People: Knights; Shoothill; Aon
Partner Andrew McManus has joined Knights in Birmingham as the business continues its growth.
McManus brings more than a decade of experience as a trusted disputes lawyer for private clients in civil litigation, contentious trusts and probate disputes.
He works with clients on a wide range of private wealth disputes, with expertise in challenging wills, claims under the Inheritance Act 1975, breaches of trust, land disputes and contested applications before the Court of Protection.
He said: “I am really pleased to have joined Knights, a business whose one team culture reflects my own approach. The existing private wealth team at Knights, and the national reach, offer an exciting opportunity.”
He is the 11th new partner at Knights so far this year, with more to follow, and joins Knights’ strong Birmingham team based at Two Chamberlain Square.
Jessica Neyt, client services director at Knights, said: “Andrew is a great addition, bringing a strong reputation and a huge amount of talent, energy and enthusiasm to our team. We’re set for further growth in Birmingham and across the Midlands this year. Andrew will help us to deliver on our plans.”
Shoothill, a leader in the technology and software sector, announces a restructure of its senior management team designed to further bolster the company’s market-leading position and sustain its growth trajectory.
Rod Plummer and Simon Jeavons
Rod Plummer will be moving to a newly created position of executive chairman, and Simon Jeavons will be promoted to group managing director.
Rod Plummer’s appointment comes after 18 years as co-founder and managing director.
His new role as executive chairman will involve guiding the strategic oversight of the company to ensure long-term sustainability and success.
Plummer said: “I’ve got many highlights and proud moments from my time as Shoothill’s Managing Director such as our award-winning projects like FloodAlerts, GaugeMap and PPExchange. I often say that the secret to Shoothill’s success is hiring people that are smarter than myself and this change acknowledges just how brilliant the team are. As Chairman, I’ll be overseeing the work of my team and making sure that Shoothill will be here to support our customers for decades to come.”
Jeavons added: “Assuming the role of Group Managing Director is both an immense honour and a significant responsibility. Our collective efforts will be aimed at expanding our offering, providing an enhanced return on investment and allowing more SMEs to reap the benefits of digital transformation”.
“This leadership reorganisation signifies a pivotal chapter in Shoothill’s journey, symbolising the company’s dedication to continuous growth, innovation, and leadership in the technology and software sectors.”
Aon, a global professional services firm, has announced that Birmingham-based Richard Fawcett has been promoted to industry leader for food, agribusiness and beverage for Aon in the UK. In his new role, he will work across all Aon’s solution lines and report to Dave Kennedy, UK industry sectors leader.
Fawcett joined Aon five years ago having built his food and beverage expertise in client management roles at NFU Mutual and Berkeley Insurance Group.
He most recently held the position of client director and during his career with Aon has worked on a wide range of clients that includes one of the UK’s largest and most diverse food manufacturers, a leading biscuit company and a nationwide fresh produce wholesale and distribution specialist.
In his new role, Fawcett will leverage his corporate insurance background, while working across Aon’s solution lines, to identify ways in which Aon can help its clients solve risk, health and benefits, pensions and workforce challenges.
He will utilise his breadth of knowledge around the key issues affecting clients in the sector, to support his Aon colleagues both in Birmingham and elsewhere.
Fawcett said: “Having spent over 15 years focused on clients within the food and beverage sector, it is an honour to now take on this national role where I can utilise my knowledge to support Aon colleagues across the UK and build Aon’s reputation as the leading risk adviser to the industry.
“Aon already invests heavily in this sector, and it is my intention to maximise the support of the global business to ensure that our reputation here in the UK places us as the foremost professional services partner for clients in the food, agribusiness and beverage industry.”
