New corporate tax partner bolsters Mills & Reeve

MILLS & Reeve has announced the appointment of new corporate tax partner Kevin Lowe to its Birmingham office.

Lowe, who has advised numerous top-tier clients in the corporate tax sphere, was previously a partner at Wragge & Co.

He specialises in tax advisory work in relation to transaction structuring, cross-border deals, private equity deals and VAT mitigation, acting not only for a wide range of listed and medium-sized private sector businesses but also for public sector bodies.

Steve Allen, partner and head of Mills & Reeve’s Birmingham office, said: “The arrival of Kevin signals the continuing growth of our Birmingham office’s corporate capability and underlines our ambition to become the law firm of choice for business in the region.”

Browne Jacobson strengthens Birmingham corporate team

BROWNE Jacobson has grown its corporate team with the appointment of associate Mike Jackson.

Jackson joins the firm’s 20-strong corporate finance team in the Midlands from DLA Piper, where he was a corporate associate. Prior to that he spent four years in the corporate team at Wragge & Co.

With more than six years’ experience of corporate transactions, Jackson specialises in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and joint ventures.

He has advised individuals, finance houses, PLCs and multi-national corporations in a range of sectors, including technology, food and drink and business services.

Jackson said: “It’s a fantastic corporate team with a great offering to private and public sector clients. The one firm approach and the growing team and client base here in the West Midlands make it a very exciting time to join.”

Irwin Mitchell lands new CFO

IRWIN Mitchell has appointed Andrew Merrick as its new chief financial officer.

Merrick joins from his current role as group finance director at airline and logistics group Dart Group PLC and becomes the third non-lawyer to be appointed to the board of IMCO Holdings Ltd, owner of Irwin Mitchell LLP and associated subsidiaries. Merrick will also sit on the Irwin Mitchell executive board.

Merrick will move to his new role in the legal sector in April 2013.

Irwin Mitchell group chief executive John Pickering said: “This is another very high quality appointment which again shows our ability to attract the best people from beyond the legal sector.

“Andrew brings with him significant experience in leading the finances of a corporate business and this will be a vital addition to an already strong senior management team.”