People on the Move: Redrow; St John’s Buildings; Dow Schofield Watts; Napthens; More Media Sales

Gary Collison

Housebuilder Redrow’s newest quantity surveyors will help keep budgets in check at sites across the North West.

Gary Collison and Kieran Bate have joined Redrow’s North West division, based in Daresbury, Cheshire, which has developments throughout Cheshire and parts of North Wales, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

Gary, 48, who lives in Greasby, Wirral, began his career in the housebuilding industry but spent several years in the water industry, before returning to “what he knows best”. He’s joined Redrow as a senior quantity surveyor from Countryside Properties.

“It’s an exciting time to have joined Redrow as they have lots of great schemes in progress and in the pipeline. I’ve always known about Redrow’s reputation from working in the industry and I’m looking forward to now being part of delivering these fantastic communities,” he said.

He will be responsible for the commercial management of Ledsham Garden Village, in West Cheshire, a flagship Redrow development that comprises three live outlets and a new development in Knutsford commencing in the Summer of 2020.

Kieran Bate, 30, from Wigan, has joined Redrow’s Daresbury Park-based operation as a senior quantity surveyor, after working at Seddon Construction as a quantity surveyor for the past eight years.

Kieran Bate

“I was working at Seddon Construction on the trainee day release scheme working four days, with one day a week dedicated to university. After graduating I progressed through the company as a senior member of the social housing commercial team,” said Kieran.

“But the time came for me to try something new, I needed a new challenge and to progress my career.”

Kieran will be taking care of the procurement of subcontractors and cost management at sites across the North West.

Jason Newton, managing director of Redrow Homes (NW), said: “Gary and Kieran are welcome additions to the business.

“Their experience and knowledge means they’re well placed to help us manage costs through all stages of the building process, which will be key to the continued growth of the business and remaining profitable while we deliver much-needed new homes.”

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St John’s Buildings barrister Samantha Hillas has officially been appointed Queen’s Counsel after a ceremony at Westminster Hall in London.

A senior member of the matrimonial finance team, Samantha was called to the Bar in 1996, and has built a reputation as a specialist in high net worth and complex cases, especially those involving marital agreements, trusts and corporate structures, cases involving non-disclosure and Schedule 1 Children Act.

Samantha Hillas

Samantha has been consistently included in the legal directories, where most recently she was recognised as “a rising star and great advocate, with an excellent ability to grasp the heart of the case quickly” (Chambers UK Bar) and “a force to be reckoned with” (Legal 500).

She is one of 114 new Queen’s Counsel appointments, made by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC, MP, following consideration by the independent Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel. This year 60% of women who applied were successful, an increase of 10% from 2018.

Frances Heaton QC, joint head of chambers at St John’s Buildings, said: “We are delighted that Samantha has been appointed Queen’s Counsel – it is testament to her expertise, her hard work and her constant drive to put her clients first.

“Following the appointment of Lorraine Cavanagh QC last year, Samantha will be the fifth member of our family team to take Silk and it is fantastic to see our first-rate reputation in family law go from strength to strength.”

Sir Alex Allan, chair of the selection panel, said: “’I am delighted at the announcement of the new Silks. I congratulate each one of them – the selection process is a rigorous and demanding one.”

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Advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts has expanded its North West corporate finance team with the appointment of Rachel Green as executive.

Rachel Green

Rachel joins from Deloitte, where she spent six years working in international audit for clients including US-listed companies, carrying out financial due diligence for businesses involved in acquisitions and where she qualified as a chartered accountant.

At Dow Schofield Watts she will be advising clients on deals such as acquisitions, disposals, buyouts and raising funds.

James Dow, founding partner, said: “We are pleased to welcome Rachel to the team.

“We continue to recruit high-calibre staff and expand in line with our growing reputation as a leading dealmaker, both in the North West market and nationwide.”

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Regional law firm Napthens has announced investment in its residential conveyancing offer, with seven recruits including a new business development manager.

Solicitor Sophia Khan joins the firm’s Blackburn office, Hazel Jones in Kendal and Anna Nodwell in Blackpool, while associate solicitor Surekha Gangakhedkar strengthens the team in Preston, along with conveyancing executives Heather Taylor-Felton and Shellene Blackman.

From left: Shellene Blackman, Heather Taylor-Felton, Hazel Jones, Sophia Khan

Talitha Murphy is appointed as business development manager for residential conveyancing across the firm in Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside.

Sarah Barnes, head of residential conveyancing, said: “Our team remains busy, and this latest round of recruitments is a significant sign of our commitment to providing the highest levels of service for our clients.

“Buying a home is often the most important financial decision a person will make in their lives, and we’re investing, not just in our people, but also behind the scenes, in the technology supporting them.”

Napthens is a regional law firm serving businesses and individuals from offices across Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria.

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More Media Sales, has boosted its team to handle a new brief from leading influencer platform Takumi.

The Manchester-based agency has agreed a deal to support the influencer marketing service with sales outside of London, and to expand awareness of Takumi’s services across the regions.

Phoebe Carter will run the account as account executive.

The partnership is the latest in a recent list of high-profile business wins from More Media Sales, which recently struck exclusive regional deals with City AM and Stylist.

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