People on the Move: Leach Rhodes Walker; SAS Daniels; ITS; Lichfields; Bridge Insurance Brokers

Leach Rhodes Walker has recently welcomed two new senior members to its Manchester design studio.

David George joins from Falconer Chester Hall, where he was an associate director and Philip Lee joins from Space + Architects in Liverpool, where he was a director.

David has amassed rich knowledge across the full spectrum of the construction and development industry, with more than 20 years of experience working as a commercial architect.

Having set up Falconer Chester Hall’s Manchester office, his expertise grew their numbers up to 10. Recent significant projects include Manchester Waters and 27 Dale Street.

Philip has worked extensively in senior positions in London and Liverpool practices.

With a passion for urban mending and renewal he has been instrumental in the delivery of a range of award-winning projects including Bristol’s millennium celebrations and others focusing on the interaction between buildings, streets and open spaces.

He also has extensive experience in delivering major private and public residential developments.

Christian Gilham, Leach Rhodes Walker’s Manchester managing director, said: “I’m delighted that David and Philip have joined us to strengthen our senior management team. We are increasingly working nationally as well as locally and will continue to significantly expand our design and commercial capabilities within Leach Rhodes Walker as high calibre individuals join the business.

“Our depth of experience within the North West region will be reinforced by their expertise as accomplished designers with proven commercial expertise and managerial skills. Both David and Philip also bring outstanding experience in the design of cutting-edge high quality buildings and only reinforce the fantastic team we have in the design studio.”

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Cheshire law firm SAS Daniels has announced that two trainees have qualified after completing their training contracts with the firm.

Zoe Worthington and Sophie Adshead joined in 2017 and qualify as solicitors within the family and corporate and commercial teams, respectively.

Four more trainees are now embarking on the same journey and will work across the firm’s Cheshire offices in Chester, Congleton, Macclesfield and Stockport.

Former apprentices Francesca Flannigan and Jack Ramsden have now moved into trainee solicitor roles. Francesca will be joining the residential property team based in Congleton, and Jack will be working in dispute resolution in Stockport.

From left: Francesca Flannigan, Sophie Adshead, Gary Martin, Zoe Worthington, Aisling Foley, Jack Ramsden

Newly-recruited trainees Gary Martin and Aisling Foley will be welcomed into the commercial property team in Chester, and family team in Stockport, respectively.

Jeremy Orrell, managing partner, said: “We would like to congratulate our newly-qualified solicitors, Zoe and Sophie, who have shown remarkable aptitude throughout their training.

“We are also pleased to welcome our new trainees as we remain committed and invested in our trainee programme, which will help develop the next generation of solicitors.”

SAS Daniels offers a full range of legal services as well as specialist sector experience including education, agriculture, construction and music and media.

The law firm has just received the highest accolade from Legal 500, after being ranked as a top tier law firm in the newly-launched Legal 500 2020 edition for corporate and commercial, in addition to receiving high rankings across its other service offerings.

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Chester-based full fibre network operator, ITS, has announced the appointment of channel specialist Will Goodall as partnership development manager to continue building on the success of its UK-wide reseller and wholesale offer.

Will Goodall

Will has a particular focus on the East Midlands where ITS has a number of full fibre and hybrid networks.

Will joins from Virgin Media Business where he spent seven years forging an award-winning partner programme building key strategic relationships.

He said: “I am delighted to have joined the team at ITS. It offers an exciting opportunity to be integral to shaping the offer and be hands on with our partners, delivering a service that adds value and reaps rewards for both parties.

“There has never been a better time to be part of this seismic shift to full fibre access across the UK.”

Chief executive Daren Baythorpe said: “We are delighted to have Will on board. He brings a lot to the party, adding a huge amount of value to what is already a formidable team of partner experts.

“I am looking forward to working with him and seeing how our reseller and wholesale offer grows and evolves with his influence.”

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Planning and development consultancy, Lichfields, has recruited two new graduates for its Manchester office.

Will Hanson joined the firm last month and Max Kidd-Rossiter joined over the Summer – both are recent graduates rom the University of Sheffield.

Will left with a Masters in Real Estate, Planning and Development and is currently assisting with the delivery of the North Leigh Park major strategic site in Wigan for 1,800 dwellings and a section of link road connecting J26 of the M6 and J5 of the M61.

Max obtained a Masters in Urban Studies and Planning. Prior to this he has worked for a local planning authority’s policy department and a major housebuilder.

Max Kidd-Rossiter, left, and Will Hanson

He is currently working on development consent order application submissions relating to the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal and promoting strategic residential sites through various Local Plans for national housebuilders.

Simon Pemberton, senior director and head of the Manchester office, said: “The addition of Max and Will, two high-calibre graduates, to the Manchester office adheres to our growth agenda and they have hit the ground running since their arrival.”

These new hires takes Lichfields’ Manchester staff numbers up to 21, and follows the promotion of Caroline Musker to senior director in May earlier this year. Caroline joined the Manchester office as a graduate 15 years ago.

The office is currently involved in some major developments including the £80m Bredbury Gateway development for Quorum in Stockport and recently secured approval for the Florida Farm industrial development in St Helens for Bericote Properties.

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Bridge Insurance Brokers has appointed Sarah Harrop as head of HR as it continues to expand its business in the North and London.

Sarah is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and joins with more than 30 years’ HR experience gained in blue-chip companies including Airbus, BUPA and People Plus. She will be overseeing a team based in the company’s Manchester HQ on Charlotte Street.

“I’m joining Bridge at quite a pivotal time, which is really exciting from an HR point of view,” said Sarah.

“The business is renowned for its integrity, honesty and reliability amongst its long-standing clients and it’s really important that we maintain that as we grow into new industries.

Sarah Harrop

“We have a team of people who take great pride in what they do. I am committed to working with the board to ensure that, as our business grows, we continue to have an engaged workforce that works together to deliver an amazing service to our customers.”

Bridge is celebrating 50 years in business in 2020 and employs more than 100 people. Half a century on founders Mike Backner and Gilbert Cohen still work at the Manchester office every day.

The London arm of the business has just moved to new larger premises on Leadenhall Street in The City to facilitate its growth plans.

Mike said: “We are continuing to grow steadily, which has been our strategy since Gilbert and I decided to start the company at the close of 1969.”

Sarah said: “Next year will be quite the celebration and I’m delighted to be joining the company at such a great time.”