Appointments: Four hires and two promotions at JMW & more
AMBITIOUS Manchester law firm JMW Solicitors has hired four new staff and promoted two new partners.
Commercial litigation partner Marc Yaffe has joined the Spinningfields firm from Boote Edgar Esterkin. As well as specialising in commercial and property litigation Mr Yaffe is also a registered football agent.
Graeme Danby has joined as head of debt recovery from the Lowell Group in Leeds where he worked as a litigation manager for seven years.
Itohan Odekundle joins as a solicitor in corporate after training at Addleshaw Goddard and Yvonne Li joins as a solicitor in intellectual property after training at Pannone whilst working as an in-house legal adviser for MOFILM.
Meanwhile James Brown and Sam Hall have been promoted from senior associate to partners in the family department. Mr Hall joined JMW last June from Mills and Reeve amd Mr Brown joined last November from Pannone with Beth Wilkins and Catherine Jones, who head the firm’s family team.
A further four solicitors have been promoted to associate and a further three associates promoted to senior Associate from the corporate, commercial litigation, clinical negligence and personal injury departments.
Senior partner Joy Kingsley said: ” These new appointments and promotions are a fantastic start to what we hope will be another successful year at JMW.”
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ENERGY saving firm VPhase has appointed Colin Black as a non-executive director.
Mr Black has held a number of directorships since 2006, before which he was joint managing director of Systems Team from its MBO to ist sale. From 1995-1999 he was finance director of Maxima Information Group.
Vanda Murray, chairman of Cheshire-based VPhase, said: “We are delighted to welcome Colin to the board; his substantial experience in finance and management, coupled with his entrepreneurial focus, make him an exceptionally strong addition.”
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TURNER Parkinson has appointed Stephen Hadlow as partner in its corporate team.
Hadlow joins from the Manchester office of JMW, where he was a partner for three years. Prior to that, he was a partner at DAC Beachcroft and Halliwells.
He acts on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and venture capital projects and has particular expertise in the private equity market.
The firm’s head of corporate, Andrew Booth, said: “With an increase in transaction activity, both in the UK and overseas, it’s an exciting time for the team having just finalised a record year. Stephen’s appointment reflects our commitment to offering a partner led service and his experience will bolster what is already a strong team.”
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ARCHITECTS Cassidy + Ashton has appointed senior technician Eduardo Romero at its Chester office.
He is working on a number of projects including the refurbishment of St Martin’s Lodge overlooking Chester racecourse and an extension of the Woodbridge Inn in Telford.
He said: “The firm is also doing well currently, winning new business across the area, so it’s an exciting time to be joining the team.”
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LABEL PR has strengthened its ranks with the appointment of Almina Kadic-Wilson as junior account director.
She joins the Manchester agency from Think Publicity where she worked as fashion account manager for the last three years.
Label PR founder Lee Bloor said: “The agency’s growth over the past 12 months has enabled us to look forward and improve our service offering. We’re thrilled to announce this appointment. Almina’s flair for developing distinctive brand strategies will be crucial in helping Label PR continue to grow our presence in the industry.”
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LAW firm Berg has taken on two new solicitors – Chris Longbottom and Kim Freeman-Smith.
Longbottom joins the Manchester-based practice;s family law team from Russell Jones & Walker. Freeman-Smith joins from Beech Jones de Lloyd in Liverpool. She completed her training at Manchester law firm Cobbetts.
Alison Loveday, managing partner at Berg, said: “Chris and Kim will play crucial roles in working closely with our partners as they look to support existing and new clients. I am confident they will find Berg a great environment in which to further their careers.”
Berg was founded in 1980 by senior partner Reuben Berg.
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PROPERTY investment company HIMOR Group has recruited Paul Codling to head its tenant liason operations.
He joins from Cheshire-based Orbit Developments, and had previously worked at WHR Property Consultants.
He will handle tenant relations across HIMOR’s office portfolio which includes Clarence House, St James’s Court and Ship Canal House in Manchester; Norwest Court and Guildhall House in Preston and the managed office element of The Village Square scheme in Bramhall, Cheshire.
Will Ainscough, managing director of HIMOR, said: “We have always been very close to our tenants as customer care is becoming paramount in the business.
“Paul’s arrival means we can continue to grow the business whilst maintaining our hands-on approach. Paul also brings with him vast experience in the leasing market. which will be an invaluable resource for us.”
HIMOR plans to relocate from its existing premises in Newton-le-Willows to Clarence House in Manchester by September.
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THE Manchester office of chartered surveyors Eddisons has promoted two members of staff. Andrew Murdoch and Ed Shaw have been made associate directors in its valuation and insolvency department.
Nigel McDonald, managing director of Eddisons. said: ‘The promotions are in direct recognition of the contribution these individuals have made across different areas of the business over a number of years.”
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MANCHESTER-based marketing firm The if agency has recruited three new members of staff across its campaigns and account management teams.
Louise Casey has joined as the firm’s new campaign manager. She had most recently worked at the Central Office of Information and had previously worked at TBWA. She will now manage projects for clients including bookmaker Paddy Power, WorldStores.co.uk, Spirit Pub Company and Crown Bingo.
The other recruits are apprentice account manager TJ Rees, who joins after graduating from the University of Nottingham and creative artworker James France. He previously worked at Williams Lea.
The if agency managing director Christian James said: “These appointments and the expansion of the team is real step forward for the company.
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve worked hard and have continued to grow – both organically and as a result of new business drive.”
