People: Colmore Partners; mfg Solicitors; Stone Junction

Chartered financial planning firm Colmore Partners has announced the addition of a new financial planner to its Birmingham team.

Charlie Garner brings nearly a decade of expertise in the financial services sector, with over three years dedicated to providing strategic financial planning.

He will play a key role in supporting the firm’s ongoing growth, assisting both new and existing clients.

Before joining Colmore Partners, Garner worked at Cowens, a commercial insurance broker and financial planning firm.

He has also held positions at Island Financial Strategy and Boolers, a pension scheme specialist and wealth management company.

He said: “I’m excited to join Colmore Partners and contribute to the firm’s excellent reputation for providing high-quality financial advice. The opportunity to collaborate with a talented team and help clients achieve their financial goals is something I truly value. I look forward to building long-lasting relationships and contributing to the continued growth and success of the business.”

Richard Meek, managing director of Colmore Partners, said: “Charlie’s expertise will be invaluable as we continue to provide tailored, holistic financial advice to our diverse client base. He will work with a range of high-net-worth individuals, including business owners and senior executives.

“We are focused on growing and developing our existing team by nurturing talent and attracting new professionals like Charlie who align with our values and commitment to excellence. His appointment is another step in ensuring that Colmore Partners remains a forward-thinking and dynamic place to work.”

Midlands law firm mfg Solicitors has bolstered its residential development team with the appointment of a new senior associate.

Based at the firm’s Worcester office, residential development specialist Paul Harris has joined the firm, working closely with partner and head of residential development Rhiannon Clark.

Rhiannon Clark, Paul Harris and Becky Husband

Representing a variety of clients over the last decade, including PLC housebuilders and promoters, widely experienced Harris is well respected for his specialism in a variety of residential development matters, including strategic and immediate land promotion, as well as developer acquisition and disposal.

Clare Regan, partner and head of the Commercial Property department at mfg Solicitors said: “Paul is a talented and commercially aware residential development specialist, underlined by his reputation across the West Midlands. We are so lucky to have within the Commercial Property team a well-respected partner in Rhiannon Clark, and a site assembly and plot sales solicitor in Becky Husband. Paul’s arrival will enable us to assist more developers and landowners in the region, with the technical and commercial experience to get deals done and to build on mfg’s reputation for service and
approachability.”

Rhiannon Clark, who heads the residential development team, added: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to the team, he brings common sense and confidence to his transactions and I know that our clients and referrals will enjoy working with him. I am looking forward to seeing our residential development team thrive in what we expect to be a busy marketplace in 2025.”

Staffordshire-based technical PR agency Stone Junction has appointed science graduate and native German speaker, Sebastian Wu, in the role of account executive.

Sebastian Wu

Wu hopes to strengthen PR campaigns in the DACH region for clients including the electrical engineering exhibition CWIEME Berlin and solar roofing pioneer SunStyle.

He graduated from the University of York with a master’s degree in Biochemistry, and much of his work involved cutting-edge bioinformatics and visualisation software during a time when AI tools were being integrated into every field.

Wu has also worked in German language sales, providing experience in nurturing client relationships in Germany, which also served to hone his native language skills.

He will now work alongside the team at Stone Junction’s German office.

Wu said: “Science goes well beyond the lab – once data is generated it needs to be analysed, interpreted and shared for it to be impactful. PR is a pivotal cog in that machine, so I am excited to be a part of a team like Stone Junction, where I can contribute in my own unique way.”