People: Simpson Millar; Hurst; SAS Daniels; FRP; Harold Sharp; DWF
Simpson Millar has appointed Liverpool-based Kelly Cross as head of clinical negligence operations, following a year of recruitment, acquisitions and promotions across the department.
Kelly, who joined the firm early last month, brings more than 15 years’ experience in personal injury litigation and legal operations, having held senior roles spanning operational management, technical risk and departmental performance.
In her new role, she will focus on enhancing processes, driving performance and ensuring teams have the operational support needed to manage increasingly complex clinical negligence cases and deliver for clients.
Her appointment forms part of a new leadership approach within the department, with clearer responsibilities for technical and operational matters as it continues to grow.
The changes have also seen Kate McCue appointed as head of technical.
Helen Melling, injury practice area director, said: “We’ve seen significant growth across our Clinical Negligence department, through recruitment, acquisitions and the development of our existing team. As we grow, it’s important that we have the right people focusing on the right things.
“Kate and Kelly bring very different strengths to the table. Kelly is an exceptional operator who knows how to drive performance and make improvements that benefit both our colleagues and clients.
“Kate is an outstanding clinical negligence lawyer whose technical expertise and passion for developing others will help us maintain the highest standards of legal advice. Together they will make a formidable team.”
The department has also welcomed Alison Hills as a team leader, an experienced clinical negligence specialist who has handled legally and medically complex claims valued at up to £15m, including cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and multiple limb amputations.
A series of promotions over the past year has included Emma Hickey to senior associate and Georgina Reid and Jessica Lea to associate, reflecting the firm’s focus on developing talent from within.
The department’s growth has also been supported by a number of recent acquisitions, including Forster Dean’s Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence portfolio, which saw 12 colleagues join its Liverpool and Manchester offices.
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David Reynolds
Accounting and business advisory firm Hurst has welcomed back tax specialist David Reynolds as a partner in a newly created role to support its growing client base.
David spent four years at Hurst as a senior tax manager from 2011 to 2015. He has rejoined from Altrincham-based TACS, where he was a director.
Liz Gallagher, head of Hurst’s tax team, said: “David is highly experienced, with extensive knowledge across a wide range of taxes, specialising in advising owner-managed and family businesses.
“As our client base continues to grow and their tax affairs become increasingly complex, David’s experience will be invaluable in strengthening our advisory team.”
The appointment is part of Hurst’s wider investment in its tax team and services and follows the arrival of Ellen Feetum in 2025 to lead a new corporation tax compliance offering. Senior manager Kevin Martin joined her team later last year and Kate Oakes was appointed as a manager earlier this year.
David said: “It’s great to be back at Hurst. In some ways, it feels as though I’ve never been away. The practice has grown significantly and moved into excellent new office space, but there are many familiar faces and clients.”
Stockport-headquartered Hurst became part of the Dains Group earlier this year.
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Cheryl Haywood
North West law firm SAS Daniels has announced a series of senior promotions and a key management appointment, recognising the talent, dedication and contribution of colleagues across the business.
The seven appointments, which took effect from November 1, 2026, span the firm’s family law, residential property, private client and employment teams, alongside its business support function.
The promotions include one new partner, two senior associates and three associates, as well as an expanded management role, strengthening the firm’s expertise and leadership across its offices in Stockport, Chester, Congleton and Macclesfield.
Cheryl Haywood, based at the firm’s Congleton office, has been promoted to partner in the family law team and appointed joint head of the Congleton office, alongside Helen Gowin. Cheryl joined SAS Daniels in March 2017 and has progressed through the firm, becoming an associate in 2019 and senior associate in 2023.
In the residential property team, Jo Lawson has been promoted to senior associate. Based in Macclesfield, Jo joined the firm in October 2025, bringing more than 20 years of experience in residential property, alongside extensive local knowledge and a strong network of professional contacts.
Also promoted to senior associate is Jess Shore, a member of the firm’s private client team in Chester. Since joining SAS Daniels in 2021, Jess has played an important role in developing and expanding the firm’s private client services in Chester.
Jess Shore
Two further promotions recognise colleagues who have demonstrated considerable professional development and commitment to their respective teams.
Kirsty Armstrong, based in the private client team in Stockport, has been promoted to associate. Kelly Few, based in the residential property team in Macclesfield, has also been promoted to associate.
Completing the associate promotions is Matt Ottley, from the firm’s employment law team.
In addition to the legal promotions, Nicola Aspinall has taken on an expanded role within the firm’s business support team. Her new title of accounts payable manager and facilities coordinator reflects her additional responsibility for the firm’s facilities and premises, alongside her existing role overseeing accounts payable.
