People on the Move: Vincents Solicitors; Broudie Jackson Canter; Fletchers Solicitors; ICG
Lisa Lodge has been appointed branch development director and promoted to the board at Vincents Solicitors.
A private client solicitor specialising in wills, trusts and lasting power of attorney, Lisa has been head of the firm’s Garstang office since her arrival at the firm in 2016.
Her promotion to the board, and to oversee the high street branches, is in recognition of the work she has done in helping to expand the private client base across the business, which is up 70% in three years, and supporting staff in all branches where business has increased by more than a third over the past two years.
Lisa said: “Our branch network is a vital part of the business and our high street presence makes us easily accessible for so many people.
“Developing the branches, ensuring they are providing a top quality service, that they have the resources needed to support clients, and helping the teams to engage with their local communities, is a vital role and one I am incredibly proud to have been trusted with.”
Lisa’s is one of a number of corporate promotions within the firm, which is based at Winckley Square in Preston and has branch offices in Garstang, Penwortham, Chorley and two in Lytham.
June Caunce, a highly-experienced conveyancer who joined the firm’s Chorley team from Countrywide in 2016, has been named head of residential conveyancing. June’s track record for providing a swift and professional service for those moving home, and her help training and supporting other members of the conveyancing team, has made her popular with clients and colleagues alike.
And as part of the firm’s investment in administration and internal infrastructure, which has also involved the installation of new IT and telephone systems, the head office senior support teams have also been boosted.
Gill Waterhouse has been promoted to administration manager while Gail Maudsley becomes lead receptionist. And chief cashier Melanie Coupe has also taken on additional responsibilities.
Phillip Gilmore, managing director of Vincents Solicitors, said: “Vincents is in a period of growth and we are looking to increase headcount by more than a third over the next three years. As the practice continues to expand, therefore, we need leaders with the knowledge and experience to support our ambitions right across all areas of the business.”
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Law firm Broudie Jackson Canter (BJC) has bolstered its Manchester immigration team with the appointment of Alex Wright, a private immigration lawyer with more than eight years’ specialist experience.
A native Mancunian, Alex has worked in immigration law for many years and joins BJC from a role with the Immigration Advice Service.
He has a broad range of experience in all areas of privately-funded immigration work, with particular expertise in assisting families under the Immigration Rules, as well as applications made on Human Rights grounds for those without status.
BJC’s specialist team of immigration lawyers offers a full immigration service.
The team’s primary focus is achieving positive outcomes for clients and the firm has an excellent record of success in all areas of work. The firm also acts for European clients who want to secure their future in the UK in light of the Brexit negotiations.
Alex Wright
Jacqueline Mason, head of immigration, said: “In our rapidly changing geo-political climate, people are more in need of expert immigration advice than ever, so we’re very pleased to be welcoming a lawyer of Alex’s calibre to our team. He has a real depth of experience in immigration law and a genuine passion for the sector.
“BJC is a firm which puts people first and strives at every point to make a positive difference and I am sure Alex will be a real asset to the team.
“Bolstering our private immigration service will enable our firm to support families, individuals and businesses struggling with this complex area of law, and Alex will play an important role in this process.”
A regular advocate at the First-Tier Tribunal, Alex has contributed to the immigration section of the Bloomsbury academic book ‘Doing Business After Brexit’. He has a strong interest in the rights and interests of LGBT+ asylum seekers and has previously worked with the LGBT Foundation in Manchester to assist them with their provision of services to this community.
He said: “I’m excited to join BJC due to its strong reputation in providing access to justice and because of the sterling work done by the firm’s legal aid immigration team. The staff here clearly care deeply about their clients and the work they do. My intent is to provide that same level of outstanding service to our private clients in the local area.”
Broudie Jackson Canter is part of the award-winning Jackson Lees Group. The group provides a full-service legal solution to personal and commercial clients and has more than 280 employees across six offices in the North West.
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Fletchers Solicitors has appointed a specialist head of travel litigation as part of its continued growth.
Mike Hagan has joined the firm as head of travel litigation, based at the Southport headquarters.
Mike, who specialises in foreign jurisdiction and international litigation work, has formerly held senior roles across a number of personal injury practices, including as part of Slater & Gordon’s flagship travel litigation team,
In the newly-created role at Fletchers, Mike will be responsible for handling a variety of personal injury cases that occur abroad.
These include package holiday cases – including slips and trips at hotels – accidents on board aircraft and ships, ‘non package’ accidents in and outside the EU, sporting and road traffic accidents.
Fletchers Solicitors has created the role as part of its ongoing growth ambitions, with turnover having increased to £29.2m in the last financial year.
Mike Hagan
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) have also increased from £6m in 2018 to £6.6m in 2019, largely due to the continued expansion of Fletchers’ Manchester office, as well as the medical negligence side of the business maturing.
Mike is ranked in the Legal 500 which states: “Mike is a truly exceptional solicitor, adored by his clients and well-respected by firms acting for opposing parties.”
Mike said: “I am delighted to join the team at Fletchers and develop this exciting new side of the business.
“Travel litigation cases often need specialist lawyers to deal with them who are experienced dealing with complex matters of jurisdiction and foreign law, so I’m hopeful that this new expansion will strengthen both Fletchers’ renowned personal injury department and the firm’s offering to clients.”
Adrian Denson, chief legal officer at Fletchers, said: “Mike has vast experience and the knowledge needed to lead our development into the complex travel litigation space, which will really bolster the incredible work that our teams already do.
“This is a key appointment for Fletchers as we continue to expand our comprehensive personal injury offering, so we are extremely pleased to have him on board.”
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North West creative agency ICG has filled two senior positions following the appointment of Jenny Clark and Iain Wood to its Preston-based team.
Jenny Clark has joined ICG as PR manager, bringing with her more than 13 years’ experience in her field. During her career Jenny has been involved in delivering exciting and unique PR campaigns for a variety of organisations.
Jenny previously worked as a PR and content manager for Blackpool-based agency Happy Creative. She is working with ICG’s clients including equipment and tool hire specialist A-Plant and international blinds and shutters manufacturer Luxaflex to support them in their PR and digital marketing activity.
Jenny Clark
Iain Wood has taken on the role of PPC & SEO specialist, with a varied digital marketing background he brings with him 10 years of industry knowledge and experience.
Iain joined ICG from Bring Digital and is working with a roster of ICG’s clients including outlet shopping centre London Designer Outlet, vehicle manufacturer Iveco, and educational publisher EPSL helping them to improve their online visibility, while driving leads and sales to their websites.
Iain Wood
Simon Couchman, joint managing director at ICG, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jenny and Iain to the ICG family. Their level of knowledge and experience will be a huge asset for both the agency and our clients.
“Jenny’s strategic and marketing know-how means that she has been able to quickly resonate with our clients in many different sectors.
“Iain’s analytical thinking is proving extremely beneficial in providing further insights into our clients’ digital performance.”
Jenny and Iain bring the agency’s headcount to 22.
