People: New head for Lupton Fawcett banking division; Trio join the partnership at KPMG; and more

Michael Kidd has been appointed as a director of Leeds, Sheffield and York law firm Lupton Fawcett, to head up its banking department.

He joins with more than ten years’ experience working at international law firms, where he acted for a variety of clients, including clearing banks, private equity houses, real estate funds and borrowers including multi-national PLCs, SMEs and owner-managed businesses.

Kidd specialises in corporate finance, acquisition finance and real estate finance for M&A transactions, investment and development.

He said: “The opportunity to join such a well-respected Yorkshire-based commercial law firm, which has a unique geographical footprint in the Yorkshire region, and to be given responsibility to lead the development of its banking and finance practice, was too good to turn down.

“It is also a time of change for the firm, and it’s exciting to be part of it.  I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with my colleagues and clients old and new, to take our growing business forward.”

Andrew Lindsay, head of corporate, said: “We are continuing to build an excellent corporate team and Michael will prove to be a fantastic addition.”

Richard Marshall, Lupton Fawcett’s managing director, added: “To have attracted one of most respected and sought after banking and finance lawyers in the county clearly demonstrates the growing reputation of the firm within the legal sector.”

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The Leeds office of professional services firm KPMG has appointed Phil Murden, Chris Roberts and Rob Wilson as partners within its latest round of promotions.

Murden leads KPMG’s Management Consulting business in the North, advising businesses on transformation, digital and technology.

New tax partner Roberts has extensive experience of advising on corporate and international tax matters and will lead KPMG’s offering in this area across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Wilson is head of KPMG’s Technology Risk team in the UK regions and has more than 20 years’ experience of providing IT assurance services to KPMG clients.

Additionally, five staff were promoted to director. Michael Davidson, Alain de Braekeleer and Claire Gallimore in the audit practice; Oliver Duckett in business development and Vicki Joshi in KPMG-Nunwood, the firm’s customer experience consultancy.

In total 82 staff were promoted throughout the office and a further 73 people were recruited to the firm in Yorkshire through its graduate, apprentice and school leaver schemes.

Chris Hearld, KPMG’s North region chair, said: “The experience and skill-set of Phil, Chris and Rob demonstrate the specialist talent the regional business and public sector community can call upon to support their wide ranging ambitions and challenges. They represent a fantastic addition to the partner group leading our thriving Leeds KPMG office.

“We have made a significant round of promotions throughout the business, reflecting the enormous contribution made by our people at all levels, in supporting our clients in Yorkshire and beyond.

“I’m also delighted that we are bolstered further by an impressive intake of new joiners as we invest in the best emerging professionals.”

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Housebuilder Jones Homes has appointed David Ruffley as the regional director for its Yorkshire office.

Over the last 30 years, Ruffley has held a number of senior positions in land, planning, operations and management.

He will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Jones Homes office in Yorkshire and the strategic development of the regional business to ensure that it meets its growth and expansion objectives.

Working with the team of directors at the regional office in Cleckheaton, he will oversee all aspects of the business from land acquisition and planning to the build programme, sales and customer care.

Managing director at Jones Homes, Gary Hardy said: “I would like to welcome David to the team.  With his background in land and planning and previous management expertise, he has the right blend of knowledge and experience to lead the business in the Yorkshire region.”