George Green gets the bird

GEORGE GREEN has expanded its Corporate and Commercial team with the appointment of Senior Associate, James Bird.

Bird previously worked as a Senior Associate at Wright Hassall Solicitors, where he specialised in a wide variety of commercial contracts, procurement and supply chain issues, IT agreements, outsourcing and intellectual property licenses and transfers.

Paul Bennett, Senior Partner at George Green, said: “The recent Chambers and Partners ranking reaffirmed our status as one of the leading corporate and commercial teams in the West Midlands. James appointment builds on this reputation.”

Bird said: “I am delighted to join George Green’s top-ranked Corporate and Commercial Team and hope to continue building this reputation by bringing my previous experience to help the team continue with their success.”

Irwin Mitchell ties up AoC appointment

THE Employment team within the Birmingham office of Irwin Mitchell has secured a legal partnership with membership organisation the Association of Colleges. The agreement follows a competitive tender process.

The contract will see Irwin Mitchell become the only law firm recommended to AoC members from an employment law perspective. As part of the agreement the team will also deliver a key note speech at the association’s annual HR Conference and exhibition in March. It will also support a programme of specific employment law training across the country over the coming months.

Commenting on the partnership, National Head of Employment Fergal Dowling said: “The Association of Colleges is a leading organisation in the education sector, doing some fantastic work supporting, representing and promoting the further education sector, and we are delighted to be awarded this important legal role partnering with them. This is a great opportunity for the team nationally to further strengthen our experience within the education sector and expand our already extensive FE client base.”

New management board set to direct FBC Manby Bowdler

FBC Manby Bowdler has introduced a new management board to spearhead its future development.

The innovative move will see the new Strategic Management Board decide the firm’s direction and support the partnership to achieve its overall objectives.

Managing Partner Kim Carr (pictured centre) will head the board of three. The remaining two members – partner Craig Ridge (pictured left), who leads the firm’s Contentious Probate Team, and Marketing Manager Laura Jones (right) – were voted for by partners following an election campaign and live husting events.

Ms Carr said: “The Strategic Management Board will be a cornerstone of our organisation that will help us create a successful law firm that will respond to the needs of our clients and our staff.

“This is an extremely progressive process for the partnership and the firm to go through and we feel that it will help us continue to develop as a sustainable and forward thinking law firm.  

“The Strategic Management Board will work with heads of department to plan and achieve our long term goals and vision.”

FBC Manby Bowdler, which has offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Shrewsbury, Telford and Bridgnorth, employs more than 160 people.