bdasdvsdadsx8w.com

Changes at Innes England, Morley Hayes, XPO, University of Nottingham, Node4, Weduc and Actons

2025-05-29 17:30:08 By

Nelsons:

East Midlands law firm Nelsons has welcomed a new senior associate and solicitor specialising in commerce and technology to its Nottingham office.

Sarah Eley specialises in advising on commercial agreements, data protection and e-commerce terms, having started her career with Mills & Reeve LLP before qualifying in 2016. She then moved to work in-house for Derby City Council in 2020.

She said: “Nelsons has a great reputation for its culture and for the service it provides to clients. They also have key values which align with my own, so this was the ideal next step in my career. My colleagues have made both my guide dog, Berry, and I feel incredibly welcome. In fact, Berry has already amassed a substantial fan club.

“I’m looking forward to being involved in business development and continuing to help as many clients as possible to achieve their objectives and exceed their expectations.”

Sarah will work alongside partner and solicitor Emma Toes who heads the intellectual property team at Nelsons.

Actons:

Contentious private client solicitor Nicola Parr has joined the dispute resolution team at independent Nottingham law firm Actons as a director. Nicola was prevously at Chattertons and before that Nelsons, and has specialised in contentious probate and court of protection work since qualifying as a solicitor in 2001.

Nicola helps private individuals resolve issues including disputes surrounding wills, executors, trusts and disputes over lasting powers of attorney. She also helps with contentious court of protection applications.

She said: “I’m delighted to have joined Actons to grow the firm’s contentious private client services and our profile in the marketplace. Now a few weeks in, I’ve got to say everyone at the firm has been fantastic and very welcoming.

“I was attracted to join Actons by the opportunity to grow the work area, but also to join a firm where I admired their culture, approach to hybrid working and their enviable position in the local market.”

Innes England:

East Midlands commercial property agent Innes England has announced a number of key promotions – including Matt Howson, who joined Innes England in 2016, being promoted to a shareholding director.

He said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to become an equity holding director in the company, and I'm looking forward to the more strategic role I will be playing for the wider business.

“I joined Innes England as a chartered surveyor and have since seen my career grow exponentially thanks to the opportunities and support that Innes England has provided, for which I am immensely grateful.

“This year, I hope to build the property asset management team’s successes from 2022 further, working alongside Gary Woodward and the rest of our hugely talented team, and am looking forward to seeing the new heights we can reach.”

The firm, which has offices in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Birmingham, has also announced several other promotions, including Hannah Vassey being promoted to finance director, and Ross Whiting becoming director of business space agency.

Hannah said: “I love working at Innes England. The company has supported me in carving out a role for myself that’s my own, promoting every step of my personal and professional growth along the way.

“The new capacity this promotion provides will allow me to engage more with the strategic decisions that are driving the business forward and is more of what I enjoy in my work already. I’m immensely grateful and keen to continue my work in my new role.”

Other changes include chartered surveyors Andrew Smith and Sam Hall moving up to associate director of professional services and associate director of retail and roadside respectively.

Morley Hayes:

Denise Oliver has become hotel manager at Derbyshire hotel, restaurant and golf complex Morley Hayes.

Denise joins the team, a few miles north of Derby, from Premier Inn hotels where she spent more than 26 years working in managerial roles.

She joined Premier Inn after graduating from university and since then has held positions including duty manager, reception manager, general manager and operations manager.

Most recently, she was hotel manager for three sites across the East Midlands.

Denise will head up the management team at Morley Hayes Hotel and oversee the day-to-day operations.

Denise said: “I’m really excited to have been appointed manager of the Morley Hayes Hotel. I’ve visited Morley Hayes for many events in the past and I’ve always been impressed with the fabulous hotel and the facilities on offer.

“What attracted me to Morley Hayes is the fact that the business is family and owned and run and there is a lot of investment back into the business.

“I have worked in the hotel industry for more than 26 years, and have gained a breadth of knowledge, which I look forward to utilising in my new role at Morley Hayes.”

The 32-room, four-star Morley Hayes hotel is set in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside overlooking parkland golf courses.

XPO:

Transportation services provider XPO has appointed David Picking to lead the company's technology organisation in the UK and Ireland.

He reports to Dan Myers, managing director for the region, as well as Nigel Rouch, head of strategic projects and technology – Europe.

Mr Picking has more than three decades of technology leadership experience in the retail, pharmaceutical, leisure, and logistics sectors, including the implementation of sophisticated IT solutions for supply chain operations.

