People: Clarion’s litigation team sees further growth; New MD for glazing firm; and more

Emily Grimshaw has joined Clarion’s expanding dispute resolution and litigation practice as an associate solicitor.

Grimshaw graduated from the University of East Anglia with an LLB Law degree before completing her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, York.  

She then undertook a two year training contract with Stewarts Law in Leeds which included working on a wide range of commercial and competition disputes.  
In 2015, Grimshaw joined Walker Morris where she spent two years as a litigation solicitor in the firm’s banking litigation department.

Her experience includes acting on behalf of major financial institutions in relation to complex, large scale fraud claims and professional negligence matters.

Simon Young, partner and head of the dispute resolution practice at Clarion, said: “We have seen significant growth in our contentious workflows and so it is vital that we not only expand our team, but that we also invest in and nurture young talent.  Emily will be a welcome addition to the team.”

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Industrial and commercial glazing firm ICW (UK) is looking to a bright future with a secure succession plan.

As founder Margaret Wood prepares to ease out of the business she started 25 years ago, the Wakefield company has appointed Stephen Chapman, a production manager, to take over as MD.

“We have always had a reputation for supplying high quality aluminium glazed systems for sectors such as heavy industry, food production and pharmaceutical, but we have now started to work in the hospitality and exhibition sectors,” said Wood.

“ICW (UK) has just completed a large contract with a Barnsley business which supplies shower screens to the hotel industry and at the same time we have seen the number of export linked enquiries and wins increase.

“I started ICW (UK) with a very clear vision of being able to supply well designed, unique windows for bespoke industrial and commercial sectors.   After 25 years it is time for a different vision.”
 
Chapman said: “ICW(UK) is a fantastic business with a core of loyal customers who have grown with it over the years.

 “It is well established nationally and is building an international reputation for quality, added value and good design.  It is on a good footing with a clear structure.  My ambition is to use market intelligence to develop new sectors while working with existing customers to make sure they know what our complete offer is. Margaret has a lot of experience and contacts within industry which she wants to use to help grow ICW (UK); my assuming a more hands on executive role will allow her to do that.”

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Adventure engineering company Hangfast has appointed designer Matthew Stafford to the position of creative lead.

Stafford, with over two decades of experience in installation design and construction, joins at a time of expansion for the Bingley-based business, which will soon complete the construction of Europe’s first ever Flight Tower, measuring over 60ft, at Lancaster City Council’s Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.

Stafford joins the company from JB Display, also based in Bingley, where he worked for two years. Prior to this he worked as one of the UK’s leading freelance designers for over 16 years, specialising in the design of large-scale seasonal installations for companies including intu Merry Hill in Birmingham, intu Derby, Westfield London and Marks & Spencer.

Founded by John Beers in 2006, Hangfast creates bespoke fun climbing walls, caving installations and rope courses to meet the specifications of its customers.  Clients include LEGOLAND, Center Parcs and Alliance Leisure.