Justine Clowes, managing partner and business owner, said: “These promotions are a fantastic reflection of the talent, ambition and commitment we have across SAS Daniels. Each of these individuals has made a valuable contribution to the firm, not only through their professional expertise and hard work, but also through the support they provide to colleagues and the exceptional service they deliver to our clients.
“I would like to congratulate Cheryl, Jo, Jess, Kirsty, Kelly, Matt and Nicola on their well deserved achievements.”
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Chris Ryan
FRP Corporate Finance has promoted Liverpool-based Chris Ryan to partner, building on its investment in the city and its wider advisory offering across the North West.
Chris joined FRP in August 2025 to launch its first Liverpool office, bringing more than 20 years’ experience working in the region, having held senior roles at Initium Corporate Finance, Grant Thornton and Alvarez & Marsal.
Chris’s promotion is one of six across FRP’s corporate finance and debt advisory teams, and forms part of a wider round of 48 promotions across the business nationally across all six service lines.
Matthew Flower, partner at FRP, said: “Welcoming Chris to the partnership is particularly rewarding. Since joining us to establish our presence in Liverpool, he has brought considerable experience and a real commitment to the businesses he advises. A lot of hard work goes into reaching these milestones, and I hope Chris, and all our other colleagues getting promoted, take a moment to enjoy what they’ve achieved.”
Chris Ryan said: “I’ve spent much of my career working with businesses across Liverpool and the wider North West and it’s a region I’m deeply passionate about. With our growing presence in Liverpool and Manchester, we’re well placed to help more businesses achieve their ambitions. I’m excited to be building on what we have established in my new role.”
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L-R (standing): Amie Wilson, Emma Round, Emma Saxon-Pipe, Fred Norman, Rebecca Holloway, James Turner. L-R (sitting): Charlotte Hinchcliffe, Yusuf Laher, Fiona Illingworth, Tom Smart
Sale-based accounting and business advisory firm Harold Sharp, part of ETL Global UK, has promoted Fiona Illingworth to marketing director and James Turner to associate director as the firm prepares to enter its centenary year in 2027.
Fiona Illingworth, who joined Harold Sharp in March 2020, has been the driving force behind the brand, marketing and communications, while also playing an integral role within the senior leadership team.
James Turner, who joined the firm as a graduate in 2017, has been promoted from manager to associate director, recognising his growing responsibility across the firm’s client portfolio and his contribution to developing the wider team.
Over the past two years, the firm’s associate director and partner-level leadership group has doubled, including the progression of Tom Smart from manager to audit partner in 2025.
Managing director, Charlotte Hinchcliffe, said: “We are currently advising the fifth generation of our very first client, something we
are incredibly proud of. It’s a testament to the trust people place in us and the personal approach that has always shaped the way we deliver.”
“As we grow, we want to protect those relationships while investing in our people, our brand and the way we support clients. These appointments are part of that commitment: developing talented people from within the business, creating clear routes into leadership and ensuring we have the range of skills and perspectives needed to take Harold Sharp forward.”
Fiona Illingworth said: “Marketing has long been recognised as a strategic function at Harold Sharp. To have that contribution recognised at director level is something I’m incredibly proud of, particularly at such an important point in the firm’s history.”
James Turner said: “I’m really pleased to be taking this next step at Harold Sharp. Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to take on more responsibility, work closely with our clients and contribute to the wider development of the team.”
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DWF apprentices
Manchester-based global law firm, DWF, has strengthened its Manchester and Liverpool teams with 11 newly qualified solicitors continuing their careers with the business.
Eight are based in Manchester and three in Liverpool, with both offices retaining 100% of their qualifying cohorts.
Ella Bruce, a Manchester-based solicitor apprentice who is due to qualify in September 2027, joined DWF straight from college at 18 and completed a paralegal apprenticeship before progressing to the solicitor apprenticeship programme.
Ella said: “An apprenticeship gave me the chance to start my legal career straight from college, gaining practical experience while studying. It’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Joel Heap, office managing partner at DWF in Manchester, said: “Qualification is a significant milestone, and these colleagues have put a great deal of work into reaching it. Seeing all 11 continue their careers with us in Manchester and Liverpool is a great endorsement of the opportunities and support available within the firm.”
He added: “Some of our most significant national and international work is led by specialists based here in the North West. For someone starting their legal career, that means the opportunity to learn from those experts and contribute to that work while building their future in the region.”
This year, DWF has also welcomed eight new apprentices in Manchester, spanning both legal and business services roles.