Prior to joining Northampton-based XPO, he served as chief information officer for Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa at Likewize, a global technology services company. Before that he held senior positions with SIG plc, Wincanton plc, and The Co-operative Group.

He holds a degree in business computing from Staffordshire University, and numerous business and IT leadership qualifications from the University of Oxford and Henley Business School.

XPO provides transport services in Europe, including technology-enabled truckload, less-than-truckload, truck brokerage, managed transport, last mile and freight forwarding.

University of Nottingham:

Two new experts have joined the Food Innovation Centre team at the University of Nottingham.

Food innovation technologist Kavya Krishnamurthy and Research Associate Vlad Dinu are now part of the team offering expertise in food innovation to small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Richard Worrall, who heads the Food Innovation Centre, said: “Both Kavya and Vlad bring substantial knowledge of food and drink innovation to the table, and we are delighted to welcome them on board.”

The Food Innovation Centre, based at the Bioenergy and Brewing Science building at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus, offers free support to eligible small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Node4:

Hybrid cloud provider Node4 has announced that Hannah Birch has joined the company as managing director digital and group board member.

Hannah will lead the Node4 Digital Business and having spent 11 years at Accenture where she led the company’s UK technology business for insurance and was a member of the technology leadership team for the UK & Ireland.

She started her career at oil and gas giant BP and later held leadership positions at Fujitsu Services UK and Computacenter.

Node4 has its head office in Derby and operations around the UK and in Dubai.

She said: “I am so excited to join Node4, one of the few service providers that meets organisations at an inflection point where they are looking to leverage technology to drive transformational change to their business.

“The group capabilities, strengthened with that of the recent acquisitions, makes us a one stop shop for our clients.”

Weduc:

Loughborough-based school software provider Weduc has announced two key senior changes.

Rob Pointen has been appointed as CEO after joining the company as chief finance officer last year.

He has a proven track record in planning and facilitating strategic change in high growth companies across different sectors, and since joining the board, he has been instrumental in forging a strong, dynamic, standalone business after the demerger from the Accrosoft group last year.

Seasoned education software entrepreneur and business leader Paul Hughes has been appointed as non-executive chairman. He brings with him a wealth of education sector experience, previously as founder and CEO of ParentMail.

The pair will work closely together, implementing a strategy that builds on the success Weduc is seeing with its next-generation parental engagement software solution, which is proving a valued school upgrade to legacy systems.

Rob said: “We’ve got a really exciting future ahead. Our mission is to bring genuine service back into Edtech, which many schools today sadly find missing, especially from our larger corporate rivals.

Highly Recommended

Tributes pour in following death of Mukesh Patel, loved and ‘irreplaceable’ member of Leicester business scene

Tributes have poured in following the death of Mukesh Patel, a senior and much loved member of the Leicestershire business community. The married father-of two from Stoneygate, Leicester, was just 54 years old when he died on February 18, having been taken ill a week earlier. A litigation specialist by profession he joined Freeths in 2009 and became managing partner of its Leicester office in 2014. The firm said he had regarded the team there as his second family and was admired for his “impeccable manners, courtesy and respect”. He was also a director of Team Leicester, the public/private sector inward investment group set up to promote the region at the annual MIPIM property and construction conference in Cannes. Mr Patel grew up in Leicester, studying at Crown Hills Community College and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, before attending Corpus Christi College, at Oxford, and doing his law finals at The College of Law, in Lancaster Gate, London. Richard Osborn, regional director and partner at Excello Law, based in Leicester, worked with him at Freeths until 2014 and sat alongside him on the board at Team Leicester. He said the whole city business community was devastated by the loss of such a well-known, loveable character. He said: “He always had so much time for everyone and this has come completely out of the blue. “He was a close friend of mine, a former colleague, irreplaceable really – he was Freeths in Leicester, and did so much more than that. He was genuinely a true gent who will be missed by everyone that knew him. “It’s rare to have such a genuinely liked and nice person in business these days. He was genuinely one of life’s good guys.” Kevin Harris is head of the RSM accountancy firm's Leicester office and chairman of East Midlands Chamber, where Freeths is a strategic partner. He said: “Having known Mukesh for many years as both a friend and fellow managing partner in Leicester, we had much in common and I always enjoyed his company, and respected his professional and pragmatic approach. “A great advocate of Leicester, he will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.” Freeths chairman Julian Middleton called the news “desperately sad, shocking, and heartbreaking” and a blow to everyone at the firm. He said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife and their two boys. “He was an exemplary team player and would always place his personal interests second to those around him for the common good. “Mukesh was very well known in the Leicester business community and was tireless in his efforts to raise the profile and reputation of the firm and his office. “We have lost a real force for good in the Freeths community, but we will ensure that his legacy lives on through our commitment to those shared principles that were so dear to him.” Posting on the Linked In professional social media network, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, founder of Loughborough's Morningside Pharmaceuticals and another well regarded member of the county business community also said it was “heartbreaking”. He wrote: “A true gentlemen and stalwart ambassador for his profession, Freeths and Leicestershire. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Rita and the boys. It was an honour to call you a friend and you will be sorely missed. RIP”. Helen Donnellan, Pro Vice Chancellor Business and Innovation at De Montfort University, and a previous part of Team Leicester when she was at Leicester City Council, said he had mentored her and her team on her arrival in the city. She said: “He was the most generous person who always went above and beyond to support our business community and will be greatly missed by very many. “My thoughts go out to his family to whom he was devoted.” In a joint statement on behalf of Team Leicester, Richard Osborn and follow director Rob McGuinn said Mr Patel had played an integral and active part in championing Leicester and Leicestershire’s investment potential on an international stage. They said: “He was such a kind and genuine soul who always strove for positive outcomes and looked for the best in everything. “Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. “Mukesh, you are and will always be sadly missed. Rest in peace our dear friend.” Richard Blackmore, Midlands regional director for the CBI, added that he was a “truly kind, supportive and warm gentleman”.

