People: Procure Plus; Eddisons; Jackson Lees; JB Leitch; Property Sense; Knights; Harrison Drury; Greenmount Projects
In a move that strengthens opportunities for women in the justice system, Keeley Danson, from Stretford-based Procure Plus, has been appointed to HMP Styal’s Employment Advisory Board (EAB).
The board plays a key role in helping women prepare for life beyond prison by shaping pathways into meaningful employment.
Procure Plus has been instrumental in developing the first construction training hub in the women’s prison estate, giving women at HMP Styal a chance to gain skills, qualifications, and confidence before their release.
Keeley’s new role on the EAB will see her working closely with HMP Styal, employers, and industry leaders to expand training opportunities and open up new career prospects for women in the justice system.
Keeley said: “I’m incredibly proud to join HMP Styal’s Employment Advisory Board and continue the work we’ve started in creating real employment opportunities for women.
“Too often, women leaving the justice system face significant barriers to work, and without the right support, it’s all too easy to fall back into a cycle of reoffending.”
Lauren Nolan, prison employment lead at HMP Styal, said: “The construction training hub at HMP Styal has already had a hugely positive impact, giving women skills that translate into real job opportunities upon release.
“Having Keeley on the Employment Advisory Board will help us build on this success and create even more opportunities for women to take control of their futures. We are delighted to have her on board.”
Gwen Beeken, Procure Plus managing director, said: “At Procure Plus, social value is at the heart of everything we do. Our frameworks are designed not just to deliver high quality procurement solutions, but to create real, lasting opportunities – especially for those most distant from the labour market.
“Keeley’s appointment to HMP Styal’s Employment Advisory Board is a fantastic recognition of her dedication to breaking down barriers and creating pathways into employment for women, and we are incredibly proud to see her continue making a difference at this level.”
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Dan Whittaker
Property consultancy, Eddisons, has appointed Dan Whittaker as an associate director in its growing asset advisory and restructuring team.
Based in the firm’s Manchester office, Dan, who is a registered property receiver, will work as part of a wider team across the north of England. He joins Eddisons from risk and financial advice group, Kroll, where he was a real estate advisory group manager and also spent more than five years at Lambert Smith Hampton in Manchester.
Eddisons director, Matthew Hattersley, who heads the firm’s asset advisory and restructuring team, said: “We are really pleased to welcome Dan to the team, especially at a time when we are seeing increasing demand for our services, driven by the ongoing economic uncertainty that continues to challenge the property sector and the wider UK economy.
“Dan’s wealth of experience and extensive network of contacts make him a really valuable addition to the team.”
Dan Whittaker said: “It’s great to be using my skills and experience as part of the growing team at Eddisons who have built such a formidable reputation for expertise and customer service.”
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John-Paul Dennis
Solicitor John-Paul Dennis has come full circle in his career by joining law firm Jackson Lees Group as a partner and head of the wills, trusts and probate team.
He trained as a lawyer at Wirral practice Lees & Partners, which, in 2016, joined forces with Jackson Canter to form Jackson Lees.
In his new role he leads an 11-strong team in the firm’s private client division across offices in Liverpool, Heswall and Hoylake.
John-Paul has moved from Prosperity Law, where he was a partner and head of private client. Before joining Prosperity in 2023, he was chief executive and head of private client at Astraea Linskills, prior to which he was at Weightmans and Kirwans Solicitors.
He said: “It feels like I’ve come home and full circle, returning 20 years after I began my career, although a lot has changed in that time. I learned a lot from the partners I worked under at Lees & Partners. They saw something in me and I flourished there.”
John-Paul is an accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, chairman of trustees of the Liverpool-based specialist care charity, Nugent, and a director and treasurer of Liverpool Law Society.
Esther Leach, managing director of Jackson Lees Group, said: “John-Paul brings with him a wealth of experience. His expertise and vision will undoubtedly take our team from strength to strength, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will bring.”
Jackson Lees Group is part of MAPD Group, which was founded by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies in 2020 to power the growth of local law firms nationally through acquisition. The initials stand for Making a Positive Difference.
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Matt Jarvis
Liverpool-based property law firm, JB Leitch, has appointed Matt Jarvis as the new managing director, who joins this week.
Matt, a qualified solicitor with more than 23 years’ experience in the legal sector, will lead the delivery of ambitious plans for operational development and market growth, bringing a wealth of experience from his former roles as managing director for both Slater and Gordon and Nuvalaw, a technology-based claims resolution business.
Business owner and principal solicitor, Jonathan Leitch, said: This appointment is an investment in the future. It reflects our ongoing commitment to both our clients and colleagues in further maximising our potential, delivering the best services and proving an innovative culture where talent is recognised, nurtured and rewarded. Matt will be pivotal in further enabling this evolution through his considerable experience, evident capabilities and clear vision.”
