People: Forensic specialist hires from BDO; Buro Four appoints Northern MD; and more

Independent forensic firm DSW Bridge Houghton Forensic has further expanded its team in Leeds with the appointment of Aaron Pegg.

Pegg joins the practice from BDO, where he spent seven years, initially working in audit before transferring to the forensic department.

He has worked in BDO’s London and Manchester forensic departments and also spent a year on secondment to the Serious Fraud Office where he worked on a high-profile investigation.

His experience includes investigating allegations of bribery and corruption, fraud and money laundering, loss of profits claims, share purchase agreement disputes, professional negligence claims, share valuations and contentious insolvency investigations.

David Houghton, partner at DSW Bridge Houghton Forensic, said: “We are delighted that Aaron has chosen to join us. He brings a great deal of experience from his time within the forensic department of BDO and will be a fantastic addition to our team as our growth continues.”

DSW Bridge Houghton is part of independent advisory group, Dow Schofield Watts.

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Buro Four, the independent, specialist provider of project management and associated services, has appointed David Boles as managing director of the regions to lead the business in the Yorkshire, North East, Midlands and North West.

This is part of a wider restructure in which Buro Four has appointed a fresh leadership team across the organisation, aimed at delivering new energy, drive and ambition to the company, whilst retaining their core principles of being an Employee Benefit Trust and delivering exemplary projects.

The announcement comes during a period of strong growth for the company, which has offices in Leeds, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Bournemouth, Cambridge and Abu Dhabi. Boles takes up this new role as managing director of the regions on the back of growing the regional business.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a part in the continued growth of Buro Four. The regional markets are seeing a lot of investment and we are in a great position to support this,” he said.

Buro Four has a strong client and project base in the region having recently delivered the £10m sustainable  Malings residential project at Ouseburn and currently delivering the £6m Hylton Castle restoration for Sunderland City Council and the 250-unit Built to Rent scheme at Mustard Wharf Leeds for Legal & General.

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Needle Partners has recruited two senior property lawyers into the growing business.

Maria Gill has worked for national and regional law firms, including DLA, Eversheds and Lupton Fawcett. Specialising in landlord and tenant matters, she acts for both landlords and tenants in the management of their property portfolios. She also acts for major lenders in the refinance of commercial property portfolios and in the sale and purchase of commercial properties and counts a major brewery and other household names as clients.

Andrew Challener works on landlord and tenant matters, property development, sales and purchase and property finance. He joins from regional firm Blacks, and previously worked at Gordons and Eversheds. Challener has acted for landlords of major UK shopping centres, large business parks and industrial estates and has managed the portfolio of properties for a large UK retailer. He has also acted for a number of well-known retail tenants in the acquisition of high street and out of town locations and has also acquired office space and industrial units for other clients.

Sharon Needle, managing partner of Leeds-based Needle Partners, said: “We are delighted to welcome Maria and Andrew to Needle during a period of record revenues for the firm, to support the next phase of growth. They both bring huge amounts of experience and will further strengthen our firm’s ability to attract top quality legal work.”

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Building supplies firm Marshalls has announced the appointment of Vanda Murray as non-executive director and chair of the board.

It follows the announcement in October 2017 that Andrew Allner would be stepping down as chairman and would also retire as a non-executive director during 2018.

Chief executive Martyn Coffey said: “We are delighted that Vanda has accepted the invitation to join Marshalls.

“Vanda brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of leadership, and will be a valuable addition to the board.

“I would also like to record our thanks to Andrew, who has provided clear and consistent leadership, both as chair of remuneration committee and subsequently as chairman of the board, over the past 15 years. His contribution to the business is greatly appreciated.”

Murray added: “I am very pleased to be joining Marshalls, a company that is a market-leader with a great performance record, recognised for its brand values, quality, service and innovation. I look forward to working with my board colleagues at this exciting time for the business and continuing to pursue Marshalls’ successful growth strategy.”