People: Law firm boosts family team with promotion; Northern Powerhouse Partnership appoints first director; and more

Andrew Jackson Solicitors has strengthened its growing family law team with the promotion of Claire Ward to associate.

Ward has practiced family law for over 15 years and her family practice focuses on guiding clients through the oftencomplex financial matters arising out of divorce and separation.

In addition, she has particular expertise in dealing with cohabitees’ claims and property disputes, and she works closely with the firm’s property department advising on declarations of trust.  Ward also advises clients on pre and post-nuptial agreements, together with private children law disputes including residence and relocation cases.

Richard Hoare, partner and head of private client services at the firm, said: “Claire is a very talented lawyer who demonstrates high levels of service, commitment and sensitivity to her clients. Having joined Andrew Jackson over 20 years ago, it’s particularly satisfying to see Claire developing her expertise and progressing through the firm, and for her achievements and valuable contribution to be recognised.”

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The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), an independent body established by George Osborne to represent the voice of major business and civic leaders across the North, has appointed Henri Murison as a director.

Murison, who has been promoting the North in various private and public sector roles for the past ten years, is the organisation’s first permanent senior appointment and will lead the team as it builds and grows over the coming months.

Murison will report directly to Osborne – who remains as chair of the NPP – and will lead a growing team based in the North.

Since spending over five years as a Cabinet member at Newcastle City Council, where he held the Quality of Life remit, Murison has held position of research director at the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire and, most recently, leading on Public Affairs at the Yorkshire Building Society, where he made the Bradford-headquartered mutual a leading voice on Northern investment and infrastructure matters.

He went to school in Boroughbridge and Harrogate in Yorkshire. After graduating from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Social & Political Sciences, he has been back in the North for over a decade. He has a passion and true commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and will lead the efforts to make a coherent case for the North’s continued promotion and advancements.

Murison will lead an organisation with a diverse board of senior Northern businesses, civic leaders and academics.  They include Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, and Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council alongside leaders from MAG (Manchester Airports Group), Mace, Barclays, Associated British Ports, Siemens, HSBC, EY, Arup, Addleshaw Goddard, Bruntwood and Arcadis.

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Paul Currie

Huddersfield-based Orchard Facilities Management has appointed a new business development manager for Scotland to establish a presence North of the Border.

Based from Lockerbie, Paul Currie will be responsible for establishing a client base and developing an infrastructure of contacts and suppliers with a view to opening a Scottish office.

Currie has experience in managing and advising on compliance issues, a key area of Orchard’s business. He also has sales, management and training expertise which will help him build a team to work with companies in Scotland.

Gareth Henderson, managing director of Orchard Facilities Management, said Paul would add to the company’s in-house expertise and play a key role in setting up a new arm of Orchard FM’s services for Scottish businesses.

He said: “Paul has spent his career working in Scotland and he has vast experience of dealing with a range of clients from SMEs to blue chip companies.

“His knowledge of the country and his contacts within it, as well as his expertise in compliance and training, will be invaluable in establishing Orchard FM in Scotland.”

Orchard Facilities Management works with businesses nationwide offering a range of outsourced operational and compliance services including waste management, IT managed services, pest control, electrical testing and maintenance.