In recent weeks JB Leitch has also welcomed two new senior solicitors to the team. Associate, David Lowry, has joined the real estate team and Judith Knowles as a senior associate within the technical and complex litigation department.
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Annabel Yates
Property Sense, a Stockport-based proptech partner for BTR operators, leasing agents and developers, has made two senior appointments as it readies for a new era of its business.
Simon Dicanio joins from Gleeson Homes and will take up the role of head of sales.
Annabel Yates joins as marketing manager from HBD.
Property Sense is also in the process of hiring a chief technology officer, business development specialists, and non-executive directors for its board.
The aim is to double its headcount, taking the team from 14 to 25 members by the end of 2025.
Simon Dicanio
Mike Haywood, CEO of Property Sense, said: “I’m excited to watch as Simon and Annabel’s expertise and tailored skill set accelerates our proven success in the BTR market.
“Simon’s extensive experience in building relationships across build, technical and commercial teams will play a key role in helping to cement our reputation in this growing market, while Annabel’s passion for innovative and creative ideas will help us to take our brand to new heights.”
Simon Dicanio said: “I’m looking forward to leading the sales team and delivering on this next phase of our evolution.”
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Duncan Harty and Rebecca Adams
Law firm Knights has strengthened its team in Carlisle with the appointment of private client lawyer, Rebecca Adams, as a senior associate.
Rebecca has practiced in Cumbria since 2013 and brings more than 12 years of experience working with local families, farming clients and rural business owners on a wide range of private client legal issues.
Rebecca is a STEP-qualified solicitor and an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer specialising in the preparation of wills and powers of attorney, the creation and administration of trusts, the administration of estates and inheritance tax and succession planning.
She said: “It has been a fantastic first few weeks at Knights and I am delighted to contribute towards Knights’ growth in Cumbria. It is exciting to join at a time when the business is growing across the country.”
Client services director, Duncan Harty, said: “Rebecca is a great addition to our team. She brings a huge amount of experience to our existing strong team. Her arrival is already helping us to deliver on our plans for growth in 2025, with more talented professionals set to join.”
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From left: Richard Life, Jennifer Murphy, Mark Traynor.
North West law firm, Harrison Drury, has bolstered its corporate team and continued its expansion in Manchester with the appointment of senior associate solicitor Jennifer Murphy.
Jennifer, who joins the firm’s corporate team from TLT where she spent more than five years, will advise the firm’s growing client base on a range of mergers, sales and acquisitions.
Jennifer’s appointment takes the headcount in Harrison Drury’s Manchester office, which opened in January last year, to 24 while the firm’s corporate team across the North West now numbers 18, including five partners.
Mark Traynor, corporate partner and head of the firm’s corporate team, said: “With Jennifer’s considerable M&A expertise, which includes handling some complex transactions, we’re further growing our reputation as a trusted partner and go-to team for corporate transactional work in the region and further afield.”
Rick Life, corporate partner in Harrison Drury’s Manchester office, said: “Jennifer’s appointment is another exciting milestone in our Manchester journey.”
Jennifer said: “Harrison Drury has made a real impact in Manchester over the past year. What attracted me to the firm was not just the opportunity of working with Rick and Mark again, but the quality of work the team is delivering and its commitment to supporting people and promoting a healthy work-life balance.”
The firm’s recent appointments in Manchester have included employment solicitor Lauren Wood, head of commercial business Rory O’Hare, and insolvency partner Heather Morris.
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From left: Jennie Ashall, Rick Smith, Kerri McKenna
Ashton-in-Makerfield property company, Greenmount Projects, has further strengthened its team with three key appointments following several new client wins and the drive for greater community impact.
Kerri McKenna joins as business development manager and will use her extensive networks across the North West to help Greenmount Projects break into new regions and sectors. With more than 15 years’ commercial property experience, Kerri has built a strong reputation for forging strategic partnerships and delivering outstanding client outcomes.
Rick Smith, who has been recruited as small works manager, has more than 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, managing commercial and education projects and is tasked with both helping to grow the size of the division and its reputation for excellence in smaller scale projects.
Jennie Ashall joins as social values manager to drive and co-ordinate all the company’s community and charity outreach and fundraising, including continuing its frequent humanitarian aid missions to Ukraine.
Mike Sharkey, founder and managing director, said: “The business is growing at pace and with a strong pipeline of work and so Kerri, Rick and Jennie arrive at a critical time.
“Kerri is dynamic and passionate about this industry and brings a fresh perspective, having expertise in both driving business growth and working with large commercial clients. Rick is a top operator who brings vast experience working in highly demanding and fast paced environments.”
He added: “When I set up Greenmount Projects in 2018, I made firm a commitment that we would also help build and bolster our communities and provide support to those who need it most. Bringing Jennie on board is a reflection of not only on how this has grown, but also on how much further we want to go.”
