People: Fieldfisher; Luceco
Fieldfisher has announced the appointment of Rhona Azir as its new head of immigration.
Azir has joined the law firm’s Birmingham office from Magrath Sheldrick in London, having previously worked as an immigration specialist for a number of UK law firms and in-house, including for a Big Four accountancy firm.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Azir had a career in journalism, having worked as a news reporter and multimedia editor for the then Birmingham Post and Mail newspaper group.
Azir’s particular specialism is helping businesses attract key talent, ensuring they are compliant with all legal and regulatory obligations. Having worked in-house, she understands the various challenges businesses and HR departments face and provides bespoke compliance training, tailored to their needs.
She also has experience in dealing with complex immigration applications for private clients, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Azir is taking over Fieldfisher’s busy immigration practice which sits within the firm’s international Employment, Pensions, Immigration and Compliance (EPIC) group.
Head of EPIC and Birmingham Office Leader Ranjit Dhindsa said: “We are delighted that Rhona is joining the firm to take over our Immigration practice.
“Being based in the Birmingham office, she will be perfectly placed to manage a team that is spread across Birmingham, London, Manchester and Belfast, and which regularly works closely with our international offices in 12 countries.
“Immigration advice is essential to much of the firm’s work assisting large corporate clients on major deals and reorganisations as well as resourcing. Immigration expertise is also key to our Birmingham office’s core focus on specialist litigation and business transformation”.
Azir added: “I am thrilled to be returning to my home city to take on such a fantastic role, heading an experienced and committed team under Ranjit’s leadership.
“UK businesses are facing recruitment challenges but these are made more difficult by frequent changes to immigration law, strict rules on hiring migrant workers, fee increases and often confusing processes. My colleagues and I will work with clients to navigate these complexities, while ensuring they remain up-to-date with the ever increasing changes to immigration law.”
Sarah Thompson
Lighting, electrical and global power giant, Luceco Group has appointed Sarah Thompson as communications manager.
Birmingham born Sarah has a wealth of international experience in media relations, communication, PR and campaign strategies, including roles at Goodyear Tyres and Volvo Cars, and extensive freelance experience with clients across varied sectors, including work with Capgemini, Northern Foods and Manchester United Football Club.
Thompson gained her NUJ and IFJ press cards working on environmental initiatives, alternative fuels, and electric vehicle projects in Westminster and has joined Luceco following five years at one of the region’s longest-running business support organisations where she oversaw all external communications and edited Prosper Magazine.
She is now responsible for Luceco Group’s external and internal communications, including the groups portfolio of respected lighting, electrical and EV charging solutions.
Tania Tams, marketing director at Luceco Group said: “We welcome Sarah on board in this key role and are sure her enthusiasm and wide experience will make a positive difference to the Luceco brands.”
Thompson said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me to further develop Luceco’s strong presence and potential within the marketplace. I look forward to using my experience to help push the company forward.”
