People: JMW; MHA Moore and Smalley; CMS; Bond Turner; Shawton Energy

Jamie Rhind has joined Manchester law firm JMW Solicitors as a support manager for catastrophic injury clients in the personal injury and medical negligence departments.

The newly created role will see Jamie provide a peer-led support service to clients who have suffered a severe injury, such as a brain or spinal cord injury, due to an accident or something that has gone wrong with their medical care. He will also support JMW’s relationships with key charity and healthcare partners.

Jamie sustained a spinal cord injury 25 years ago and understands the complexities of rebuilding a life after catastrophic injury. He has worked in the charitable sector for the last 15 years, the majority of which was with the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), where he headed up its services department.

He previously worked on BBC’s Dragon’s Den as part of the production team in Manchester.

Jamie commented: “JMW does amazing work supporting clients who have sustained a catastrophic injury by helping them to receive the rehabilitation and compensation that will aid them in rebuilding their life. My role will enhance that offering and make it more holistic, so that we can ensure that clients who are at the start of their journey have the support they need. That might be ensuring they have access to the benefits payments they are entitled to while their legal case is ongoing or advising them on accessible housing and options around care.

“I believe everyone with a disability should be able to live a fulfilling life. In the 25 years since my injury, I have completed my studies, carved out a career, gotten married and become a dad, travelling the world in the process.” 

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Andrew Feeke and Rob Dawes

MHA Moore and Smalley has hired Rob Dawes as a corporate finance partner in the firm’s Manchester office to build a transaction services team to work with private equity firms and mid-market corporates to provide financial due diligence and strategic deal advisory services.

He joins the firm after five years with Grant Thornton where he was a director. Prior to this, he worked in corporate finance roles for several big four accounting firms, both in the UK and Australia.

Rainmaker of the year Andrew Feeke, partner and head of MHA Moore and Smalley’s corporate finance team, said: “Rob’s appointment marks the next stage in our growth and sees us create a dedicated transaction services specialism, enabling us to become a genuine full-service, specialist mid-market corporate finance team across the North.

“His years of experience advising on buyside private equity transactions and the buy and build strategies of mid to large corporates make him the ideal person to lead our transaction services team.”

His appointment takes the size of the firm’s corporate finance team to 14, and the firm is looking to grow the team further in the coming months as the transaction services offering develops.

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Mark Haywood (RE Partner), Tanya Holt (RE Partner and head of CMS northern offices) and Michael Buchanan.

International law firm CMS has strengthened its Real Estate offering in the North West with the appointment of partner Michael Buchanan in Manchester.

He joins from Eversheds Sutherland where he has built a reputation for specialising in complex, high value and long-term urban regeneration development and investment projects, joint ventures/PPPs and mixed-use schemes.

Tanya Holt, CMS Real Estate partner and Head of the CMS’ Northern offices, said: “His expertise, dynamism and standing in the marketplace will contribute to the continued growth of our real estate practice both in the North and further afield.

“The real estate sector is constantly evolving, with ‘alternative’ mixed use development becoming increasingly popular.  Michael’s experience and expertise positions us well to advise on such projects.”

Marie Scott, Co-Head of Real Estate in the UK, added: “With the addition of Michael to the team, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to meeting the needs of our clients as they navigate the unpredictability of the economy, and its impact on the real estate sector. Michael’s arrival further boosts our reputation as a first-choice adviser for real estate instructions and we’re delighted to have him on board.”

He added: “I’m delighted to join this well established award-winning real estate practice and bring my knowledge and expertise to help grow the firm’s offerings to clients and those operating in the real estate sector.”

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Rob Godfrey

Law firm Bond Turner has announced a duo of senior hires to its Professional and Clinical Negligence departments in Liverpool.

The firm has welcomed acclaimed lawyers Rob Godfrey as Head of Professional Negligence and Helen Neville as Deputy Head of Clinical Negligence. Both bring a wealth of expertise to their respective departments with over 40 years’ combined experience in the legal industry and are recognised as leading solicitors in their fields.

Rob Godfrey will lead the Professional Negligence department at Bond Turner and is committed to providing an outstanding service to the firm’s nationwide client base. Rob has over 25 years of experience in litigation, with an analytical and detailed approach to cases and is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association (PNLA).

He said: “I hope to build a professional negligence team that is considered a go-to for experts in cases of this matter. Bond Turner already has a well-respected standing in this regard, and my ambition within my role is to develop and expand on that.” 

Helen Neville

Helen Neville is a Clinical Negligence solicitor and also sits as a Deputy District Civil Judge on the North Western Circuit since being appointed in 2021. She is a judicial member of the Liverpool Law Society as well as a Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel Member and Senior Litigator with APIL, having worked within the clinical negligence field since 2005. As Deputy Head of Clinical Negligence, Helen will manage high value complex cases, whilst supervising the team in Bond Turner’s Liverpool office.

She said: “Bond Turner specialises in this complex area of law and offer an outstanding service to clients during what is a difficult time for them, and I look forward to being part of the team’s continued growth.”

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Michelle Young and Carl Peters

Renewable technology provider Shawton Energy has welcomed two new members to its team, as it looks set to deliver more than £50million of invested capital in high-quality solar projects over the next five years.

Technical Manager Carl Peters and Administrator Michelle Young have joined the Newton-le-Willows firm, which has developed a significant number of solar, battery and renewable energy projects over the past two years.

Led by Director Jamie Shaw, Shawton Energy’s portfolio boasts a diverse range of successful solar installations, powering commercial and industrial properties up and down the country. These include Dakota Hotel Group, Dunham Forest Golf Course, Truck and Marine Cranes Ltd HQ in Staffordshire and BMW, including franchises in Lincoln and Wakefield.

Carl Peters will be responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of Shawton Energy’s solar energy installations and ensuring that they are completed to the highest standards of quality and safety. Michelle Young will manage day-to-day operations of the company. 

Jamie Shaw said:  “It’s great to welcome Carl and Michelle to our team as we continue our journey towards transforming the global energy landscape. Our people are the driving force behind our success, and their dedication is what sets us apart in the industry.”