever growing client base.“

Futures recently delivered a 68% increase in turnover to £10.6m and enjoyed its best ever trading period in its 25 year history last year.

Martin Powis, Sovereign Health Care

Health care cash plan provider Sovereign Health Care has appointed Martin Powis as head of business services and operations.

Martin joined Sovereign Heath Care having previously worked in the NHS for 28 years. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role having recently worked as head of enterprise, architecture and innovation as part of an NHS internal service provider. His previous roles include head of IT for a number of organisations supporting primary care.

In his new role, Martin will utilise the extensive experience he has built up in IT services to make improvements to the company’s IT infrastructure, delivering a step change in the way the business delivers customer service.

Furthermore, Martin will also take on responsibility for operations including company premises, plant and machinery, company vehicles and insurances, as well as business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Russ Piper, Sovereign Health Care chief executive, said: “Martin brings a broad range of experience with him and I am very pleased to welcome him to the team at a key time.

“Martin has over 10 years’ experience defining and aligning systems and services strategies for primary care NHS organisations, so we are looking forward to seeing the operational changes he will be implementing into the company.”

Sovereign Health Care has a range of cash plans for individuals and businesses that pay tax free cash back towards a range of everyday health care.

Sovereign Health Care has no shareholders; any surplus it makes is reinvested into the business or given by Gift Aid to its charitable trust. The charitable trust generally supports local organisations improving the health and wellbeing of people in Bradford and the surrounding area or national, health-related charities providing clear benefits to people in the locality.

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