People: Specialist in private children matters joins law firm; New CFO for global pharmaceutical and services company; and more

Thursfields Solicitors has recruited a lawyer experienced in private children matters to help strengthen the family department at its Solihull office.

Elaine Collins, who also deals with the financial aspects of divorce and separation, joins Thursfields as an associate solicitor after working with Benussi & Co in Birmingham for the last two years.

Collins studied at Staffordshire University and then the University of Law in Birmingham before moving to Coventry to train with Hammon Oakley for two years and work at Rotherhams & Co for six years.

She then moved to Birmingham to work at Sultan Lloyd for three years before joining Benussi & Co.

Collins said: “Thursfields has an expanding family department and intends to develop its presence here in Solihull, and so I am excited about the opportunities this role holds for me.”

Shane Miller is director of the family department at Thursfields and said: “We’re delighted to have recruited Elaine who has specialised in private children matters and has wider experience in divorce and finance.

“As Thursfields continues to grow its size and reputation across the Midlands it’s pleasing to see how we’re continuing to attract high-calibre lawyers.”

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Clinigen Group the Burton-based global pharmaceutical and services company, has appointed Nick Keher as group chief financial officer.

He will replace Martin Abell, who has resigned and leaves the business on 31 March 2019.
Keher joins from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) where he was a managing director and head of RBC’s European Healthcare equity research team. He has covered the European healthcare space for over eight years at both RBC and Investec.

He started his career at Lloyd’s Pharmacy, registering as a pharmacist before joining GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). At GSK Nick worked within the group’s R&D, UK Commercial Operations and Global Manufacturing & Supply Strategy finance teams where he trained as an accountant.

Keher is a qualified accountant and a qualified pharmacist having completed his Masters degree in Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals, Biology and Maths from Aston University.

Peter Allen, chairman of Clinigen, said: “On behalf of the board and everyone at Clinigen, I would like to thank Martin for his substantial contribution over the last three and a half years. During which time Clinigen has undergone a period of rapid change and development including the acquisitions and integration of Idis, Link, Quantum and CSM, plus a number of products. We wish him every success for the future.”

Shaun Chilton, group CEO, added: “Nick brings considerable pharmacy and pharmaceutical experience as well as financial expertise, both as an accountant and from working in the financial markets. He has a deep knowledge and insight of our business through his research and analysis of Clinigen since its IPO in 2012. He will be a key addition to the executive management team.”

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MCS Group has promoted James Currie to group construction director as the Midlands-based main contractor continues to grow its presence across the UK in the buoyant industrial and logistics sector.

In his new role, Currie is responsible for the successful delivery of all projects across the group.

Since joining MCS in 2005 as a site manager, Currie has worked in all sectors of the company in various management positions.

MCS Group managing director Keir Edmonds said: “It has been a fantastic journey for James since joining us in 2005 as a site manager. During the last 13 years we have invested in James, believed in him and given him the opportunity to progress his career.

“He has always paid us back by delivering above and beyond what we would expect and we are delighted to recognise his commitment to the company with promotion to group construction director.”

MCS Group, currently based at Claverdon in Warwickshire, has started constructing a new 8,500 sq ft office headquarters at a site in Haywood Road, Warwick, in a £2.5m investment. The company, which also operates in the motor, retail, commercial and education sectors, is currently constructing several warehouse units at sites across the UK and has recently completed two units in Milton Keynes.

The company has also built and refurbished more than 300 car dealerships including Audi, BMW, Mclaren and Jaguar Land Rover.