On the Move: Michelmores; Birketts; Allison Homes; Corrigan; Summerfield

Michelmores has announced the appointment of Anna Parker who joins its Tax, Trusts & Succession team as a partner based in the Bristol office.

Parker joins the Firm from Foot Anstey and brings extensive private wealth expertise, including complex estate planning, wealth structuring, and inheritance tax advice for high-net-worth individuals and families. Her practice spans both domestic and international matters, with a particular focus on cross-border estate planning, trusts, and succession planning.

She said: “I am excited to be joining Michelmores at this time of strong growth for the Firm and the Private Wealth group. I look forward to working alongside such a highly regarded team in sector and supporting our clients in navigating the ever-changing private wealth landscape.”

Dhana Sabanathan, head of the Tax, Trusts & Succession team at Michelmores, adds: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Anna to the team. Her private wealth expertise, coupled with her reputation for providing exceptional client service, will be a great asset to our clients in [Bristol and beyond /across the UK and internationally.]”

“Anna’s appointment further strengthens our commitment to delivering outstanding legal solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families, and we look forward to the valuable contribution she will make to the team.”

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Law firm Birketts has announced that two new partners will be joining its Bristol office.

The Corporate Team will be boosted by the arrival of Damocles Merry, who joins Birketts from Osborne Clarke.

Rafael Ruiz, partner and head of the corporate Team at Birketts, said: “Damocles is an experienced M&A and transactions lawyer with a breadth of experience and expertise in the defence, security and aerospace sector, and in corporate real estate transactions.

“He is joining our growing and dynamic corporate team of 20 partners across our seven offices in London and the South, and will be instrumental in building our corporate practice in Bristol and the South West, with a focus on his specialist areas and general M&A transactions in the region. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Meanwhile, Phil Brown, formerly of Foot Anstey, will join the residential development team at Birketts.

Grace Kerr, partner and head of real estate at Birketts, said: “We are delighted to welcome Phil to the Residential Development Team at Birketts. His wealth of experience in the residential development sector – particularly in acting for national, regional and local developers and promoters – will build on the firm’s strength in this area and will be invaluable in growing our expertise in and around Bristol, as well as nationally.

“Phil also specialises in strategic land development and his appointment will enable us to continue delivering high quality legal services to, as well as build on our strong reputation in the strategic land arena. We are very excited to have him on board.”

Birketts’ office in Bristol, which opened in November 2024, is the firm’s seventh office and now has a total of eight partners.

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Allison Homes has promoted John Phillips to build director for its South West region.

Since joining the business as a construction manager over two and a half years ago, he has played a key role in the delivery of high-quality homes across Devon.

Phillips will lead the South West construction team, overseeing all build operations and supporting Allison Homes’ ambitious five-year growth strategy to double the size of its business.

Jon Cook, group managing director of Allison Homes, said: “John’s promotion is a testament to his leadership, expertise and commitment. His impact on our South West operations has already been significant, and we’re confident that under his guidance, our construction teams will continue to thrive. John’s insight and drive will be instrumental in helping us deliver high-quality, much-needed homes across the region.”

Phillips said: “I’m proud to step into this role at such an exciting time for Allison Homes South West. I’ve had the privilege of working with a fantastic team over the past few years, and I’m looking forward to building on that foundation. As we continue expanding our presence in the South West, my focus will be on delivering well-built, energy-efficient homes that our customers are proud of, while continuing to strengthen the relationships that underpin our success.”

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Ed Corrigan, tax partner Pete Edwards and David Wright

David Wright has joined fast-growing independent accountancy practice Corrigan as an audit partner.

Wright, who has 25 years’ experience in the sector, joins Bristol-based Corrigan from Westcotts.

The key appointment marks the latest step in Corrigan’s growth strategy it continues to expand its services, advising growing businesses across the South West.

“David has worked at some of the region’s leading practices and his extensive audit experience and expertise will be a huge asset to the firm,” says partner and founder, Ed Corrigan.

“While his core focus will be on auditing owner-managed businesses and charities across Bristol and the South West, he will also offer strategic business advice and insight on tax efficiency and compliance and the streamlining of financial operations.”

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South West developer Summerfield has announced that it has appointed Will Grant as portfolio director for Summerfield Developments (SW) Limited and Summerfield Estates Limited.

Grant, who has been with Summerfield for five years, oversees the company’s commercial investment portfolio which has a diverse variety of properties across the region with more than 160 tenants ranging from local retail parades and modern offices to large industrial buildings and business parks.

A chartered surveyor, Devon-born Grant qualified in London in 2012 at Cushman & Wakefield and returned to his West Country roots two years later, taking up a position at Alder King in Exeter.

He joined Summerfield Commercial as a portfolio manager in 2020 and was made a divisional director in 2023. He has responsibility for asset management, leasing and investment throughout the business.

James Holyday, group managing director at Summerfield, said: “Will’s promotion to the Board is well deserved and we look forward to his contributions in that role.”

Grant added: “This is a fantastic property company with a talented team and a heritage dating back over 200 years. I am very much looking forward to contributing to Summerfield’s continued growth and success over the years to come.”