People on the Move: YFM Equity Partners; Ward Hadaway; Glaisyers Solicitors

Expanding PE house YFM Equity Partners, which has offices in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and London, has appointed Roshan Puri as an investment director.

Roshan joins YFM from Calculus Capital where he invested in companies across the software, business services and consumer sectors.

He also sat on various boards helping investee companies deliver their growth plans and realise value.

Roshan’s previous investments include the workforce optimisation software business ActiveOps, digital asset management software company IPV and marketing agency Once Upon a Time.

Jamie Roberts, partner at YFM, said: “It’s great that we are welcoming Roshan as the second new recruit to join the YFM investment team this month.

“Roshan has significant experience, particularly in the tech sector, which will help us accelerate the investment rate from our recently raised £80m Buyout Fund II and our growth capital focused VCTs.

“The committed capital across both of our investment strategies means that we remain very much open for business and are still actively looking for new investments.

“Throughout YFM’s 38-year history of supporting SMEs, we have invested through various economic cycles and growing our team reflects our commitment to continuing to do that.”

Roshan added: “Joining YFM is a great opportunity for me.

“The firm’s experience in investing in businesses across the UK and the level of support they provide is evidenced by their impressive track record.

“The flexibility of YFM’s funds, their strong regional presence and exceptional people have earned them a fantastic reputation and I am pleased to be joining the team.

“I’m looking forward to helping support great management teams seeking an investment partner to realise their growth.”

YFM typically invests between £3m and £10m per transaction into businesses with strong growth potential located across the UK regions through YFM’s network of offices.

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Law firm Ward Hadaway has expanded its team in Manchester with the appointment of four new lawyers, specialising in family matters.

The moves see partners Christine Barker and Liz Bottrill, associate David Burrows and solicitor Rachael Longman join Ward Hadaway as an integrated team from Laytons.

They will be incorporating solicitor Jodi Tuson, who has been at Ward Hadaway for a number of years, into the new team.

The foursome brings more than 75 years of combined experience with them, focusing on family matters involving children, pre-, mid- and post-nuptial agreements and divorce.

They also have a particular specialism in issues concerning surrogacy and fertility. The appointments, planned long before the coronavirus outbreak, bolster Ward Hadaway’s growing full-service legal team in Manchester.

Ward Hadaway partner, Paul Johnson, said: “We are delighted to welcome Christine, Liz, David and Rachael to the team.

Clockwise, from top left: Rachael Longman, David Burrows, Christine Barker and Liz Bottrill

“They join us in very unusual circumstances, but as a firm we are fully set up to deliver a full service to our clients remotely, and so they have still been able to hit the ground running.

“The appointments are an integral part of our strategic growth plans for the Manchester office.

“Whilst coronavirus has undoubtedly changed the landscape for all businesses, including ours, we are looking to the future with positivity and that includes our commitment to the new team.

“Despite the rapid pace of change we are all tackling, we know from our clients and contacts that their worlds do keep turning, and there is still a need for legal advice on many fronts.

“The family team will help us ensure we are prepared to serve our clients not only now, but in the future, so we are in a strong position to drive the business forward once the immediate crisis is over.”

Christine Barker said: “It’s great to be part of a large and professional integrated firm with such a breadth of expertise.

“The four of us have worked together for many years and bring a wealth of experience. We have a reputation for handling often difficult family situations with sensitivity and care, especially where children are concerned and we’re looking forward to continuing to deliver that service at Ward Hadaway.”

Liz Bottrill added: “We were attracted to Ward Hadaway as it’s a dynamic firm with clear plans for growth.

“With our regional reputation in family law and a strong network in Manchester, Cheshire and the wider North West, we further strengthen the reach and reputation of the team, as together we build for the future and achieve the huge potential that’s there.

“This will initially have to happen remotely, but we are looking forward to working alongside our new colleagues in person when the time comes.”

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Glaisyers Solicitors has made seven promotions as it positions itself for life after lockdown.

Four of its staff have been promoted to partnership while a further three have become senior associates.

Head of private client, Chris Burrows, head of costs, Michael Fletcher, legal director in the property department, Mick Hewitt and practice manager Sue Rocca have all been made partner in this round of promotions.

Alison Rocca and Hannah Vachre, from the firm’s litigation practice, and Sam Gill from the residential conveyancing department have, meanwhile, each been promoted to the role of senior associate.

David Jones, equity partner and head of litigation at Glaisyers, said: “This round of promotions had been decided a couple of months ago – before the coronavirus was even a thing – and we felt that a pandemic shouldn’t affect our colleagues receiving the recognition they deserve.

“Plus the technology we put in place about six months ago means our team are working the same as if they were in the office.

“So, if our people are still working like normal, why not continue with plans as much as we can?

L to R top: Chris Burrows, Michael Fletcher, Mick Hewitt. Bottom: Sue Rocca, Alison Rocca, Hannah Vachre, Sam Gill

“In particular we were delighted to be able to recognise Sue Rocca’s status within the firm.

“She has had her hand on the tiller at Glaisyers for more than 20 years and, with the firm now being constituted as an alternative business structure (ABS), it only seemed right to recognise her importance and seniority within the organisation.”

Ms Rocca said: “I have been at Glaisyers for the majority of my professional career. Things have changed so much since I joined, and I’m delighted to continue my journey with the firm as a partner.

“My promotion, and those of my colleagues, shows how much the whole team are appreciated, and that hard work will be recognised by the firm’s management team.”

In late 2018 Glaisyers underwent a management buy-in led by equity partners David Jones and David Marlor, backed by the international professional services group ETL Global. The Manchester and London-based firm increased its headcount by 25% in 2019 and now employs more than 75 people.

Glaisyers’ staff have been working from home since before the formal lockdown began. The smooth transition to remote working was aided greatly by a root and branch replacement of the firm’s IT systems that took place in Autumn 2019.