People: Law firm kicks off 2018 with host of hires; Stowe Family Law expands Harrogate team; and more

Law firm Shulmans has kicked off the new year with the appointment of a new partner, two associates and a business development manager.

Julie Carr joins Shulmans as a partner within the residential development unit of the real estate team, bringing 15 years’ experience in the property sector. Carr’s extensive knowledge includes work on complex residential and mixed use developments, acquisitions, site disposals and extensive agreement types; acting on behalf of prominent clients from across the UK.

Further strengthening the real estate team is Peter Woods who joins as an associate within the commercial property unit. Joining Shulmans after over a decade at DLA Piper, his experience includes advising national retailers in the management of property portfolios relating to acquisitions, disposals and estate management, in addition to extensive work with private equity investors and funders on property finance matters.

Shulmans’ debt recovery team also welcomes a new member to its ranks, Donna Bibby, who will operate as client relationship and business development manager. Bibby has extensive experience within the credit movement and debt recovery industry, with expertise in collections, enforcing CCJs and handling insolvency issues.

QCAS, a division of Shulmans which provides conveyancing services, will also benefit from a new associate within the team, Katrina Allen who joins from Winston Solicitors. Allen brings over 17 years’ experience within the sector providing advice to financial advisors, estate agents and property companies on all manner of property transactions including freehold, leasehold, new build, help-to-buy, shared equity, shared ownership, auction properties and retirement flats.

Tim Halstead, Shulmans managing partner, said: “These four new appointments announced today secure our position as one of the UK’s fastest rising full service corporate law firms.”

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Solicitor Cheryl Grace has joined the Harrogate office of Stowe Family Law.

Grace is chair of the West and North Yorkshire Young Resolution Committee, an organisation committed to resolving relationship breakdowns in a non-confrontational, conciliatory manner wherever possible.

Having studied at Northumbria University, she worked in both an international law firm and at two large regional law firms before choosing to join Stowe Family Law.

She and her former colleague are believed to be the first family lawyers in England to obtain court permission to serve divorce finance proceedings via Facebook.

Grace said: “Stowe Family Law has a strong reputation for excellence, and I’m delighted to be joining the team in the Old Court House, right in the centre of Harrogate.”

David Milburn, the Harrogate office’s managing partner, said: “Cheryl is passionate and brings a wealth of experience in divorce, financial agreements and children arrangements. I’m delighted to welcome her to the team in Harrogate as the office continues to grow.”

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Advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts has appointed Judith Cope as its new group financial controller to support its continued expansion.

Cope has more than 15 years’ experience in finance. A qualified accountant, she started her career in audit with PKF and most recently was finance manager with Greenacres Group, a woodland burial park business which was part of the Bibby Line Group.

At Dow Schofield Watts she will work across all the businesses in the group including its private equity arm PHD Equity Partners, and be responsible for managing all day to day financial issues, reporting directly to the board. Her appointment comes during a period of expansion which has seen the firm launch a number of initiatives such as its international network Pangea M&A and Dow Schofield Watts Angels.

James Dow, founding partner of Dow Schofield Watts, said: “Judith has a very strong track in financial management and will be a real asset to our team. Her appointment reflects our commitment to invest in the business to accommodate our ambitious growth plans.”