People on the move: Exchange Chambers; Speedy Hire; Browne Jacobson; Brabners; Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise

Exchange Chambers has continued its fast-paced expansion by welcoming clinical negligence specialist Dr Simon Fox QC.

Fox qualified first as a doctor at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School and worked in the UK, New Zealand and Central Africa.

His experience included casualty, terminal care, neurosurgery and treating casualties from the Mozambique civil war. He then retrained in law and was called to the Bar in 1994.

Fox undertook his pupillage and early junior career at Exchange Chambers before relocating to the south of England in 1999.

He has developed a national practice as a specialist clinical negligence practitioner, in respect of which he was awarded Silk in 2016. He said he welcomes the chance to develop this further by returning to Exchange Chambers.

Fox will also remain a full member of No5 Chambers where he has been based since 2004.

Fox has been listed in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK for many years and has been listed as one of only five ‘Star Individual’ QCs or juniors in clinical negligence in the whole of the country.  In addition to his specialist clinical negligence practice, Fox also sits as an assistant coroner.

He said: “Having taken silk last year, there is no better place than Exchange Chambers to develop my clinical negligence practice in the North.

“Having started my career at Exchange and maintained my links with it over the last 20 years, I know just how outstanding the quality of their clinical negligence team is. I am very much looking forward to becoming a part of it.”

Said Bill Braithwaite QC, head of Exchange Chambers: “Having led Simon in a number of high value, complex claims over the years, I am delighted he has joined our clinical negligence team.

“Simon’s recent appointment as a silk accurately reflects the quality of his practice.  He is an outstanding barrister.”

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Newton-le-Willows-based Speedy Hire, the tools, equipment and plant hire company, has announced the appointment of David Garman as a non-executive director from June 1.

He will also serve as a member of the Audit and Nomination Committees of the board.

Garman is currently senior independent director at John Menzies and a non-executive director at Troy Income & Growth Trust.

He has a broad range of industrial experience having worked in executive roles at TDG, Associated British Foods and United Biscuits and was previously the senior independent director at St Modwen Properties and Phoenix IT, and a non-executive director at Kewill and Victoria.

Chairman Jan Åstrand said: “We are delighted that David is joining the Board and look forward to working with him. David brings a wealth of sales and marketing, operational and plc experience. His skills will further broaden the Board’s capabilities.”

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Browne Jacobson has announced the promotion of 21 lawyers to associate level, a record number for the national firm.

They include Ed Pollard and Gemma Corlett in the health and advisory litigation team in Manchester.

The promotions cut across all five of the firm’s offices Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester and Nottingham as well as various practice areas.

The promotions will take effect from June 1 2017 and will bring the firm’s total number of associates to 100.

Senior partner Derek Bambury said: “I offer my warm congratulations to each of our new associates.

“All 21 are extremely skilful lawyers and are fully deserving of their promotions. They have each showcased their outstanding talent within their specialist areas and their commitment to delivering exceptional client service.

“The promotions truly represent our strength in depth across many practice areas for the firm and showcase the diverse specialisms we hold.”

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Commercial law firm Brabners has appointed partner Steven Appleton to lead the firm’s private client practice in Manchester.

Appleton has specialised in this field for more than 11 years and brings with him a wealth of experience in all aspects of private client law, including wills, trusts, tax planning, lasting powers of attorney, probate and court of protection work.

He joins the firm from Laytons where he was a partner.

Appleton acts for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, specialising in advice for business owners on personal succession planning.

In addition to his work with board-level executives of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, he also has significant expertise in charitable giving and helps clients to meet their philanthropic goals.

Appleton said: “Private client work can be both complex and sensitive in nature and it’s vital that we work in partnership with clients to achieve the best result.

“Only by working together can we fully identify and understand the issues a client is facing, which is essential to finding a solution that effectively meets their needs.

“Brabners’ private client team has an enviable reputation, both for the quality and breadth of its work, and is highly regarded as one of the best in the North West.

“This is largely down to its client-first approach and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team as we continue to build on this further.”

Duncan Bailey, national head of private client at Brabners, added: “Steven is well respected within the industry and his experience of building long-term relationships with clients ensures he is in a strong position to lead our team in Manchester.”

Appleton is an active member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), specifically its Family Business Special Interest Group.

Brabners’ private client practice is one of the largest in the North West and was recently named Private Client Team of the Year at the Liverpool Legal Awards.

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Paula Cain, Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise chief executive, is to leave the organisation at the end of July after seven years at the helm.

Her replacement has been confirmed as marketing and business specialist Rachael Owen, who currently works as a business Growth Hub broker on behalf of Halton Borough Council and Halton Chamber of Commerce. She will take up her new position in August.

Cain joined the Chamber in 2010 from Knowsley Chamber of Commerce where she held a similar position. Since then she has proved herself a highly effective, popular leader and Dr Peter Cook, chairman of Halton Chamber, believes many people in the local business community will be saddened by her departure.

He said: “During Paula’s seven years at Halton Chamber, she has worked unstintingly to develop its role and put it on a more secure financial footing. She has driven up its reputation within the Halton business community and with regional stakeholders, and has led the organisation through some very difficult challenges.

“The Chamber has benefited greatly from her skills, experience, hard work, leadership and drive.

“The membership has grown significantly, we have more services and support available to local businesses, and at the start of this month, the 2017 Halton Business Awards were held at a glittering event in Halton Stadium, attended by a record 310 people, all celebrating the success of local business – a tremendous testament to what she has achieved.

“We know Paula has still to confirm her future plans but whatever direction she takes, we all wish her every success and happiness for the future.”