People: Knights; Hugh Jones Solicitors; The Director’s Choice; Livv Housing; Salford City Council; FFT; Brabners; MHA
Children’s law specialist Katie Welton-Dillon has joined Knights as a partner, bringing significant experience to the regional legal services business.
Katie is one of only a few family lawyers in the UK to only specialise in children’s law and domestic abuse cases, building a strong reputation for achieving results and helping clients navigate complex and sensitive circumstances often involving parental alienation, child abuse, domestic abuse, mental health issues and substance misuse.
She is recognised as one of the North West’s top family lawyers, based in Manchester, and has more than 15 years’ experience of working in the UK and internationally to safeguard children’s best interests – regularly advising on intricate child relocation and abduction cases.
Katie said: “I am thrilled to join Knights and their exceptional and growing family law team. Excellent client service is at the heart of everything at Knights, and this perfectly aligns with the way that I work in this difficult and sensitive area of law.
“I am looking forward to being a part of the future plans and development of the family team which I have no doubt will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Katie is the 22nd partner to join Knights this year, including Niki Wilburn-Shaw, who joined the team in Manchester earlier this year.
Lisa Shacklock, client services director at Knights, said: “Katie is widely recognised as a leading family lawyer with tons of experience and a brilliant reputation. She is a fantastic addition to our team, as we get ready for more growth. It’s brilliant to have her on board.”
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Dale Shimwell
Manchester-based law firm Hugh Jones Solicitors has appointed a new director as part of its latest recruitment drive.
The boutique Court of Protection expert has welcomed Dale Shimwell to the firm and to the board in his new role as director of the private client team.
Dale is an experienced private client practitioner who qualified in 2012 and was most recently a director at a Lancashire firm, where he oversaw the private client and property teams.
Dale said: “Hugh Jones Solicitors has an impressive reputation, and I’m really pleased to join and be working alongside such a talented team of experts.”
Holly Simpson has also joined the private client team as an associate solicitor. She qualified as a solicitor in August 2012 and has 12 years of experience as a specialist private client solicitor. She has experience drafting wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and making applications to the Court of Protection.
The firm has also made a further 10 appointments in support roles across different departments with new employees, including paralegals, case workers, secretaries and HR and compliance specialists.
Managing director, Liz Hughes, said: “As our firm continues to evolve, the strength of our team remains at the core of our success. As we grow, our commitment to recruiting and developing the best possible team remains – through mentorship, professional development, and a collaborative work environment. This ensures we not only meet but exceed client expectations.”
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Simon Dempsey
A company which provides free impartial advice to tens of thousands of directors is strengthening its sister brand.
The Director’s Helpline supports businesses, often at a time of crisis, and is seeking to expand the work of its sister brand, The Director’s Choice, so businesses are better supported and empowered in the long term.
Corporate finance specialist, Simon Dempsey, recently joined The Director’s Choice as Associate Director to steer the expansion and connect evolving companies with experts in fields such as accountancy, funding, and marketing.
Simon, said: “The Director’s Choice is a breath of fresh air. By empowering directors to make a choice and helping them find the right product and service, we’re building stronger and more resilient companies.
“Our aim is to make The Director’s Choice a staple for company directors nationwide. There’s nothing like this available to directors nationally and we’re building on the trusted reputation of The Director’s Helpline which helps tens of thousands of business owners annually.”
Jonathan Cooper, Director and founder, said: “Running a business is complicated, as such The Director’s Helpline fields upwards of 600 calls a month from directors seeking advice.
“Simon brings a wealth of experience to the team and can really explain the choice available, particularly around funding options. We care about ensuring our customers get the very best support and we’re thoroughly director focused.”
Simon joins the Macclesfield-based business having worked at local and international companies, including Freedom Brokers, in Manchester, and Dutch bank ABN AMRO.
He has also run, managed, and sold his own brokerage firm, Zester Funding – dealing in invoice finance, commercial finance, and asset-based lending.
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Chris Holden
Livv Housing Group has appointed Chris Holden as its new Director of Finance and Investment.
Chris joins Livv from the Money and Pensions Service, where he served as Corporate Director of Finance for three-and-a-half years. During his tenure, he played a leading role in modernising the finance function and enhancing organisational efficiency.
Chris said: “I am grateful for the warm welcome from my colleagues across the business. Throughout my career, I’ve worked for organisations that are driven by an underlying commitment to social good, and Livv’s strong sense of purpose to the local community it serves was a compelling proposition.”
