On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Law firm Nelsons is expanding its family department with the recent addition of three new team members.
Jeremy Ward, a senior associate and solicitor, has joined the children’s law team, bringing his experience from Hawley & Rodgers, where he qualified in 2012.
Accredited in children’s law by the Law Society since 2016, Ward is empowered to represent young clients in care proceedings.
Louise Clarke, a paralegal with a specialisation in care and children’s law proceedings, has also joined the team, having previously worked with Ward.
He said: “I knew of the large family team at Nelsons and its positive reputation from friends and colleagues which made this move an easy decision. I was also pleased that Louise could join me as well so for clients that have joined us at Nelsons it’s been a seamless transition.
“I have always wanted to work in child protection, and even after more than 12 years I still find it very rewarding. Children’s law is nearly always urgent work, and there are many families at crisis points that need support. The team at Nelsons understands this and everyone collaborates to provide the best service possible. I am looking forward to what the future holds for me here.”
The team also welcomes Julia Kolomiiets, a newly qualified family law solicitor and associate. Kolomiiets will be dedicating her efforts to handling matters related to divorce and family finances.
Ward, Kolomiiets and Clarke will collaborate with Emma Davies, a partner and solicitor who leads the family team in Nelsons’ Nottingham office and across the region.
Davies said: “I’m pleased to welcome all our new starters who each bring new skills to the team. Jeremy is a great addition – as a children’s law-accredited solicitor with a wealth of experience in care proceedings, he will bolster our offering across the East Midlands. He will work closely with senior associate Katy Swinbourne, who is also newly accredited, and alongside Gareth Protheroe who was recently promoted to partner and can provide expert guidance in care proceedings. Louise will also be a great support to Jeremy and the wider team.
“The family law team has really taken shape in the last few years and with Emma Stamp joining last year, Julia’s appointment is part of our ongoing growth in this area. The team has really pulled together across our three offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester offices to deal with the caseload and support even more clients. Historically our focus in Nottingham has been family law but it’s great that we can now build on our work with local authorities on care and children law too, where there is a huge nationwide backlog and more support needed.”
Marketing agency Purpose Media has promoted team members to strengthen its operational management team.
Alan Chaffe has been promoted to creative lead, Josh Donnell is now the technical lead, and Danny Painter takes on the role of creative technologist.
Purpose, located in South Normanton, operates on regional, national, and global levels, serving clients such as football clubs Derby County and Rotherham FC, aerospace supply chain leaders Incora, and international commercial refrigeration specialists True.
Danny Painter, Alan Chaffe and Josh Donnell
In recent months, the agency has secured new accounts in the education, health, automotive, and technology sectors.
Painter said: “I have been fortunate to work alongside talented leaders over the past decade and to soak up as much of their knowledge as I can. This has helped shape me as a creative thinker and problem-solver and I plan to use those attributes and the understanding I have developed of both creative and technical disciplines to aid my colleagues and the customers we serve.”
Chaffe said: “We have a dedicated team of talented people who I’ve been lucky to work with over the last few years, and who have positioned us as the go-to strategic marketing agency in the Midlands. I’m excited to collaborate with our clients, both existing and new, to listen and understand their needs and to develop brave, bold work that really delivers for them.”
Robin Ashton, who served as the chair of Leeds Building Society for over seven years, is now bringing his experience to The Nottingham.
Robin Ashton
Currently, a non-executive director and chair of the audit & risk committee at the domestic & general group since 2019, he has overseen a period of growth and digital transformation.
In his career, he was also a senior independent director and the chair of the remuneration committee at Shawbrook Group plc from 2011 to 2020.
Andrew Neden, chair at Nottingham Building Society, said: “We are delighted that Robin is joining us. He brings significant experience and a proven track record which will be extremely valuable to our Board. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our organisation.”
Robin Ashton said: “This is an exciting time for The Nottingham, as it delivers a transformation strategy designed to better serve the needs of today’s borrowers and savers. The Society has a rich heritage and a strong foundation to grow. I look forward to working with Andrew, CEO Sue Hayes and the team to help deliver their vision of ensuring home ownership is achievable for today’s borrowers.”
