People: Fletchers; University of Manchester; Forvis Mazars; Greater Lancashire Hospital; Leonard Curtis; Cullimore Dutton
Personal injury and clinical negligence law firm, Fletchers Group, has promoted six colleagues to heads of office across its various office locations, around the UK.
The newly appointed office heads are Michelle Heyes, Saima Mazhar, Gillian Lakes, Tim Moulton, Claire Hutchinson, and Emma Semwayo.
Saima Mazhar, partner and head of clinical negligence, will become head of Manchester office. Since joining Fletchers in 2017, Saima has supported five clinical negligence teams in Manchester. Her diverse career journey includes experience in both claimant and defendant firms, offering her a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape.
Gillian Lakes, associate and head of serious injury law, will become head of Bolton office. With more than 25 years of experience in serious injury, Gillian has been with Fletchers’ specialist serious injury practice, Serious Injury Law, since 2018. When Fletchers acquired the firm in 2024, Gillian was appointed head of serious injury for Bolton and was made an associate in August the same year.
Michelle Heyes, partner and head of serious injury, will become head of Southport office. Michelle Heyes joined Fletchers in 1992 at the start of her legal career and spent more than 25 years dealing with personal injury claims, specialising in complex orthopaedic injuries, before moving into leadership and then becoming head of the serious injury department in 2022.
Tim Moulton, partner and head of clinical negligence, will become head of Liverpool office. Tim joined Fletchers in 2018 and supports the overall leadership by managing skilled solicitors across the business. He specialises in claims involving orthopaedic injury and loss of fertility.
Emma Semwayo, partner and head of clinical negligence, will become head of Leeds office. Emma joined Fletchers eight years ago as a clinical negligence solicitor in Manchester. She was appointed head of clinical negligence for the Leeds teams in January 2023. She is a partner and a passionate advocate of women lawyers and leaders.
Claire Hutchinson, partner, will become head of Cambridge office. Claire is a partner with more than 20 years of experience. Her expertise lies in catastrophic injury cases, including traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, and amputations. In 2022, she made the move from the Bolton office to Cambridge to help support the growth of the team while continuing her catastrophic injury work.
Adrian Denson, chief legal officer of Fletchers, said: “These promotions reflect the strength and depth of talent that we have at Fletchers. Promoting these six individuals recognises their hard work and talent and puts them in key roles which positions us for continued growth and excellence in serving our clients across all of our office locations.”
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Sarah Hall
Internationally acclaimed novelist and short story writer, Sarah Hall, has joined The University of Manchester as a Professor of Creative Writing.
Sarah joins a prestigious teaching team at the university’s centre for new writing made up of novelists, poets, screenwriters, playwrights and non-fiction writers, including Jeanette Winterson, Ian McGuire, Jason Allen-Paisant, Beth Underdown, Horatio Clare, Tim Price and John McAuliffe.
Hailed as a ‘writer of show-stopping genius’, Sarah is a two-time Man Booker Prize nominee and an award-winning author of six novels and three short-story collections.
Director of the centre for new writing, Dr Kaye Mitchell, said: “It feels like a tremendous coup to have Sarah Hall join. Personally, I’ve been beguiled by her beautiful, sensuous prose since the publication of her debut novel, Haweswater, in 2002 and she is simply one of the absolute best short story writers working today.
“Our creative writing students will benefit enormously from her critical eye and creative influence.”
Sarah said: “The literary programme has an outstanding reputation, nationally and internationally. It’s a very dynamic team to be working with, the students are brilliant, engaged and diverse, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to become more formally involved with the flourishing arts scene in the North-West – something that has always been close to my heart.”
Sarah was previously Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, and has taught masterclasses and workshops for The Arvon Foundation, The Faber Academy, The Guardian, and universities including Cambridge and St. Andrews.
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Steve Abbott
Forvis Mazars, the professional services network, has appointed Steve Abbott as office managing partner (OMP) for its Manchester office.
He takes on the role from Dave Hilton after four years, who remains in the firm stepping into a new role leading the national corporate finance team.
As OMP, Steve will be responsible for developing the firm’s business strategy in Manchester and expanding Forvis Mazars’ presence in the region. A key focus of this will be increasing collaboration across service lines, ensuring businesses and individuals in the region can access everything they need under one roof.