Howard Roberts, Executive Director of Finance, Risk & Performance at Prescot-based Livv Housing Group, said: “Good financial management is the backbone of a successful housing association. We are, therefore, pleased to welcome Chris to the team. His extensive experience and strategic insight will be instrumental in shaping our financial strategy – ensuring we make sound long term investments that will drive sustainability and meaningful impact.”
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Alan Caddick
Salford City Council has appointed Alan Caddick to the post of Interim Director of Housing Transformation.
Alan joins having held a similar role at a local authority in the North East. Previously in his career, he served as the Director of Housing for two of the London authorities and was the Director of Housing and Residential Growth at Manchester City Council.
It is also a welcome return for Alan who worked for the council some years ago in the role of Lead Officer for the Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal for Communities.
Cllr Tracy Kelly, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, said: “Alan brings with him an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience of the housing sector, within local authorities, so I’m looking forward to working with him to deliver the quality affordable housing our residents and communities deserve.”
Alan said: “I am really pleased to be rejoining Salford City Council. Salford is a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and visit, so I am looking forward to being a part of the team that helps to transform our communities and provide a range of housing opportunities for all of our residents.”
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Max Roscoe and Almis Essa
Manchester accountancy firm, FFT, has welcomed on board two Audit and Accounts Trainees, making a significant investment in its talented team and its potential for growth.
Max Roscoe joins the team after graduating from the University of Nottingham with a background in mathematics, ready to kick-start his career in accountancy.
Fellow new starter, Almis Essa, comes to FFT from an audit-focused role at another firm, particularly keen to learn from the firm’s experienced accounts team. Both trainees are undertaking their ACA qualification at the firm alongside their roles.
Adam Caplan, Partner at FFT, said: “A hugely warm welcome to Almis and Max. We’re incredibly proud to provide this opportunity for our new starters who have chosen to develop their careers and technical skills with us.
“We look forward to furnishing Almis and Max with the skills they need to not only be successful accountancy professionals, but also to excel in the workplace.”
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Robert Arnison, left and Nik White
North West independent law firm, Brabners, has strengthened its real estate team with the appointment of partner Robert Arnison.
Robert will bring additional senior expertise to the firm’s almost 120-strong real estate team, which continues to support major national regeneration projects.
Working with colleagues across Brabners’ offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Leeds, he will further boost the firm’s relationships with major developers and local authorities that are delivering regeneration and place-led development across the UK.
He previously spent more than 20 years at global law firm DLA Piper, where he was a senior figure in the firm’s Manchester-based development team. He also served as office training partner, supporting the development of colleagues across a range of disciplines.
Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Robert is extremely talented and experienced, and will prove a valuable addition to our growing real estate practice, helping them continue to make the difference to our clients.
“His vast experience will complement the team’s existing strengths as they continue to influence ambitious infrastructure schemes that are at the heart of regeneration in towns and cities across the North.”
Robert said: “Brabners’ real estate team is widely recognised in our industry as one of the most impressive in the country. The calibre of projects it has worked on in recent years can only be described as transformative.”
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MHA North West 2024 recruits
National accountancy and business advisory firm, MHA, has recruited 50 new trainees and apprentices across its five North West offices as part of its 2024 cohort.
The record number is an increase on last year’s 48 and is the first intake since MHA’s merger with MHA Moore and Smalley in April.
A total of 214 trainees joined MHA across the UK this year, including 186 who joined this month.
The North West recruits include university, college and sixth form graduates who will join a range of MHA teams including tax, audit and accounts. Each new staff member will be mentored by a senior colleague and receive a bespoke development plan to support their progression within the firm.
Graham Gordon, regional chair, MHA said: “A key reason for the merger between MHA and MHA Moore and Smalley was the cultural alignment between the companies. A vital part of this is our people first commitment to developing talent and giving people opportunities, as well as the best possible environment to progress through the firm.
“We have once again recruited a record number of trainees in the North West, a signal of the intent to continue this commitment. Many of our recruits from previous years now hold senior positions within MHA and I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s cohort progress with the support of their peers and a high-quality, modern working environment.
MHA is the 13th largest accountancy group in the UK, with more than 1,750 staff and 122 partners across 22 UK offices. The organisation’s five North West offices are in Preston, Liverpool, Manchester, Lancaster and Kendal.
This year’s intake includes 19 new members in Preston, 14 in Manchester, 10 in Liverpool, five in Lancaster and two in Kendal.
