People: Excello Law; Growth Lending; Castle Green Homes; Azets; Farleys Solicitors; MHA; Avensure

Fee-share law firm, Excello Law, has strengthened its Liverpool team with four experienced lawyers joining the firm.

Property litigation specialist Sarah Mansfield, litigator Fraser Griffiths, and real estate experts Claire Morris and Joe Johnston have all joined as partners based in Liverpool.

Excello Law, a national firm with offices across the UK, has seen significant growth in the North West. The team has expanded rapidly, with 75 lawyers now working in and around the firm’s offices in Manchester, Liverpool, and Chester.

Sarah Mansfield brings more than 24 years of experience in property litigation. She joins from Cullimore Dutton Solicitors. Sarah is an active member of the Liverpool Law Society General Committee and Vice Chair of the Civil Litigation Sub-Committee. She was a founding member of the Law Clinic at Liverpool University, a Charitable Trustee for Merseyside Water Rescue, and a board member and recent committee member of Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Association.

Fraser Griffiths joins from his role as a partner at Quinn Barrow, accompanied by  assistant Jack Mallen. Fraser has extensive experience in dispute resolution, and real estate.

Claire Morris comes from Bermans. Claire provides specialist advice in all areas of commercial property and has extensive experience in landlord and tenant matters, commercial and residential development, and secured lending. She also advises on the real estate aspects of corporate acquisitions and disposals.

Joe Johnston is a highly experienced commercial property solicitor and joins Excello Law from Quinn Barrow Solicitors. Joe specialises in commercial property, secured lending and land development. He has advised on a number of major developments in the North West, and across the UK.

Julie Mogan, Excello Law’s Director for the North West, said: “Our Liverpool team is going from strength to strength, and I’m so pleased that Sarah, Fraser, Jack, Claire and Joe have joined us. They bring a wealth of experience and a focus on delivering exceptional service to their clients.”

Jo Losty, Excello Law’s COO, said: “Excello Law’s commitment to recruiting only experienced and talented lawyers, combined with our tailored support, ensures that we stand out from other fee-share firms. This dedication is why we attract high-calibre professionals like Sarah, Fraser, Jack, Joe and Claire.”

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Sean McCormick

Growth Lending, a specialist provider of growth capital for innovative, fast-growing SMEs, has appointed Sean McCormick as Director of Debt Finance, based in the firm’s Manchester office.

Sean brings with him more than a decade of experience in supporting growing businesses within major financial institutions. His career to date includes roles at OakNorth Bank, Santander and Barclays, with a focus on client relationships and providing tailored debt finance solutions for SMEs.

Sean will work alongside Associate Director Natalie Walker-Owen to bolster the company’s deal sourcing and execution capabilities in the North West and beyond.

He said: “The quality of businesses in Manchester, and the North West more broadly, should not be underestimated. In recent years we have seen an increasing volume of homegrown innovation, as well as firms from elsewhere in the country expanding to take advantage of the rich talent pool that exists here.” 

Kimberly Martin, Managing Director at Growth Lending, welcomed Sean, saying: “His experience in supporting SMEs along with his well established professional network will be instrumental as we continue to expand our footprint in the North and support more exciting SME’s”

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James Hampson

A new senior land manager has joined Castle Green Homes as the business looks to expand into new areas.

James Hampson was recently appointed to the role at the housebuilder, which has offices at St Asaph and Preston Brook.

The company currently has sites across North Wales, Cheshire and the Liverpool City Region, but is looking to expand the geographic spread of the sites it develops to include Greater Manchester, North Staffordshire and North Shropshire.

James said: “Castle Green have an excellent reputation for acquiring new land opportunities, having secured several high profile sites across the North West and North Wales. It’s clear how streamlined the decision making process is and the ability to be agile is certainly one of the many reasons for their competitiveness in the land market.”

James, from Altrincham, started his career as a land buyer for Bowsall Developments, before moving on to Countryside Properties, initially as senior land buyer, then land manager. His most recent role before joining Castle Green was land manager at Miller Homes.

He said: “I completed a placement with Bowsall during my time at university which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I was fortunate enough to be offered a position in their land team once I had finished my degree.”

Land director, Simon Finlay, said: “James is a welcome addition to the team. He has experience of acquiring sites for affordable housing and private sale properties, which fits with our business model of delivering homes for housing associations under our Partnerships brand alongside open market homes. This will prove invaluable as we continue to grow the business and move into new geographic areas.”

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Joe Noon

Azets, the accountancy and advisory group, has expanded its specialised team with the addition of Joe Noon as Director in Tax, while Adam Bickell joins Azets Wealth Management as Director.

