People: DWF; British Council for Offices; Weightmans; MCR Property Group; Brabners
DWF, the Manchester-based global provider of integrated legal and business services, has welcomed Michelle Headrige to its office in Manchester as head of environment, within the business’s regulatory practice.
Michelle joins after 17 years at Addleshaw Goddard where she held the role of global head of environment and sustainability.
With a broad range of clients within the industrial, consumer, manufacturing, waste, real estate, utilities and energy sectors, Michelle advises on the environmental aspects of a variety of transactions and projects, both nationally and internationally including M&A, IPOs, energy and infrastructure projects and real estate redevelopment.
She undertakes both non-contentious and contentious work and has more than two decades of experience advising on matters related to sustainability and climate change, waste, producer responsibility, greenwashing, environmental reporting and environmental permitting and consenting.
Additionally, Michelle is adept at handling criminal environmental investigations and defence as well as providing strategic, stand alone advice on liability risks and operational compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Michelle said: “The business’s focus and investment in developing Sustainable Business and ESG advisory offerings, along with its own commitment to ESG, is highly attractive to me as it demonstrates a forward-looking approach and understanding of what matters to clients and other stakeholders. I’m looking forward to helping the team develop and grow further over the coming years.”
Wayne Lawrence, Global Head of Commercial, Regulatory and Data at DWF, said: “Michelle is a great addition to our regulatory team and we are really pleased to have her join us. Sustainable Business and Environmental is a real area of focus for DWF and our clients. Michelle’s extensive experience in advising on contentious and non-contentious environmental matters will strengthen our ability to support our clients in the growth and development of their businesses.
“Michelle is a fantastic addition to the Manchester office as well as significantly strengthening our sustainability work for clients.”
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Peter Crowther
Peter Crowther, co-Founder at Manchester-based HERE, has been elected President of the British Council for Offices (BCO) with immediate effect, following yesterday’s (June 26) BCO annual general meeting. He succeeds Despina Katsikakis, Executive Partner & Global Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield.
The presidential team also sees Helen Hare, Director of Projects at GPE, take on the role of Senior Vice President, following on from Crowther in the role. Andy McBain, Head of Future of Workspace & Design at NatWest Group, becomes the new Junior Vice President.
Crowther brings to the role expertise in navigating the intersection between the office and other sectors, as well as a passion for creating and delivering innovative and sustainable workplaces. His career spans more than 25 years in real estate.
In his previous role as Chief Development Officer at Manchester-based Bruntwood SciTech, Crowther led the evolution of the company’s development portfolio since he joined in 1997, including the advent of its commercial, science and technology joint venture with Legal & General in 2018.
In April this year Crowther co-founded HERE, with fellow Bruntwood alumnus Kate Lawlor. HERE is a development management and advisory company focused on the acquisition, reinvention, repositioning and ongoing management of operational real estate – with a focus on commercial offices and laboratory spaces.
Crowther first joined the BCO in 2010, acting as a member of the BCO’s Northern Regional Committee. He was also a member of the National Awards Judging Panel between 2012 and 2017, acting as Chair of the panel in 2015.
His focus as BCO President will be on how the sector can continue to evolve in response to the challenges posed by climate change and rapid technological advancements through solutions such as retrofit and the integration of AI, while improving occupier-experience for all.
Peter Crowther said: “It is an honour to take on the role of BCO President. As we adapt to the new realities of hybrid, tech-enabled working conditions, the role of the office will continue to adapt to best meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s workers. I look forward to working with the BCO committees across the regions and the NextGen as we explore new models for office design and operation, and how commercial real estate can feed into the broader development of UK cities.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Peter has made his mark in the commercial sector as an innovative and ambitious leader, and I am a great admirer of Peter’s collaborative and creative vision for the future of the workplace. I wish him the very best for this new role and look forward to seeing all he will accomplish during his presidential year.”
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Deepak Purushothaman
Liverpool-based national law firm, Weightmans, has welcomed new partner, Deepak Purushothaman to its nationwide financial services team.
In the role, Deepak will advise banks, financial institutions, and borrowers on a range of asset-based lending, invoice finance, leveraged finance, general banking, restructuring, regulated consumer finance and real estate finance matters.
Formerly of Hill Dickinson and having previously worked at DLA Piper and Jones Day in London, Deepak brings with him 20 years of experience and expertise to his new role at Weightmans.
