People on the Move: Burnley Bondholders; incspaces; Keystone Law; Anwyl Homes Lancashire; Farleys Solicitors

Chief executive of Burnley Football Club, Neil Hart, has been announced as the new chair of Burnley Bondholders.

Burnley Bondholders was established more than a decade ago to drive forward a new Burnley brand – a new way of thinking and a new way of doing things to make Burnley a place where businesses could flourish, and businesses wanted to invest.

There are more than 200 members, with many businesses joining over the past few months after realising the benefits of being part of the supportive and influential network during such turbulent times.

The Burnley brand and Burnley Bondholder scheme is led by the Focus Burnley Group, of which Mr Hart is the new chair.

He will carry out his duties alongside his role as CEO of Burnley FC. His new position was announced by Mick Cartledge, CEO of Burnley Borough Council.

Mr Hart said: “It’s been a challenging time for our town over the past few months, but I’ve been amazed at how the Burnley Bondholders and other businesses, along with our community groups and residents, have pulled together during this period.

“It’s an honour to become the new chair and I look forward to working with the bondholders, Burnley Borough Council and our other partners to help steer the town into recovery and to attract further investment to Burnley, of which there has been £900m over the past 10 years.”

He added: “Burnley FC and Burnley FC in the Community have been bondholders for some time and we already understand the benefits of being part of this network and the incredible work it does for our town.

“We know as a town we have a challenging time ahead, but there has been a huge number of positive stories and successes, too, and I know there will continue to be many more.”

Mr Cartledge said: “Neil will make a fantastic chair – anyone who knows him will say he is passionate about our town, understands what we are trying to achieve and champions our business community.

“The town has an innovative, resilient and entrepreneurial spirit – much like Burnley FC – and I look forward to working more closely with Neil during his time as chair.”

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Incspaces, which provides serviced office space in Manchester, Leeds and London, has appointed Laura Shields as sales director and member of the firm’s executive leadership team.

With the launch last month of an 11,500 sq ft flexspace development on Princess Street in Manchester, the business has plans to grow its eight-site portfolio to 24 flexible serviced office space schemes by 2022.

Andrew Butler, incspaces commercial director, said: “Flexible office space is in demand like never before as the seismic changes to the UK and global economies inevitably take effect on the way that people now need, and want, to work.

Laura Shields

“We’re striving to ensure we can be part of the solution by providing increased amounts of flexible, modern, serviced workspace that meets the needs of both organisations and individuals, and we’re really pleased to welcome Laura on board as part of our growth plans.”

Ms Shields, who has a decade of experience in the serviced office industry, said: “My career so far in office space has been all about meeting clients’ needs rather than selling off-the-shelf solutions, which chimes with incspaces’ own ethos.

“The need for high-quality flexible space is urgent right now and I’m excited to join a team that has the enthusiasm and ambition to make a real difference.”

Incspaces is making free-of-charge desk space available at its new Manchester development on Princess Street to people who have been furloughed or made redundant, as well as to start-up businesses.

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Keystone Law has appointed dispute resolution lawyer Elaine Chan who joins the firm as a partner from Ward Hadaway. Elaine, who is based in Manchester, boosts the firm’s offering in the North West.

Elaine has more than 17 years’ experience advising on commercial and insurance litigation.

She is an expert in managing high-value product liability claims on behalf of insurer and corporate clients.

Many of the disputes Elaine advises on are multi-jurisdictional, and a number of them have carried commercial and reputational implications which she has dealt with.

Elaine also deals with a range of other disputes such as insurance, construction, contracts, subrogated recoveries, jurisdiction, property damage, occupier’s liability and nuisance claims.

As a CEDR Accredited Mediator, Elaine is highly experienced in alternative dispute resolution, having conducted several successful mediations on behalf of clients.

In addition to her extensive litigation practice, she has a range of experience working with businesses from China and Hong Kong, and UK businesses trading with China, in finding practical commercial solutions to legal issues.

