People: Expansion for law firm’s corporate team; Turner & Townsend appoints managing director of UK advisory business; and more

A series of appointments have been made in the corporate team at law firm Keebles.

The latest new roles include associate Laura Giles, who joined from a leading national charity and education law practice and advises on matters including mergers and acquisitions, group restructuring, shareholders’ agreements and governance.

Legal director solicitor Carys Everitt brings significant expertise in the manufacturing sector and specialises in complex commercial contracts, trading agreements, technology arrangements and data protection.

Fellow solicitor, Charlotte Higgins, has expertise across a wider variety of commercial contracts and corporate transactional work.

The trio has jointly amassed two decades of expertise in corporate and commercial law.

Matt Ainsworth, head of the corporate team; said: “Our expansion was prompted by the growing client base and pipeline of deals which we are being approached to advise on.

“Laura, Carys and Charlotte’s combined depth and breadth of experience will ensure our corporate and commercially offering which is among the most highly regarded in the region, builds on its strong track record.”

The team’s recent raft of transactions include representing long-standing clients Pressure Technologies in the sale of Altrincham-based Hydratron Limited to Pryme Group.

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Global professional services firm Turner & Townsend, headquartered in Leeds. has appointed Peter McGettrick as managing director to lead its advisory arm, one of the fastest growing areas in its UK business.

Having joined Turner & Townsend in 2016 as head of health, safety and quality, McGettrick’s new role sees him lead advisory services in the UK.

Working across Turner & Townsend’s three core sectors of real estate, infrastructure and natural resources, the team brings together over 300 specialists from several disciplines to establish, control, protect and improve programme, project and operational performance.

Patricia Moore, Turner & Townsend UK managing director, said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter to the UK board to lead our advisory services. Our health and safety business has grown significantly under Peter’s direction in the last two years. I look forward to working with him to continue to drive our ambitious growth plans.”

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Taylor&Emmet’s head of HR, Sharna Poxon (third left) with trainees (left to right): Martha O’Toole, Samantha Sims, Oliver Simpson, Laura Hardy, Sabrina Rahman.

Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet is to launch the careers of three fledgling solicitors after whittling down a field of more than 50 applicants.

Two of the three new starters will begin their contracts with the firm in September, while the third recruit will start a year later.

Sabrina Raham and Laura Hardy are the first to join Taylor&Emmet’s trainee programme. They will complete four six-month seats in various departments, before deciding upon a specialism.

Martha O’Toole’s contract will start next year.

Current trainees, Sam Sims and Oliver Simpson have been offered full time positions upon qualification in July next year.

A total of 52 law students applied for Taylor&Emmet’s 2019 training contracts and applications for 2020 are still being received.

Sharna Poxon, Taylor&Emmet’s head of human resources, said: “Competition is fierce among those trying to secure a first step on the legal career ladder and we were hugely impressed with the quality of the applications we received. The firm has an excellent track record of retaining and nurturing trainees. In fact, many of our current partners started here in exactly the same manner.”

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Building products firm SIG has appointed Alan Lovell and Cyrille Ragoucy as non-executive directors.

Lovell has also been appointed as the senior independent director.

Mel Ewell will retire as a non-executive director of the board at the end of the month.

Chairman Andrew Allner said: “I would like to welcome Alan and Cyrille to the board.  Both Alan and Cyrille bring extensive construction industry and turnaround experience in the UK and Europe. Their joining the board will significantly benefit the Company as it executes its medium term turnaround plan and develops its long term vision and strategy for the future.

“I would like to thank Mel for his contribution to the company over the last seven years and in particular for his period as interim chief executive prior to the appointment of Meinie Oldersma.”