People: Promotion at business advisory firm; Law firm adds to corporate and commercial department; and more

Specialist business advisory firm FRP has announced a senior promotion in its Birmingham office.

Ben Jones has been promoted to director in the restructuring team. He has more than 10 years’ experience supporting businesses across the Midlands in sectors including manufacturing, construction and not-for-profit. He supports a range of stakeholders when a business suffers financial difficulties, from directors and shareholders to lenders and creditors, and focuses on advising owner-managed businesses.

His recent assignments include the implementation of a company voluntary arrangement for a regional haulier that benefited all stakeholders, and the successful sale of a Midlands-based packaging business via a pre-pack administration.

Gerald Smith, partner at FRP in Birmingham, said: “Having someone with Ben’s experience in the team is key to FRP’s approach to delivering the best results for all parties and this is even more important when it comes to restructuring work.

“When a business faces financial challenges, they need an adviser like Ben to provide both advice and support, and to make sure we deliver on this it’s vital that we invest in and develop the talent within our business. Ben’s promotion is very well deserved and I have no doubt he will continue to support our clients across the Midlands.”

Ben Jones, director at FRP in Birmingham, said: “I am very proud to take on the role of director at FRP and will continue to work closely with businesses during what can be a difficult time, while committing to achieving the best possible outcome for all stakeholders.”

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North Wales and Shropshire law firm GHP Legal has appointed Ronald Carter as senior associate chartered legal executive to its corporate and commercial department, with responsibility across all five of the firm’s offices.

After embarking on a legal career in London’s West End Carter’s subsequent appointments included positions with Mishcon DeReya and Nabarro Nathanson, now part of the CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang.

During his 15 years as a general litigator and ten years as a company commercial lawyer, among other corporate giants he represented British Airways, Singapore Airlines, ICI, Unilever, Nat West Group, Midland Bank and Societe Generale, as well as high net-worth individuals.

The wide and varied scope of Carter’s experience includes the handling of several multi-million $US cases, including the purchase of an international finance franchise on behalf of a bank, and advising on multi-million $US investments for individuals in the Middle East and off-shore pension schemes.”

Carter’s reputation as a respected authority on transacting business in the Middle East has on a number of occasions led to him being invited by the Department of Trade and Industry and regional Chambers of Commerce to lead seminars.

Carter said: “After commuting into London for many years I decided it was time to take advantage of the international freedom that IT has brought to the workplace and enjoy a better quality of life in the more relaxed environment of rural Shropshire and North Wales. Now I am looking forward to representing both new and old clients within the growing company and commercial department at GHP Legal.”

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Redditch-based integrated communications provider Adare SEC has further boosted its ongoing transformation strategy with the appointment of a chief digital and information officer.

Andrew Herd joins the executive team to drive the company’s continued enhancement of its digital services to clients. In the newly created position, he will focus on building high quality, secure systems that enable effective integrated communications and solutions.

Adare SEC’s clients include financial services company Allianz, multinational commercial bank Santander and nature conservation charity RSPB. The company has a turnover of £69.7m and employs 440 people.

Prior to joining the company, Herd was chief information officer for three-and-a-half years at mortgage services administration provider, Computershare Loan Services. Before that, he spent three years leading technology at UK Asset Resolution, the Government’s holding company set up in 2010 to administer Bradford Bingley and Northern Rock.

He said: “It is an exciting time to join Adare SEC. The company is rapidly transforming and further enhancing its range of digital services to enable clients to provide their customers with integrated communications which deliver excellent customer experiences.

“The business has a clear and sustainable growth strategy. I am looking forward to playing my part in making it happen by evolving our technology capability and developing products and services that help our clients navigate an increasingly complex customer engagement challenge.”