Weightmans latest to sign up for 103 Colmore Row

Law firm Weightmans is to relocate its Birmingham team across the city's business district. The firm has signed a ten-year deal for 12,132 sq ft on the ninth-floor of the new 103 Colmore Row office tower. The deal will see Weightmans' move around 170 staff from its current base at St Philips Point, in Temple Row, where it has been based since 2006. Jawaid Rehman, partner and head of the practice's Birmingham office, said: "In recent years, we have really embraced environmental, social and corporate governance principles and worked hard to embed sustainability into our business as usual. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. "The Birmingham office move is part of this plan. We remain committed to the community and business in Birmingham and the Midlands region and look forward to welcoming guests to Colmore Row in the summer." 103 Colmore Row covers 26 storeys and this latest deal with Weightmans is the latest in a long line of lease agreements landlords have signed with professional services firms including Browne Jacobson, Shoosmiths, Arcadis and Colliers. Last autumn, its new fine dining restaurant Orelle opened on the 24th floor and there is also a co-working space and members' business lounge on the 18th floor run by x+why. James Howarth, managing director of the building's developer Sterling Property Ventures, said: "Weightmans has been based in Birmingham for more than 25 years and with its relocation to 103 Colmore Row it has committed its future to the city in a best-in-class building."

Christmas bonus at law firm JMW Solicitors after record half-year revenue success

A law firm with offices in Manchester and Liverpool has given its staff a Christmas bonus after seeing its revenue jump during its latest financial period. JMW Solicitors has rewarded its employees following its revenue rising 12% to £36.2m in the six months to the end of October 2022. The firm added it is "likely to exceed" its target of £71.8m for the year to April 2023 but added that it is "dependent on the economy going forward". READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter The firm has not revealed how much pre-tax profit it achieved during the six-month period. In its most recently available full-year accounts, for the year to April 2021, it posted profits of £19.5m. Joint senior partner Joy Kingsley said: "We are pleased to have continued to grow in the current climate. Our numbers have grown by 90 across all our offices in the last year and we are pleased to have attracted lateral hires to the firm such as Julian Richards, Ikram Malik, Cathy Leech and Robin Sharp in recent months." Managing partner Marc Yaffe added: "We are extremely pleased with our continued growth. Our record six-month performance has been fuelled by the requirements of our existing clients and the addition of new clients across all areas of our firm. Our ambitious growth plans are aligned with our clients’ needs. "The success we continue to enjoy is supported by the hard work of all our partners and staff and this is why we wanted to reward them with a bonus again at Christmas. We are extremely proud of all our staff." READ MORE: Full scale of pandemic's impact on luxury hotel The Edwardian Manchester revealed First TransPennine Express and Northern Trains bosses to be questioned by MPs Plans in for major industrial and logistics hub that could create 1,600 jobs Manchester City could expand Etihad Stadium capacity to over 60,000

Team Leicester heading out to Cannes to promote investment opportunities at MIPIM 2023

