People: Ware & Kay Solicitors; YFM Equity Partners; Cushman & Wakefield; and more

Law firm Ware & Kay Solicitors has confirmed that Lucy Riley has now qualified as a solicitor.

She started her legal education in 2015 at the University of Hull studying LLB Law (Hons). She completed her LLB degree after three years and graduated in 2018 with a 2:1.

She went on to study the Legal Practice Course (LPC) combined with an LLM Masters in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Law in Leeds and completed her LPC LLM after a year, graduating in 2019 with a Distinction.

Riley then secured a position as a litigation paralegal with Ware & Kay, beginning in July 2019 where she was a paralegal for two years before being offered a training contract with the firm.

She was admitted as a solicitor on 31 December 2022 and will continue her career as a new qualified solicitor at her firm’s Dispute Resolution Department.

Riley said: “I am happy to have qualified after close to seven and a half years of hard work and to be continuing my career with a fantastic firm in my new role as a litigation solicitor at Ware & Kay.

“The firm have been very supportive throughout my time as a paralegal and trainee, for which I am extremely
grateful. I am really looking forward to helping grow the department and being a key part of the team.”

Director and head of litigation, Johanne Spittle, added: “This is a fantastic achievement. Lucy has worked tremendously hard and has shown exceptional focus and commitment.

“We wish her every success for the future and a long and exciting career in the legal profession.”

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Equity investor YFM Equity Partners (YFM), which has a base in Leeds, is continuing to expand its team with the appointment of Jade McGrath as head of talent network.

She joins from Colliers UK, a professional services and investor, where she was working within its UK talent acquisition team.

At YFM, she will be responsible for developing and growing the existing external talent network, to support the existing portfolio investments and new investments that YFM will be making as it continues to grow.

Jamie Roberts, partner, and head of new investments south at YFM, said: “Jade will be taking responsibility for maximising the value of our external network in supporting our portfolio of 46 investments.

“YFM has been investing for 40 years and we have a large and varied network, who already add significant value to our portfolio of investments and are crucial when looking at new investments.

“As Jade has spent her career to date in people focused roles she will be bringing that expertise to YFM to enhance our network.”

McGrath added: “I am pleased to be joining YFM at such an exciting time in their journey and I look forward to being a part of their continued growth.

“I am pleased to be bringing a people centric approach to the company’s ongoing commitment to its portfolio and further developing the established network of talent.

“Talent is the core of any business and I am excited to start adding value by harnessing the existing YFM diverse network.”

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Cushman & Wakefield has expanded its land, development and planning team in Leeds with the appointment of Matt Brear as associate director.

Brear has spent the last 12 years at Dacres Commercial, where he was most recently a director in the land and development team.

At Dacres he specialised in the sale of residential development land, acting for a range of public and private sector clients including NHS trusts, private landowners and housebuilders.

At Cushman & Wakefield Brear will advise public and private sector landowners, developers, investors and private individuals on a variety of residential development agency and consultancy opportunities.

Phil Roebuck, partner and head of residential development at Cushman & Wakefield in Leeds, said: “Matt has an impressive track record and has successfully led many complex transactions on behalf of clients over the years.

“His knowledge and expertise will certainly benefit our clients. He is a fantastic addition to our land, development and planning team.”

Brear said: “Cushman & Wakefield has an excellent reputation and I am pleased to join one of the world’s leading real estate firms.

“Residential development is an exciting sector to be part of and has a critical role to play in addressing the chronic undersupply of new homes in the UK. I look forward to being involved in the wide variety of client projects that lie ahead.”

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Property consultancy Bowman Riley has promoted Anita Rebaudo to the role of associate in recognition of her achievements.

Chartered architect Rebaudo joined Bowman Riley 15 years ago. During this time, she has been the main point of contact for LandSec, an important client for the company’s Leeds office.

She has been leading projects with LandSec on a range of refurbishment and extension projects on their major shopping centres, including the White Rose and Trinity, in Leeds.

She has gone on to develop this workstream by supporting the retailers directly on the fit-out of their stores.

Rebaudo has also worked on a range of complex commercial and residential schemes building strong relationships with her project teams through her close client liaison and attention to detail.

She has recently gone above and beyond for her clients in securing Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) funding to enable their projects on New Briggate in Leeds to progress.

Matthew Jones, director, said: “Anita has been a key member of our team in Leeds, working closely with me for the last 15 years.

“Her diligence and proactive approach are invaluable, and I look forward to seeing her continue to flourish in her new role as associate.”