People: Solicitors celebrate qualification; New head of corporate and commercial for law firm; and more

hlw Keeble Hawson’s ongoing commitment to train and develop a pipeline of talent in 2018 is reflected in newly qualified solicitors being appointed across its commercial and private client teams.

Sherelle O’Brien, based in the firm’s private client department in Sheffield, has gained experience in wide-ranging areas including charities, court of protection and commercial property issues.

Emily King, who works with the litigation and dispute resolution team and is also based at the firm’s Sheffield office, has amassed expertise in residential property, construction, litigation and employment.

The firm has also taken on five trainee solicitors across its offices in Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster – bringing the total number of trainees appointed to 17 in the last two years.

Paul Trudgill, hlw Keeble Hawson managing partner, said: “Developing and supporting the next generation of lawyers in 2018 remains among our top priorities. Sherelle and Emily will further enhance our wide-ranging expertise and reputation as a leading, award-winning firm.”
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Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors has appointed Jon Healey as head of its corporate and commercial team.

Healey, who joins as a partner, advises clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters, including acquisitions and disposals of companies and businesses, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, group reorganisations, capital restructurings, share buybacks and a variety of commercial contracts.

He acts for a range of clients, including national and international corporates, SMEs, individuals, private equity funds, management teams, charities and the Premier League. His experience includes a significant period practising as a corporate and commercial lawyer in New Zealand and he has undertaken secondments to the in-house legal teams of several large multinational corporates.

Senior partner Peter McCormick said: “Jon’s straightforward style and commercial awareness is very much in line with the practice’s approach and is highly valued by his clients.”

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Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has grown the headcount of its northern M&A practice by 40% in the past year as the team announces the latest hire, Mike Clarke.

Clarke is returning to BDO following two years at BGF. He rejoins BDO as a director to provide hands-on support to businesses looking for development capital up to £10m from private equity, VCT funds or traditional debt.

At BGF, he made investments into ambitious mid-market companies across the region. He worked with businesses in a range of sectors, and has particular experience in the leisure industry, including high-profile deals such as restaurant and deli chain Filmore & Union and Coppergreen Developments, the owner and operator of Woodland Lakes Lodges and the Piperdam Resort and Spa.

He said: “The BDO northern M&A team is going from strength-to-strength, growing headcount by 40 per cent last year and completing a consistent flow of quality deals.

“Our region is home to a lot of great management teams who can take advantage of the abundance of capital in the market currently looking for a home. It is a great time to be raising equity investment, whether it is to de-risk, fund working capital or make acquisitions. My appointment brings a re-energised focus on development capital deals and reinforces BDO’s commitment to mid-sized businesses.”

Joining BDO’s M&A team at the same time is Chris Cumber and Andrew Kopciowski.

Jason Whitworth, partner at BDO said: “The M&A team has had a stand-out year and our continued investment and success is testament to our entrepreneurial and ambitious clients across the north. We will continue to look to increase our capabilities across our Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool offices to cover the northern region.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mike back and it is great to see our people develop. We continue to provide an environment in which they can carve out successful careers.”

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Allied Glass, the glass bottle manufacturer, is investing in the next generation of engineering talent with the largest intake of apprentices in more than three decades.

The West Yorkshire company has hired eight apprentices for the four-year training programme in mechanical and electrical engineering.

The company designs, develops and manufactures luxury glass packaging for customers including many of the world’s best-known spirits brands and a growing number of craft producers.

Alan Henderson, chief executive, said: “Technology is advancing and automation will play an increasingly important role in production.

“But the world will always need hands-on engineers who can solve problems in a creative way.

“Our new machines must be installed, commissioned and maintained and as we invest more in machinery, engineers will become more important.

“We believe that manufacturers have an essential part to play in securing the supply of engineering skills for the future of the UK economy.

“We are creating a pool of talent for the benefit of our sector and wider society. We are showing young people that they can have full and rewarding careers in engineering.”