This week's London appointments

Michal Freeman-Shor, Gardner Leader

Corporate and commercial lawyer Michal Freeman-Shor has joined the Maidenhead office of Gardner Leader Solicitors as senior associate.

Michal has eight years’ corporate law experience, most recently with an international law firm.

Her background spans a number of areas of company and commercial law, with a focus on national and cross-border mergers, acquisitions and IPOs.

Michal is a dual-qualified solicitor in the UK and Israel, and speaks three languages – English, Russian and Hebrew.

Four other new starters joined Gardner Leader alongside Michal, including Nikki Hitchinson (finance manager), Madia Aslam (post-exchange assistant) and Sarah Sharpin (paralegal).

Michal said: “My greatest interest is in helping people and companies achieve viable and legally workable commercial success.

“I enjoy advising companies throughout various stages of their operations and look forward to bringing these skills to Gardner Leader.”

Gardner Leader managing partner Derek Rodgers commented: “Michal is a highly skilled corporate lawyer and we’re delighted to have her on the team.

“Her desire to want to help others and to get the best result possible is an intrinsic strength of her character which will bring real peace of mind to many clients.”

Rhian Humphries, Cherish PR

Cherish PR has expanded across the Atlantic with the appointment of a PR professional in the US.

Rhian Humphries joined the company in the role of West Coast consultant, bringing with her experience in securing coverage for fast-growing businesses and newly launched startups.

Based in Los Angeles, Rhian will work closely with Cherish’s Paddington-based team on multi-geo and regional PR campaigns for clients.

She is a University of Warwick graduate with a background that includes work on apps such as TaxFyle, Grabr, Sunbasket and TouchPress’s Elmer the Elephant. Rhian was also hired as a media relations strategist and consultant for fintech giant SoFi.

Cherish PR founder Rebecca Oatley said: “Rhian is an experienced PR consultant who has represented several of Cherish’s clients in the US and specifically West Coast markets.

“It’s been a great working relationship and we’re now really excited for Rhian to bring her skills, regional knowledge and tech market expertise to the expanding Cherish team.”

She continued: “Companies rarely trade in one region anymore. As our clients expand so do our services and having US capabilities is a natural next step.

“Rhian will work alongside Cherish’s London based team and will support the OverThere network of boutique PR agencies across the tech hubs of the West Coast.”

Caroline Morgan, IPSE

IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, has appointed business analyst and long-standing board member Caroline Morgan as its new chair.

Caroline is replacing James Collings, who has presided over three of the organisation’s best years to date.

She has more than 20 years of experience as a business analyst, project manager and business change specialist, working in both the public and private sectors.

Caroline said: “IPSE has had an amazing three years under James Collings, and we are all enormously grateful for his hard work in that time.

“Now I am determined to continue his record and take the organisation on to new successes.”

She continued: “As the country approaches Brexit, it is now more important than ever that we are talking on the national stage about self-employment and its enormous benefits.

“I want to lead a positive discussion about the opportunities self-employment creates – both for self-employed people themselves and for the individuals and businesses that engage them.”

Outgoing chair James commented: “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to chair IPSE over the last three years. In that time, IPSE has done so much not just for our members, but for all freelancers and self-employed people right across the UK.

“And I have every confidence Caroline will use her remarkable skills and experience to take IPSE on to even greater things in the coming years.”

Andrew Salmon, Arbuthnot Banking Group plc

The board of Arbuthnot Banking Group plc has appointed Andrew Salmon as CEO of private bank Arbuthnot Latham & Co.

Andrew will take on the new role in addition to his current responsibilities as group chief operating officer and head of business development.

He will have the support of two deputy chief execs – James Cobb, the group’s finance director, and Stephen Fletcher, who established the bank’s commercial banking business.

Andrew has been a member of the Arbuthnot Banking Group board since 2004.

Sir Henry Angest, chairman and chief exec of Arbuthnot Banking Group plc, said: “The group’s business is now focused on one principal subsidiary and we count ourselves lucky in having in Andrew an executive of such experience and quality to take on the role of Arbuthnot Latham’s new chief executive officer.

“Andrew has worked successfully for the Group for over 20 years and I look forward to continuing to work with him as Arbuthnot Latham maintains its strategy to grow and diversify.”

Tom William, Downing LLP

Investment manager Downing LLP has appointed Tom William as a partner in its energy infrastructure investment team.

Tom has 19 years of experience as a principal and adviser across the private equity and debt infrastructure sectors.

Before joining Downing, he established the investment and asset management arm of independent renewable energy and low-carbon electricity supplier Solarplicity.

His background includes work in the private debt and private equity businesses of London-based Macquarie Group, and co-founding WHEB Infrastructure Partners LLP.

Downing’s head of investment, partner Chris Allner, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Tom at what is a very exciting time for Downing.

“So far in 2018, we have grown our team significantly, with 10 new hires across the business, and Tom is an excellent addition to our team.”

Chris continued: “Tom’s extensive industry experience of infrastructure and renewables investment, working for prominent industry names, will prove invaluable as our business continues to make strategic developments in the energy sector.”

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