People: Harrison Drury; Irwin Mitchell; Leavitt Walmsley & more

LANCASHIRE and Cumbria law firm Harrison Drury says it is aiming to build the region’s strongest commercial property team following the arrival of five senior lawyers from Napthens.

Napthens’ current head of commercial property and partner, Allan Sumner, and commercial property partner, Mike Fetherstone, will make the move alongside litigation partner, David Barnes after they are released by the company.

The experienced trio will be joined by Daniel Boulton, associate commercial property solicitor, and senior associate solicitor in the commercial property team, Philip Wright, who will join in January 2016.

John Chesworth, managing director of Harrison Drury, said: “We are very excited to have Mike, Allan, David, Daniel and Philip joining Harrison Drury and it is a testament to our culture and ambition that we have attracted such high calibre property lawyers.

“All five have tremendous experience of working for some of the region’s largest property companies.

 “The combined experience of these market-leading specialists, alongside our current team, will add a great deal to the service we give to our clients, while enhancing our brand as a leading firm in commercial property law.”

Harrison Drury has offices in Preston, Clitheroe, Garstang, Kendal and Lancaster.

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IRWIN Mitchell has announced a record number of associate promotions for the third year in a row.

The national law firm has promoted 38 members of staff to Associate level – with six in Manchester.

In Manchester-based team leader Tracyanne Ayliffe and personal injury solicitors Sarah Sharples and Richard Biggs are promoted along with bid manager Chris Blackburn and business development manager Anna Marro.
Operations manager Tahir Bashir is also promoted.

Group chief executive Andrew Tucker said the promotions highlight Irwin Mitchell’s commitment to developing and promoting talent and that the large number reflects the high quality of applications.

More than half of the newly-promoted associates are female and the promotions, which become effective from 1st November 2015, reflect the broad range of business and legal services provided by the firm.
 
Tucker said: “These promotions represent a major investment in our services and demonstrate our commitment to developing our staff.”

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ACCOUNTANCY and business advisory specialist Leavitt Walmsley Associates is expanding in every respect with a new office at Birchwood Park in Warrington, and further growth in its team following the recruitment of two new members of staff.

Jean Boardman has been recruited to ensure all client payrolls run smoothly and delivered on time and Adina Bamber has arrived as an accounting graduate to assist with client audit and tax needs.

Managing partner Les Leavitt said: “Being able to expand our office base and now offer our services from Warrington and Manchester is a huge benefit to us and our clients, in addition to the multitude of opportunities available at the park.

“This big leap in expansion and new additions to our team means the business is growing from strength to strength, something we hope to continue for many years to come.”

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DARRELL Matthews has joined the Institution of Civil Engineers as its North West regional director, based in Manchester and representing ICE’s 6,000 members in the region.

ICE is often seen as the “voice of infrastructure” in discussions with various levels of government, and Matthews takes his new post as infrastructure issues – from the Northern Powerhouse to energy and flooding – are increasingly in the headlines nationally and in the North West.

Matthews said: “Manchester and the North West are facing big issues with infrastructure, and ICE has a duty to bring all the knowledge and expertise of its 6,000 North West members into the public realm and help decision-makers reach the best possible decisions on these crucial issues that affect everybody in their everyday lives.”

Darrell Matthews was previously regional director for EEF (the manufacturers’ organisation) and the Institute of Directors.

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CHESTER Race Company has the appointed of two new directors to its board.

Respected industry and business leaders, Charles Barnett, former chief executive of Ascot and managing director of Aintree Racecourse and Kevin Bacon, chief executive of hospitality and entertainment consultancy Urban Legacies, and former director of The Restaurant Group  will serve as non-executive directors.
   
Martin Beaumont, chairman,  CRC said: “We welcome Charles Barnett and Kevin Bacon to our board of directors. Both are respected leaders and mentors, with great wisdom, vision and focus that have led their respective companies to strong and sustained business growth.”