People: Shoosmiths hires banking specialist as it pursues ‘Northern Hub’ strategy; Engineering firm appoints FD; and more
Law firm Shoosmiths has appointed partner Tim McNamara to its banking team as it continues to build a ‘Northern hub’ of legal expertise for clients in the region.
McNamara will operate across the North, with specific focus on Leeds and Manchester, and will join banking partner, Liz Sweeney in growing the North-based banking team and further strengthening the firm’s corporate offering in regional markets. He will also support on national projects for Shoosmiths.
He is returning to private practice having spent the last seven years at The Royal Bank of Scotland, the first six of which he spent leading transaction management for the corporate real estate finance teams across the North of England. For the past year he was senior in-house counsel for the Future Williams & Glyn division of the bank. Before joining RBS, McNamara was a managing associate in the finance division at Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester having returned to the North from London where he was a banking solicitor with Herbert Smith.
Head of Shoosmiths in Leeds, Paul Stokey, said: “Tim’s specialist expertise and insight will enable us to deliver a market-leading service to banking clients in the North, out of Leeds and Manchester. By continuing to attract highly-experienced practitioners such as Tim we will realise our ambition of creating a Northern hub of legal expertise that will be recognised for delivering superb client service.”
Shoosmiths announced its expansion into Leeds in 2016 and will move into Bruntwood’s landmark Platform redevelopment later this year, where it will occupy a full floor.
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Richard King
Richard King has been recruited as finance director of high voltage electrical engineering firm Smith Brothers.
With more than 30 years’ experience as a financial adviser, and previous directing roles within SMEs, King brings a wealth of accounting and business expertise to the Elland-based company.
After a year of significant growth in which turnover increased to more than £27m, the power contractor has secured a run of new projects. This will see revenue exceed £40m in the next financial year.
Director John Smith said: “We’ve expanded our operations massively over the past 12 months, so taking on a financial director was the next logical thing to do.
“His impressive track record made Richard an obvious choice for the role, and his effective decision-making and vast financial awareness will be pivotal to our continued growth over the coming year.”
King joins founders John and Richard Smith, as well as David Ogden and Craig Collinson, on the board of directors.
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Ed Smith, Gary Jukes, Paul While, David Thwaites, Liam Williams and Philip Dodson
Technology firm Azzure IT has invested in its future growth with a series of appointments.
The Sheffield headquartered business has recruited eight employees, increasing the workforce by 17% and taking the total number of staff to 49.
Joining the team are Liam Williams as CRM consultant, Paul While, John Williams and Philip Dodson as ERP consultants, and Debbie Clarke as account manager.
Also joining the team are Ed Smith as a pre-sales consultant, David Thwaites as telesales executive and Gary Jukes as pre-sales ERP consultant.
Azzure IT managing director Craig Such said: “I’m very pleased to welcome our new team members. They all bring a range of skills, talents and experience that will bolster what we can offer our clients.
“Azzure IT has grown incredibly quickly over the past 6 years, and recruiting a strong, talented team is key to our success.
“I am sure these new appointments will play a huge part in Azzure IT’s future growth and achievements.”
