On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

The Chatsworth Settlement has appointed Darran Lawless as managing director of Devonshire Property Group Ltd (DPGL).

DPGL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chatsworth Settlement Trust, formed for the purpose of securing investment and property development opportunities across the UK, both on the Chatsworth Settlement’s Derbyshire and Yorkshire estates, and off-estate.

Richard Reynolds, chief executive of the Chatsworth Settlement Trust, said: “The Chatsworth Settlement has a track record of high quality and environmentally sensitive property development, established over six centuries. The appointment of Darran Lawless signals our intention to accelerate and widen our activities in the commercial and residential sectors. We are confident that Darran’s expertise in property investment and development will enable us to do that.”

Lawless said: “I’m delighted to join the Chatsworth Settlement management team and very much look forward to the opportunity ahead. With access to significant investment capital, the Chatsworth Settlement has well advanced plans to grow its off estate property portfolio.”

An accountant who joined a firm in Long Eaton and Eastwood 18 months ago has now become a director and part owner of the business.

Aaron Cooke

Aaron Cooke joined chartered accountant LJ Hanbury in August 2015 as the senior accountant and next in charge to managing director Linda Hanbury who set up the business in 1998. Now he has been appointed a director as well as becoming part owner.

Cooke started training to be an accountant after leaving Kirk Hallam Community College by joining a firm in Ilkeston where he qualified under the Association of Accounting Technicians, the first step up the professional ladder..

He then became a chartered accountant in 2008 and moved onto a firm in Derby before joining LJ Hanbury at its head office on Tamworth Road, Long Eaton.

“I wanted some new blood to come in and help grow and improve the practice,” said Linda.

“Aaron has proved his worth already. He has introduced a new form of management accounting which provides more information for clients.”

Cooke said: “I look forward to providing a friendly and personable service to clients old and new.”

Another employee, Sally Young, has qualified through the AAT and is now working in accounts and tax as well as being part time PA to the directors.

The firm has more than 500 clients, including customers in Germany, America, Australia and New Zealand, who continued to use the practice after moving abroad.

In addition to Long Eaton, the practice also has an office in Coach Drive, Eastwood.