Appointments: Two new designers join Corporation Pop; and more…

MANCHESTER-based design agency Corporation Pop has strengthened its team with the appointment of two designers.

Ash Spurr, who joins the firm from The Designers Republic in Sheffield, will in his new role work across a range of interactive and print briefs.

Matt Mear, a graduate from the University of Lincoln, will be working predominantly on print based projects as a junior designer.

Dom Raban, managing director at Corporation Pop, said: “We’ve enjoyed a buoyant start to the year, particularly in our work with virtual environments and the business community, and this success has led to the growth of our creative team.

We are passionate about every aspect of the work we produce, and I’m sure both Ash and Matt will add a fresh approach to our offering.”

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PROPERTY law firm Murphy Hodgkinson has appointed Legal 500 rated lawyer Karen Brooks to its Liverpool office.

Ms Brooks, who joins from Cobbetts in Manchester, has experience dealing with clients in the house building industry, including Taylor Wimpey, Countryside Properties and Bloor Homes.

Karen Murphy, founder of Murphy Hodgkinson, said: “Karen has been a serious rival for many years, so it is a terrific coup to welcome her to the team.”

Ms Brooks said: “The firm already acts for major developers such as Redrow, Bellway and Barratt Homes and we are looking to build on these very solid foundations.”

Nina Chesworth, who previously was an associate at the firm, has also been appointed as a partner.

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THE Manchester office of Law firm Hammonds has promoted Charmian Johnson and Patrick Ford to the firm’s partnership.

Ms Johnson, who qualified in 1998, advises trustees and employers on a range of pension issues including scheme mergers, corporate transactions including section 75 debts and their management,clearance and other matters involving the pensions regulator, scheme documentation and scheme governance issues.

Mr Ford, who also trained with the firm, is a member of the tax strategies practice.

He has experience advising on the tax implications of corporate finance, property transactions and tax structuring in connection with such transactions.

Jonathan Edwards, head of the Manchester office, said: ”Hammonds is keen to recognise talent internally and it is gratifying to see that the investment we have made in our training and mentoring programmes for lawyers is paying off, with both Manchester partners beginning their careers at the firm.”