People: NEC Group; Realty Law; Bowcock & Pursaill

The UK’s leading live events business, NEC Group has announced that Andy Gibb will join the leadership team as managing director of Conventions.

Gibb will lead the conventions and conference division of the business based across ICC Birmingham, NEC Birmingham, and the Vox Conference Venue.

He will work on attracting domestic and international conventions to these venues and on delivering a best-in-class experience to visitors.

Gibb joins from Stadium MK, where he was group sales and marketing director for nearly seven years.

Before that, he was a managing director at the Ricoh Arena and commercial director at GES.

Through these roles, he brings with him significant experience in delivering conventions, exhibitions and conferences, as well as live music and sporting events.

NEC Group CEO, Melanie Smith CBE, said: “Andy’s expertise in delivering live events will help us maximise the value and quality of the conventions we put on here at the NEC Group. We have a strong proposition to work with, and I look forward to seeing Andy drive sales momentum across our conventions and diversifying the content we attract.”

Gibb said: “I aim to help take the NEC Group’s conventions offering to the next level and I’m excited to join the team. The Group is a nationwide leader in all things ‘live’ and I look forward to developing the many opportunities which exist in this area of the business.”

Residential property debt collection specialist, Realty Law, has been strengthened by the appointment of a new head of residential litigation.

Monica Duggal

is a property litigation lawyer with more than 16 years of experience in the property management sector.

A former in-house solicitor for one of the UK’s largest managing agents, Monica has held positions with several other managing agents, and a leading developer and asset management firm.

More recently she was head of litigation at a private practice specialising in landlord and tenant debt recovery.

Duggal’s expertise includes leasehold debt recovery, transfers of management, right to manage, deeds of variations, licences and breaches of covenant, county court and First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) matters.

She said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy a variety of roles in property management which has given me a deep understanding of how the industry works. I value my clients’ internal processes and procedures and seek to find the best solution for them, using a commercial and pragmatic approach. I’m excited to be part of the team at Realty Law and have the opportunity to bring an in-house touch to private practice.”

Gregory Emms, director at Realty Law, said: “We are very pleased that a lawyer of Monica’s experience and skill has joined us. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in advising on all aspects of residential property management. We know that our residential clients will greatly benefit from her appointment and we look forward to her contributing to the success of the firm.”

Staffordshire-based solicitors Bowcock & Pursaill have appointed Heather Reynolds as the latest partner at the firm.

Having joined the solicitors more than 14 years ago, Reynolds has climbed the career ladder, starting as an office assistant.

She progressed to receptionist first before becoming a legal secretary at the firm at 21 where she worked for commercial property specialist, Tom Gregory and residential property specialist, Emma Amat.

Heather Reynolds with partner Catherine Whittles

During her time as legal secretary, Reynolds enrolled at Staffordshire University to study law in the evenings. At the time, Heather said she would joke about being a senior partner one day.

She said: “It was a running joke in the office that I would be a senior partner, and now I’m one step closer to it. I worked full-time at Bowcock & Pursaill whilst studying at Staffordshire University. I had a lot of support from the solicitors and partners and naturally fell into property thanks to working with Tom and Emma. I hope to continue the good work I’m proud of at Bowcock & Pursaill. It’s a fantastic firm to work for and I am living proof that career progression is a priority here.”