People: mfg Solicitors; Wright Hassall; Aston University

One of the region’s most popular and respected solicitors has retired after a career spanning over three and a half decades.

James Hayes, a partner in the Corporate division at law firm mfg Solicitors, has retired after 35 years of advising business owners, boards and senior leaders on thousands of corporate-related mergers, acquisitions, disposals and complex cross-border deals.

Recognised as a trusted legal advisor for many businesses from SMEs to publicly quoted companies both in the UK and internationally, James qualified in 1989 and went on to hold partner roles with Harrison Clark and FBC Manby Bowdler, before joining mfg Solicitors in 2011, based at the firm’s Worcester office.

Andrew Davies, partner and managing director at mfg Solicitors said: “During his 13 years with the firm, James has made a colossal impact both internally and with our clients.

“His commitment to the firm has been truly remarkable and he is rightly held in the highest regard by so many businesses which he has supported. We wish James and his family all the very best for the future.”

James added: “It has been a great privilege to have been part of the exponential growth of mfg Solicitors, particularly to have had the opportunity of introducing some great clients to the firm, amongst them some very substantial international clients who will now continue to be advised by the highest calibre partners and solicitors from within mfg.

“The firm and our clients are in great hands moving forward and I look forward to watching them continue to go from strength to strength.

“I’ve had so many good wishes since announcing my retirement and really appreciate the time everyone has taken to wish me well. It means so much. Looking to the future, I am excited at the prospect of being able to spend more time doing the many things I enjoy including music, following Ireland in the rugby international tournaments, and I may even get back to playing golf which I abandoned for lack of time some years ago.”

To mark James’s retirement and to reflect on his career achievements, the firm held a retirement party at Worcester’s Bolero Bar and Kitchen.

Sabrina Rima, Rajbir Grewal, Ann Critchell-Ward, Flora Patalane and Robyn Hey

Wright Hassall has a new commercial team to provide businesses with a wide variety of legal expertise.

Intellectual Property and commercial law specialist Ann Critchell-Ward has been appointed as a new partner and head of commercial to lead the team.

She will also strengthen the firm’s services by bolstering its non-contentious Intellectual Property offering.

The team also includes senior contracts manager Robyn Hey, solicitors Flora Patalane and Sabrina Rima, and paralegal Rajbir Grewal.

Robyn has more than 20 years’ experience in helping businesses navigate the increasingly complex business landscape, while Flora is both a UK and French-qualified lawyer who specialises in commercial contract matters including business terms and conditions and franchise agreements, and is already working on distribution agreements with European companies.

Sabrina Rima specialises in commercial contracts, outsourcing and technology and also advises more broadly on commercial matters, and Rajbir is on course to qualify for the commercial team via the LPC (Legal Practice Course).

Ann said: “It is fantastic to be leading the commercial team at such an exciting time as we look to develop innovative, tailored products and services designed to meet the unique needs of each individual business we work with.

“Today’s companies face increasingly complex challenges, from navigating regulatory pressures and managing risk to unlocking opportunities in rapidly evolving markets, and it’s important that legal experts understand this.

“We have appointed some incredibly talented individuals to the commercial team who have strong expertise and are enthusiastic about delivering a fresh approach which moves beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model.

“We will be providing services which align with the long-term goals of a business while also being adaptable and anticipating both risk and opportunities, helping them to thrive.

“I am a people person so am personally looking forward to getting to know our clients and building on the relationships that we already have. I am a huge advocate for working collaboratively and feel it’s the best way of achieving the results the client wants so I can’t wait to get stuck in.

“We’ll also be looking to grow the team further within the coming months to enhance our offering further.”

Phil Wilding, Managing Partner at Wright Hassall, added: “It’s a real coup for us to secure Ann to lead our brand new commercial team.

“Ann is bringing a fresh new perspective to the business and is brimming with great ideas. I am really looking forward to working with her and the rest of the team going forward.”

Professor Rachel Dodd

Aston University, in collaboration with computer software giant Adobe, has established a new professorial role.

Professor Rachel Dodd has been recruited to the new position of Adobe professor of digital innovation, the first role of its kind globally.

The University is the first Adobe Creative Campus in the Midlands, which means it will provide access to software and embed training and support to enhance teaching, learning and professional services. This will help ensure graduates are among the best-prepared for careers in the modern global workplace.

Students will gain industry-standard digital skills which will build a strong bridge to the professional world based on the skills future employers will want. Every student has ethical, equal and safe access to generative AI tools with multi-modal formats, assets and media types powered by Adobe’s industry-leading tools, designed to be simple and easy to use on websites and mobile devices.

Professor Dodd will lead the adoption of Adobe digital tools across the curriculum which will support the University’s 2030 strategy goals of enhanced student experience, employability and growth. She will also drive activity within Adobe Creative Campus Aston Hub, which is hosted by Design Factory Birmingham, a centre which was designed to boost innovation and design in the West Midlands.

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University said: “Based in the heart of the Birmingham Innovation Quarter, Aston University is focused on technology innovation and extending the reach of digital technologies.

“Professor Dodd’s new position is jointly sponsored by global digital leader Adobe as part of our strategic partnership in establishing Aston University as the Adobe Creative Campus for the West Midlands. Rachel will play a critical role in transforming our teaching and learning through digital innovation. Her role will help ensure that every student and staff member will be able to exploit the capabilities of the creative cloud and grow robust digital literacy skills.”

Professor Dodd joins from Teesside University, the UK’s first Adobe Creative Campus, and brings a wealth of experience in learning and teaching, programme development, marketing and recruitment. She is an Advance HE Fellow and has extensive industry experience in media, IT services, telecommunications and education. Her notable achievements include leading RiverShack CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company, and receiving a mayoral civic award in 2023. Her contributions were featured this year in the “People Powered” exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

She said: “It’s an understatement to say I’m delighted to have joined Aston University. I’m eager to leverage my experience to ensure our partnership with Adobe empowers the entire Aston University community with industry-leading digital tools. The Adobe Creative Campus will embed workplace-ready digital technologies, across all disciplines, providing our students and staff with vital skills for success in work and life.”

Professor Osama Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Aston University, added: “We welcome Professor Dodd in her new role at Aston University, where she will be instrumental in leading relevant research, scholarly and teaching activities in digital innovation using Adobe.

“Our partnership with Adobe is allowing students to experience a 21st-century work environment and for the University to push forward joint activity with leading employers,

“The appointment of an Adobe professor of digital innovation will help us address one of our 2030 Strategy priorities, to prepare our students for work and life through contemporary learning experiences enriched with professional practice across all disciplines and courses.”