People: Corporate finance practice launches with former Grant Thornton hire; Raft of Yorkshire promotions at DLA Piper; and more

Specialist business advisory firm FRP Advisory LLP has launched a new corporate finance practice in Leeds following the appointment of partner Chris Archer.

Archer has worked in corporate finance, banking and private equity for more than 20 years. He joins FRP Advisory’s Leeds office from Grant Thornton where he was a director in corporate finance. Prior to this, he held senior positions at Yorkshire Bank, Investec Bank and in Big 4 corporate finance teams in Leeds, London, Singapore and Sydney.

He specialises in originating M&A activity, debt advisory and private equity transactions, and at FRP Advisory he will be responsible for identifying and executing opportunities across Yorkshire. This will include helping owner-managed and private equity-backed clients across a broad range of sectors to implement their strategic growth plans.

Archer said: “Our national corporate finance team is highly regarded for its depth of expertise and human approach to transaction advice, and the launch of a new practice in Leeds is a clear indication of the firm’s commitment to its clients. This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with the team as we support the growth ambitions of businesses across the region.”

Phil Pierce, partner at FRP Advisory’s Leeds office, added: “Firms are continuing to invest and drive M&A activity, so it’s vital we have a team that can provide the full spectrum of corporate finance and advisory support on the ground in Leeds. By investing in our people we’re able to ensure businesses across the region receive the highest-quality support. Chris’ wealth of experience and in-depth understanding of the local business market makes him the perfect candidate to launch our corporate finance offering in Leeds.

“We’ve had an exciting 10 months following the merger between FRP Advisory and BWC in Leeds and Teesside, and with a 25-strong advisory team now in situ we’re in an even stronger position to support our clients.”

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DLA Piper has announced the promotion of seventeen of its Yorkshire-based lawyers.

There have been seven promotions across the offices to Legal Director, three within Leeds and four in Sheffield; comprising Litigation & Regulatory lawyers Sohail Ali, Naithan McBride and Mick Lawlor, Real Estate lawyers Qari Asim, Marc Harvey and Sarah Sprenger and Intellectual Property & Technology lawyer Robyn Palmer.

In addition, ten lawyers have been promoted to Senior Associate – seven in Leeds and three in Sheffield. These are Daniel Jones and David Molyneux in the Litigation & Regulatory group, Germaine Machin-Cowen and Ryan Stringer in the Employment group, Robert Cockburn in the Finance & Projects group, Aaron Treble and James Clark in the Intellectual Property & Technology group, Claire Stoneman in the Real Estate group, Elizabeth Wood in the Restructuring group and Sally Robertson in the Tax group.

Petra Billing, office managing partner for Sheffield, said: “I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of these key Sheffield team members has been recognised.  The promotions highlight the continued dedication of these lawyers to the firm and to our clients. It also shows the ongoing investment by the firm into our regional offices across the UK.”

Allison Page, office managing partner for Leeds added: “This latest round of promotions in the Leeds office further strengthen our position as the largest regional office outside of London with specialists and experts unmatched outside of the capital. We are extremely proud of our lawyers who have helped maintain the excellent reputation of DLA Piper both regionally and internationally”.

Overall, there were 56 lawyers promoted within the UK.

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Emsleys Solicitors has appointed a head of finance as it expands nationally.

Judith Hogg joined  has joined to support the firm with a range of financial expertise. She is an FCCA qualified finance professional with over 30 years in industry, the last 18 years of which were within professional services environments including Legal, HR, Training, Consultancy and Occupational Health.

Hogg has vast experience at board level and brings a wealth of commercial experience. She will be instrumental in the planning and implementation of the firm’s expansion in the South West following the recent appointment of new Director Emma Costin to grow and develop a new team specialising in asbestos illness, occupational cancer and industrial disease claims.

Director and head of conveyancing, Alistair McKinlay, said: “Judith’s knowledge and expertise will be vital as we embark on the next phase of the Emsleys journey. With the depth and breadth of talent in our team, we are looking forward with excitement to moving into new areas.”

With over 120 employees, the firm operates from offices in Colton, Rothwell, Garforth, Crossgates and Castleford.

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