On the Move: Latest West Midlands hires

An expanding Birmingham-based law firm has announced the promotion of three additional partners from across its practice as it prepares for further growth.

Emms Gilmore Liberson (EGL) has appointed Richard Cooper, Beth Margetson and Jon Start as partners. It follows the appointment of Jonathan Wright as partner in January, bringing the firm’s total number of partners to eight.

Cooper is a commercial and property litigator, who has a breadth of experience in dealing with company, partnership and contractual disputes, including professional negligence claims in excess of £20m. He joined EGL in 2016.

Margetson joined EGL’s commercial property team in 2013. She advises a diverse portfolio of clients, including investors, developers and public authorities, on a range of energy and mixed use development projects.

Start has been appointed a partner of EGL four years after joining the firm’s corporate services team as an associate. A specialist in corporate law, including mergers, acquisitions and disposals, he becomes one of the youngest lawyers to be promoted to the position of partner in the West Midlands.

Stephen Gilmore, one of the founding partners of EGL said: “We are pleased to have brought on board these three ambitious, dedicated and hugely talented lawyers to the partnership. Richard, Beth and Jon have consistently excelled in their legal service delivery; they live the firm’s values, particularly as regards service to our clients, and their  respective skills and expertise complement and strengthen our business.”

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Birmingham-based insolvency practitioner Eddie Williams has been appointed Midlands chair of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3.

Williams, who heads up Grant Thornton’s restructuring team in the Midlands, has been involved in many of the region’s largest restructuring and insolvency assignments, advising funders, corporates and stakeholders in a career spanning almost two decades.

He takes over the role from from lawyer Chris Radford of Gateley.

Working across both the East and West Midlands, Williams has acted as administrator to several high profile and mid-market corporates, offering specialist knowledge of key market sectors, including automotive, manufacturing and retail.

He said: “With economic uncertainty causing problems for businesses and individuals, the role played by R3 members in advising people and companies in financial distress is vital.

“The insolvency and restructuring advice and support they offer helps to save thousands of companies and jobs in the Midlands.

“As a leading professional body, we are strongly committed to supporting our members as well as campaigning for businesses and individuals in crisis, and their creditors and other stakeholders, in order to maximise outcomes for all concerned.

“R3’s key message for the Midlands is that it is imperative for companies and individuals in financial difficulty to seek timely and qualified advice from a professional and reputable source.

“Quite simply, the earlier we become involved, the more we can do to help turn things around.”

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Birmingham full service design, digital and PR agency Barques has bolstered its team, appointing three members of staff.

The Ludgate Hill-based agency, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has celebrated five significant client wins in the first three months of the year.

Computer science graduate Elliot Pettingale, who has seven years’ programming and software experience, has joined as a web developer specialising in web applications, while Matt Rees joins the team as digital account manager.

University of Wolverhampton graduate Rees, who has worked on accounts including Jaguar Land Rover, Disney and Netflix, will be responsible for managing a suite of existing Barques clients in addition to building his own client portfolio.

Barques has also welcomed Kieran Quinn as social media manager. The Birmingham City University business and marketing graduate was previously an account manager with responsibility for multiple campaigns for projects such as the Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar I-PACE and Jaguar E-PACE.

Barques managing director Jilly Cosgrove said: “This is an exciting time for the agency as we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We’ve appointed three key members to our team, all of whom have strong experience in their fields, and we’re looking forward to them playing central roles in the business as we grow our regional, national and international portfolio.”