People: FRP; Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants; Kuits; Mint Property Finance; ICAEW; VM Family Law
Specialist business advisory firm FRP has strengthened its corporate finance offering in Manchester with a new senior appointment and a number of promotions, bookending a year of record growth for the team.
Daniel Brecker joins from Grant Thornton as an associate director, having spent more than 10 years operating in the sector. As a specialist in M&A, he brings a wealth of experience that has seen him advise a range of high profile businesses across the manufacturing, building products, business services and TMT sectors.
In his new role, Daniel will leverage his deal making experience to help further establish FRP’s corporate finance practice in Manchester as it continues to create value for its increasing network of clients across the North West.
Daniel’s appointment coincides with the announcement of the promotion of Michael Bloom to associate director and the recent recruitment of Amy Murphy from BDO. This significant strengthening of the corporate finance team sits alongside a well established restructuring advisory and debt advisory offering which provides a fully integrated service offering across the corporate lifecycle for regional clients.
The news follows a period of strong growth locally, with FRP’s corporate finance team in Manchester advising on a number of important deals. This includes the sale of ADC Bio to Sterling Pharma Solutions, and the sale of T Jolly to facilities management player JLA.
Heath Snyder, corporate finance partner at FRP, said: “Over the last year we’ve seen increased demand from clients looking for hands-on corporate finance advice to drive forward their growth ambitions, and as the economy begins to come out of lockdown this demand will only increase. To ensure we can meet this need it’s vital that we invest in our teams and continue to support clients with our knowledge and expertise.
“Daniel is a fantastic addition to our team – the experience and regional knowledge that he brings means we’re well placed to carry on supporting our clients across the North West while catering to increasing levels of demand. It’s also great to be able to recognise the performance of the wider team after what’s been an unusual 12 months.”
Heath added: “Nationally, we have invested heavily in our corporate finance offering over the last 12 months, and with the acquisition of JDC Corporate Finance and Spectrum Corporate Finance we have significant expertise, sector knowledge and capability to advise owner managers and investors on strategically important events in their corporate lifecycle.”
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The Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants AGM took place last week and for the first time since the war years the current president was elected to complete a second term in office. Rob Young , partner, SB&P, was appointed president for 2020/21 and will now continue in his role for 2021/22.
Rob began his career with the Liverpool office of Gruber Levinson Franks which became part of BDO Stoy Hayward. While there he worked with a wide array of SMEs with a particular emphasis on the retail and the legal sectors.
He joined SB&P in 2003 as an audit manager, then transitioned to special projects and corporate finance in 2006 and became a partner in 2008.
Rob Young
Rob will continue to support the society’s members from across Merseyside and Cheshire & North Wales which forms part of ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).
His primary role will be to oversee the delivery of a range of services for members including a series of CPD courses, an annual dinner, a variety of technical and networking events and discussion groups, as well as representing the interests of Chartered Accountants within the wider business community.
He will be supported in this role by deputy president, Justin Lang of Jacobs, Critical Mission Solutions – International and vice president Rob Adams of Grant Thornton.
Rob Young said: “We continue to live in exceptional times and my second year in office reflects this, being the first time someone has served consecutive terms since the Second World War. In contrast to the last year I’m hoping to be able to meet with members in the current year.”
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Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has strengthened its employment offering with the hire of senior associate, Claire Hollins.
Claire joins the team from Weightmans and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of employment law, with particular expertise in TUPE, restructuring and reorganisation matters.
With vast experience in acting for a range of employers in both the private and public sector, Claire’s recent work has included acting for clients in complex discrimination claims and TUPE disputes.
The hire comes after the team, which is ranked Tier One in the Legal 500 Directory for Employee work, recorded another growth year, in spite of the pandemic.
Claire Hollins
Kuits’ head of employment, Kevin McKenna, said: “The team is going from strength to strength. With a growing case load and another successful growth year, it was the perfect time to bring Claire into the team.
“We are delighted to have attracted such a highly skilled lawyer. Her knowledge, her legal expertise and her focus on client service are a phenomenal attribute to the team. I have worked with Claire previously, so I already know what a great lawyer she is. She commands huge respect. The team and I look forward to working with her.”
