People: Promotions at Clarion; Wealth management firm announces appointments; Nine promoted at Weightmans; and more

Leeds law firm Clarion has announced another five of its lawyers have been promoted.

Joanna Dodd has become a Legal Director, while Sarah Molloy, Louise Dodds, Sarah Harrison and Stephanie Kaye all rise to the position of Senior Associate.

Roger Hutton, Joint Managing Partner at Clarion, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many of our long-standing colleagues, many of whom started their legal careers with the firm, continuing to progress with us.

“They all share a number of attributes, particularly outstanding technical expertise and a commitment to providing the best possible service to clients.

“Interestingly, most have also played an active part in training more junior members of the team, and to see our positive and supportive culture reflected in this way is extremely satisfying.

“There’s no doubt our aim of creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work is being achieved with so many of our team choosing to stay with Clarion and take advantage of the opportunities we offer. Congratulations to all five lawyers who have been promoted this year.”

Having been a member of Clarion’s employment team for the last 13 years, new Legal Director Dodd provides technical expertise to high profile clients.

She also takes responsibility for the supervision of more junior lawyers in the team. In addition, she has been recognised externally in Chambers and Partners as an ‘Associate to Watch’.

Since joining Clarion in 2013, Molloy has played a significant role in the intellectual property team, running the firm’s international trade mark filing practice which has led to a number of new client wins.

She also helps support and train more junior colleagues and is involved in various firm strategies including the technology sector initiative.

Dodds has contributed to establishing and developing the contentious private client team during the six years she has worked for Clarion. She is a full member of ACTAPS and an affiliate member of STEP and uses her technical knowledge to help train less experienced colleagues.

She has also supported business development through high-profile referrals and her strong client relationship skills.

Having qualified into Clarion’s corporate practice five years ago, Harrison has used her technical skills and project management abilities to become a valued member of the team. She has worked on high-profile deals in recent years and in many instances takes the lead role in these transactions.

Kaye manages key client relationships in the costs department. She manages a ten-strong team and has a national reputation for undertaking high value costs work in Court of Protection cases. She also provides training packages to help clients improve their costs recovery.

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A letting agent with 20 years industry experience has been appointed by estate agency firm Dacre, Son & Hartley.

Donna Fryer joins from Harrogate-based Hopkinsons and has also worked for well-known Yorkshire agents covering the northern region.

In her new role as Lettings Manager, Fryer will be at the firm’s Ripon office covering Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Thirsk and surrounding villages.

Her appointment follows another recent lettings appointment for the Skipton and Keighley area and takes the lettings team at Dacres to 19.

Fryer, who is from Harrogate, said: “I have all the relevant experience needed to deliver great service and advice on everything from the latest legislation changes to property management and in depth local market knowledge.

“I’m excited to be joining Dacres and look forward to the new challenges ahead.

“I was attracted to Dacres as it’s such a well-respected, professional firm that offers great career prospects.

“Ripon, Harrogate and the surrounding areas are popular places to rent, with families often attracted to the excellent schools. Plenty of professionals are keen to live here because of the job prospects and easy transport links to key cities in the north.”

Emma Kerrywood, who heads Dacre, Son & Hartley’s lettings division across the firm’s 20 offices, said: “Donna is well-known in the market for her proactive approach and is a dynamic professional who will be a great asset to our business.”

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Helen Brown

National law firm Weightmans has promoted nine Associates in Leeds as part of its drive to create a new pathway in legal expertise.

They are among 96 Associates promoted nationally, with the new Principal Associates in Leeds including: David Stokes, Haroon Younis, Nick Newman, Hannah Beddis, Matthew Morton, Susan Matthews, Rebecca Stanton, Nigel Price and Katherine Clark.

The new roles – Legal Director, and career level – Principal Associate, were introduced from May 1 2019 as part of the firm’s engagement plan and to reflect developments in the legal market.

Six Associates were promoted to Legal Director, which focuses on the delivery of high-quality legal expertise and knowledge. 90 have become Principal Associates, which is a combined role looking at an individual’s wider business contribution and business development.

Helen Brown, Partner at Weightmans in Leeds, said: “Employees and the skills they have will ultimately be the deciding factor in a firm’s success.

“Our people are integral to the future prosperity of Weightmans and we make the investment in their skills and development a priority.

“So we are excited to introduce a number of key changes and roles to our existing career structure.

“These changes provide an opportunity for progression and development by assessing people’s strengths and enabling us to be more focused when helping them determine their future career direction.

“I would like to congratulate all of our Associates who have seized this opportunity and look forward to working with them.”

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Financial advice business G+E Wealth Management, which has offices in Leeds and York, has appointed two new Financial Planners.

Richard Lord and Jonathan Noake both join from the High Net Worth arm of Lloyds Private Banking.

The roles filled by Lord and Noake bring with them a new area of specialism.

They will focus on high net worth clients, with personal wealth of over £1m, excluding property assets.

Over the last 12 months G+E Wealth Management has increased its revenue by over 50% and its staff by nearly 75%.

During over the last financial year G+E Wealth Management’s total assets under management have increased by 28%, with an 80% growth in revenue projected for the next financial year.

Speaking of his appointment, Lord said: “I am thrilled to join Garbutt + Elliott, expanding their existing wealth management business and service offerings.

“Jonathan and I have worked together for many years and are committed to providing outstanding financial planning to our clients, with an emphasis on bespoke advice and strong relationships, always putting the client at the forefront of our work.

“I am delighted to be working with such a long established and well-respected firm, where I can offer a fully joined up and personalised service to meet our clients’ diverse needs.”

Noake added: “Having spent over 10 years exclusively supporting high net worth clients in their Financial Planning requirements, I am delighted to be able to join an independent firm where I can put the client first, in everything I do.

“G+E Wealth Management is highly driven by values and ethics, aligned to my personal approach to financial advice and joining the team gives me the opportunity to develop an outstanding advice offering, truly representing the client in their advice requirements.”

Robert Simpson, Managing Director of G+E Wealth Management, said: “We are committed to provide an excellent service with a friendly and tailored approach.

“Richard and Jonathan’s appointments reinforce the ambition we have for G+E Wealth Management and their natural flair for connecting with clients will bring huge opportunities for us and our continued growth.”