{"id":48666,"date":"2026-11-03T12:57:29","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T12:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebusinessdesk.com\/south-west\/?p=48666"},"modified":"2026-11-03T12:57:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T12:57:29","slug":"on-the-move-nonwovenn-clarke-willmott-stephens-scown-birketts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebusinessdesk.com\/south-west\/news\/48666-on-the-move-nonwovenn-clarke-willmott-stephens-scown-birketts","title":{"rendered":"On the Move: Nonwovenn; Clarke Willmott; Stephens Scown; Birketts"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ned Dorbin has been announced as chief executive of Somerset-based Nonwovenn and of Technical Materials Group (TMG), as the combined businesses look to accelerate growth, working towards ambitious targets over the next few years.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Dorbin is a familiar with Nonwovenn having spent six years as a non-executive director between 2016 and 2022. He has 19 years of experience as a private equity investor, supporting the growth of businesses across a wide range of sectors with funding and strategic board input.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Nonwovenn and TMG plan to significantly increase their scale over the coming years through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. As CEO, Dorbin will be responsible for leading the businesses through this next phase, providing strategic direction and driving commercial performance. His experience of working with management teams, supporting investment decisions and scaling businesses will be central to delivering these ambitions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Former CEO Andrew Brownlow remains part of the leadership team, with an increased focus on strategic projects, capital investment programmes and operational development.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Dorbin said: \u201cI\u2019m delighted to be joining Nonwovenn and TMG. Having previously worked with Nonwovenn, I know how well positioned the business is to expand and capitalise on the opportunities ahead. I\u2019m excited to work with the team to build on what has already been achieved and deliver our ambitions for the future.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
David Lamb, executive chairman at Nonwovenn, said: \u201cAppointing Ned is an important step for Nonwovenn and TMG as we look to deliver our ambitious growth plans. We have known Ned for many years and have seen first-hand the commercial insight and strategic leadership he brings to businesses. His experience, combined with his existing knowledge of Nonwovenn, makes him the right person to lead us through its next phase. I would also like to thank Andrew for his leadership and the significant role he has played in creating the strong foundations that we will continue to build on.\u201d<\/div>\n

:::<\/p>\n

\"\"Peter Swinburn has been re-elected chief executive at law firm Clarke Willmott for a second four-year term.<\/p>\n

Since he become CEO, Clarke Willmott has enjoyed a period of significant growth and development. Revenue has grown consistently from around \u00a360m before his appointment, with indicators suggesting that the firm will meet or even exceed its target of \u00a372.5m by the end of this financial year.<\/p>\n

Graham McIntyre, chair of Clarke Willmott, says his re-election will provide continuity as the firm looks ahead to delivering its next three-year strategy with a view to becoming a \u00a3100m-plus business by the end of the 2030 financial year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am delighted that Peter has been elected for a second term, not least for his ability to bring such enthusiasm and warmth to the role,\u201d said McIntyre.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have huge growth ambitions in the next phase of our strategy, and I know that Peter will invest all his remarkable energy into helping us achieve these goals together.”<\/p>\n

Swinburn added: \u201cI\u2019m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to continue as CEO.<\/p>\n

“I love this firm and I genuinely love the job, so having the support to lead us through this next chapter means a great deal to me. We\u2019ve achieved so much together over the past few years, but I honestly believe some of our biggest opportunities still lie ahead.<\/p>\n

“My focus now is on finishing our current strategy strongly, then working to turn our 2030 ambitions into reality, while protecting the culture and values that make this such a special place to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.<\/p>\n

:::<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"

From left to right: COO Alex Mackie, Joel Holloway, Joanna Staples, Chris Parsons, Henry Barker, Joy Vollans, Chris Twaits, Sophie Rice, Jo Hammersley, Roisin Fisher, and Managing Partner Richard Baker.<\/p><\/div>\n

Less than a year after opening its fourth office in Bournemouth, Stephens Scown has made five further appointments.<\/p>\n

The hires strengthen the firm’s real estate and corporate capabilities.<\/p>\n

Senior associate Joanna Staples, associate Sophie Rice, senior associate Christopher Parsons, solicitor Joel Holloway and senior associate Henry Barker have joined the firm’s real estate and corporate teams, working out of its Bournemouth office.<\/p>\n

They join a growing team in the county that includes partner and executive committee member Joy Vollans, real estate partner Chris Twaits, senior associate Roisin Fisher and senior property consultant Jo Hammersley.<\/p>\n

Richard Baker, managing partner at Stephens Scown, said: “Our growth reflects both the confidence clients are placing in us and the strength of the team we are building locally.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoanna, Sophie, Christopher, Joel and Henry are highly respected lawyers who share our collaborative approach and commitment to outstanding client service. Their appointments further strengthen the expertise available from Bournemouth while giving clients direct access to the breadth of specialist support available across the wider firm.”<\/p>\n

:::<\/p>\n

\"\"Birketts has appointed Chloe Vernon-Shore as a partner in its Bristol commercial and technology team.<\/p>\n

Vernon-Shore is a Natural Capital lawyer who draws on almost 20 years\u2019 experience advising a breadth of clients including those in data, intermediary platforms, and digital and technology solutions. She now specialises in environmental markets, investment into nature, and sustainable and resilient land use to strengthen nature recovery.<\/p>\n

She joins legal director, Claire Halle-Smith, who was the firm\u2019s first South West based commercial and technology hire.<\/p>\n

Paul Palik, partner and head of commercial technology & IP, said: \u201cChloe was the first name on my list when we decided to open an office in Bristol. I have worked opposite Chloe on matters for the last five years, so I know just how good she is. She combines deep knowledge of Natural Capital with a commercial and pragmatic approach. For me, this is a transformative appointment. Natural Capital is an increasingly important part of our practice, and Chloe gives us greater depth, breadth and ambition in this market. I am incredibly excited to have her joining us, but I am even more excited to see what she builds at Birketts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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