Claire said: “The transition into Kuits has been fantastic. The firm as a whole has supported my arrival and integration into my new role.
“The employment team at Kuits has a great reputation, and I am, therefore, really pleased to be joining the team.”
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Altrincham-based specialist finance lender, Mint Property Finance, has appointed four new recruits.
The news comes as the privately funded lender reports another record-breaking month (April 2021), exceeding figures revealed in March with a more than 10% revenue increase.
The appointments, across four business areas, further strengthen the award winning team, satisfying increased demand and positioning Mint Property Finance well for continued business growth.
Leading the list of new recruits is Stephen Cunningham who joins the business as marketing manager. A seasoned marketing professional with more than six years’ industry experience, Stephen moves Mint’s sales and marketing strategy significantly forward as the business prepares to launch a suite of innovative new market-beating products.
Clockwise from top left: Andy Dunn, Marc Williams, Lee Green, Stephen Cunningham
Andy Dunn strengthens the development support team with exceptional sector knowledge and specialist lending expertise. As a highly skilled development underwriter support, his career spans more than 13 years.
The company also welcomes Marc Williams to its team of accomplished underwriters. Joining from Together, Marc has almost 10 years’ experience in the industry. He brings an impressive level of technical expertise to the team, as well as remarkable attention to detail and a strong analytical approach.
Bolstering the team further is Lee Green, who takes on the role of portfolio manager. Lee excels at evaluating market trends and his excellent understanding of the specialist lending industry, combined with his personable approach, make him a valuable addition to the business.
Founder and managing director of Mint, Andrew Lazare, said: “As a business that prides itself on bringing the human touch to specialist lending, our success is very much down to our people and investing in the right team forms a key part of our growth strategy.
“As we celebrate our 10th year of business with month-on-month growth it feels like the right time to further bolster the team with additional expertise, and I am confident that every one of our new hires will each play a significant role in what is now a 50-strong team.
“Our people-first culture is what sets us apart and Stephen, Andy, Marc and Lee, who each bring a different set of skills to the business, are a great fit with our growing team. We’re thrilled to have them on board as we embark on an exciting new phase of expansion.”
The new hires follow the appointment of seasoned business development manager, Wayne Lee, who returned to Mint last month, having first worked with the business in 2015.
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Shru Morris has been elected president of ICAEW Lancashire and South Lakeland. She takes the reins from past president Robert Sheffrin, who led during 2020-2021 with the support of the committee. Shru is CEO of regional law firm Napthens.
Shru Morris
She will support Lancashire and South Lakeland’s 1,880 members across the area, which forms part of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Her primary role will be to represent, promote and support chartered accountants in the region. She will also oversee the delivery of a range of services for members including a series of professional development courses, and a variety of technical and networking events, subject to COVID restrictions.
Shru Morris said: “It is an honour to represent Chartered Accountants in Lancashire and South Lakeland and I’m very much looking forward to the year ahead. I aim to encourage local members, in both practice and business, to engage with us so that we can provide effective support and ensure that the views of Chartered Accountants are promoted both locally and nationally.
“I also aim to build on the society’s excellent work by continuing to deliver high quality events to support members, especially those affected by the current crisis.”
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A firm of Bolton solicitors started at the beginning of the year has taken on a new consultant solicitor with a further lawyer arriving in a few months’ time.
VM Family Law was established by well known family law solicitor Victoria Melling. Now, she is joined by consultant solicitor Janet Larkin who has been in practice for more than 35 years.
Janet was most recently with HCB Solicitors in Wigan and prior to that at Alker, Ball, Healds. Before that, she was a partner at Healds, also in Wigan, for many years.
Victoria Melling and Janet Larkin
Janet, a trained counsellor, is an expert in resolving the financial aspects involved in marriage breakdown. She has extensive experience in dealing with Children Act matters and cases where there has been domestic abuse.
She said: “I believe that people should get good legal advice as early as possible and then they can consider the options and the future with some knowledge and certainty.”
Since opening in January, VM Family Law has attracted a large number of new clients.
“I’m really pleased at how fast the company is growing,” said Victoria.
“In addition to Janet, another highly experienced family lawyer will be joining us in August. It just goes to show that there is a real demand at the current time for expert family advice from people who care.”