Elaine Chan

Elaine joins a growing number of Keystone lawyers who are based in the North West of England and service clients in the region, nationally and internationally.

Keystone’s innovative model supports lawyers to provide top-level advice and services while utilising cutting-edge technology and modern working practices to be able to work flexibly.

James Knight, CEO and founder of Keystone Law, said: “Elaine is a highly experienced litigator and her specialist expertise in commercial and insurance litigation will benefit our clients tremendously. Dispute resolution is one of Keystone’s most robust offerings and Elaine’s appointment will further enhance our capabilities in this area.”

Elaine said: “Keystone has an excellent reputation in the market and a large team of highly experienced litigation lawyers.

“The flexibility and autonomy that Keystone’s innovative model provides is perfect for my practice and I will continue to support my clients in the North West, nationally and internationally. I very much look forward to developing my practice at the firm.”

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Science graduate Chloe Annis, from St Helens, has been taken on as an apprentice assistant site manager by Anwyl Homes Lancashire and is the housing and property group’s first female recruit in the construction trainee role.

Chloe graduated last year from the University of Chester with a First Class Honours Degree in Biological Sciences and was looking to pursue a career in a medical path lab or working with animals.

While looking for permanent work she took a job with a contract cleaning company and, when COVID struck, found herself working at Anwyl Homes’ Lea Grange site in St Helens, helping to make sure the site facilities and homes under construction remained a safe, COVID-free working environment.

She said: “I found myself really enjoying being there, liking the people and started showing an interest in and asking questions about the jobs they did.

Chloe Annis with site manager James Mackenzie

“The more I found out about the processes involved the more interested I became, so when the construction director asked me if I’d be interested in working for Anwyl I jumped at the chance – even though I’d never imagined myself pursuing a career in construction. My family and friends are surprised, too, but really pleased for me.”

Chloe’s apprentice role combines on-the-job training with attending Wigan & Leigh College one day a week to study for a level 3 Apprenticeship in Construction.

Shaun Sumner is construction director for Anwyl Homes Lancashire, which is based at Buckshaw Village, Chorley, and has housing developments in Lancashire and Merseyside. He said: “I was immediately struck by Chloe’s enthusiasm, interest and commitment – then I learned that she was cycling 25 minutes to site each day, too, and realised what a strong work ethic she had. That’s just the sort of person we want for this type of role – previous construction or trade experience isn’t always essential, we’re looking for management potential and the willingness and ability to learn the skills involved.”

He added: “Chloe is our first Lancashire apprentice as well as being the group’s first female trainee site manager. We are also looking to start recruiting trade apprentices in the new year.”

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Law firm Farleys Solicitors has added another specialism to its serious crime team with the recruitment of solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate, Gareth Hawden, who brings more than 10 years of firearms law experience to complement the team’s existing expertise across complex, specialist and serious criminal defence.

Representing clients across the country, Gareth advises a wide range of businesses, organisations and individual certificate holders in relation to firearms legal and regulatory issues, including ownership, use and licensing.

He has a proven track record in licensing appeals, in addition to representing those involved in firearms offences, and is an experienced advocate in the Magistrates’, Crown, and Coroner’s Courts.

Gareth Hawden

Ranked as a ‘top tier’ criminal defence firm for more than 17 years by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 Guides to the Profession, Farleys’ serious srime team acts for clients across the country in a wide range of serious and complex cases brought by various prosecuting authorities, including the NCA, SOCA, and Regional Organised Crime Units.

Gareth said: “I am delighted to have joined Farleys and such a reputable team.

“Firearms law and licensing is complex and brings severe sanctions for those who do not comply or understand the complexities. Taking early advice is always crucial in any firearms situation to ensure you are effectively and strongly represented.”

Paul Schofield, partner and head of department, said: “Gareth has a wealth of experience and a proven track record for delivering first class advice and representation to clients.

“We are delighted to welcome him to our team here at Farleys as we continue to maintain our position and reputation at the forefront of serious and complex defence cases.”