This week’s North West appointments

Four partner appointments, Shoosmiths

National law firm Shoosmiths has appointed four new partners at its office in Manchester.

Barbara Rollin, Richard Outhwaite, Russell Davidson and Daniel Hargreaves have between them 80 years’ experience and bring the total strength of Shoosmiths’ Manchester real estate team to 11 partners, backed by 52 lawyers and support staff.

Barbara is the former head of commercial property at Leeds law firm Gordons and has more than 20 years of experience in real estate.

Richard, meanwhile, formerly worked at DWF and has represented a number of national and international property developers, retailers, hoteliers and funds.

Fellow new partner Russell worked in central London for over 10 years with Linklaters, the international law firm, and went on to become a partner at Leeds-based Lupton Fawcett.

Lastly, Daniel Hargreaves has joined Shoosmiths from Pinsent Masons, where he gained experience on projects ranging from multi-phase regeneration schemes to single-site developments, acting for both public and private sector clients.

The head of Shoosmiths’ real estate team in Manchester, partner and head of office Vaqas Farooq, commented: “We are delighted to welcome four such experienced, high calibre and well-regarded lawyers to the team.

“Their combined experience will significantly enhance our presence in the city and help us to meet client demand as Manchester’s regeneration and development continues to accelerate.”

He continued: “That regeneration is one of the stand-out economic success stories in the UK and we are proud to be playing a key role in the city’s economic growth by advising on many of the key transformational projects.”

Image L-R: Allan Sumner, Mike Fetherstone, John Chesworth, David Barnes and Simon England

Allan Sumner, Mike Fetherstone and David Barnes, Harrison Drury

Law firm Harrison Drury has bolstered its property and litigation offer with the appointment of three solicitors.

Newcomers Allan Sumner, Mike Fetherstone and David Barnes will work at the company’s Lancaster office, where they will help clients based all over the UK.

At Harrison Drury, Allan and Mike will advise property clients on matters such as property development and security, acquisitions and disposals, and both landlord and tenant transactions.

David, a commercial contract and chancery litigation specialist with experience in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and civil litigation, will help Harrison Drury clients with property, contract and agricultural disputes, in addition to advising on contested probate and trust disputes.

The company’s head of property and construction, Simon England, said: “Allan and Mike have great standing for their expertise with experience of large and complex housing, retail and leisure developments, banking and security, as well as acting for rural estates.

“David is one of the most respected litigators in the region and an expert in getting results for clients in pragmatically resolving their disputes without the need for lengthy court proceedings.”

Gurminder Manak, Bilfinger GVA

Property consultancy Bilfinger GVA has announced the promotion of a director and six other employees at its office in Manchester.

Gurminder Manak, who joined Bilfinger GVA 14 years ago as a graduate surveyor, has become a director in the firm’s investment team.

Elsewhere, Ian Lane has been promoted to the role of associate, Sarah May and Emma Smyth as principal surveyors and Hollie Bryant as principal planner. Further, Hannah Cross and Tom Quinn have become senior surveyors.

Bilfinger GVA’s regional senior director, Mark Rawstron, commented: “These promotions reward our talented people and we understand the value of developing and promoting members of the team so that we can retain talent and strengthen our offer to the marketplace.

Roy Beckett, Irwin Mitchell

A new regional managing partner has been appointed at the Manchester office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell.

A real estate specialist, Roy Beckett has been with Irwin Mitchell since February 2013 when he joined the company from law firm DLA Piper along with 13 others, including current partners Anita Weightman, Tony Weightman and Patrick Duffy.

From May 1, Roy will take on his new role while also continuing to serve as the head of the firm’s Manchester-based business legal services division. The outbound regional managing partner, Grahame Codd, is retiring after working with Irwin Mitchell for 30 years.

Roy said: “I am delighted to take on this new role leading the Manchester office.

“I would of course like to pay tribute to the fantastic work Grahame has done for Irwin Mitchell in Manchester and I am thrilled about the chance to lead the office and certainly look forward to continuing his work and building a strong team in Manchester with a reputation for providing first class business and personal legal services in the North West.”

He added: “I am also delighted to be working with Jonathan Betts, who heads up our nationally recognised and award winning personal injury team.”

Grahame Codd, who said he has “very much enjoyed” his time leading the Manchester office, commented: “I am very pleased and fortunate to be able to hand over the responsibility to Roy who I know will excel in the role.

“Last year I was able to hand over to Jonathan the role of leading the PI Team in Manchester and he is doing a great job. I shall be continuing in a part-time consultancy role at Irwin Mitchell, concentrating on projects for our personal injury division nationally.”

