Appointments: Brabners, Taylors, Ph Creative, Turner Parkinson, and more

LAW firm Brabners has strengthened its employment team with the appointment of Lee Jefcott as senior associate.
 
Jefcott is based at the firm’s Manchester office on King Street and joins from Blue Sky Law, a boutique firm where he headed up the employment department. Previously he worked at Berg and Squire Sanders.

Paul Chamberlain, partner and head of the employment law team in Manchester, said: “Lee’s appointment reflects our commitment to continuing to expand our offering to clients and he will be a valuable addition to the firm.”
 
Jefcott said: “I am excited to be joining the employment team at Brabners and looking forward to making a contribution to the work of the department and the firm.”

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TAYLORS Solicitors in Manchester has appointed Ruth McCarthy as its commercial property partner.

She joins from the Manchester office of Linder Myers where she was partner and head of its commercial property department.

MCarthy said: “I’m delighted to be working with the Taylors team. The firm’s hands-on commercial approach is just what is needed in the current environment. My career has been built on commitment to client service, building relationships and finding practical solutions. That is what clients want and need, and Taylors recognises this.”

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LAW firm Turner Parkinson has strengthened its family team with the appointment of solicitor Jenny Arnold.

Arnold joins from Linder Myers where she trained and qualified in November 2011. 

She specialises in all aspects of family law including divorce, complex high-value financial settlements, pre and post-nuptial agreements, civil partnerships, cohabitation agreements, and Children Act disputes.

Her appointment is part of the wider development of the team, with the promotion of partner Michael Chapman to head of family. He replaces current department head Martin Karran.

Karran said: “This firm’s strength lies in identifying talent and allowing potential to be fulfilled. It benefits us all to allow Michael and now Jenny the room to flourish. I can mentor them whilst still carrying out my client and business development work.  We can all fulfill our ambitions and the department will go from strength-to-strength.”

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THE Manufacturing Institute has appointed Chris Wilkinson as managing director for the UK Fab Lab Foundation, a digital manufacturing facility that enables people to design and make prototypes.

In his new role, Wilkinson will lead the growth and development of the Fab Lab network across the UK.

A former director of engineering capability development at Spirit Aerosystems, he has spent over 33 years in commercial aerospace, undertaking executive roles across product development and operations at global companies including Airbus and BAE Systems. Over the last decade he has managed teams in Europe, South East Asia, Russia and America.

He sits on the board of the international Fab Foundation which aims to support the growth of the international Fab Lab network. There are now seven labs across the country – Manchester, Falmouth, Glasgow, Airedale (Yorkshire), Belfast, Derry, with Fab Lab Ellesmere Port opening in the autumn. A further 15 Labs are set to be established over the next 12 months.

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INTERNET marketing agency Ph.Creative has doubled in size with the appointment of 16 new staff.

Bob Evans, a specialist in operations, joins the business as chief operating officer while Helen Adams has joined as finance director.

Craig Graham, formally lead designer at the Liverpool-based agency, re-joins the company as art director.

Meanwhile, Ellie Kerr takes on the role as operations manager and PA to managing director Bryan Adams and Ines Osborne has joined as marketing manager.

Lise Cheron will support the web development team in a project management role and five new staff have joined the development arm. The firm has also taken on some apprentices.

Mr Adams, said: “Supporting customer demand as well as our expansion strategy, the experience and enthusiasm they bring will help us to continue to deliver effective projects for clients, increasing the efficiency of our own and our clients’ operations. We’re proud to be putting Liverpool on the digital map and supporting our local community by seeking out the very best talent in the area.”