People: Managing director promotion at BDO Corporate Finance advisory; Property consultancy announces promotions; and more

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has promoted a director in its growing corporate finance transaction services team in the Midlands.

Transaction services expert David Billington has been promoted to managing director.

Billington is based in Birmingham and has nearly 20 years experience as a transaction services specialist, supporting both corporate and private equity clients on a range of transactions.

He is a senior member of BDO’s International Corporate Finance Group, specialising in advising clients on cross-border transactions, often leading teams of specialists from across the BDO global network to deliver international due diligence assignments.

Graham Elsworth, Midlands head of transaction services at BDO, said: “Our transaction services team has witnessed impressive growth in the last five years. The opportunity for David to step up into this new role is testament to his commitment, experience and dedication to client service.

“Our clients continue to pursue growth in UK and international markets, and they’re demanding top quality advisers who can combine technical expertise with commercial acumen. David has these qualities in spades and I have no doubt he will continue to leverage his significant experience in helping businesses thrive in these challenging times.”

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A hat-trick of appointments at two of its key offices have been announced by commercial property consultancy Johnson Fellows.

Connor Shaw, Niall Glendon and Jake Stace have joined the company as it strengthens its Birmingham and London offices.

In Birmingham, Shaw has joined the retail agency team to assist with disposal and acquisition instructions. He graduated from Birmingham City University with an MSc in Real Estate Management

The retail agency team he has joined acts for a number of national occupiers and clients such as Lidl, Co-Op, Tesco, Lloyds Pharmacy, Heron Foods, Games Workshop, Starbucks and Vets4Pets.

Glendon has joined the company’s lease advisory team in Birmingham, having also graduated from Birmingham City University with an MSc in Real Estate Management.

The landlord and tenant team he joins acts for a number of national occupiers and clients such as Co-Op, Tesco, Bathstore and Games Workshop.

Meanwhile, the company’s team in London has been expanded too with the addition of Stace, who graduated with a BSc in Real Estate from Nottingham Trent University.

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The City Centre Partnership in Stoke-on-Trent has welcomed a new chair to its board.

Lyn Rowe, commercial director at Strategi Solutions Group has been voted in following on from the departure of Jonathan Bellamy who will now take up his new role as chair of the Business Improvement District.

The longest standing member of the City Centre Partnership having served for over 20 years, Rowe has previously held the position of secretary, as well as providing the lead for the communications and media strategy.

She  has spent much of her career working in both local and regional media, leading commercial teams and working directly with local businesses to help them develop and grow.

As part of the City Centre Partnership team, she has been instrumental in helping to establish the city’s Business Improvement District, alongside helping to shape the agenda for the future of the city centre.

Rowe said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen to take on such a key role within the City Centre Partnership.

“I have always been a passionate supporter of local businesses and in promoting Stoke-on-Trent as a great place to live, work and enjoy as a retail and leisure destination.

“I believe that now is the time to reinvigorate the partnership so that we are in a strong position to capitalise on all of the opportunities that developments such as the Business Improvement District can bring to the area.

“It is an exciting time for the city and the City Centre Partnership will remain very much focused on helping the area to grow and fulfil its potential.”