Grahame continued: “I have great confidence that Roy will lead the Manchester office to develop further over the coming years as Irwin Mitchell pushes forward with its strategic growth plans.”

Kulzinder Garcha, HRC Law

HRC Law has expanded its commercial property team with the appointment of Kulzinder Garcha.

Joining the Manchester-based commercial law firm as an assistant solicitor, Kulzinder will work alongside partner Helen March in her new role.

Previously, Kulzinder worked for Edward Hands & Lewis Solicitors, where she held a similar position. She has close to 10 years’ experience in the property sector, beginning her career as a paralegal before deciding to adopt a focus on commercial property.

Kulzinder said: “I was looking for a role in which I felt I could be as much a part of building a business as providing legal advice for my clients and as soon as I met the team at HRC, I knew it was the firm for me.

“HRC has a standout ethos and is making waves in the region, and I felt Helen would be the ideal mentor to further my development as a solicitor.”

She added: “I’m keen to hit the ground running and help build on the success of the team to date.”

Partner Helen Marsh commented: “HRC only launched as a firm three years ago and the commercial property team is only a year old.

“We’ve been very active and grown quickly in response to our ambitious client base.”

She continued: “Kulzinder showed the enthusiasm and commercial acumen that we live and breathe at HRC.

“As well as a much-welcomed extra pair of hands in the team, I can tell she will bring added value to our clients in spades as we help them build their businesses.”

Image L-R: Michael Beal, Amy Plath and Rob Lord

Michael Beal and Amy Plath, Cowgill Holloway

Cowgill Holloway, the North West accountancy and business advisory firm, has appointed two new members of staff in its marketing team.

Michael Beal, who has taken up the role of marketing manager, previously worked for accountants Cassons.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael said: “It’s great to be joining such a dynamic firm with a fantastic reputation, its depth and skill is recognised across the North West.

“I’m looking forward to helping to contribute to the success of the firm as it continues to grow.”

Amy Plath, meanwhile, has been appointed as marketing manager within the firm’s corporate recovery and insolvency arm, Cowgill Holloway Business Recovery LLP. Prior to her appointment, Amy worked for IP firm Marks & Clerk.

She commented: “The recovery and insolvency team at Cowgill Holloway has a very good reputation in and around Greater Manchester and I look forward to working with Partner Jason Elliott to build on this and help grow the business.”

Rob Lord, a business development partner at Cowgill Holloway, said: “We are delighted that Amy and Michael have joined the firm.

“Their appointments have bolstered our marketing team and support a period of continued development and growth for Cowgill Holloway.”

Image L-R: James Ballinger, Max McLaren, Charlie Jackson and Tom Pringle

Four appointments, The Market Creative

The Market Creative, a brand consultancy based in Manchester, has announced four appointments in its creative and account management teams.

James Ballinger, the firm’s new account director, has been chosen to lead its Grafton Merchanting GB team. Joining from marketing agency Delineo, James has previously worked for companies such as travel firms Thomas Cook and Going Places

Elsewhere, The Market Creative has appointed two new account executives; Tom Pringle, who previously worked for Label PR and brings with him experience in advertising and fashion PR, and Max McLaren, who worked for advertising firm JCDecaux in London.

The newest member of the firm’s creative team, Charlie Jackson, has taken on the role of lead creative and brings with her over 10 years’ experience, having worked across a number of sectors, including nursery, medical communications, homeware and travel.

The Market Creative’s MD, Sue Benson, said: “It’s an exciting time to join the team. We’re growing quickly, working with inspirational brands and it’s a fast-paced environment. Having the right people on board is vital to our success and all four of our new starters are already making an impact.”

David Shurden, Stagecoach

The Merseyside and South Lancashire arm of transport firm Stagecoach has strengthened its senior team after selecting David Shurden for the position of commercial director.

David, who has spent more than 30 years in the public transport sector, previously worked for transport operator First Bus.

In his new role, David will report directly to Elisabeth Tasker, the managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, and take responsibility for the firm’s network and performance, overseeing vehicle crew scheduling, tickets and fares, digital strategy and a number of other tasks.

MD Elisabeth commented: “We’re very pleased to be welcoming David to the team.

“He’s got a fantastic range of experience at all levels in the industry and his public transport pedigree is hard to match.”

She added: “I’m confident that his varied skill set, knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the business and will help us move forward.”

David said of his appointment: “I’m delighted to be joining Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.

“It’s a progressive, market-leading business with a fantastic, dedicated team behind it and I’m excited about the future.”

He continued: I’m confident that my varied and extensive all round experience will be a good fit for the business and will enable me to assist the company to achieve its ambitions for future growth and success.“

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