This week's Yorkshire appointments

David Milne, Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs has appointed David Milne as a partner in its Leeds corporate team.

David joins from Eversheds Sutherland, and specialises in private equity transactions and UK and international mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

David’s private equity experience includes acting for numerous private equity firms, as well as for a range of management teams and shareholders of businesses in diverse industry sectors.

David has advised on investments, acquisitions, buyouts and disposals across the manufacturing, engineering, food and drink, consumer, technology, business services, facilities management and healthcare sectors.

In addition, David has completed more than 100 M&A deals, including many cross-border transactions, and has acted for multinational corporations in complex reorganisations across several jurisdictions.

Hannah Kendrick, head of the Leeds corporate team, commented: “David is a highly regarded M&A and private equity lawyer, who is really immersed in the business environment.

“His track record of deal-making speaks for itself. He has that entrepreneurialism that comes from understanding both the local market and global business, and from keeping close to the industries and investors he advises. He will fit right in with, and be a great asset to, our busy team.”

David added: “I am really excited to be joining such a strong local team as part of a powerhouse global firm and to be working with a variety of private equity and corporate clients, as well as shareholders and management teams.”

Abbie Bielby, Rollits LLP

Law firm Rollits LLP has appointed Abbie Bielby as trainee solicitor.

A former pupil of Longcroft School in Beverley, Abbie joined the team in Rollits’ York office in September 2018 after leaving BPP University Law School in Leeds and adding an LPC LMM to her LLB (Hons) from Queen Mary University of London.

Specialising in property matters, Abbie focused on residential property sales and purchases in addition to social housing matters including work for residential social landlords.

Abbie commented: “The last few years have been very hard work but also really enjoyable. Everybody at Rollits has been immensely supportive.

“I’m looking forward to working and learning with them in my new role.”

Jennifer Sewell, partner and training principal at Rollits, added: “Throughout the very competitive interview process, Abbie stood out as a highly talented individual and this has been proven since she joined us in the highly regarded social housing team.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to support her through the next stage of her career journey.”

Christian Hellmund, Clarion

Law firm Clarion has appointed Christian Hellmund as partner.

Specialising in national and international energy, renewables, waste and infrastructure projects, Christian joins from a global law firm where he held the role of head of renewables.

In 2006, prior to undertaking his legal training, Christian spent two years as associate counsel at the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) in Zurich.

Over the last 14 years, Christian has advised on a range of national and international energy and infrastructure projects such as electricity and gas generation, transmission, distribution and supply, low-carbon and renewables projects, including solar pv, onshore wind, wave and tidal, battery storage, energy from waste and bioenergy.

Partner Matthew Hattersley commented: “With his strong credentials and outstanding expertise advising on low carbon, renewable energy and energy regulation issues, Christian enables us to add new service lines in the energy space, complementing our commercial offering and building on the firm’s strategy of expanding the specialisms we offer to clients.”

Christian added: “I am excited to be joining an ambitious, growing firm with a great internal culture and excellent existing client base.

“Heading up Clarion’s energy and renewables sector, I am looking forward to assisting the firm’s clients to structure and deliver low carbon energy projects in order to achieve ambitious governmental climate change targets and overcome energy regulatory challenges.

“This is an exciting time in the energy and renewables sector, particularly given the current climate of change which presents a great opportunity to alter the ways in which we generate, distribute and use energy to drive down carbon emissions, creating a cleaner and healthier environment while also reducing costs and ensuring energy security.”

Jason Rockett, Potter Space

Business park operator Potter Space has appointed Jason Rockett as managing director.

Jason brings a range of property experience to the company, having operated within the sector for more than 25 years. He joins from Gentian Development Group, prior to which he was at Scarborough Property Group and, more latterly, Sheffield United.

Jason spent over 10 years with the Scarborough Property Group, ultimately as development director responsible for the growth and management of a £350m+ development portfolio within London, the South of England and Wales.

Prior to that, Jason was CEO of Sheffield United, where he was responsible for the growth and diversification of the club’s off-field revenue streams, as well as creating an international presence across three continents.

Owner Derrick Potter commented: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of the calibre of Jason to replace [former MD Matthew Lamb] as his skills and experience will prove invaluable as we take Potter Space to the next stage of its development.”

Jason added: “I am really looking forward to working at Potter Space.

“I am taking over a successful operation and relishing the challenge of building on the excellent foundations that have been prepared for the business’s next stage of growth.”

James Robinson, RWO

Civil and structural engineering firm RWO has appointed James Robinson as civil engineering technician.

James joins the firm in a move that will see him involved in a number of civil engineering, infrastructure and design contracts for the firm’s clients in Leeds and across the north of England.

James brings six years of experience to the role, including construction sector knowledge, and has core skills in managing projects using Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and Microdrainage design software systems.

Andrew Fairburn, who heads-up the Leeds office, commented: “We are investing in the best people to support our ambitions, so it’s great to have James on board.

“He will be a big asset as we go for growth, while enabling us to provide all our clients with the highest standards of service and added value engineering solutions.”

Liz Graham, Walker Morris

Commercial law firm Walker Morris has appointed Liz Graham as a partner to its pensions team.

Liz joins the team from Squire Patton Boggs, where she was partner and head of the Leeds pensions team.

Prior to this. Liz led up the team at North West firm Brabners, and has worked at a number of city and national firms.

Liz brings a range of experience to the firm, having acted for clients in both the public and private sectors for 25 years, specialising all areas of pensions law, including scheme design, deficit funding issues, risk management, investment issues and scheme governance.

Jo Ratcliffe, head of the pensions group and partner at Walker Morris, commented: “Liz’s appointment reinforces the significant strength in depth in our ever-growing pensions team.

“By strengthening our expert team, especially with Liz’s vast experience advising on pension scheme matters and pensioner liabilities, ensures our ability to provide clients with the expert advice they require.”

Commenting on her appointment, Liz added: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Walker Morris Pensions Team. The last two decades have resulted in huge changes for pension schemes, and pensions law has become a highly regulated and complex specialism.

“The pace of change looks set to continue and I’m looking forward to helping my clients navigate through the legal and technical complexities as smoothly and successfully as possible.”

“My prior experience heading up two successful pensions teams has taught me that delivering a quality legal service to clients is truly a team effort and I’m genuinely excited to be working with such a dynamic and experienced Team at Walker Morris.”

Jac Lloyd-Jones, Widd Signs

Signage manufacturer Widd Signs has appointed Jac Lloyd-Jones as business development manager.

Jac will be responsible for expanding the company’s client base in a number of key markets, with a particular focus on the construction, architecture, design and commercial sectors.

He brings a range of experience to the team, having operated within the signage industry for almost 15 years working on an array of six-figure projects.

Commenting on the appointment, Widd Signs head of sales Peter Harris said: “Jac has a proven track record when it comes to delivering high-value projects and forging strong working relationships with clients, and we’re delighted to bring him on board as we look to accelerate our growth in a number of key sectors.”

Jac added: “From the moment I first met Peter and managing director Gary Williams and heard them talk with such enthusiasm and excitement about their plans to grow the business over the next few years, I knew I wanted to be part of their team.

“Widd Signs’ reputation for quality, craftsmanship and innovation is second to none and I’m excited by the opportunity to support the company’s growth strategy and build its presence in a number of key sectors which I’m already very familiar with.”

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