Appointments: Stripes’ libel coup; Taylor promoted by Yorkshire & more
LEADING libel lawyer Mark Lewis has joined Manchester-based Stripes Solicitors to drive the firm’s expansion into the fields of media and sporting law.
Mr Lewis, 44, has joined as director of Media and Sport from city rivals George Davis Solicitors, where he led its dispute resolution team.
He regularly acts for the UK’s biggest sport stars and celebrities, and is the only lawyer outside London to be a member of the Law Society’s Defamation Reference Group.
Mr Lewis is a regular commentator on radio, TV and in national newspapers on libel issues. He is regarded as an expert on phone hacking, and recently appeared on Newsnight to comment on the issue.
He said: “There is huge oppotunity in the region’s burgeoning media industry which is set to develop further following the advent of Media City next year.
“The North West is also a centre of sporting excellence, and I am delighted to join Stripes, which is a progressive firm, and lead its expansion into these areas.”
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YORKSHIRE Bank has promoted Guy Taylor to the role of director in its Corporate and Structured Finance team in Manchester.
After spending five years as a ski instructor, Guy then re-trained as an accountant before moving into corporate financing. He worked for Baker Tilly and Ballard Campbell Corporate Finance prior to joining Yorkshire Bank in December 2006.
He now advises on mergers, acquisitions and refinancing deals which the bank is supporting. He has worked on a number of major deals including HSBC Private Equity’s purchase of Viking Moorings and last year’s £1.4bn takeover of grocery chain Somerfield by The Co-operative Group.
Paul Shephard, regional director of Corporate and Structured Finance, said:”Guy has been with the team virtually since inception. This promotion is in
recognition of the significant role he has played in the development of our business in the North West so far.
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MANCHESTER-based stockbroker WH Ireland, has revealed a major drive into wealth management with the appointment of Lindsey Hamilton and a team of five from Allied Irish Bank.
Lindsey joins WH Ireland from AIB’s Independent Financial Services arm, where she led the National High Net Worth Independent Regulated Sales force in the UK.
SHe has more than 20 years’ experience in wealth management. Prior to joining Allied Irish Bank, she spent five years with Barclays Independent Financial Planning.
She has also worked for Woolwich Independent Financial Advisory Service, having started her career at Noble Lowndes & Partners.
A number of her team are also joining WH Ireland, with effect from 21 September, to drive the continuing growth of the Private Wealth Management business. The new team includes Angela Wise, Jayesh Ratna, Panvir Thind, Zoltan Molnar and Christy Morrison.
Richard Ford, CEO of WH Ireland, said: ” We have previously set out our intention to grow the private wealth management offering and this marks exciting progress towards that goal.
“Lindsey and her team have great experience in providing full service and unified wealth management and we are confident that under Lindsey’s guidance, we can further accelerate the division’s growth, building an industry-leading proposition.”
