People: Law firm poaches partner and solicitor from Addleshaw Goddard; Expert shipping lawyer joins Williamsons; and more

Law firm Devonshires has bolstered its Leeds office, which launched in February, with the appointment of a new banking partner and property solicitor.

Gary Grigor joins as a partner in the firm’s banking team, having previously worked as a legal director at Addleshaw Goddard.

Jasdeep Lall joins as a solicitor in the firm’s securitisation team and also joins from Addleshaw Goddard.

Grigor has spent the majority of his career advising borrowers, banks, institutional investors and lead arrangers on debt finance matters, predominantly within the social housing sector.

Lall qualified as a Barrister in 2009. She acts for borrowers, funders and security trustees on property securitisation arrangements and will work with Chris Drabble, founding partner of Devonshires’ Leeds office.

Drabble said: “The response to our Leeds office since its inception just three months ago, among Devonshires’ existing and ever-growing client base, has been more than we could ever wish for.

“Gary’s banking expertise and reputation in the sector, coupled with Jasdeep’s specialist experience, demonstrates Devonshires’ commitment to recruiting high calibre practitioners to ensure we can realise our ambitions and fulfil the growing demand for our services.”

Devonshires, based at Park Square, specialises in banking, property and employment matters, with a particular emphasis on social housing operations.

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Gordon Sewell

Expert shipping lawyer Gordon Sewell has joined Hull firm Williamsons Solicitors’ civil litigation department.

He will provide maritime law expertise along with civil litigation and defence advocacy after working for two other firms over the past 12 years. He is also targeting more commercial business.

Bill Waddington, Williamson’ director, said that Mr Sewell had built a strong reputation.

“We are very keen to develop the maritime and regulatory law sector and Gordon can make a big contribution to our practice. He brings high-level experience with him.”

In addition to his shipping interests, Hull-born Sewell is intent on building up more commercial business with Williamsons, which has a Hull head office and Beverley, Driffield and Bridlington branch offices.

He said: “We are a multidisciplinary firm which means there is plenty of support available to deal with any additional issues arising, allowing us to take a belts and braces approach,” he said.
“Also where maritime and criminal law converge, it will be a real advantage to tap into advice from the experienced people here.

“I found a niche in shipping law, but I also dealt with general litigation, which has given me a fairly broad knowledge base.”

His civil litigation experience includes professional negligence, contractual disputes, property litigation and nuisance claims.

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Gavin Dawes

Motor group JCT600 has appointed Gavin Dawes as its new head of fleet for the Audi division.

Dawes has spent the last four years working with Audi UK, supporting the Audi network with a focus on fleet sales and business development.  He also has more than 15 years’ experience in business to business sales management, primarily in business consumables and telecommunications, including business development, channel management and sales management.

In his new role, he will be based in Chesterfield and will be responsible for managing JCT600’s Audi local business development team and also its fleet hub.

Neill Richards, group fleet sales director for JCT600, said:  “With his background in fleet sales and business development with Audi UK, Gavin is a perfect fit.  He shares our ethos of putting the customer first and we’re confident he will complement and strengthen our growing fleet team.”
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Ryan McGovern

Bradford-based Xpand has welcomed a new web developer on board which will enable the business to compete for more projects nationally.

The full-service marketing agency has added Ryan McGovern to the team, and his role will focus on the delivery of high-quality, custom-made websites to clients.

Jag Panesar, director of Xpand, said: “We’re thrilled to have added Ryan to the team. There has been an increased demand for websites from our clients, not just in Bradford, but also from London and across the UK.

“A third of our turnover is already coming from outside West Yorkshire, from clients such as Lindt and a dental practice in the prestigious Harley Street area. Strengthening our expertise in user experience will allow us to better compete for business nationally, while retaining and growing our client-base locally. Ryan will be applying his wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to a number of exciting and challenging on-going projects.“