People: arch.law; Ultimate Visual Solutions; Cloud Gateway; BES; Sovini Group; Aaron & Partners
Distributed law firm, arch.law, has recruited another eight members in the UK and Australia as it continues delivering on its domestic and international expansion strategy.
Founded in 2021, arch.law has more than 80 members and nine hubs across the UK in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and London together with Australia and Canada.
Joining the Manchester Hub are Patrycja Pietek, Mark Montaldo and Tom Blanchfield. Patrycja specialises in insurance audit while Mark and Tom focus on payments fraud, one of the fastest growing areas in fraud.
Andrew Leaitherland, arch.law founder, said: “Our new members demonstrate the unique flexibility they have chosen to be a part of with the arch.law model. From creating and building a business to sub-contracting or being part of our operational team – this is unique in the distributed law firm model globally and is proving to be a really attractive proposition.
“We’re delighted to welcome all eight on board and look forward to supporting them with their goals and aspirations both in the UK and Australia.”
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Karen Churchill
Lancashire-based control room video wall expert, Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS), has appointed Karen Churchill to help lead business growth and customer support.
Churchill has widespread experience in the video control room sector, having previously spent 12 years with advanced surveillance technology company Synectics and, more recently, three years with software integration solutions provider Cortech.
She first joined the security industry in 1995 as a technical support engineer, moving into sales in 1999. She is an Associate Member of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC). Churchill said: “I am excited to be joining such a passionate and customer-focused team with great products and a fantastic reputation within the industry.”
Steve Murphy, managing director of Burnley-based UVS, said: “Karen is passionate about the consultative sales process, with extensive experience of public space, government, critical infrastructure and high security sectors and we are delighted to have her onboard.”
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Stephen McConnell
Cloud Gateway, a provider of flexible networking and security services, has appointed Stephen McConnell as its chief technology officer, as the business continues to grow its technical capabilities and expand its presence across the UK.
Born and raised in Manchester, McConnell is based at Cloud Gateway’s office in the city and will be responsible for creating and leading a technical roadmap to meet the business’s long term goals and overseeing its services, working with internal teams and partners to develop Cloud Gateway’s secure networking and connectivity services.
McConnell brings more than 11 years of experience in network infrastructure and has been part of Cloud Gateway since April 2019 as its head of network architecture. During this time, he has successfully run and expanded its platform, providing more connectivity and better services for its customers in the public and private sectors. Prior to this position, he was contracted at the Ministry of Justice, Cloud Gateway’s first customer, and has been involved with the business since its formation.
He said: “Cloud Gateway has been in my life, in some form, for the last six years. In this time, I’ve seen it evolve significantly, and watched it challenge how the sector approaches digital transformation. It’s an exciting time for Cloud Gateway, we are committed to driving a new era of MSPs who value customer service and experience more than traditional providers have.”
Justin Day, CEO and co-founder at Cloud Gateway, said: “Steve has been a major component in our growth as a company and so I’m thrilled to welcome him into his new role as chief technology officer at Cloud Gateway. His breadth of knowledge in creating and maintaining innovative and secure networking solutions will be paramount in supporting our drive to make digital transformation as flexible and citizen-centric as possible for our customers.”
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Zeb Ahmed, Umair Iqbal, Matthew Cowen, Ben Hamlin, project director Sean Ferguson
Rochdale-based specialist design consultants and contractors, BES, has recently recruited two new learners from Hopwood Hall College and University Centre and a third apprentice, Umair Iqbal, joins this month, as part of the company’s rolling apprenticeship programme.
Ben Hamlin, Matthew Cowen and Umair Iqbal are among the first cohort to join BES as part of the Government’s new technical qualification scheme, T-levels, which includes working alongside employers for 45 days and provides a direct route into the construction industry.
Ben Hamlin (18), a top-grade learner in his T-level cohort, completed the new Technical Qualification in August 2023, following his successful work placement at BES last year. Ben received a Distinction in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, and is now embarking on his Building Services Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with/sponsored by BES.
He said: “Having the opportunity to join the BES family while completing my course was brilliant. And then, to be offered the permanent role and embark on my Building Services apprenticeship and a chance to go to university to obtain a Building Services degree has been hugely rewarding and motivational.”
Similarly, learner Matthew Cowen has just successfully completed his 45-day placement and is continuing to attend BES twice a week. He, too, has been offered full time employment after he finishes his T-level qualification and to work towards further qualifications.
Umair is currently studying for his construction T-level qualification and joins BES this month at the start of his 45-day work placement.
Zeb Ahmed, BES CEO, said: “Credit must go to the young people who make it through the new T-levels, because it is their hard work and commitment that allow doors to open and opportunities to be fulfilled. We enjoy and benefit from fresh young talent joining our business and look forward to what Umair can achieve, following in the steps of Ben and Matt.”
Julia Heap, principal and chief executive at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre, said: “T-levels are galvanising our young people to achieving great things in the borough and they are providing an alternative to A-levels, and as we can see from our relationship with BES, they are leading to exciting careers for a new workforce.”
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Some of the new Sovini Group intake
The Sovini Group has welcomed 10 new colleagues onto its apprenticeship and supported internship programmes.
The Liverpool-based property company supports more than 30 traditional apprentices in a diverse range of roles, including housing management, trade apprenticeships and business administration.
As part of an initiative by the group, trade apprentices are provided with a fully equipped toolkit worth more than £300, allowing them the opportunity to start working to learn the trade on day one.
Summer Fitzmaurice, apprentice plumber and domestic heating technician, said: “I am grateful to the organisation for investing in my future. As a young female apprentice in the construction industry, I hope to inspire others to consider a career in the industry, something the group are also passionate about promoting.”
After successfully completing the group’s innovative pre-supported internship, two individuals have secured a place on the 2023/24 supported internship programme.
Chloe Foran, SEND employment support officer at Liverpool City Council, who partnered with The Sovini Group to deliver the supported internship programme, said: “Only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% of people in the North West with a learning disability and/or autism who are known to local authorities go on to secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers.
“The supported internship placements created by The Sovini Group are such a fantastic chance for young people to gain meaningful hands-on practical experience within the construction industry. These opportunities are so valuable and life changing for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism on their journey to employment.”
Kerry Beirne, chief people and communications officer for The Sovini Group, said: “It’s extremely rewarding to know that we are making a real difference to young people’s lives, offering them opportunities that they may not have had otherwise to give them the knowledge and experience to kick-start their successful careers.”
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From left: Adila Malik, Mark Davies, Matthew Martin
Chester-based law firm, Aaron & Partners, has made a key hire to its restructuring and insolvency team, as the department’s growth continues.
Matthew Martin has been appointed as an associate solicitor and joins as the seventh member of the team, which was formed and is headed up by Mark Davies, an experienced partner with national recognition.
A specialist in corporate insolvency and contentious matters, Matthew joins the Altrincham-based office from Clarke Willmott.
His appointment is the latest announcement for the department, following the key hire of solicitor Adila Malik, who has experience in both corporate and personal insolvency as well as civil litigation.
Matthew said: “It’s a pleasure to join a law firm with such an excellent reputation that is making a big difference for its clients. I’m excited to be working alongside some of the leading solicitors in the country, and learn from this friendly, welcoming, talented team.”
Mark Davies said: “Both Adila and Matthew are brilliant additions to our team, bringing fresh perspectives to our day-to-day work while setting ambitious visions for the future.”