A delegation of developers, investors, construction specialists, lawyers, agents and public sector officials will head out to the south of France next month to promote a wealth of property investment opportunities across Leicester and Leicestershire. The Team Leicester delegation is heading out to the international MIPIM property conference which takes place in Cannes between March 14-17. The annual conference is seen as an opportunity to network and discuss possible deals during a busy four days of exhibitions, meetings and discussions as well as conversations over meals and drinks. The Team Leicester 2023 group will include representatives from around 20 businesses and public sector bodies and will head down to the Med with a recently updated Invest in Leicester land and property prospectus – highlighting 40 key investment opportunities. Invest in Leicester is a partnership between the city and county councils, promoting the region as the place to locate and grow a business. Space-related industries will be a key priority for Team Leicester at MIPIM this year following from the successful opening of the initial stage of the £100 million Space Park Leicester. A key project being promoted is the extension to the nearby Pioneer Park, a partnership between Leicester Council and Leicester University to provide a hub for technology, innovation, science, and knowledge-led industry. Office space opportunities in the city will also be presented, including the Waterside office enterprise zone and the Leicester Station Quarter development which aims to increase grade-A office space in the city. The county will also promote the opportunities that exist at the East Midlands Freeport site around East Midlands Airport, which hopes to attract manufacturers and logistics operators. Enterprise zones at Charnwood, Loughborough and MIRA Technology Park will also feature. Rob McGuinn, director at MDA Consulting and chair of the Team Leicester partnership, said: “We are very much looking forward to returning to Cannes again this year. “We will be going to MIPIM as one voice for the area, with a clear message that Leicester and Leicestershire is open for business. “This year our gala dinner showcase will be at Grey D’Albion hotel. We are expecting up to 100 delegates comprising Team Leicester partners, their colleagues and guests who are interested in development opportunities, growing their industry networks, and doing business in Leicester and Leicestershire. “It has always been an extremely enjoyable – and very valuable – evening and this year promises to be no different.”

Historic Bristol law firm Meade King acquired by Knights

Listed legal and professional services business Knights has agreed a deal to acquire a historic independent law firm in Bristol for an undisclosed sum. Meade King, on Welsh Back, serves the South West region and can trace its origins to 1790. It is Knights' first foray into Bristol and the new office will add 29 fee earners to the firm, which has some 1,500 staff across the country. The company has 23 UK sites including in Exeter and Cheltenham. “It not only provides us with an entry point into Bristol but it gives us a platform from which to pursue further expansion in the city through both recruitment and additional acquisition opportunities," said James Christacos, Knights’ client services director. "This deal is a first step into Bristol, and we are focused on exploring larger acquisitions in the city, and recruiting high-quality talent in the city to enable us to build significant scale and expand across the region." Meade King is Knights’ 21st acquisition, and its 19th since its IPO in 2018. In that time, Knights has grown revenues from £35m to £125m. “We are delighted to be entering a new market as we cement our position as the leading legal and professional service business outside London," said James Sheridan, Knights’ Group M&A director. "We welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working with them to strengthen our foothold in Bristol." James Hawkins, managing partner of Meade King, said the firm was "thrilled" to be joining Knights following two years of "strong growth". He added: "As we enter the next phase of our growth as part of a larger group, we are excited by the benefits that Knights’ scale, deep central resource and unique business model will bring to our people and our clients.” Robert Bigg set up the Bristol law firm that would later become Meade King in 1790. He was joined by his son, Lionel, in 1814 and went on to enter into partnership with Herbert Henry Meade-King, according to the company's website. By 1910, the growing firm was joined by other family members and became known as Meade-King, Cooke Wansey & John Miller, changing to Meade-King and Co two years later. The name remained unchanged until the late 1980s, when it became Meade King. READ NEXT

Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice named Family Law Firm of the Year

