People: Shoosmiths; Echo Managed Services
Shoosmiths has welcomed a new partner to its national real estate practice.
Chris Morris joins the firm’s Birmingham office from Gowling WLG where he spent more than 16 years advising developers, operators and investors on major regeneration schemes and real estate transactions.
This appointment further enhances Shoosmiths’ real estate team, which welcomed six new partners and legal directors in 2023 – most recently hiring construction and engineering partner, Jody Kite, who arrived at the firm from national developer Dandara.
Morris brings specialist experience advising on build to rent and data centre assets, having supported operators and investors in these areas for many years. He brings a wealth of experience and market knowledge to Shoosmiths, adding further depth to the real estate team and also supporting existing client projects.
Chris Morris, real estate partner at Shoosmiths, said: “I’m thrilled to join Shoosmiths’ real estate practice and a team that is truly making a difference in the property industry. The firm’s commercial approach goes beyond simply advising on ‘the law’, which considering current challenges, is more important than ever.
“The strength of the firm’s real estate investment and development groups, in particular, were key draws. I’m looking forward to supporting the team and clients to help bring forward the developments needed to transform the UK’s built environment and infrastructure.”
Jason Jackson, real estate partner at Shoosmiths, commented: “Chris embodies the qualities we value in a real estate lawyer – ambitious, commercially-minded, and adept at finding solutions for clients. He slots right into the team and is already making an impact, while bolstering our offering in specialist parts of the real estate sector.”
Walsall-based Echo Managed Services has appointed Leanne Florence as head of operations.
In her new role, Florence will lead and manage the end-to-end customer service delivery for South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water, two of Echo’s long-standing clients. She will oversee a team of customer service advisors, team leaders and managers, ensuring they consistently deliver high-quality service to over 1.6 million customers across the Midlands and East Anglia.
Joining from LV=, Florence brings with her more than 15 years of experience in customer service and contact centre management.
Commenting on her new role, Florence said: “I am joining Echo at an important time for both the company and the water industry as a whole. Echo has a strong reputation for delivering effective customer service and innovative solutions, and I hope to bring some of my own expertise to maximise its potential. I have always been passionate about developing people and creating a culture of continuous improvement, elements I believe are integral to achieving customer satisfaction and loyalty.”
Rachael Merrell, customer service director at Echo Managed Services, commented: “Leanne’s skillset is perfectly aligned with Echo’s vision of putting customers at the heart of everything we do, Going forward, Leanne will be instrumental in ensuring that we maintain our high standards of service delivery and drive further enhancements to our Walsall operation.”
