People on the Move: Napthens; DSW Bridge Houghton Forensic; BLJ Solicitors; PHX Training; LSTM
The employment and HR team at Napthens solicitors continues to expand thanks to the success of the firm’s HR3 service.
HR3 is an annual retainer service offering businesses a fixed-cost employment and HR service with access to benefits including an online toolkit and legal advice from specialist solicitors.
The team saw client numbers for the retainer rise to 300 in 2018 and this success has meant ongoing recruitment for the team.
Now solicitor Rebecca Miller has joined the regional law firm’s employment and HR department, from a role as the sole in-house employment counsel at Speed Medical Examination Services.
She has particular experience acting for a range of clients in HR and tribunal matters, including claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment.
She has also worked with businesses on a variety of day-to-day legal matters, including disciplinary and grievance issues, redundancy and TUPE.
Alongside Rebecca, paralegal Charlotte Bee has also joined the team recently.
Chris Boyle, head of employment & HR at Napthens, said: “No matter what industry or size of business, we are finding a continued demand for high quality, straightforward legal advice from employers.
“Our HR3 service has really come into its own, with business owners in the region appreciating the opportunity to receive tailored, specialist advice at a cost they can control.
“Rebecca’s background will make her a key part of our team and I’m sure she will play an important role as we continue to develop our service and grow the department.”
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DSW Bridge Houghton Forensic, the forensic accounting and valuation specialist, has expanded its team with the appointment of Carolyn Plummer.
Carolyn, who will be based at the firm’s Daresbury office, has more than 20 years’ experience as a forensic accountant, having previously worked at BDO and Grant Thornton.
She joins from law firm DWF where she was the firm’s first in-house forensic accountant.
In recent years Carolyn has specialised in quantifying loss of profits, earnings and pensions in personal injury cases and advising on professional negligence claims.
David Houghton and Carolyn Plummer
In her new role she will also be providing valuations in business and matrimonial disputes and investigating financial irregularities on behalf of corporate clients and private equity firms.
Carolyn said: “This is a great opportunity to work with a boutique practice with a strong track record. DSW Bridge Houghton is recognised as one of the leading independent forensic teams in the UK.”
DSW Bridge Houghton is the forensic arm of independent advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts. David Houghton, partner, said: “Carolyn has a wealth of experience in forensic accounting and has worked on many complex and high-profile cases.
“Her appointment gives us additional capacity to meet the growing demand and also allows us to extend our services by offering expert and advisory services for personal injury claims.”
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Bell Lamb and Joynson Solicitors is set to welcome a new addition to its criminal law department following 50% growth over recent years.
The North West legal firm has appointed renowned solicitor Jim Smith, who will join the Liverpool branch this month.
With more than 20 years of criminal law experience, Jim is a duty solicitor and higher court advocate and in his most recent role headed up the criminal department at Whitfields Solicitors in Formby, North Merseyside.
Managing partner at BLJ Solicitors, Mike Leeman, said: “We are pleased to welcome our colleague and friend Jim Smith into our expanding team here within a department that has experienced significant growth over the last three years.
“Our team of criminal solicitors work on approximately 1,000 cases annually, including a number of high-profile hearings across the North West and further afield within the UK.
“With this in mind we felt that the time was right to continue our investment into staffing to support increasing demand.
“Jim will bring with him decades of criminal law experience, having built up a reputation as a fierce, determined and loyal advocate for his clients in Formby, Southport, Liverpool and beyond, making him a real asset to our business.
“In his previous role he supervised all aspects of criminal work, from serious cases involving offences such as murder, to the likes of shoplifting and fraud.”
Jim Smith
Established in 1821, BLJ Solicitors operates from a trio of locations in Liverpool, Runcorn and Warrington dealing with more than 4,000 matters each year in areas such as criminal law, family law, conveyancing, wills and probate and personal injury.
Criminal Solicitor Jim Smith said: “I am excited to embark on this next chapter of my career at BLJ Solicitors, which has developed an incredible name for itself as one of the region’s longest-standing law firms.
“I will continue to represent clients in my former locations but look forward to working with new clients to ensure the best possible outcome for each and every case.
“I’ve entered the business during a fantastic period of growth and aim to support the team in securing continuing success for the department in the coming years. I very much look forward to working with my colleagues to help put BLJ Solicitors on the map as a leading establishment when it comes to criminal law.”
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Preston training specialist PHX Training has appointed Briony Fawcett to lead it into the future as it grows its network across the North West.
With experience in employability, welfare to work, skills and contracts management, Briony will lead the company as acting managing director in a transitional role as it expands its services across the region.
Former managing director, Dan Scott, retains a seat on the board as owner with a remit to steer strategic aims, while Jayne Scott continues as finance director.
Briony Fawcett
Briony said: “PHX is a leader in its field with highly skilful people at every level, so I feel privileged to be given this role as we move forward with our diverse range of services.
“Ultimately, our goal is to make a difference to people’s lives through the development of skills, opportunities and employment. Likewise, we are getting closer to the business community to highlight the new opportunities of training and how we can support them.”
Dan Scott said: “Briony has already brought structure and a difference to the business since her arrival and this appointment is a natural progression for her and PHX Training. Her drive, energy and foresight will help to take the company into the next phase of growth.”
PHX Training offers support in several industries, including warehousing, retail, business and administration, hospitality, team leading and security industry training.
The team delivers Government-backed initiatives, adult skills, NEET (not in education, employment or training), employability contracts, apprenticeship training and work-based learning programmes.
PHX provides services at six training centres in Barrow, Carlisle, Workington, Morecambe, Preston and Blackpool.
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Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), the world’s first institution dedicated to research and education in the field of tropical medicine, has appointed James McMahon as alumni and donor relations officer.
His main role will be to deepen engagement with the school’s alumni and strengthen relationships with donors.
After graduating from Liverpool John Moores University, James worked in the private sector before joining, and later becoming the external relations manager at, the Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside.
James joins LSTM at a time of exciting and continued expansion within the fundraising team, bringing with him experience which includes leading on brand, profile and public engagement, event delivery and developing donor and stakeholder relations.
He said: “After four enjoyable years at the Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside I am excited for this new challenge. LSTM is a globally-recognised and respected institution focused on breaking the cycle of poor health and poverty in the world through first class research and education.
“The number of innovative and exciting projects happening at LSTM provides us with the perfect opportunity to engage with alumni and strengthen our relationships with donors and partners.”
James McMahon
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