People: Weightmans hires former DLA Piper legal director; Ward Hadaway adds to family team; Finance and recovery group expands; and more

LAW firm Weightmans has welcomed James Sargent as partner in the real estate team in Leeds.

Formerly legal director at DLA Piper, Mr Sargent undertakes a variety of commercial property transactions, including development and investment work, acquisitions, disposals and landlord and tenant matters.

He has considerable experience in the acquisition, development or disposal of sites for a variety of uses, with a particular interest in the renewable energy sector. Sites worked on include business parks, industrial estates, distribution hubs and solar and wind farms.

Mr Sargent also advises on the leases to be granted to occupational tenants and subsequently in the investment sale of the completed developments.

Karl Jackson, partner and head of the real estate team, said: “I am thrilled to welcome James to the firm. He brings a wealth of experience to the table as well as local knowledge, vast industry expertise and of course an unshakable commitment to clients..

“His arrival comes as we undergo an exciting strategic expansion of our real estate offering as we seek to create our own ‘Northern Property Powerhouse’ in offices across the North of England and Scotland. The next few months will see us continue to bring on the best talent from around the UK, and I look forward to watching the team develop further.”

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LAW firm Ward Hadaway has further strengthened its family law team in Leeds with the recruitment of solicitor Nicola Hunter.

Ms Hunter has 19 years’ specialist experience advising and representing clients on all aspects of family law.

Her expertise covers areas including separation, divorce, civil partnerships, financial remedy proceedings, private law children act proceedings, family law act proceedings, pre and post nuptial agreements, cohabitation contracts and unmarried partners’ property rights.

Ms Hunter has particular expertise assisting in matrimonial cases involving high net worth individuals.

She joins Ward Hadaway shortly after the recruitment of family law partner Andrea Dyer, with who she has worked for a number of years.

Jonathan Flower, partner and head of family law at Ward Hadaway, said: “Nicola and Andrea make a great team so really pleased to be able to bring them back together.

“Between them, they have the experience and expertise to deliver a first-class service to our Yorkshire clients across the whole range of family law issues.”
Nicola Hunter has joined the family law team at Ward Hadaway in Leeds.

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FINANCE and debt recovery specialists CRS Group in Sheffield has continued to grow its team, appointing Steve Munro as national business development manager to help grow the groups business.

With nearly 20 years working with banks, brokers, accountants and ABLs, Mr Munro’s role will be to drive finance and debt solutions opportunities from both his financial professional network and the SME market nationally.  

He will be based at CRS Group’s head office in Sheffield, although his appointment coincides with CRS’s plans to open a new office in London which is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

CRS Group managing director, Tim Shore, said: “Bringing Steve on board provides a great opportunity for us to achieve our growth plans for the group.  He is also extremely well known, very personable, but most of all, he understands the needs of our target market and the services that we offer.  He is the perfect fit for us.”