People: Raft of promotions at DLA Piper; Senior appointment at Conference Leeds; National role for Leeds partner; Promotions at law firm; and more

DLA Piper has promoted three Leeds-based lawyers to its global partnership as part of the firm’s annual promotions round, effective 1 May 2019.

Ruth Williamson, who joined the firm as a trainee in 2005, is a Real Estate lawyer and has significant experience in a wide range of commercial property work. She has particular expertise in corporate occupier asset management and the acquisition and disposal of portfolios of properties as corporate or asset led transactions.  Williamson’s clients include well-known financial institutions, corporate occupiers, hospitality and leisure operators and healthcare providers.

Chris Harvey joined the firm’s Litigation & Regulatory practice in 2008 and specialises in banking and financial services litigation. Harvey is regularly instructed by financial services clients and accountants to act in defending and pursuing the most sensitive and high profile claims, including £multi-million professional negligence actions, mis-selling claims (from PPI to hedging products), injunctions, and complex possession actions.

Ben Peecock joined the firm’s Finance & Projects practice in 2016 and his practice focuses on advising clients in relation to large scale, nationally significant infrastructure, regeneration, energy and development projects.

Allison Page, Office Managing Partner for Leeds, said: “We are absolutely delighted that these three very talented lawyers have been deservedly promoted  to the partnership. Ruth, Chris and Ben represent the next generation of DLA Piper and their dedication and commitment remains integral to the firm’s success and our continued ability to deliver first class legal advice to our clients. These promotions and the recent hire of Real Estate partner Susan Samuels show our commitment to attracting, developing and retaining the best talent across our firm.”

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ConferenceLeeds, the conference bureau for the city of Leeds, has strengthened its team by welcoming Wendy Earl as the new Head of Visitor Economy, Inward Investment and International Relations. Earl joins the team in a re-location from Perth, Western Australia, where she worked as Head of Economic Development for the capital city.

She brings 25 years of experience in the industry with her to Leeds City Council and the conferencing bureau. In her previous role, Wendy was a key driving force for Perth – responsible for managing all functions of Economic Development for the capital city of Perth, which included working on international relations, marketing, inward investment, tourism, business support, local, national and international advocacy, sponsorship and events.

In a similar role for ConferenceLeeds, Earl will join an established team of five staff members and will help to build the profile of Leeds as a city and support the organisation in bringing a vast array of national and international events to the city.

She said: “I’m thrilled to have joined the team at ConferenceLeeds and the wider team at Leeds City Council. I’ve really enjoyed my time here to date and I am most looking forward to continuing the work started so far! It’s excellent working with a great team within a progressive city; and I’m excited to oversee the development of our strategic direction that builds on the great work already achieved in growing the economy through inclusive programmes, which is on track to set Leeds on the path of becoming the best city in the north of the UK!”

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Leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has appointed Lee Marshall, a Leeds-based partner, as the new national head of accounting and financial reporting faculty.

RSM’s chief executive David Gwilliam, said: ‘Since joining the firm, Lee has been instrumental in transforming our offering as we’ve invested in accounting and financial reporting specialists to deliver excellent service for our middle market clients. I’m looking forward to Lee applying the same energy to his new national leadership role.

‘Accounting and financial reporting is a key service for our middle market clients and I’m confident the practice will continue to prosper under Lee’s stewardship.’

Marshall added: “I’m incredibly fortunate to be working with such a dedicated, highly skilled team and varied client base. We deliver a broad range of accounting and financial reporting services; and I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the firm.”

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Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is looking ahead to the new financial year with the announcement of two new partners.

Jody Horth and Oliver Hall have been promoted to partners of the regional firm, based at the Hull and York offices respectively.

Hall said: “It’s a great time to be taking this role within the firm, following the recent opening of our new offices in York and our exciting plans for the coming year. Having worked in the fields of family and agricultural law within the region for many years, I’m pleased to be joining a partnership that clearly and demonstrably shares my drive and focus to deliver the highest standards in quality and service for our clients.”

Jody Horth added: “I am delighted to be making this move to partner, following an incredibly busy year for the corporate team and firm as a whole. I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that, collectively, we build on this success and continue to provide an exceptional service that is tailored to the needs of the businesses and individuals we work with.”

Managing partner, Mark Pearson-Kendall, said: “Today’s announcement reflects our continued investment in the team, the development of our client offer and, most importantly, our commitment to the delivery of an excellent service to the businesses and individuals we work with.

“The firm continues to grow, in terms of the breadth and scale of the work we are delivering. I’m delighted to welcome Oliver and Jody to the partnership, as we look ahead to a very busy new financial year across our departments and offices.”

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