Appointments: Brabners, Croftons SCP & more
NORTH West law firm Brabners Chaffe Street has appointed planning specialist Iain Johnston as a partner covering its Liverpool and Manchester offices.
Mr Johnston joins from SGH Martineau in Birmingham where he led its planning and environment department. He is also a compulsory purchase expert and launched and established the firm’s high speed rail HS2 advisory team. Previously he practiced at Gateley and also spent time working as a police officer in Greater Manchester.
Mark Brandwood, managing partner at Brabners Chaffe Street, said: “We pride ourselves on having a wealth of experience and strong technical skills and, with Iain’s valuable expertise, we will enhance the strength and depth of the planning advice we offer and further broaden our support for businesses.”
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SPECIALIST social housing law firm Croftons has appointed Melanie Dirom as senior associate to lead its contentious social housing litigation service.
Formerly with Brabners Chaffe Street, she was recommended in the 2012 Legal 500 Directory, and also has been awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation for “outstanding legal work to improve communities by taking action against anti-social behaviour”.
Croftons’ managing partner Simon Leighton said: “Melanie has a proven track record of delivering results for registered provider (housing association) clients and is well known in the sector.”
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MANCHESTER law firm Davis Blank Furniss has appointed Caroline Smith to its dispute resolution department as a solicitor.
Ms Smith has been a trainee solicitor at Davis Blank Furniss since March 2011. Her appointment follows the successful completion of her training contract.
Working with colleagues Andrew Ryan and Claire Smith she will handle areas such as debt recovery, injunctive relief, shareholder and directors’ disputes and general contractual disputes.
Prior to joining Davis Blank Furniss she worked at Forbes Solicitors as a paralegal in its defendant insurance department.
Partner Andrew Ryan said: “Dispute Resolution is a key part of our business and we’re delighted Caroline is now part of the team proper. She is a fantastic lawyer and her tenacious talent and personality is a real asset to the firm.”
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MANCHESTER-based transportation planning consultants SCP has boosted its ranks to 17 with three new hires.
Peter Todd joins the company as a principal transport planner after spending the last four years at WSP. Sheelagh McGuiness-Stephen joins as a senior transport planner and Frazer Thorley from Capita as a senior CAD Manager.
David Roberts, director of SCP said: “We are pleased to report that despite the recession, SCP is continuing to expand and develop our portfolio of services and clients.
“We are delighted to welcome Frazer, Sheelagh and Peter to the SCP team. Their experience will further strengthen our ability to respond to our clients’ requirements in a timely and efficient manner.
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PLANNING and design consultancy Barton Willmore has added two new recruits, senior planners Suzanne Asher and Lorraine Davison, to its Manchester team.
Barton Willmore partner Dan Mitchell, who heads the Manchester office:
said: “We’re delighted to welcome both Lorraine and Suzanne to the team as we continue to expand our business.
“The region continues to present a lot of opportunities for growth despite the national economic picture, and it’s great to be working with both major property players and individual landowners to help realise that potential.”
Barton Willmore’s clients in the North West include the Property Alliance Group, Grosvenor, Bellway Homes, Story Homes and Elan Homes.
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HILARY Fenton, a former operations director of Five Boroughs NHS Trust has joined the Bolton-based charity, Birtenshaw.
She took up her new role as Director of Care and Health Services at Birtenshaw earlier this month following a 30-year career with local authorities and the NHS.
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BLACKPOOL Solicitors Blackhurst Budd has appointed Paul Coombes as in house marketing manager.
Mr Coombes, from South Shore, has joined the business having worked for a large Manchester firm for four years.
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DIGITAL agency Livelink has appointed Fiona Stewart as copywriter. She has previously worked for a number of SEO agencies, and is a graduate in journalism and creative writing at University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
Managing director, PK Vaish said: “As well as being a highly-skilled copywriter, Fiona has a very warm and approachable manner which translates well in our industry and I expect she will work well with both our clients and the rest of the team here at Livelink.”
