People: Leading lawyer latest in string of hires for Shoosmiths Leeds office; Senior appointments and relocation for environmental company

LAW firm Shoosmiths has appointed dispute resolution and asset finance expert David Farnell to the firm’s new office in Leeds as a partner in the firm’s recoveries services group.

Joining from Addleshaw Goddard, Mr Farnell has more than 20 years’ experience as a finance litigator and works with a number of the UK’s leading banks and financial institutions on all manner of disputes. Specialising in asset finance and banking disputes he has particular expertise in consumer credit, corporate recovery, enforcement of securities and fraud.

Shoosmiths said Mr Farnell’s technical skills will further enhance the service of asset finance team, supporting the firm’s national ambition of becoming the leading asset finance practice in the UK.

The continued expansion of the team follows the appointment of RSG partners Karen Savage and Paula Swain into the Southampton office earlier this year.  

Roger Potgieter, a partner in the asset finance team at Shoosmiths, said: “We are pleased to welcome David into the asset finance team in Leeds as part of the strategic development of the team nationally. David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in asset finance and banking litigation that will serve to grow key relationships nationally and in the Leeds market as well as supporting the asset finance team’s ambitions in the North of England.”

The opening of the Leeds office this week is part of Shoosmiths’ strategy to take a larger share of the UK legal market and its expansion into Leeds is part of its plan to bring new people and clients into the firm.

The firm recently recruited three partners for the new office, at Bruntwood’s Platform redevelopment above Leeds Station, including office head, Paul Stokey, and announced the recruitment of two further partners.

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Clarkes Environmental Michael Carmody, operations director, with new health and safety manager Kevin Godfrey. ASBESTOS removal specialist Clarke’s Environmental continues to expand with senior appointments and relocation to a new Yorkshire base at Omega Business Village in Northallerton.

Operations director Michael Carmody will head operations in both Scotland and Yorkshire at Clarke’s Environmental, which has seen turnover grow from £600,000 two years ago to a predicted £3.5m this financial year.

Kevin Godfrey joins the company as health and safety manager.
 
Employee numbers have quadrupled at Clarke’s Environmental in the last two years – from 10 to 40 – resulting in the need to relocate from the office it shares with sister company HCS Mechanical Services.

Richard Clarke, MD of Clarke’s Environmental, said: “Michael has an enviable reputation within the asbestos removal sector, while Kevin has an excellent track record in health and safety within our sector.  Their appointments will help to strengthen our expertise, and ensure that we continue to focus on delivering quality service and outstanding customer care.”

The appointments and office relocation follow rapid expansion at Clarke’s Environmental, part of the Harry Clarke Holdings (HCH) group of companies. The business, which was launched in 2006 following concerns regarding falling standards within the asbestos removal industry, opened two offices in Scotland in the last year.  It also has a base in Hull, and its commercial customers span blue chips, local authorities, demolition companies, the MOD, police forces, and prisons.

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