People: Law firm welcomes infrastructure expert as partner from DLA; Council appoints chief officer of asset management and regeneration; Homegrown talent dominates RSM’s promotion round; and more

Law firm Weightmans has appointed Steve Johns as partner in the firm’s Leeds office.

An infrastructure projects specialist, Johns joins Weightmans’ planning and infrastructure team from DLA Piper, bringing almost two decades of knowledge and expertise.

He joins another recent recruit Bob Pritchard, as the firm’s planning and infrastructure projects offering continues to grow.

Johns has advised on a wealth of major infrastructure projects spanning a range of sectors, including rail transport, social infrastructure and waste treatment facilities. He has notable experience in Public Private Partnerships and Private Finance Initiatives, regularly acting for bidding consortia, procuring authorities and funders on such schemes.

Projects he has acted on in recent years include a £260m refinancing of the Leeds Oncology PFI project, Merseytravel’s £600m Fleet Replacement Programme, and the DfT’s Thameslink Rolling Stock Project.

He said: “We are seeing a great momentum behind large-scale infrastructure projects designed to enhance the accessibility and connectivity of our towns and cities, support housing growth and reinvigorate the economy.  The devolution agenda brings with it great opportunities to put infrastructure development at the heart of growth strategies for the regions.

“Weightmans’ Built Environment offering has been designed with this in mind, supporting clients at every stage – from conception to funding, construction, completion and use – with a focus on delivery.  I am pleased to be joining the firm at such an exciting and progressive time for the industry.”

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Angela Barnicle has been appointed as the chief officer – asset management and regeneration at Leeds City Council and will take up her post today.

Barnicle will oversee the council’s work in regeneration, property and asset management in the city and brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in both public and private sectors in property and regeneration.

She has a passion for cities, economic development and with it delivering transformational change and growth. Barnicle joined the council in 2017 and is a commercial practice surveyor, RICS assessor and registered valuer.

Having dealt with all aspects of commercial property she now focuses on delivering strategic development and estate transformation.

The appointment has been made following the departure of Tom Bridges, chief officer, who moved to Arup. His role will be carried out by Barnicle in her new role, alongside a chief economic development officer, who is still to be announced.
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Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has promoted Stella Cooper and Jamie Miller to partner in the accounting and business advisory and restructuring advisory teams respectively.

Cooper joined the firm as a trainee in 2000 and specialises in financial reporting, including acquisition accounting; impact assessments; transitions to new accounting standards; preparation of statutory financial statements; and advice around accounting for group reconstructions.

Miller joined the firm in 2003 and has over 15 years’ experience advising underperforming and distressed businesses. He specialises in corporate restructuring and insolvency including various advisory and turnaround assignments, administrations and solvent and insolvent liquidations.

The Leeds appointments are among 11 RSM partner promotions across the UK, reflecting investment across the firm’s audit, tax and advisory practice.

Kevin O’Connor, RSM said: “We’re an ambitious firm and attracting and developing talent is a central part of our strategy to be first-choice advisers to middle market leaders in the UK, which is why it’s great to see Stella and Jamie reaching partnership.

“What is particularly pleasing is that Stella and Jamie are ‘homegrown’ having joined the firm very early in their careers. Each promotion is testimony to their talent across each business specialisms and our ongoing commitment to training and development.

“Both colleagues have played an active role in shaping our accounting and business advisory and restructuring practices; and in their new roles they will build on this momentum – helping more clients to achieve their strategic goals.”
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York-based DWA Architects has strengthened its senior leadership team with the promotion of Ray Mortimer to associate.

Mortimer joined the company in 2003 and specialises in the care home sector of the business, leading on major projects from feasibility to completion.  During his time at DWA Architects, he has managed projects with an estimated value totalling over £300m.

David Ward, managing director of DWA Architects, said: “Ray fully deserves his promotion and it is testament to the excellent job he has done here over many years on projects throughout the UK.  He will continue to build on our previous successes over the last 30 years.”