People on the Move: Womble Bond Dickinson; Taylor&Emmet; Principal York Hotel

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has appointed Claire Wilkinson as a partner in the firm’s Leeds office, joining the real estate team from Addleshaw Goddard.

Wilkinson has a track record of working with some of the largest names in the UK commercial property sector, focusing on development and investment, in addition to extensive experience in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

She is also experienced in handling portfolio acquisitions, financing and refinancing, mixed-use development schemes and providing corporate support.

Previous work includes advising investors, occupiers and developers from initial development through to letting and ongoing asset management.

Mark Owen, partner and head of Leeds office, said: “Claire has a strong profile in the UK real estate sector and brings a significant amount of complementary experience and expertise to our developers and investors team. Her appointment further demonstrates our commitment to support our clients with the highest calibre lawyers in the local market and across the real estate sector nationally. We are delighted to welcome Claire to the partnership.”

Wilkinson added: “WBD has developed an impressive reputation in the real estate sector,  cultivating a strong client base and advising on a broad range of strategic real estate projects and transactions across the UK. I look forward to continuing to build on this reputation with my new colleagues in Leeds and to supporting the growth of our clients across the sector.”
:::

Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet is on the hunt for multiple specialist solicitors to more than double the size of its childcare department.

As part of ambitious growth plans, the firm is seeking to recruit several individual lawyers, or potentially an existing team, including support staff.

Sharna Poxon, Taylor&Emmet’s head of human resources, said: “Family law relating to children is a highly specialist and very challenging area of work and we want to build on the reputation we have already in this field to significantly increase our offering. We are looking for solicitors with varying levels of experience who have the sensitivity to handle these distressing matters sympathetically and professionally.”

The new recruits will be working alongside Taylor&Emmet’s head of family law, Michaela Heathcote and its existing childcare specialists.

Poxon added: “We recognise the demanding court hours childcare solicitors keep and will provide our new recruits with the tools to work remotely. By giving our employees the freedom of flexibility, we believe we can maximise efficiency and create a positive, supportive environment that benefits everyone.”

:::

Mark Spanton has been recruited as director of operations at The Principal York.

Managing the food and beverages, conference and events operations, at the city centre hotel, Spanton’s role will include developing and executing the hotel’s events programme as well as leading the team.

He has relocated to York from Liverpool where he was director of operations at Radisson Blu Liverpool.

Tracy Harrison, general manager, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Mark to the team. Within the short time he’s been here he’s already brought a lot of great ideas and experience.

“It’s the hotel’s 140th anniversary this summer and we have a host of plans we’ll be announcing shortly and Mark will be integral in managing and executing these.”