People: The latest West Midlands hires
Law firm Wright Hassall has bolstered its commercial property team with a senior appointment.
Anna Power has joined the Leamington-based firm as a senior associate in the real estate group, which now has 45 lawyers within the commercial real estate, development and securitisation, construction, planning, rural estates and residential teams.
She arrives with more than ten years of commercial property experience, including acting for real estate investors, owner occupiers and developers.
Power said: “The real estate sector has remained resilient throughout the pandemic, and is set for another busy period of activity.
“The retail and leisure sectors have been the hardest hit by the pandemic, with almost half of businesses looking to renegotiate lease terms, whilst landlords’ options to recover unpaid rent are curtailed by the Coronavirus Act.
“However, investment volumes have continued to rise month on month since the end of Q2, as property yields have started to stabilise.
“The warehousing and logistics sectors have performed well, accelerated by the demand for online shopping. There are also significant changes coming in the planning system, with revised Use Classes, additional permitted development rights and the planning white paper published in August, which will hopefully open up opportunities for developers.
“Commercial property is a key part of the UK’s economy, and I’m looking forward to helping clients navigate the recovery and embark on new opportunities.”
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Excello Law has continued the growth of its team across the Midlands with the recruitment of family lawyer Lorraine Phimister, based in Nuneaton, and commercial contracts and franchising specialist Gurmeet Jakhu, based in Sutton Coldfield.
Phimister qualified in 2007 and specialises in high net worth divorce cases and financial matters arising from divorce, including family businesses, trusts and assets held abroad.
She also deals with children and domestic violence cases.
Qualifying in 1996, Jakhu is a franchise and commercial specialist acting for both franchisors and franchisees on contractual documentation necessary to set up and operate a franchise business including commercial trading agreements, construction and interpretation of commercial contracts, dispute resolution, termination rights and taking steps to enforce post termination rights and restrictive covenants.
Joanne Losty, director at Excello Law, said: “As one of the longest-established, national agile law firms, we have seen unprecedented interest in our business model from senior, experienced lawyers like Lorraine and Gurmeet over the past six months. We are delighted that our continued investment in the Midlands, and the full flexibility we offer lawyers to develop their practice, is proving attractive. We shall continue our recruitment programme across the region.”
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Forge Property Consultants has welcomed Sophie Wall to the business, who will be working across both of the company’s offices in Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Wall Sophie is a chartered surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer and will be specialising in valuation and RICS Home Buyer reports across residential, commercial and rural sectors.
A graduate of Harper Adams University, with a degree in Rural Enterprise and Land Management, she has wide experience in rural surveying, valuation and estate management.
Wall will be working alongside director Charles Lawson, associate director Tom Mason and fellow surveyor Andy Lowe to deliver the full range of property services offered by Forge, from Home Buyer reports, valuations, sales and lettings to planning, utilities and estate management.
Waoll said: “I am very pleased to be joining Forge’s friendly team and I’m really look forward to building on my experience and expanding my skills set further in this busy consultancy.”
