People: Bermans; Blinx Healthcare; Community CVS; Solomon Commercials; NWBLT; WHN Solicitors; MHA; Hurst
Law firm Bermans has expanded its property team and its healthcare sector offering with the appointment of Usha Sharma as a partner.
She has joined Bermans’ Liverpool office from Brabners’ real estate team, where she was a legal director and co-led and managed its property healthcare team across all four offices.
Usha advises clients on a range of commercial property matters, including landlords and tenants on lease negotiations, and companies and individuals on acquisitions and disposals of investment land.
She has nearly 25 years’ experience as a qualified solicitor and is recognised in the current Legal 500 for her commercial property work.
Her move to Bermans follows the arrival of corporate partner Paul Edels and senior paralegal Paul Rabbette last month. They specialise in advising clients in the healthcare sector, including dental practices, pharmacies and opticians, on a range of transactions and commercial matters.
Fergal O’Cleirigh, head of Bermans’ Liverpool office and the property and construction team, said: “Usha is an excellent addition to our ranks, and her wealth of experience adds significantly to the existing quality and talent in our team.
“She will be working closely with Phillipa Baty, who recently rejoined us, and together they will provide the wider team with greater depth to support our commercial property clients.
“Added to this, Usha’s expertise in the healthcare sector will further strengthen our offering in this field.”
Fergal added: “The firm remains committed to further strong growth and we anticipate more senior hires across the firm across our Liverpool and Manchester teams during 2025.”
Usha said: “It’s an exciting time to join Bermans. What has struck me is how the firm manages to maintain such a strong reputation for delivering exceptional client service while also fostering a culture that supports its people.”
Bermans is part of MAPD (Making a Positive Difference) Group, which was founded by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies in 2020 to power the growth of local law firms nationally through acquisition.
::
Ciaron Hoye
Ciaron Hoye, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has joined Sci-Tech Daresbury-based healthtech supplier Blinx Healthcare.
Following his work on the National Document Repository and the Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag, alongside VDI solutions, to enable clinical staff to access electronic patient records (EPR) systems from home during the pandemic, Ciaron has joined the healthcare management software company as Chief Digital Officer.
Blinx Healthcare has developed a solution – PACO – that allows patients to book, query, and share information from home and practices to automate and reduce their workload. Built on scalable modern architecture principles, they help practices, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and Federations to connect across systems and reduce the 8am rush for appointments.
Ciaron Hoye said: “Blinx’s commitment to social and green values first attracted me to the team – and then I saw what their powerful data analytics could do. Blinx are showing that we don’t have to work the way we have for the last 30 years, and we can use this rich data to transform models of care.”
Gareth Bartlett, CEO and co-founder, at Blinx Healthcare, said: “We are thrilled that Ciaron is joining the team, bringing a decade of experience in transforming primary care through digital innovation.”
::
Garth Hodgkinson
Blackburn-based Community CVS has announced the appointment of its Chief Executive, Garth Hodgkinson, as a Trustee on the Board of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA).
It said this milestone highlights Blackburn with Darwen’s growing prominence in the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
NAVCA is the national membership body supporting local infrastructure organisations in England. It focuses on strengthening the voluntary and community sector by ensuring high quality local support services.
Garth Hodgkinson said: “Joining NAVCA’s board at this time is a privilege. Voluntary action and community support are the backbone of strong societies. I am committed to ensuring that local needs and perspectives influence national priorities, helping to build thriving and sustainable communities across the UK.”
Chris Trickett, Business Director at Community CVS, said: “Garth’s appointment reflects the strength and achievements of Blackburn with Darwen’s VCFSE sector. It demonstrates how local organisations can influence and shape national developments in the voluntary sector.”
::
Leigh Snowden
Leigh Snowden has joined Lancashire-based Solomon Commercials as head of production.
With more than 18 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, he brings expertise in overseeing business transformation and improving production efficiencies.
Leigh has worked with signature brands in manufacturing, including Leyland Trucks and AB InBev, and has been involved in helping new businesses flourish, such as Footfall Flooring.
Previously with Anglo European, part of the Amari Group, which has 700 businesses worldwide, he was responsible for implementing new working practices, streamlining production capabilities, procuring and managing capital expenditure on new machinery and oversaw the conversion of warehouses into production facilities.
Leigh said: “Solomon has a fantastic reputation in the industry and is recognised as a market leader for the innovation it brings to the product and service offering.”
::
Khurram Hussain
The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) has appointed two new members.
Khurram Hussain is Partner at Warren Partners and has a track record of working with a range of organisations from FTSE 100 through to high growth, disruptive and founder-led entrepreneurial businesses, and regional and national public sector boards.
Khurram is a dedicated champion for diversity and has been closely involved with the launch and development of the Warren Partners Board Fellowship Programme which has focused on improving the diversity of FTSE 250 boards and is now also impacting on boards outside the listed space.
