People: DLA Piper; Lloyds Bank; PZ Cussons & more
DLA Piper has promoted four lawyers to its partnership across the North West.
They are John Gollaglee, litigation & regulatory; Tom Kelsall, real estate; Chris Roberts, restructuring; and Richard Thompson, real estate.
The firm has also made a number of non-partner promotions across its Manchester and Liverpool offices – seven from senior associate to legal director and 15 from associate to senior associate. These promotions are effective from 1 May 2016 and a full list of names can be found below.
Across the firm globally, 48 lawyers have been promoted to its partnership. The promotions were made across a wide spectrum of practice areas throughout 11 countries – 18 in the United States, 14 in the United Kingdom, nine across Continental Europe, five in Asia and a further two in Australia.
Liam Cowell, office managing partner for DLA Piper in Manchester , said: “Developing our people and helping them to realise their potential is a key part of our global strategy and allows us to deliver the highest quality service to our clients.”
Ben Miller, office managing partner for DLA Piper in Liverpool, said: ” “I would like to congratulate not only all of our lawyers who have been promoted this year, but all in the North West offices as the promotions reflect the quality, experience and support of such a strong team here in the North West. It is great news for the individuals in question and the firm as a whole and I’m very much looking forward to their contribution going forwards.”
Included in the list is associate Alan Lumley, who passed away suddenly in April . He joined the firm as a trainee in 2009 and qualified into the Finance & Projects team in 2011.
His hard work and bright future was due to be rewarded with a promotion to senior associate on May 1.
The firm has chosen to include his name on the list of promotions to recognise the impressive contribution that he made during his time at DLA Piper.
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LLOYDS Bank Commercial Banking has appointed Kate Grimoldby as a director its North of England and Scotland capital markets team.
Grimoldby, who joined Lloyds Bank in July 2013, has been promoted from associate director and will continue to support the origination and execution of mid-market leveraged transactions, including buyouts, bolt-on acquisitions and refinancings, with private equity firms and companies across the region.
The announcement comes after a busy year for the capital markets team which completed a record 94 transactions in 2015 and deployed £1.923m of leveraged finance to support 42 sponsors across the UK.
Grimoldby has completed more than 20 deals across the North of Englandduring her tenure at Lloyds Bank, including the recent Dunedin-backed secondary buyout of Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, as well as the Inflexion-backed refinancing of On The Beach and the LDC-backed secondary buyout of Away Resorts last year.
She will continue to be based at Lloyds Bank’s Manchester office at Spring Gardens and report to Neil Price, managing director and head of acquisition finance in the North of England and Scotland.
Price said: “Kate’s promotion is testament to her experience in financing mid-market private equity deals across the region, and the central role she has played in reinforcing the strong position of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking in the North.
“It is also evidence of our dedication to providing timely and sustainable leveraged finance solutions to businesses in the region to support their plans for growth and expansion. Following a strong start to 2016, our team is well-placed to serve the growing appetite for debt finance and buoyant M&A market.”
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MANCHESTER-based consumer products company PZ Cussons has announced that John Nicolson has joined its board as a non-executive director.
Nicolson has significant experience of global consumer goods businesses, having held a number of senior positions in the FMCG sector, including regional president and executive committee member of Heineken NV and executive board director for international markets at Scottish & Newcastle.
He has significant marketing experience and has operated in a wide variety of different markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
He is currently the non-executive chairman of A G Barr, the soft drinks manufacturer, and a non-executive director of Stocks Spirits Group and North American Breweries.
Chairman Richard Harvey said: ‘We are delighted to announce John’s appointment. He brings with him a wealth of marketing and general commercial experience, in both developed and developing markets, and he is a valuable addition to our Board.”
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AWARD-winning Stanley House Hotel and Spa in Mellor, Lancashire has announced two promotions.
Megan Williams has been promoted to deputy conference and banqueting operations manager, while Danny Chester has stepped up as supervisor at the hotel’s gastro-inspired restaurant, Mr Fred’s.
Williams, who lives in Upholland, has worked at Stanley House Hotel and Spa for two years after originally joining as Mr Fred’s restaurant manager.
The 24-year-old became service manager last year, but as part of her most recent promotion, she will take on responsibility for delivering banqueting for weddings, private celebrations and corporate events held at the hotel.
Meanwhile 20-year-old Chester, who is from Lammack, has landed the promotion after three years’ service as a waiter at Stanley House.
Philip Wharton, general manager at Stanley House Hotel and Spa, said: “Stanley House prides itself in creating an experience like no other. It’s about the full package, so we continually invest in the training and development of our staff to ensure the service we offer perfectly reflects our resort standard dining and facilities.
“Danny and Megan’s promotions are thoroughly deserved. They both embody the Stanley House brand and the excellence they’ve demonstrated in customer care means they are well-placed to take the step up.”
The hotel recently scooped a trio of accolades at the Ribble Valley Stars in Tourism Awards, including the Team of Excellence award, while Williams also holds the prestigious Welcome Host Gold qualification.
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NORTHEDGE Capital, the private equity firm focused on investing in businesses in the North of England, has promoted George Potts and James Marshall to the role of investment manager.
Potts joined NorthEdge in 2011 and was part of the team to close the firm’s maiden fund at £225m in 2012.
He has been involved in a number of transactions including investments into leading data management and managed services provider Utiligroup, composite door manufacturer Solidor, and healthcare business Direct Healthcare Services.
Based in Manchester, Potts is responsible for the firm’s environmental, social and corporate governance practices, working with portfolio companies to measure sustainability and ethical impact.
Marshall joined NorthEdge in 2014 and his primary responsibility is origination and execution of new investments in the Yorkshire and North East region, working from the firm’s Leeds office.
He represents NorthEdge on the boards of the UK’s largest independent boiler and central heating provider, Help-Link, and market leading loft and cavity insulation specialist, Miller Pattison.
As investment managers, George and James will both have greater involvement in originating and executing new investments as well as managing NorthEdge’s existing portfolio.
NorthEdge managing partner Grant Berry said: “George and James are both outstanding talents and have offered a great deal to the company in their time here.”
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DTM Legal has made a key addition to its construction team in its Chester office with the appointment of a new associate Guy Thomas.
Thomas, who specialises in construction and engineering law, joins the firm from DWF in Liverpool.
He brings with him a wealth of experience having worked in the legal sector for more than 12 years.
The Portsmouth University graduate, who is a dual qualified chartered civil engineer and solicitor, started his career in the construction industry. He has worked on major civil engineering projects in the UK and Hong Kong and regularly acts for funders, developers, consultants, contractors, purchasers and tenants.
Jim Morris, partner at DTM Legal, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Guy to the team. Guy’s years in the construction sector bring an extra insight into the work he undertakes.
“This key appointment will strengthen DTM’s construction arm and allow us to further develop our growing client base within the sector. Guy will make a significant contribution to the team and we are looking forward to welcoming him on board.”
Thomas said: “The firm has a growing reputation for its experience in the construction sector and I look forward to working with the team to help build on this success.”
