People on the move: Chafes Solicitors; MSoft eSolutions; EY

CHESHIRE and High Peak based law firm Chafes Solicitors has appointed Seema McWilliam as a commercial property solicitor.

McWilliam is the latest in a string of appointments as Chafes continues to grow its commercial property Team following the appointment of head of department Daniel Woodcock in 2015 and the recruitment of solicitor Katy Craik-White in 2016.

McWilliam has extensive experience in advising on commercial leases having acted for both landlords and tenants. Based at the Wilmslow office of Chafes, he also deals with sales and purchases of commercial property and secured lending work.

She has more than 10 years post qualification legal experience having previously worked at Eversheds LLP for five years and latterly the software industry in a multidiscipline in-house counsel role.

McWilliam said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Chafes and I’m looking forward to working in a busy team as the local commercial property market continues to be buoyant.”

Daniel Woodcock, head of commercial property at Chafes, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Seema to the firm. Her insight and experience will benefit our existing and new clients and will play a key role in supporting our team as it continues to grow.”

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A HEALTHCARE software company has appointed an experienced commercial director to help drive international expansion.

MSoft eSolutions, based on the Wirral, has recruited Carl Kameen, who has extensive experience working for UK PLCs. He also worked in the corporate finance team at Ernst & Young.

MSoft is a specialist in blood-tracking technology. The company’s award-winning Bloodhound solution is now used in more than 100 NHS and private hospitals.

Bloodhound has also attracted interest overseas with the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia among those to implement the software.

Other MSoft products include Sample360, a powerful phlebotomy sample tracking and management solution, PPID360, patient identification software, and Vital360, which allows NHS Trusts to take Bloodhound and turn it into a full hospital-wide observations and decision support tool.

Matt McAlister, founder and managing director of MSoft, said: “I have known Carl for a long time and his extensive knowledge working at a high level within PLCs combined with his corporate finance background will be essential in helping us deliver our global expansion plans.”

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EY has appointed two new partners to lead a legal practice based in Manchester.

Paul Devitt and Richard Thomas joined EY this month and were previously from Addleshaw Goddard.

The move strengthens EY’s UK law team and is part of the firm’s commitment to providing a strong M&A offering to businesses in the North West and nationally.

Devitt has extensive experience of public and private M&A transactions and equity capital markets matters, particularly for publicly listed companies and international businesses.

He spent 20 years at Addleshaw Goddard and has held various positions at the firm, including managing partner.

Thomas is an experienced corporate M&A lawyer, acting predominantly for blue chip clients on acquisitions, disposals and takeovers. He was with Addleshaw Goddard for 15 years, the last seven as partner.

Simon Allport, EY’s North West senior partner, said: “There is a well-developed, active M&A market in the North West. As well as strong domestic activity we have also seen a big increase in foreign direct investment in the region.

“Our latest figures show that the North West was the fastest growing region in the UK in 2015 in terms of inward investment. 

“We are committed to helping our clients make the most of this burgeoning market, by providing them with access to the best people and the most experienced teams.”

Philip Goodstone, head of law at EY, UK & Ireland, added: “As we continue to grow our legal services practice, we remain focussed on finding the best talent and I’m confident that Paul and Richard will be fantastic additions to the team.

“They are both exceptional lawyers with outstanding reputations in both the North West and the UK more widely. Their expertise and background will help our clients to achieve their growth ambitions in this thriving market.”