One of Wales' best known family lawyers has been named 'Family Law Firm of the Year' for the Midlands and Wales at the 2022 Family Law Awards. Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice was the only Welsh nomination beating tough competition from reputable Midlands-based firms to receive the presitigious award. The annual awards ceremony took place at the Westminster Park Plaza in London with nearly 1,000 attendees. The law firm had previously been nominated in 2019 and in 2017 was crowned winner for the first time of the then Welsh-only category. The panel of independent judges highlighted the firm's strong commitment to pro-bono work, community activities and the development of its staff. The firm has been heavily involved in pro-bono work since it was founded in 1996 by the late Wendy Hopkins and Melanie Hamer. Read more: Welsh accountancy firm founded over 70 years ago bought by national group The Cardiff-based firm was the first specialist family law firm in Wales and is still one of the largest in England and Wales. It has supported Welsh homelessness charity Llamau for the past two years and recently its solicitor Bethan Tapper teamed up with the charity to create a legal clinic, providing free legal advice to those who have no means of obtaining it. The practice also has a track record of hiring young lawyers and developing them into highly-talented family law practitioners. Directors Sarah Wyburn and Rebecca Knight, associate Sam John, and solicitors Gabriella Evans, Ms Tapper and Fay Jones all started as trainees. Esther Ifan joined in July 2021 as a paralegal and was awarded a training contract in August of this year. Founding director Ms Hamer said: “ I am so proud of each and every member of our dedicated team who regularly go above and beyond expectations . This reward is truly the result of a team effort. Winning this award in a group with so many English competitors is really fantastic. It also reflects the fact that we already attract so many clients from England who are impressed by the service we offer”. As well as an in-depth early morning newsletter, we will be sending out regular breaking news email alerts. To sign up to this service CLICK HERE LinkedIn And, follow us on LinkedIn to catch the latest stories and to network with the Welsh business community. Ms Hamer has been a trustee of the Cardiff City Football Club Foundation, is a current trustee of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity, a member of Aberystwyth University Governance and Compliance Committee, and a member of Monumental Welsh Women. Director Thea Hughes is a trustee of Family Mediation Cymru, the only non-profit family mediation provider in Wales, while David James has acted as a trustee for Relate Cymru and is involved with Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics. Rebecca Knight is an independent director of Hockey Wales.

East Midlands Movers and Shakers this spring at Sapori, Nottingham Building Society, EMBS Engineering, Coolbrook, Boyer and more

