People: Ten new recruits at Bruntwood ahead of Platform launch; Commercial property teams expand; Gabby Logan steps down from Chancellor role in Leeds

Property company, Bruntwood, has announced ten new appointments in Leeds to support its investment in the region further. These include Wendy Denman to the position of Community Engagement Manager for flagship workspace, Platform, located above the city’s railway station.

Denman joins Bruntwood after working at Trinity Leeds and Visit Leeds. Her new role will focus on ensuring a thriving building spirit and business network through a programme of social, cultural, wellbeing and business support events.

She said: “It’s a really exciting time for Bruntwood and for Leeds. The city’s reputation as a creative and cultural leader is growing, especially through its European Capital of Culture 2023 bid and the recent Light Night festival. We’re confident that Platform will be a bold and innovative new home for its thriving digital and tech sectors.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the customers as they move in and supporting the community here with a range of events to encourage collaboration. The launch of the building next week, 23rd November, will be a celebration for our customers, partners, suppliers and everyone who will be involved in Platform moving forward.”

Bruntwood has also appointed Nick Salkeld to the role of Head of Sales. As a chartered surveyor, Salkeld joins from agency Fox Lloyd Jones and will primarily focus on attracting the right mix of customers for Platform.

In addition, the new-look team now also includes an additional sales surveyor, events co-ordinator, three new receptionists, a property manager and two facilities managers to ensure the successful running of Platform.

Platform will be home to businesses of all sizes, from all sectors, and will include a new incubator space for start ups and scale ups from the digital tech and creative industries. Recruitment is also underway for a programme and partnerships manager to support this growing community, through the provision of a comprehensive package of business support  and who will work collaboratively with external organisations to help grow the tech sector in Leeds.

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Three new commercial property professionals have been appointed within Yorkshire law firm LCF Law’s specialist commercial property team.

Hywel Morgan joins from international law firm Squire Patton Boggs, where he worked as a real estate solicitor. He trained at Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds and has acted for large corporate firms as well as smaller SMEs and private individuals providing landlord, tenant and finance legal advice and corporate support.

Solicitor Simona Zvingilaite joins the Leeds office of LCF Law from Schofield Sweeney. Originally from Lithuania, Simona has experience of dealing with a range of landlord and tenant issues for commercial landlords and tenants. She also has worked on commercial property acquisitions on behalf of Pension funds.

Jennifer Lee is a former trainee who joined LCF Law three years ago to work in the property team. She was awarded a training contract in 2015 and recently qualified. She will be based in the Bradford office.

Head of LCF Law’s commercial property department, Paul Anderson, said: “Our department has a solid reputation for always providing highly tailored advice. We are experienced across all areas of property law including managing commercial property portfolios, advising developers on potential residential and commercial projects, assisting charities and pension funds with property estates or investments, and advising commercial leaseholders and tenants.

“These new appointments reflect an increase in work upon increased activity in the property market from our existing clients and some exciting new clients wins. Hywel, Simona and Jennifer are welcome additions to our ever expanding department, they will add their own personalities and experience to our existing team, and help us to continue to deliver legal services that meet and exceed our client expectations.”

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After five years as Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, Gabby Logan has announced that she will step down from her post.

Gabby will officially step down on 6 January 2018, completing her five year term since being named as the University’s first ever Chancellor in January 2013. The University’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday 6 December will be her last official event as Chancellor.

Gabby Logan said: “I am very proud to be part of the community at Leeds Trinity and to hold the post as their very first Chancellor.

“I’m a firm believer in the importance of higher education and have been thoroughly inspired seeing the benefits an education at Leeds Trinity University can offer. I’d like to wish the University, its staff, students and alumni, continued success for the future.”

Professor Margaret A House, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Gabby has been an excellent ambassador for Leeds Trinity: representing those as the first people in their family to go to University; inspiring our students, particularly those studying Journalism, Media and Sport; and supporting our ambition to become the University in Leeds for outstanding employability.

“We have been honoured to have Gabby as our first Chancellor, and whilst we don’t know yet who will replace her as our next Chancellor – they will certainly have big shoes to fill!”