People: Vincents Solicitors; Greater Manchester LEP; British Asian Trust; DTE Business Advisers;

Lancashire law firm Vincents Solicitors has taken additional space at Lytham’s Jubilee House to accommodate the arrival of a new commercial property department.
Vincents has welcomed Sophie Mercer and Yasmine Dragan to head up the Fylde coast offering, working alongside department head Craig Aikman.

Solicitor Sophie Mercer joins the firm from PHH in Cleveleys, prior to which she trained and qualified at Napthens in Blackpool. Legal assistant Yasmine Dragan, currently in Year 2 of a degree apprenticeship, comes direct from Napthens where she has worked for 14 years.

Sophie is a specialist in landlord and tenant matters, and leases and refinancing arrangements, and has been brought in to assist with the vast growth in commercial work the firm has seen over the past two years.

She said the current market was incredibly buoyant with refinance arrangements and lease negotiations, particularly on the Fylde coast. “The strength of the market might seem quite surprising given the current situation, but there is always opportunity for businesses looking to buy property or arrange new leases during economic uncertainty.”

Craig Aikman, head of the firm’s property department, said the new Lytham commercial team would boost the local expertise available for clients active on the Fylde coast. He said: “Sophie is an excellent commercial property solicitor and a well respected operator on the local scene. Her network of referrers and connections know her strengths well, and have full confidence in the technical accuracy and efficiency she brings to her work.

“Together with her highly experienced assistant Yasmine, their commitment to excellence and ability to generate new work will make the new team a huge asset to our department.”

Based in Preston’s Winckley Square, Vincents has six offices throughout the county, two of which are in Lytham. The Fylde coast corporate and commercial hub has grown significantly since it first launched at Jubilee House in August 2019 with five people. It expanded with a dedicated four-strong residential property team during 2020, and the firm has this month moved to a new larger office within the building to house all three departments and provide space for continued expansion.

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The Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP) is set to appoint five new board members as the city region looks to create a fairer and greener economy beyond the pandemic.

Joining the board are: Vimla Appadoo, co-founder and director of culture design, Honey Badger; Dr Marilyn Comrie, director, The Blair Project; Steve Connor, CEO, Creative Concern; Justin Kelly, director, Siemens UK; Miles Rothbury, head of asset finance, HSBC UK.

Lou Cordwell

The GM LEP is the body that brings together senior figures from the business community, academia, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and other public sector leaders to set Greater Manchester’s strategic course and drive prosperity, economic growth and job creation in the city region.

Chair, Lou Cordwell, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Vimla, Marilyn, Steve, Justin and Miles. Each will offer new ideas and fresh perspectives to our board, and I’m looking forward to working together as we look to implement our Economic Vision.

“This refresh comes at a pivotal moment as we look forward to the gradual easing of restrictions and towards an economic recovery. We’re determined to seize the opportunity to reset our economy, creating a greener, fairer Greater Manchester.”

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A GP who is spearheading a COVID-19 vaccination programme and COVID-19-risk GP services in Wigan, has been appointed as an advisor to an international development organisation which is improving lives in South Asia.

The British Asian Trust has announced the appointment of Dr Shikha Pitalia, director of Wigan-based GP practice federation SSP Health, as the latest member of its advisory council in the UK.

Dr Pitalia is also chair of Wigan GP Alliance and sits on the Healthier Wigan Board. She has led the successful response and roll-out of COVID-19-safe services for the 330,000 residents in the borough.

Dr Pitalia is founder of SSP Health, the largest provider of GP services in North West England, and director of Pall Mall Medical, an independent organisation providing private healthcare, diagnostics and cosmetic services in the UK.

Dr Shikha Pitalia

She joins Lord Zameer Choudrey (Bestway Group), Simon Arora (B&M Retail), Tom Singh and others on the council. The trust was founded in 2007 by Prince Charles and a group of Asian business leaders to tackle challenges and support positive change within South Asia.

Dr Pitalia, whose GP federation manages surgeries across the North West, was born in Delhi, India, and came to the UK as a child. After graduating in medicine from Manchester University, Dr Pitalia joined her GP father at his practice in St Helens before forming SSP Health with her husband, Dr Sanjay Pitalia.

She has been honoured with the North West Inspiring Women Award and included in the list of Indian Influencers in Greater Manchester for her numerous achievements.

Dr Pitalia said: “I am honoured to add working with the British Asian Trust as the newest role in my portfolio and am truly excited to play a part in its ambitious plans for the future.”

Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the British Asian Trust said: “We are delighted that Dr Shikha Pitalia has joined our advisory council. It is through the guidance of our advisory councils and our board of trustees that we do all we can to be cost effective, accountable and make the greatest possible impact with the funds entrusted to us.”

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Following their nearly five and seven years, respectively, at DTE Business Advisers, Jonathan Yip and Jonathan Harris have enhanced their career further with a promotion to audit managers at the firm’s accounts and audit department in its Bury Head office.

Jonathan Harris

Both young accountants, have to date, carried out extensive work for DTE clients – SMEs in various sectors across the Greater Manchester and North West region.

Jonathan Harris joined as a graduate trainee after completing his Bachelor’s degree at Lancaster University, and has been with the company for more than six years, while Jonathan Yip worked for three years as an audit executive in Hong Kong before moving to the UK and joining DTE in 2016.

In their new position as audit managers, both young professionals will continue to work closely with clients to support them in their needs, overseeing audit fieldwork, as well as supervising the training of juniors.

Jonathan Yip

Fiona O’Loughlin, director and head of audit at DTE Bury, said: “For the past year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to adjust the way we work with and support clients in many aspects, but both Jonathan Harris and Jonathan Yip have shown a remarkable resilience and adapted quickly to the new way of working. Promoting them to Managers reflects DTE’s ethos of nurturing and rewarding talented staff as we continue to support our clients with unrivalled hands-on service. We wish them both every success in their new roles.”

Jonathan Yip said: “With eight years of experience in audit and accounts in small to publicly listed companies, this new position will provide me with the opportunity to work more closely with our clients and to give them the full support that they need as many face increased challenges during the global pandemic.”

Jonathan Harris said: “I am really excited to be undertaking this new role. Having now worked at DTE for nearly seven years, I have been able to gain experience in accounts and audit, management accounts, bookkeeping and tax, and in businesses operating in a range of difference services. This has helped me understand the needs and requirements of our clients, and help build strong relationships over the years.”

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