People: Trio of partner promotions at law firm; Coutts hire for Leeds wealth manager; and more

A trio of promotions have been made at Leeds law firm Gordons.

Sarah Ratcliffe, Greg Dixon and Richard Cressall have been promoted from within Gordons’ commercial property, private client and property litigation teams respectively.

Ratcliffe joined Gordons six years ago and has more than 12 years’ experience advising clients on commercial property matters, with a particular focus on retail and property development. She acts for clients such as Iceland, Town Centre Securities and Wren Living.

With a broad range of private client experience, Dixon advises on inheritance tax and succession planning, with significant expertise in helping key individuals in owner-managed family businesses. Dixon, who joined Gordons in 2008, also provides guidance and advice on power of attorney issues, trusts and administering estates.

Cressall joined the firm in 2015 and leads the property litigation team, having previously practiced at a large international law firm. His experience includes many aspects of property disputes, with a specific focus on retail, industrial and investment sectors. His clients include Iceland, B&M, Saint Gobain and Yorkshire Building Society.

Victoria Davey, partner and head of operations at Gordons, said: “These promotions illustrate the diversity of our work and highlight the wealth of talent and experience we have at Gordons. Sarah, Greg and Richard have each made a significant contribution to the success of the firm with their knowledge, expertise and much-valued advice helping to build strong relationships with clients.”

:::

Sue Streatfield, Clarion legal director; Karen Brookes, associate solicitor; and Esther Kirwan, head of the IP team

Intellectual property (IP) specialist Karen Brookes has joined Clarion in Leeds as an associate solicitor in its growing IP team.

Brookes, who trained with Pinsent Masons and has over three years’ experience in intellectual property, joins Clarion from a role as in-house solicitor at RH Smith & Sons, a global supplier of fancy dress costumes and accessories.

Clarion partner Esther Kirwan, head of the firm’s IP team, said: “Karen comes to us with a highly commercial and technical background and very relevant experience of protecting the intellectual property of a trading business in the real world, and she is a great addition to our growing IP team.

“We have a wide range of commercial IP clients, all facing different situations and threats to some of their most valued intangible assets, and our ability to increase and broaden our offering in the area of this protection for our clients is a key aspect of Clarion’s growth plans.”

:::

UBS Wealth Management has recruited Stephen Wilson as a director in its Leeds office.

Wilson joins from Coutts, where he spent 10 years. He joined Coutts as a graduate and progressed through the private banking ranks, before taking on the role of wealth manager in 2011.

He will hold the role of client advisor at UBS. He will focus primarily on clients in South Yorkshire, expanding UBS Wealth Management’s capabilities in the region.

Leeds is UBS’s fastest-growing regional office in the UK, with the team now ten-strong.

Karan Sejpal, regional head, North West and Yorkshire at UBS Wealth Management, said: “We are very excited to welcome Stephen to our Yorkshire team. Stephen’s existing relationships and knowledge of South Yorkshire will ensure we can continue to deliver the best possible service for our clients in the region, helping them to achieve their financial and life goals.

“We are always on the lookout for the best talent in the region.”