People on the move: Birchall Blackburn Law; Mitchell Charlesworth; EY; Citypress; Kuits

A FAMILY law specialist with more than 20 years’ experience will head up the family division at Birchall Blackburn Law’s Southport office when she relocates this month.

Sally Abrams, who first joined the North West law firm in 1996, will become the head of family law at the office in Cambridge Road.

She specialises in all areas of family law, but in particular divorce and financial settlements and will join the Southport team from Leyland where she has worked for the past four years.

Abrams, who was brought up in Southport, said: “I’m looking forward to joining the team at the office in my home town and getting to know the local community.

“Family law can be very complex but I am very proud of the reputation Birchall Blackburn Law has in this field and I aim to continue and build this in Southport.”

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NORTH West accountancy firm Mitchell Charlesworth has appointed a new senior VAT manager to drive growth across its specialist tax division.

Alison Birch is based in the company’s Manchester office tasked with expanding its VAT service and attracting new clients across the board.

Birch, who graduated with a BSc in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire, started her career in VAT with Deloitte.

A move to KPMG gave her the opportunity to go on secondment to Paris, working for a large motor manufacturer, where she restructured its global supply chain.

Later, she worked for Daily Mail & General Trust as their VAT manager, subsequently returning to general practice at KPMG’s Birmingham office, before taking up her new position at Mitchell Charlesworth. 
 
Birch’s appointment is part of Mitchell Charlesworth’s ambitious “2020” Vision plan to drive turnover to £10m, and become the top SME (small and medium sized enterprise) advisor in North West England, with/through an enhanced client offering.

Managing partner Paul Wainwright said: “Alison is highly experienced and skilled and will add great value to our team as the new Senior VAT Manager. She arrives with an impressive track record and will play an important role in driving forward our ambitious expansion plans.”

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PROFESSIONAL services firm EY has appointed Partner Jenn Hazlehurst to lead its Liverpool office.

As managing partner for the Liverpool office, Hazlehurst will be focused on expanding EY’s operations in the city, doubling the number of staff across all service lines over the next five years.

Hazlehurst is currently Head of North Power & Utilities at EY. Over the last 16 years she has worked with some of the North’s largest PLCs and public interest entities.

She said: “Growing up in Frodsham, across the Mersey, I’ve seen the Liverpool region change dramatically over the years.  There has always been a great entrepreneurial spirit in Liverpool.

“Now, with the move towards devolution, there are opportunities to progress further.

“Liverpool already has a growing economy, with an established manufacturing base, supported by emerging sectors such as renewable energy and life sciences. It is also enviable as one of the leading ports in the UK.

“These strengths, and more, mean that Liverpool has a lot to offer as part of the Northern Powerhouse.”

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CITYPRESS, the integrated PR, digital and creative communications agency, has appointed a new director of social media.

Ruth Clifford joins Citypress’ Manchester headquarters from Golin London, where she was a digital director, leading social media programmes for brands including Toblerone, Unilever, Johnnie Walker and Great Western Railway.Ruth Clifford

With more than seven years’ experience, Clifford will be responsible for expanding the agency’s specialist social media team, which includes designers, photographers, copywriters and analysts.

Charles Tattersall, chief executive of Citypress, said: “Ruth’s appointment is another significant investment in our social capabilities.

“Her experience of leading ground-breaking campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands means we’re better equipped than ever before to support clients as an integrated partner, helping them create high-quality, engaging content that has real impact against business objectives.”

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MANCHESTER commercial law firm Kuits has made five new appointments across five departments to support its continued firmwide growth.

Benjamin Connor joins the commercial property department from DLA Piper as senior associate and head of construction.
 
Michael Gregory has arrived as an associate in the family team from Clarion after working in London as a family lawyer for firms such as Ronald Fletcher Baker.

The Corporate department bolsters its team with the appointment of solicitors Ryan Brown of GunnerCooke and Barry Riley of Bermans, taking its team numbers up to 12 with a view to further growth, supporting a 51% increase in fee income in the last year.

Alexander Dickinson also joins the banking and real estate finance team as a newly-qualified solicitor.

Steve Eccleston, managing partner, said: “It’s been essential that we strengthen our team at all levels across the firm in order to support growth and continuously improve both our technical expertise and the client experience.”
 

 

 
 

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