Tom Bridgford
Joining Khurram as a new member of the NWBLT is Tom Bridgford. A solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience, he is currently Partner, Head of US Sales Team and Head of Outsourcing (International) at Eversheds Sutherland. Born and brought up in Cheshire, he trained and became a partner at City firm Macfarlanes before returning to the North West in 2003.
Simone Peppi, Chair of the NWBLT, said: “Their strategic knowledge in sectors which operate across the region combined with their high profile experience will be vital for the team’s work in supporting economic growth in the North West.
“We are excited for their contributions and their positive impact as they join our mission to drive economic growth and prosperity in the region.”
::
L-R: Marketing leadJulie Sutherland, Eleanor Longworth, Paul Matthews, Katie Wright, Michael Shroot
North West law firm, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall (WHN) Solicitors, has made three senior promotions as part of its continued growth across the North West.
Paul Matthews, who joined WHN in 2016 and heads the firm’s corporate and commercial team, has been made director. Commercial property specialist Eleanor Longworth has been appointed associate director and Katie Wright, who joined WHN in 2019, is now head of the civil litigation team.
Paul has more than 25 years’ experience in business law and joined WHN solicitors in 2016. He specialises in corporate and commercial transactions, including company and business sales, acquisitions and management buyouts.
His new role will include a greater focus on the strategic growth and development of the firm.
Eleanor, who joined WHN in 2012, has extensive experience across a wide range of commercial property litigation matters, including dilapidations, possessions, insolvency-related disputes, arrears recovery and lease renewals. Eleanor is also an expert in long leasehold dispute resolution and supports clients across the UK.
Based at the firm’s Clitheroe office, Katie’s main area of expertise is civil litigation, including contentious probate. Her litigation experience includes personal injury claims, possession matters, settlement agreements, contractual disputes and debt recovery.
Michael Shroot, CEO of WHN Solicitors, said: “Paul has consistently showcased exceptional legal expertise and a strong dedication to client relationships. Eleanor and Katie’s commitment to developing their specialisms and supporting both the WHN teams in which they work and our clients, has been deservedly recognised with promotion.”
::
From left: Michael Spencer, Danny Houghton, Andrew Matthews, Tony Reddin, Andy Webster
Accounting and business advisory firm MHA, the UK and Ireland member firm of Baker Tilly International, has significantly expanded its Liverpool office following a sustained period of growth in revenue and staff numbers.
The firm has taken an additional 3,000 sq ft of space at Exchange Station, now occupying a 4,200 sq ft office that is home to 43 staff including four partners and one director.
Recent senior appointments for MHA in Liverpool have included tax partner, Michael Spencer, and transaction services director, Rowan Porter.
Andrew Matthews, partner in the Liverpool office, said: “The story of MHA in Liverpool reflects what is happening in the firm nationally, with significant growth in clients, staff numbers and revenue.
“We’ve been recruiting at all levels from trainees to partner and this fresh investment in our Liverpool office underpins our plans for developing our people and supporting our clients, both now and in the future.”
Graham Gordon, regional chair of MHA in the North West, said: “Our office expansion in Liverpool follows similar improvement projects we have completed elsewhere in the North West, including Manchester and Lancaster.
“We’re proud to have such a strong presence in Liverpool, working closely with the city’s professional community and leveraging our national and international networks to support client growth.”
::
Ed Craddock and Libby Auld
Independent accounting and business advisory firm, Hurst, has bolstered its team with three new arrivals.
Ed Craddock and Ammar Ysak have joined the business services team as an audit semi-senior and associate, respectively. Libby Auld has joined the tax team as a senior.
The trio are the latest additions to Hurst’s ranks as the firm continues to expand.
Earlier this year, it moved its head office to a flagship development in Stockport to accommodate its growing team.
Hurst’s relocation to 3 Stockport Exchange, where it occupies 11,000 sq ft, has paved the way for the firm to increase from 120 staff to around 170 over the next few years.
Ed graduated in mathematics and statistics at the University of Liverpool in 2021 with first class honours. He previously worked as a junior auditor and corporate assistant at Mazars.
Ammar, who graduated in business finance and management at the University of East Anglia in 2021, worked at Azets before continuing his training at Thompson Wright in Manchester.
Libby, who has more than 10 years’ experience in the fields of personal and corporate tax, has joined Hurst from Xeinadin Manchester, where she managed a portfolio of clients.
Before that she worked at Bennett Verby, TWJ Partnership and Simpson Burgess Nash.
Simon Brownbill, partner and director of practice development at Hurst, said: “Each of our latest arrivals brings skills and experiences that will strengthen our existing service offering and support the continued growth of our practice.
“Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm will play a key role in helping us stay ahead in an ever-evolving marketplace, and we are excited to welcome them to our team.”