Azets’s offices in the North West include Bolton, Burnley, Lancaster, Manchester, Preston, Stockport and Kendal. 

Within his new role as Transfer Pricing Director, Joe will support the growth of the division. Joining from Deloitte, he has worked with a range of clients, from multibillion-dollar publicly listed multinationals with significant overseas presence to mid-sized private groups that have a developed presence in a handful of territories or are planning to expand overseas. Joe will be based in the Manchester office. 

Adam joins Azets Wealth Management to support the development of a fully integrated wealth and financial planning service for businesses, directors, entrepreneurs, individuals, and families across England.

Adam Bickell

With more than 20 years of experience, Adam is a wealth management and private banking professional working with wealthy individuals, families and business leaders throughout the North of England, specialising in high value court protection awards and deputy accounts. He will be based in the Stockport office.

Mark Parkinson, CEO of Azets Wealth Management said: “With the growth in demand for financial planning advice, from investments to inheritance tax and retirement planning, we’re delighted to expand our specialist team who are experts in strategic wealth management. We look forward to continuing to develop our skills and team across the UK with the addition of Adam and Joe.”

Susanna Cassey, Regional Managing Director of Azets in the North West, said: “Their specialised expertise will further strengthen our tax and wealth management teams, as we continue to deliver personalised and comprehensive advice that adds real value to our clients.”

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Katy Shakeshaft (left), Victoria Marsh

North West law firm, Farleys Solicitors, has extended its expertise within the private client department by appointing a Senior Associate, Katy Shakeshaft, at its Preston office.

Katy joined Farleys in September 2024, bringing with her a decade of extensive experience in private client services on the Fylde Coast. At Farleys, she will focus on a comprehensive range of services, specialising in wills, probate, and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Katy said: “I look forward to enhancing the support we offer across Preston and Lancashire.”

Katy will be working alongside Farleys’ experienced private client team which includes newly-promoted Associate Partner, Victoria Marsh, who has a wealth of experience specialising in Court of Protection matters, along with all aspects of wills, probate, and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Victoria said: “Katy brings a wealth of experience in wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney, and her commitment to delivering clear, tailored advice aligns perfectly with our client-centred approach.”

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From left: Andrew Feeke, Kirsty Foster, Sean Mitchell, Phil Yarwood

Accountancy and business advisory firm, MHA, has made two senior promotions in its Manchester office as part of its plans for continued growth in the region.

Kirsty Foster has been promoted to the role of tax director, while Phil Yarwood becomes a director in the corporate finance team.

MHA, the UK member firm of Baker Tilly International, has steadily grown its presence in Manchester since opening an office in the city with a team of five in late 2019. In September MHA more than doubled the size of its office footprint in Manchester after growing staff numbers to just under 70.

Kirsty, who joined the firm as a senior tax manager in 2021, provides tax and structuring advice to clients, predominantly on private client matters such as succession and exit planning, trusts and dealing with family and personal wealth.

Sean Mitchell, tax partner in MHA’s Manchester office, said: “Kirsty has made a significant contribution to the growth of our tax team in Manchester, both in terms of developing our private client tax planning service and going all-in to support the success of our clients.

“As a director, she will continue to play an important role as we strive for further strategic growth as part of the national MHA business.”

Phil, who also joined MHA in 2021, advises owner-managed businesses in a variety of sectors with a particular focus on disposals and exit planning. He has advised on exit events ranging from management buyouts and trade sales to private equity investments.

Andrew Feeke, partner and head of corporate finance at MHA, said: “Phil is someone who embodies our people-first culture. He will continue to play a hugely important role in our growth and that of our clients as we further strengthen our position as the leading mid-market corporate finance team.”

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From left: Andrew Hennessy, Julie Davenport, Joy Gateley, Chris Garner

Manchester-based Avensure has announced two director promotions, with Joy Gateley and Julie Davenport both joining the company’s board of directors.

Joy has been promoted to Director of Service Delivery, while Julie becomes Finance Director.

Joy has more than 30 years’ experience within HR and employment law, including roles as an International HR Director for a large blue chip company. Julie has worked with owner-managed businesses of all sizes and industry sectors during the last 30 years, joining Avensure in 2012.

Chris Garner, Managing Director of Avensure, said: “Julie and Joy have both been instrumental in the continued growth of Avensure over the last 13 years. Their strategic thinking, leadership and decision making has been key in building a market leading business so it’s fantastic to be able to welcome them to our board of directors.”