Sapori Andrea Scarpati, chef-patron of Sapori in Anstey, has been to Rome to receive his appointment as an Ambasciatore del Gusto – Ambassador of Taste – from the prestigious DOC Italy. This organisation protects Italy's regional culinary heritage and Mr Scarpati (pictured above) was honoured in recognition of his years of tireless work to promote authentic Italian cuisine. He is now part of a very select group, with ambassadors chosen because of their mastery of the cuisine of their region and their dedication to sharing authentic Italian recipes. Only a very small number of recipients live and work outside of Italy. It is the latest honour to be conferred on him and the team at Sapori. In 2019 they found their place in the Michelin Guide for the first time, while in 2021 they were awarded two AA Rosettes, confirming their status as one of the finest and most authentic Italian restaurants in the country. Nottingham Building Society Nottingham Building Society has appointed Matt Kingston as national sales manager for its intermediaries business. Matt will run the business development manager team, helping brokers source mortgages for clients. He joins from LiveMore Capital, where he was regional sales manager, and before that worked at Clifton Mortgages, Legal & General, Bank of Ireland, Marsh Commercial, Aviva plc and RSA. He said: “I am proud to be joining a modern organisation which a rich heritage of helping people purchase their own homes. I look forward to advancing The Nottingham’s portfolio and continuing to cultivate meaningful relationships with intermediary partners.” Coolbrook Finland based technology and engineering company Coolbrook has made Robert Savidge its engineering director. It is the second senior management appointment for Coolbrook in the company’s Leicester office. He will lead the design process and development of Coolbrook's revolutionary Rotodynamic Technology and support the company's aim to play its part in a clean industrial revolution. Boyer Planning consultancy Boyer has promoted land & planning director David Hutchinson to head up its Midlands office at Normanton-on-Soar, near Loughborough. Managing director Andy Williams said: “David joined the office shortly after it opened in 2018 and has been instrumental in establishing our presence in the region. “He has brought significant land, planning and new homes instructions into both Boyer and the Leaders Romans Group for high profile clients on a number of strategic land sites. “David will lead and develop both the land and planning teams in the region as part of our business plan for the growth of Boyer and LRG.” Actons Independent Nottingham law firm Actons has promoted its second non-lawyer manager to director – with accounts manager Marc Pegg taking on the role of finance director. Marc has more than 25 years’ experience in the legal sector, having joined the firm back in 1998. He became accounts manager in 2006 and completed his ILFM studies in 2000. Actons chairman Simon Dakin said: “I am delighted to welcome Marc as a director of the firm. Marc has been with us for many years and already plays a critical role in our accounting function. “I am confident that he will continue his development and make a success of this opportunity, and his new role as our finance director. “In just the last six months, we’ve welcomed six new colleagues to the business and promoted two others as we continue to grow. “The next months are lining up to be an exciting period for the firm, as we continue to look for more great people to join our team, and take forward some other key projects.” Fluid Ideas Creative agency Fluid Ideas has strengthened its team with seven new arrivals, including its first apprentice. Olivia Beighton has joined Fluid’s search and social team as an apprentice digital marketing executive while undertaking a digital marketing degree with Aston University. Another addition to the search and social team is search engine optimisation specialist Zukais Mohammed. The agency’s image and motion team has been strengthened by the arrival of Ed O’Murphy as a CGI artist and Jaime Tozer, who is on a placement after gaining a master’s degree in photography at Nottingham Trent University. Rafael Cardoso and Pasha Mardiiants have joined Fluid’s websites and systems team as front-end developers. Meanwhile the brand and creative team has been bolstered by the arrival of graduate Ben Bayes, a graphic designer who gained his degree at the University of Lincoln. Fluid, which employs over 50 staff and is based at Darley Abbey Mills, near Derby, is a full-service agency whose operations cover branding and campaigns, graphic and website design, computer-generated imagery, 3D animation and video, photography, copywriting, digital marketing, content management, search and social media. WBR Group WBR Group, the UK’s largest independent provider of SSAS services and tax experts, has made two appointments to its leadership team. David Downie joins as managing director of SSAS & actuarial and Peter Collier as director of marketing and distribution. The group has offices in Leicester, Bolton and Salisbury. David has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector, with most of those years spent working within the pension and SSAS industry. He is a fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, chairman of the ACA Individual and Pension Savings Committee and was most recently chief actuary at Rowanmoor where he has worked for more than 29 years. Peter Collier has more than 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry, having held senior roles across marketing, business development and strategy functions within the pensions and wealth management industry. Bellway Harvey Barnes has been named Belway Apprentice of the Year. The 21-year-old architectural apprentice from Leicester, applied for an apprenticeship with Bellway East Midlands, based at the Meridian Business Park in Leicester, following Covid He said: “Bellway took a huge chance on me, but they looked at the work I had done on my course, and they gave me a chance. It’s the best thing that’s happened in my life.” In the nearly two years since he began his apprenticeship as a trainee architectural technician, Harvey has repaid Bellway’s faith in him, throwing himself into his work, learning from his colleagues and pitching in when others need help. Architectural Manager, Chris Weston, put him forward for Bellway’s Apprentice of the Year Award because of his positive attitude, sense of initiative and proactive approach. He said: “Harvey has shown great character and confidence in his work. He isn’t afraid to push himself outside his comfort zone and he has a fantastic work ethic.” Optima UK Leicester recruitment, training and business consultancy Optima UK has made two new senior hires to its technology and IT division, and promoted its head of operations to director. Sam Naseer has been recruited as global director, technology and IT recruitment services, while Gladia Antony has joined the team as senior manager, global talent acquisition, technology and IT recruitment services. Julie Booth, Optima’s highly-experienced head of operations, has been promoted to director of recruitment operations, a role that sees her taking a strategic lead in Optima’s day-to-day activities. Chief executive Larraine Boorman said: “Our successful talent acquisition skills and experience has been in demand like no time before, and we have seen exponential growth in many areas, including technology and IT but also in manufacturing and engineering industries, legal, finance, sales, marketing, and HR.” Readings Leicester-based Readings property group has announced the retirement of managing director Peter Woodthorpe, who headed up its survey and professional services department. Meanwhile it has brought in two new board directors – Sean Sexton BSc MRICS and James Beardsworth Hons, Dip Surv & Val, Assoc RICS. Sean started his career in 2005 working for both independent and corporate companies, gaining his qualifications along the way and joined Readings in 2016. He now heads up our survey department and is involved in not only survey and valuation work but also in dispute resolution acting as an expert witness and single joint expert in court proceedings. James started his career in business sales in 2010 and in 2014 joined an independent estate agent in Loughborough. He joined the team at Readings in 2019, and now has a steady stream of referred business from fellow professionals and past client recommendations. Avant Homes Chesterfield-based Avant Homes Central has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of a technical director to further enable its regional expansion. Mark Bray, who joins from residential developer Countryside Partnerships, has more than 40 years’ experience in local government and the construction and housebuilding sectors. In his new role, he is responsible for Avant Homes Central’s technical delivery, including house type and development design and supporting the region’s land, commercial, construction and site management teams during various stages of construction. Avant Homes Central has nine live developments ranging from Chesterfield to Derby with more due to start as the business continues its expansion plans. The company has six other regional businesses operating within Scotland, north east England, Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Midlands and the West Midlands. Timms Solicitors Family lawyer and resolution-trained family mediator Adrian Rose has become a partner at Timms Solicitors which has offices in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, Burton-upon-Trent, Swadlincote and Ashby. Adrian joins the leadership team of Fiona Moffat, Dee Khunkhuna and Jo Robinson. Managing partner Fiona Moffat said: “We are delighted that Adrian has become a partner with the firm and this promotion is well-deserved. “His expertise and his excellent reputation on family law matters and mediation services has greatly enhanced the fast-growing team and this timely and cost-effective resolution has had a hugely positive impact on clients during difficult times in their lives.” Adrian has worked exclusively in family law for almost thirty years and specialises in all areas of family law, including divorce and cohabitation, financial matters and disputes relating to children. EMBS Engineering A young entrepreneur has been made managing director of a fast growing engineering recruitment company. James Hall became a recruitment consultant aged just 17 and, following three successive promotions, he was given the chance to mentor others aged just 23. Now 32, and a dad-of-two, James is celebrating his promotion to MD of EMBS Engineering – a talent and recruitment services business co-founded by Simon Bucknell and Ian Stevens that provides permanent and contract engineering resources for the Midlands’s fastest-growing advanced manufacturing companies. Based in Vernon Gate, Derby, James – who joined EMBS as a senior consultant leading the engineering desk eight years ago - has plans to grow the business over the next five years to meet the demand for skilled engineers. The business works with candidates and businesses within the aerospace, automotive and motorsport, power, nuclear and defence industries. He said: “The post-Brexit, post-Covid employment market is creating major challenges for employers, and we believe that we have the expertise and solutions to make a huge difference. “Derby is well-known for being at the heart of engineering in the UK and it’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry. “But if we’re going to meet the demand for skills, we need to encourage women into engineering, increase apprenticeship adoption and ensure that we keep the over-50s in the workforce for as long as possible." Next Jeremy Stakol joins the board of Leicestershire-based Next on April 3 as an executive director, covering group investments, acquisitions and third party brands. Jeremy holds a masters in professional accounting and spent his early career in the finance department of a large media company. In 2004 Jeremy joined Lipsy as managing director, and joined the Next group in that role 14 years ago when it acquired the business.

