People: Harris Lamb; Colliers; Shakespeare Martineau

Commercial property consultancy Harris Lamb has announced the latest appointment to its team, having welcomed lease advisory specialist Sean Reid to the business as a director.

Reid joins Harris Lamb from Savills, where he was a director before becoming head of lease advisory in the Birmingham office in 2021.

He has held senior positions responsible for teams of surveyors at LSH, and JLL in Birmingham and in the late 1990’s he was estates manager for the Central Midlands for HSBC Bank Plc.

Richard Fantham, director at Harris Lamb, said: “Sean needs no introduction within the region, with almost three decades’ experience and having dealt with numerous key commercial property assets within the West and East Midlands. Sean has been an RICS appointed Independent Expert since 2005 and an Arbitrator since 2007 and has a superb professional reputation and an extensive knowledge of lease renewals and rent reviews.

“We are thrilled to welcome him to the business. With five specialists within the field, we are proud to have one of the largest Lease Advisory teams in the Midlands, and Sean’s expertise and guidance will ensure it continues to thrive,” he said.

Reid said: “Harris Lamb has an excellent reputation within the industry in terms of the quality of buildings and the range of clients that they act for, and I am really excited to join such a focused, close knit and friendly team.”

Colliers’ Rating team has appointed Caroline Pooley as strategic partnership director.

Based in Birmingham, she will focus on expanding the corporate client portfolio, strengthening existing relationships, and ensuring high-quality service across regional bases.

Caroline Pooley

Her role also includes helping clients maximise business rates savings and connecting them with the broader Colliers’ UK and EMEA business.

Pooley most recently held the position of head of commercial at the West Midlands Growth Company.

During her tenure, she managed the organisation’s corporate and tourism partnership programme, driving investment into the region.

She also led commercial partnerships for key domestic and international events such as MIPIM and UK REiiF, and spearheaded the development of the Major Events Fund Strategic Framework for the West Midlands.

With more than 20 years of business development experience across London and the Midlands, including roles at organisations such as Avison Young, Pooley will bring a deep understanding of strategic partnerships and a proven ability to deliver growth.

John Webber, head of rating at Colliers said: “We are thrilled to welcome Caroline to our team at such a pivotal time for our business. Her extensive experience in strategic partnerships, combined with her commercial acumen and deep understanding of client needs, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our Rating services. Caroline’s ability to build meaningful relationships and deliver tailored solutions will strengthen our client offering and drive our success in an increasingly complex market.”

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has strengthened its healthcare offering by bringing in a team of six experienced legal professionals.

Comprising three partners, two associates and a solicitor, the team has joined the firm from Knights and specialises in corporate transactions in various healthcare sectors.

The team brings a collective 59 years of experience to improve the firm’s capacity to deliver comprehensive legal support to the industry.

Leading the team are partners Jonathan Tyson and Gemma Tyson, who bring a wealth of experience in handling transactions in areas including dental, pharmacy, opticians, children’s nurseries and veterinary practices. They will be supported by partner Katie Taken, associates Jonathan Hill and Louise McDonald and solicitor Stena Rham.

Tyson said: “Shakespeare Martineau’s healthcare team is already very successful and highly regarded, and we believe that together, we will become greater than the sum of our parts. The firm’s great reputation, loyal people and ambitious growth plans were significant factors in our decision to join.

“Being part of Shakespeare Martineau will give us the support and platform we need to truly focus on the healthcare sector, expand our expertise and specialisms, and provide a consistent high-quality service to our clients.”

Since qualifying in 2011, Katie Taken has been advising on the sale and purchase of pharmacy and dental practices, as well as all aspects of the childcare and education sector, acting for first-time buyers, retiring sellers and corporates.

Jonathan Hill supports clients across a range of sectors, with particular expertise in dental practice acquisitions and disposals, and dental corporate groups looking to expand their portfolios through acquisition.

Louise Mcdonald’s clients include individual sole traders, partnerships and corporate groups. She has a great deal of experience working with dental practices and pharmacies, and advising business owners on reorganisations, financing, sale or acquisition of individual and group practices.

Stena Pham supports on dental, pharmacy and childcare sector transactions, including business sales and purchases, mergers, joint ventures, corporate lending and company incorporation. She also advises on the regulatory requirements of the NHS and the Care Quality Commission.

Joseph Soul, partner and head of Shakespeare Martineau’s commercial property and development team, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan, Gemma, Katie, Jonathan, Louise and Stena to the firm. Their recruitment has been part of a long-standing strategy to enhance our existing healthcare offering and develop a national platform.”