Hammonds recruits Crawford to involvency role

LAW firm Hammonds has boosted its Yorkshire business recovery and insolvency team with the appointment of high profile new partner Laura Crawford.

Mrs Crawford joins the firm’s Leeds office later this month from Hanson Partners, a Bradford-based private investment company which owned Greenwoods Menswear and John Holdsworth & Co, where she was managing director.

Prior to joining Hanson Partners, Mrs Crawford made her name during 20 years ag Eversheds, including five as an insolvency partner where she advised on all types of formal insolvency and the turnaround and rescue of distressed and insolvent companies.

At Hanson Partners she was involved in the restructuring of John Holdsworth & Co prior to the sale of the UK trading company together with US and Australian subsidiaries to Camira Holdings and the sale of Greenwoods Menswear to a Chinese supplier.

Mrs Crawford joins Hammonds’ expanding business recovery and insolvency team, which has recently appointed two new solicitors in Leeds. David Cooke joined the firm from Denton Wilde Sapte in London, and newly qualified solicitor Linda Moss joined the team earlier this month.

Mrs Crawford said: “I am excited to be joining Hammonds at such a challenging time in the economic cycle. The increasing strength of the firm’s banking relationships and panel positions provides a real opportunity to further improve the team’s position in the market. I am really looking forward to playing an active part in its continued success.”

John Alderton, who heads up Hammonds’ business recovery and insolvency team in Leeds, said: “Laura has extensive experience in complex business recovery which has been enhanced by her recent experience in a dynamic business environment.

“Her appointment, alongside those of David Cooke and Linda Moss, will enable us to continue to develop and grow our business recovery and insolvency presence in the Yorkshire market.”