People: Former Sega director joins games developer; Law firm bolsters tax practice with trio of appointments; and more

Sumo Digital, the Sheffield-based games developer, has announced the appointment of Dean Trotman as Commercial Director.

Trotman has over 20 years of industry experience, as Commercial Director at Sega Europe and Acquisitions Director at Codemasters.

In his new role, Trotman will be responsible for driving the commercial strategy to meet the overall business targets and objectives across our UK and India studios.

Paul Porter, Co-founder and Managing Director of Sumo Digital said: “With our increasing development capacity I’m delighted to have Dean on board. His knowledge and experience will stand us in good stead as we continue to grow the organisation.”

Dean Trotman, Commercial Director, Sumo Digital said: “I’ve admired and respected Sumo for many years, so it’s an honour to become part of such a progressive, passionate, and expert development group”.

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Addleshaw Goddard is bolstering its tax practice with the appointment of a new partner and two new associates.

Martin Griffiths joins the firm in Leeds as partner from Charles Russell Speechlys, providing additional expertise in OMB tax advice, private equity sell-side/management team advisory, general M&A, property/funds structuring and domestic and international tax advice.

Griffiths is joined by associates Erik Chamonte from New Zealand firm Buddle Findlay and Jade Chan from Hill Dickinson, who will operate across the firm’s regional and UK office network.

The 14-strong team will also take the name Tax & Structuring, changing from Commercial Tax.

Justine Delroy, partner at Addleshaw Goddard, said: “As the firm expands its corporate, finance and real estate capability, so too we will be growing the Tax & Structuring team in order to continue providing relevant support to those specialist teams as well as offering high quality standalone tax and structuring advice. We are delighted to welcome Martin, Erik and Jade who are great additions to our team.”

Simon Kamstra, Leeds Head of Office, added: “The Leeds office capacity is growing each year, and that amazing combination of talents and investment in the best people gives clients great confidence that this is the most deeply resourced major commercial law firm in the region.

“Our teams in Yorkshire have a key part to play in the ambitious strategy we have set for ourselves to attract the  premium legal work locally as well as from across the UK and we are delighted to welcome Martin, who is the third high profile partner to join us recently – following Richard Hunt and Andrew Fordham from Squire Paton Boggs.”

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Knight Frank, the global real estate adviser, has expanded its Restructuring and Recovery team with the appointment of Harry Dunger as Partner.

Dunger will have a national focus to develop Knight Frank’s Corporate Recovery & Insolvency offering across the firm’s ten regional offices, including Leeds and Sheffield. He joins from Colliers International where he led the Midlands and South West Corporate Restructuring teams for nine years. Prior to this, he spent five years as an Associate Partner at Edward Symmons in its Valuation department. His roles at both Colliers and Edward Symmons involved providing strategic advice and valuations to banks and lenders, dealing with both live lending and toxic assets.

Knight Frank’s dedicated Restructuring and Recovery team consists of highly skilled and experienced property consultants who can deliver innovative and strategic solutions to the complex challenges and opportunities that insolvency and recovery can present.

Marc Nardini, Head of Restructuring and Recovery at Knight Frank, said: “Harry’s experience in commercial, residential and rural & agricultural asset classes set him apart from his peers. He has been instrumental in advising lenders and other professionals on turnaround and strategy for in excess of 15 years.”

Dunger added: “I am delighted to be joining Knight Frank’s dedicated Restructuring and Recovery team. The breadth of offering provided by Knight Frank and the team is staggering and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help drive such a highly motivated and skilled department.”