Appointments: Bevan Brittan, Key Capital Partners, Dine, John Good Shipping
LAW firm Bevan Brittan has announced a trio of partner appointments to its Leeds office.
Hugo Stephens and Richard Stirk join the firm’s housing practice from DWF, where they were partners.
Deborah Powell joins Bevan Brittan’s property division from Simpson Millar where she was head of commercial property, reunited with former colleagues including Lyndon Campbell who joined the firm as a senior associate from Simpson Millar when the Leeds office opened in September
Michael Boyd was recently appointed head of the Leeds office, and also joined from DWF. Bevan Brittan’s other Leeds partners includ Julie Cowan-Clark, who specialises in property, Judith Barnes and Frances Woodhead, both of whom work in local government divisions.
Duncan Weir, managing partner of Bevan Brittan, said: “I am very pleased to be able to announce these new appointments to our Leeds office. They are proof of the strength and depth of the team that we are assembling. We are building a joined-up team across key focus areas.
“Our Leeds office has got off to a great start with multiple new instructions from clients – and a high level of interest from lawyers seeking to join us. 2016 will be an exciting year for us as we fully embed the office and look to grow it further.”
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DIRECTOR James Hall has joined private equity house Key Capital Partners at the company’s Leeds headquarters.
He will be working with Leeds-based partners Peter Armitage and Owen Trotter to distribute investment across the North, following the successful closing of KCP’s £80m fund.
He has 16 years’ experience in the financial sector having worked at Royal Bank Development Capital, ISIS Equity Partners and NorthEdge Capital where he led the Leeds office.
Mr Hall has acted as a non-executive director for a number of businesses including Sumo Digital, Ramsdens Financial and Fine Organics.
Mr Hall commented: “I know from my own experience that there’s still a real lack of funding for SMEs with many PE houses having moved up to make larger investments.
“The deal flow in the smaller buy-out market is definitely there and I’m very excited about working with one of the most experienced teams in this field to enable fast-growing businesses to realise their potential.”
KCP investment partner Peter Armitage said: “James is a perfect fit for our team. His excellent track record of investing and helping to grow businesses along with his strong reputation is just what we need as we seek investment opportunities with entrepreneurial firms throughout Yorkshire, the North East and North West.”
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EVENT management company Dine has appointed a head of wedding planning.
Sophie Brooks joins in the newly-created role to oversee events at stately homes and venues throughout the region.
Ms Brooks has worked with Dine since January 2008 managing weddings at Allerton Castle near Harrogate, and has 15 years’ experience as a wedding planner.
She has already managed more than 450 weddings for Dine.
Daniel Gill, managing director of Dine said: “We created the role of Head of Wedding Planning in order to offer couple’s something different, an invaluable added extra to make sure their day is exactly how they want it.
“Dine can host on average 200 weddings a year across our 10 venues but each wedding must be special and unique. Sophie was the perfect person for the role with her vast experience within the industry as well as her attention to detail and enthusiasm for all things wedding.”
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HESSLE-BASED John Good Shipping has announced board appointments, with Alan Platt joining as chairman.
He replaces John Rutherford, and joins Seamus Jennings, who has been appointed as managing director of the company, which specialises in freight management solutions, liner and port agency.
Two new directors have been appointed, with Peter Fitzgerald taking on the newly created role of procurement director and Paul Ferguson becoming sales director.
The new board of John Good Shipping will therefore consist of Alan Platt, Seamus Jennings, Alan Steadman, Paul Ferguson, Peter Fitzgerald, Jon Garnier, Brian Megran and Darren Spence.
John Good Shipping was established in 1833 and has recently moved into a purpose-built head office at the sustainable Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, East Yorkshire.
