People: Stoford; Beever and Struthers; TLT

Birmingham-based commercial property developer Stoford has announced three promotions, including the appointment of two members of its construction team, Ben Gwilliam and Simon Ganley, as directors of the business.

Claire Harris has been promoted to head of branding.

Gwilliam, with nearly 20 years of experience in commercial property, has managed various major industrial/logistics schemes since joining Stoford in 2018.

Ganley, a Project Manager for the past two years, brings three decades of construction sector experience and has played a key role in overseeing Stoford’s projects.

Harris, responsible for visual communications at Stoford, has been with the company for almost eight years and also serves as a charity champion and contributes to managing the company’s sustainability policy.

Stoford joint managing director, Matthew Burgin, said: “Huge congratulations to Ben, Simon and Claire on their well-deserved promotions. They are highly skilled individuals who have consistently demonstrated their professionalism and dedication to our business, and we look forward to supporting them in the next stage of their respective careers.

“Stoford has enjoyed a sustained period of growth which is due in no small part to the expertise we have developed within our team. We can lead development and strategic land promotion in the main commercial sectors, at almost any location within the UK.”

Beever and Struthers, accountants and business advisors, have appointed Ann Bibby as a tax partner for their Birmingham and Manchester offices.

Ann Bibby

With over 20 years of experience as a chartered tax adviser and qualified accountant, Bibby has worked in large regional and international accountancy firms.

She specialises in advising entrepreneurial businesses and their shareholders across various stages, from start-ups to exits and sales.

Maria Hallows, executive partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ann to the firm as we continue to grow and expand further.  Ann’s extensive experience and strong track record in advising companies, entrepreneurs, wealthy individuals, and their families in all aspects of tax will be invaluable to our clients. Ann has a unique insight and understanding of the challenges clients can face.”

 Bibby said: “I’m joining Beever and Struthers at a time of growth for tax advice within the profession. The vision that the firm has for personal client relationships, and its focus on helping clients navigate the complex world of tax, complements my aspirations. I am excited to apply my technical knowledge and experience of understanding tax nuances to help Beever and Struthers’ clients achieve their goals”.

Law firm TLT is strengthening its presence in Birmingham with key hires in the corporate, dispute resolution, and financial services disputes and investigations teams.

Hires include Mark Elder, Mathew Harvey, and Roger Potgieter.

John Wood

Elder has joined TLT’s commercial dispute resolution team in Birmingham, as a trusted commercial litigator. Harvey, the new corporate partner, enhances TLT’s corporate practice nationally and regionally. Finally, Roger Potgieter, a specialist in financial services disputes, has been appointed to strengthen TLT’s national practice in motor and asset finance.

John Wood, managing partner at TLT said: “Birmingham is one of the fastest growing business and professional services centres in the UK and an important city to establish a presence. However, it has been some time since this legal market has welcomed a newcomer with TLT’s energy, ambition and focus – it is the perfect time for us to be opening here, bringing true innovation and a fresh offering to both talent and businesses.

“Ten years ago, we opened our office in Manchester from a standing start to over 100 lawyers in 2023. We anticipate our growth in Birmingham to be much quicker. The opening of our office offers local legal talent the opportunity to work at one of the fastest-growing and most progressive law firms in the country, boasting some of the best lawyers in the UK, where people are valued, recognised and rewarded, whilst maintaining the highest standard of service for clients. We already have close to 30 TLT colleagues set up in our Birmingham office and have received significant interest from outside talent, who want to join us for something a little different.

“Corporate and litigation are major growth areas for us – over the past twelve months we have made several senior hires to the corporate team in London and Edinburgh and have worked on some of the most high-profile cases in the UK. We have continued to find plenty of opportunities in the UK corporate mid-market and have a robust pipeline and a fantastic client base to work with. With Birmingham boasting a strong private equity and venture capital market, our new Midlands-based office will give us greater scope to build on this strength.”