Appointments: Engineering firm hires ex-Addleshaw partner; Law firm expands; and more

PROFESSIONAL services and engineering firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff in Leeds has made three senior appointments as part of an ongoing recruitment drive.

Karen Sewell has been appointed as Europe, Middle East, India and Africa general counsel and UK head of legal. With 18 years’ experience working on international corporate and finance transactions, she joins WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff from law firm Addleshaw Goddard where she was a partner in the firm’s finance and projects division.

Ms Sewell, who will be based in Leeds and London, trained at Linklaters, studied at Oxford University, and also spent a number of years working for US firm Gibson Dunn in London and New York.

Geoff Bowman will head up the private sector development team, bringing a wealth of knowledge in his specialist area of transport planning. He joins the company from his previous role at SCP where he set up the company’s Leeds office. He has worked in Yorkshire for more than 30 years, advising on traffic issues for a range of high profile schemes including Granary Wharf in Leeds and the new Kirkstall Bridge Retail Park.  

Sustainable buildings specialist David Warwick also joins the company as associate in the building services team. He has spent the last five years working in the Middle East for the sustainability department at the Urban Planning Council in Abu Dhabi, responsible for reviewing and approving the energy performance of all projects submitted for certification and major schemes include the Masdar Headquarters and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.  

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WILLIAMSONS Solicitors has brought a strong European dimension to its wills and probate department with its latest appointments.

Solicitors Martina Baloch, who will be based at the company’s Driffield office, and Monika Bone, who will operate from Hull, both hail from the Czech Republic and speak a number of European languages.

After qualifying as a solicitor in 2009 in the UK, Ms Baloch worked in family law before gaining experience in drafting wills, administering estates and dealing with powers of attorney. She also provides consultations to law firms in Prague and advises parties with a UK connection.

Ms Bone completed her training in Huddersfield before gaining experience with firms in East Yorkshire and Leeds. Her specialisms include preparation of wills, administration of estates and trusts and making applications for grants of probate.

Williamsons Solicitors’ head of wills and probate Jane Cousins said: “I’d like to welcome Martina and Monika. Both women bring a wealth of experience and expertise which can only strengthen our teams in Driffield and Hull.”

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SHEFFIELD’S Business Improvement District (BID) has appointed Suzy Brain England as its independent chairperson.

She will take over from James Prince of John Lewis this month.

Ms Brain England is the former chair and regional director of the Institute of Directors in Yorkshire.

She said: “I am extremely pleased to be taking on this role. I have mentored and supported businesses and directors across a diverse range of industries and I’m looking forward to the new challenge of leading the BID board.

“The BID is a fantastic opportunity for Sheffield businesses to control a significant investment in the areas they believe will improve Sheffield City Centre.  My task is to ensure that the delivery of the BID achieves maximum value for the £4.2m investment over the next four years.”