Steve will also oversee the growing local team which now consists of 370 professionals and includes 18 partners.
He joined the firm as a tax partner in 2020. He has more than 25 years’ experience and currently leads Forvis Mazars’ tax team in Manchester, focusing on advising entrepreneurial privately-owned businesses and smaller listed companies.
He said: “We have a large team of talented people based in Manchester and I hope to create a positive, collaborative environment which supports and facilitates their growth and development.”
Dave Hilton said: “Steve has been a crucial member of our team for the last five years. His knowledge of the local market, alongside decades of experience advising clients in the region, means he is incredibly well placed to lead our growing team, and support our clients’ evolving needs.”
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Sandy Haughton
Greater Lancashire Hospital has appointed Sandy Haughton as its new head of clinical services.
Sandy brings a wealth of director-level experience to her new role which will see her manage the increasing use of the hospital’s general anaesthetic theatre.
She will also liaise closely with NHS Trusts across the North West to promote Greater Lancashire Hospital’s listing on NHS England’s Patient Choice Framework, which enables GPs and their NHS patients to book the most convenient appointments for their requirements.
Based in Ribbleton’s Millennium City Park, Greater Lancashire Hospital was founded in 2014 and works closely with some of the UK’s best known consultants and medical practitioners.
Sandy said: “Greater Lancashire Hospital was created by local people for the direct benefit of local residents – and this ethos was one of the main reasons why I wanted to work here.”
Sandy has extensive experience in management, having spent a decade overseeing regional operations within private healthcare, following several years of service in the public healthcare sector.
Gwam Rajiah, executive chairman of Greater Lancashire Hospital, said: “Sandy is a fantastic addition to our growing team.”
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Gary Cain and Becky Owen
Leonard Curtis is strengthening its leadership structure following recent growth and M&A activity by appointing two experienced professionals to new roles.
Becky Owen is appointed head of funding, taking over from Gary Cain. She progresses from director, commercial finance to divisional lead in a fast growing area of the business after just 12 months with the company.
Gary Cain moves into the role of head of business services, a new fourth pillar of expertise in the independent professional services group, alongside restructuring and insolvency, funding and legal specialisms.
He will have a key focus on overseeing the integration of the recently acquired Virtualnonexecs.com business and development of the performance advisory and property and construction advisory services areas.
Becky said: “Leonard Curtis is very well known and respected for insolvency and restructuring services. It is less well known for supplying the right funding advice to strongly performing businesses and business owners, property investors and developers, and yet we do that every day. My job is to lead the national team to win more of that work.”
Gary Cain said: “This promotion is testament to Becky’s dedication and contribution to date. I am confident she will excel in the role and continue to drive our funding strategies forward. Meanwhile I am excited to step into our new pillar and further expand the group.”
CEO Dan Booth said: “As we continue to grow, we will always look to promote from within and give opportunities to individuals like Gary and Becky who have already shown the talent and the will to succeed. It is this consistent approach to our best asset, our people, which helps us move forward with confidence.”
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L-R: Alexandra McCarthy, Brenda Spain, Holly Randles
Cheshire legal and financial services firm, Cullimore Dutton, has added two solicitors to its family law team.
The Chester-based company has welcomed Hollie Randles, who joins from Liverpool firm Jackson Lees Group, and Alexandra McCarthy, who was previously with another Liverpool firm, Berkson Family Law Solicitors.
The appointments are the latest part of Cullimore Dutton’s growth strategy, which is expected to see the headcount of lawyers, financial planners and support staff increase from 55 to more than 70 in the next 18 months.
Hollie said: “Client care is extremely important to me and the wider team at Cullimore Dutton and I take pride in providing tailored advice and support to every one of our clients individually, no matter what their circumstances may be. I am fortunate to be able to make a positive difference to the lives of families.”
Alexandra said: “It is imperative to me that each client feels supported throughout one of the most difficult times of their life. My aim is for clients to understand the legal process and how it applies to their individual circumstances, enabling them to feel confident in moving their lives forward.”
Brenda Spain, head of family law and client relationship director at Cullimore Dutton, said: “Hollie and Alexandra will play a key role in helping to ensure our clients receive a holistic service in which our lawyers and financial planners work side by side to deliver exceptional client care.”