Matthew Williamson, head of corporates, said: “Deepak enhances the national financial services offering at Weightmans, following an incredible year of growth and success stories, which included advising on the establishment of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II.”
Deepak Purushothaman said: “I’m looking to utilise my experience and contacts to help establish Weightman’s banking team as one of the leading practices in the North West region, to expand the team’s capabilities and reputation nationwide and to contribute to our ambition of becoming a Top 30 law firm. Weightmans was a natural choice, due to its professional approach, impressive ambitions and excellent reputation as an employer.”
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Martin Wheeler
MCR Property Group has appointed Martin Wheeler as Board Advisor, a key appointment for the Manchester-based property firm in a move that will see him work alongside senior management to help shape and drive business strategy in the coming five years.
As co-founder of pioneering real estate debt management company, ICG-Longbow, Martin brings unique and far reaching experience in fostering growth in UK real estate businesses, spanning over three decades.
Aneel Mussarat, founder and CEO of MCR Property Group, said: “Martin’s arrival marks a pivotal moment in our journey. His unparalleled experience and strategic foresight will be critical as we forge ahead with our ambitious growth aspirations.
“His appointment comes at a crucial time as MCR aims to accelerate its £1.5bn development pipeline in the residential and industrial sectors. Martin’s insight will be instrumental in helping us refine and deliver our business growth strategy.”
Joining forces with recently promoted COO, David Tracey, the board now welcomes Martin in a key finance strategy role.
Martin Wheeler said: “I am looking forward to working alongside Aneel and his senior management team in setting the strategic course for the business. I’ve known Aneel as a client for many years and have immense respect for what he and his team have achieved at MCR, so I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to the next phase in this exciting business journey.
“I believe my niche experience and understanding of corporate property finance will prove to be a strong asset for MCR as they begin to implement the next phase in their ambitious and exciting long term strategy.”
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From left: Nik White, Leanne Instrall, Hannah Fawcett, Brendan McAleese, Fiona Tinsley
Independent law firm, Brabners, has promoted four colleagues to its partnership in the latest round of promotions following another year of purpose-led growth.
Hannah Fawcett (commercial & intellectual property), Leanne Instrall (family), Brendan McAleese (employment, pensions & immigration) and Fiona Tinsley (litigation) have all joined the now 90-strong partnership as the B Corp-certified firm continues to be recognised as the UK’s ‘Best Law Firm to Work For’ by Best Companies.
Hannah Fawcett, a dual qualified solicitor and Chartered Trade-Mark Attorney who joined the firm in 2017, leads the beauty and fashion team within Brabners’ retail sector offering while also playing a key role in developing its broader anti-counterfeiting legal services. With clients including outdoors and fashion brands Regatta, Craghoppers and Sosandar, Hannah is a committee member within the International Trademark Association (INTA) and recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ by Managing Intellectual Property specialist guide, IP Stars.
Both Brendan McAleese and Leanne Instrall joined the firm as trainee solicitors. Brendan specialises in both employment law and business immigration, with a particular focus on the healthcare and professional services sectors, while also actively managing the firm’s relationship with the Association of European Lawyers.
Advising on all areas of family law and financial matters, Leanne is also a qualified collaborative family lawyer. As well as being a member of the family law association Resolution and the chair of its Manchester YRes committee, she also plays an important role in Brabners’ social impact work, leading its social mobility affinity group. Earlier this year she was named Legal Professional of the Year at the Made in Manchester Awards.
Fiona Tinsley joined Brabners’ litigation team in 2021 and has since successfully established and grown its clinical negligence and serious and catastrophic injury team. Her team’s work encompasses dealing with all aspects of medical negligence including relating to delay, misdiagnosis, mismanagement and consent issues.
The additions to the partnership come on the back of a record promotions round including 12 colleagues promoted to associate, nine promoted to senior associate and eight promoted to legal director within the business, which has now delivered seven consecutive years of growth across its offices in Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire and Leeds.
Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Brabners has evolved significantly over recent years, and that is reflected in our partnership which continues to welcome ambitious lawyers that live and breathe our values as well as our commitment to bringing about positive change.
“As someone who started their career with the firm, it’s incredibly satisfying to see more and more partners enjoying the same support and progression as we continue to invest significantly in career pathways and strive to create a more diverse and innovative business.”
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