Fees clear £10m for Bridge McFarland as property market activity spurs firm on

Fee income has passed the £10 million mark for prominent regional law firm Bridge McFarland. Annual results just published show a turnover of £10.7 million, up 18 per cent on the £9 million of work in the year to April 30, 2021. Founded in Grimsby in the mid-Seventies, where it maintains a strong presence, and now headquartered in Lincoln, the firm also has offices in Hull, Louth, Market Rasen and Scarborough. Managing partner Stephen Oldridge said: “It is a pleasing set of results. Income has recovered well after the difficulties faced during the pandemic and has increased 18 per cent year on year. Increased activity in the property market really helped to drive this growth. Read more: New Hull chambers for city's barristers on court centre's doorstep “Profit has remained similar to 2021 levels due to a corresponding 11 per cent increase in expenditure as we invested heavily in staff and recommenced marketing and other activities that had been paused during the pandemic period. It is encouraging that we have embedded a number of savings such as postage, stationery and travel as we continue to embrace, and invest in, more technological ways of working.” Profits came in at £4 million, up from £3.8 million, with employee numbers up from 162 to 169. Mr Oldrdge said: “I would like to put on record my thanks to our wonderful staff who have worked so hard over the course of the pandemic to ensure we were open for business at all times and supporting our clients whether we were working from home or in the office. Special mention has to go to our conveyancing staff and finance team who coped amazingly well with the numerous extensions to the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday which seemed to really fire up the local housing market. “Finally, I would like to thank our clients. Over the last couple of years we have sought to continue to provide excellent service and support to them and they, in turn, have understood the additional challenges we have faced through these very difficult times. “We understand the new challenges that everyone is facing at the moment particularly in relation to the current cost of living crisis and we hope to continue to support our clients with excellent and fairly priced services throughout 2023.”

