People: Duo promoted at law firm; Property Litigation Association appoints Gordons partner; and more

Leeds Law firm Ison Harrison has got 2018 off to a flying start with a duo of partner promotions.

New partners Ian Anderson and Gareth Naylor head up the firm’s Regulatory Law and Personal Injury departments respectively.

Anderson joined Ison Harrison in 2014 with the specific remit to head up the firm’s then newly-founded regulatory law team. In the four years since, the department has grown into a successful practice dealing with both national and regional cases ranging from proceedings brought by Trading Standards, the Health and Safety Executive and the Charities Commission, as well as Environment Agency matters.

Naylor joined the firm in 2001 as a trainee legal executive. He gained 15 years’ experience in the firm’s successful personal injury department dealing with a wide range of complex and high-value claims, specialising in personal injury and industrial diseases. He became head of the personal injury team in 2016 and continues to litigate at the highest level.

Jonathan Wearing, managing partner at Ison Harrison, said: “We are particularly pleased to announce these promotions.  Both Ian and Gareth have been integral to the success of the firm since they joined so to see them become partners recognises the significant contribution they have both made to the firm and is well deserved.

“Ian and Gareth have built and managed very successful teams, respected and trusted by hundreds of clients across the UK. In addition to providing the perfect way to start the New Year, both promotions will be a major asset in helping us to provide an even stronger offering in the Regulatory and Personal Injury fields.”
Gareth Naylor and Ian Anderson

:::

The Property Litigation Association (PLA) has appointed Gordons partner Richard Cressall as chair of its Northern region as it looks to increase its activity in the area.

The PLA is a national association of property law experts and aims to contribute to property law reform. The organisation provides education and training to members on current legislation, changes in the law and is also a lobbying voice in proposing suitable changes to the law or providing critique on proposed reform.

Martin Edwards, national chair of the PLA, said: “Our Northern region is one of the largest and busiest in our association. We are very pleased to see Richard taking up this appointment and the support which his committee will provide to all our members across the region.”

The PLA North is planning to launch a property litigation training day in the summer to promote the work of the organisation.

Cressall joined Leeds and Bradford-based law firm Gordons in 2015 and leads the expanding property litigation team at the firm, where he represents a variety of national retailers. His experience includes many aspects of property disputes, with a specific focus on retail, industrial and investment sectors.

He said: “Property litigation is a technical and specialist area of the law and the work of the PLA is essential to the practice and development of lawyers with this specialism. I have seen first-hand the important work the PLA is involved in; I first attended PLA events whilst I was practising in London and I have continued to support the PLA very actively over the last seven years here in the north.

“The new flagship training coming up this summer should help us to emulate the profile that the PLA has achieved in London and the south-east.

“I am really looking forward to leading the association in the North of England and increasing the profile of the PLA in our region.”

:::

West Yorkshire-based Swan Environmental Services has appointed a head of building consultancy as part of its growth plan as it celebrates 10 years in business.

Adrian Atkinson joined the Wakefield-based company at the start of 2018 as a director.

Swan Environmental says his arrival is a strategic step in the company’s future development and one which complements the established Health and Safety, Environmental, Waste Management and Contaminated Land service offering.

“We consider ourselves fortunate to have been joined by someone of Adrian’s experience and track record within the Property and Construction sector to develop our Building Consultancy Division and allow ourselves to offer a broader based offering,” said Martin Schofield, one of Swan’s founding members.

“Having grown rapidly over it’s first decade of operation we see Adrian’s arrival as being the next natural step in Swan’s continued development.”