Regional law firm chooses Hull for its latest expansion

A regional law firm has entered the Hull legal market, with the launch of a new city office as its third Yorkshire location. Truth Legal, set up a decade ago in Harrogate, has welcomed two new team members to facilitate the opening in K2 Tower on Bond Street. A total of 27 people are now employed by the firm, which added a Leeds office in 2021. The Hull office will be headed up by specialist immigration lawyer, Frances Ledbury, a University of Hull alumni. She has previously worked for Howells, Pepperells and Williamsons in the city. She is joined by experienced paralegal, Olivia Pickering. Georgina Parkin, Truth Legal’s managing director and co-owner, said: “2022 was a great year for the business, our most successful to date during which we celebrated our tenth anniversary. To kick off 2023 with the opening of a new branch gives us the best possible start to the new year. “We’ve experienced a rapid period of expansion, particularly over the past three years, opening successful immigration law, family law and business services departments in that time. A real upturn in demand for our services prompted the decision to open in Hull, offering the East Riding and Lincolnshire greater access to a dedicated, specialist legal team with a proven track record. “Hull is the perfect place for our third location. City of culture status left a positive legacy with booming tech and hospitality industries, both key sectors we focus on for our business clients. The city also boasts a highly skilled legal sector and a respected university which bodes well for future recruitment. Opening in Hull also presents the firm with the opportunity to become a major player serving Hull and Lincolnshire.” The letting at K2 features offices and private meeting room space.

Birmingham Law Society unveils awards shortlist

The shortlist for the 2023 Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards has been unveiled ahead of next month's ceremony. Squire Patton Boggs, Weightmans and Irwin Mitchell are among those firms to receive multiple nominations across the 12 different categories. Almost 60 individuals and firms have been named in this year's shortlist, with the winners set to be crowned at a ceremony on March 9 at the ICC. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. The judging panel was led by Martin Hall, managing director of M Hall Management, alongside Sarah Ramsey, dean at the University of Law in Birmingham and Anjum Khan, director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce. Further interviews with finalists will take place later this month ahead of the award ceremony. Mr Hall said: "We were extremely impressed with the high quality of the submissions in 2023. All firms and individuals should be very proud of their submissions as it gave the shortlisting committee a very difficult but enjoyable challenge." Birmingham Law Society President Tony McDaid added: "It is no surprise that the quality of entrants to this year's Legal Awards is so high. "Birmingham is blessed with some of the legal sector's most influential and sector-leading firms and individuals - all of whom choose to flourish here in our city." The 2023 shortlist is: Trainee Solicitor of the Year Monika Gagat, Squire Patton Boggs Grace Hallam, Weightmans Nikita Pierpoint, Bevan Brittan Phoebe Smart, Irwin Mitchell Sophie Warren, Shoosmiths Apprentice of the Year Caira Baker, Capsticks Solicitors Alexander Bradbury, Squire Patton Boggs Sinead Jones, Kennedys Law Tom Reeves, Weightmans Renee Tombs, Bevan Brittan Paralegal of the Year Manaar Dayoub, Capsticks Solicitors Liberty Green, Weightmans Raipreet Singh Phull, Weightmans Chanel Quigley, Anthony Collins Solicitors Hayley Webb, Greens Solicitors Solicitor of the Year Michelle Chapman, Irwin Mitchell Fiona Farrell, Irwin Mitchell Mariyam Harunah, Squire Patton Boggs Jonathan Lewis, Capsticks Solicitors Sharon Thandi, Devonshires Solicitors Barrister of the Year Marc Brown, St Philips Chambers Louise Corfield, No5 Barristers' Chambers Aimee Fox, 3PB Barristers Yolanda Pemberton, St Philips Chambers Alexander Pritchard-Jones, No5 Barristers' Chambers Partner of the Year Ruth Griffin, Gowling WLG Mark Hands, Irwin Mitchell Ian Jones, Spencer Shaw Solicitors Christopher Plumley, Trowers & Hamlins Shivaji Shiva, VWV Pro Bono Award Elena Goodfellow, Bevan Brittan William Horwood, St Philips Chambers Sibon Phiri, United Legal Access Faizan Sadiq, Greens Solicitors Equality and Diversity Award (Law firm) Bridging the Bar, 3PB Barristers Capsticks Solicitors Shakespeare Martineau Squire Patton Boggs Thursfields Solicitors In-House Award Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Bal Atwal, West Midlands Police Tamina Greaves, Crown Prosecution Service Neena Janda, Zappi Kuldip Kaur, HSBC Law Firm of the Year (Sole practitioners and firms up to five partners) Chase Morgan Solicitors Fountain Solicitors Neil Davies & Partners Spencer Shaw Solicitors Tenet Compliance & Litigation Law Firm of the Year (Regional) Enoch Evans George Green Higgs Sydney Mitchell The Wilkes Partnership Law Firm of the Year (National) Anthony Collins Solicitors Gateley Legal Gowling WLG Shoosmiths