People: Law firm MD joins board of mental health firm; Family law firm appoints new partner; and more

Mente, which supports businesses in managing workplace mental health, has appointed solicitor and managing director of Leeds-based Thrive Law as a new board member.

Jodie Hill is joining the existing team at Mente to ensure that the firm’s business clients manage mental health in the workplace compliantly.

Having specialised in employment law and mental health from a very early stage in her career, she has developed an understanding of this area of law.

Mel Joseph, director of Mente, said: “Jodie and I have both experienced mental ill health that we both openly discuss. Our business relationship grew from our shared frustrations in businesses not looking at mental health and the impact stress can have on their people.

“We always felt that we would be stronger together, with us both being compliance-led. I am delighted to have her on the team, and look forward to future announcements on some exciting digital and human-led projects that we are currently working on together.”

Working alongside Joseph is an executive board including Rob Clare, a chartered banker with over 30 years’ experience working with and supporting growing businesses, and Wayne Pontin, who has over 40 years industry experience in insurance and was chairman of The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) for three years.

Former Premier League footballer and mental health campaigner, Clarke Carlisle, also supports Mente, as a brand ambassador.

Hill added: “I met Mel over a year ago and invited her to speak at our Thriving Minds Conference 2018 as I was interested to learn more about this platform she was creating.  I sat in on her workshop and was moved by her story and passion for improving mental wellbeing in businesses.

“The feedback was outstanding  from her session, so when Mel asked me to join the board I was keen to support her and her team as our values and passion for mental health in the workplace are so aligned.”

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Silk Family Law is expanding with the appointment of a new partner Teresa Davidson.

Davidson will lead on plans to launch a new Leeds office in May 2019.

With 20 years’ experience as a family lawyer, Davidson has particular expertise in complex financial cases arising from divorce and children issues, often with an international dimension.

She is a member of Resolution, the national organisation of family law professionals, holding the organisation’s specialist accreditation in Advanced Financial Provision and Private Children Law.

Margaret Simpson, who founded Silk Family Law in autumn 2010 with barrister Ian Kennerley and solicitor Kim Fellowes, previously worked with Davidson at Dickinson Dees (now Womble Bond Dickinson).

Simpson said: “Teresa is recognised as an outstanding family lawyer with a reputation for both her legal expertise and client relationships. Her skills, reputation and networks will be of enormous value as we look to build on our existing client following in the Leeds area.”

Davidson added: “I am looking forward to being part of the team at such an acclaimed niche family law practice at a formative time for the business.  I also relish the opportunity to work alongside talented people I enjoyed working with at Womble Bond Dickinson.”

Prior to joining Silk Family Law, Davidson headed up the family team at the Leeds office of Irwin Mitchell. Davidson is a graduate of York University.

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Morris & Spottiswood, the Leeds-based construction sector firm, has strengthened its senior management team with two new appointments.

The £100m-turnover company has hired Scott Grant and Paul Tutty to drive the firm’s Leeds office.

Grant is the former Ainscough Cranes Hire operations director, having also held managing director, executive director and commercial director positions with fit-out specialists Demco Interiors and Havelock Europa.

Tutty was a former Simons Construction and Simpson York contracts manager.

Jon Dunwell, Morris & Spottiswood CEO, said: “Our two latest appointments form a key part of our 10-year growth plan as we look to expand from the regional hubs. Scott has been appointed Operations Director. He joins us with 20-plus years board-level experience in the construction, interior fit-out and manufacturing sectors.

“Meanwhile, Paul takes the position of Operations Manager with a proven track record working nationwide, specifically within the commercial, industrial, retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. They both have significant expertise delivering profitable and sustainable plans which is crucial to our long-term strategy.”

Morris & Spottiswood employs more than 400 people and is currently training 39 apprentices.

The firm’s projects range from £10,000 to £10m in value covering multi-trade modernisation programmes, extensive fabric upgrades, complex M&E installations, new build developments and facilities management services.

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The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Poonam Kaur as vice chairman of its West Yorkshire branch.

Kaur is managing director of corporate finance firm fds, which is based in Wakefield. She is an IoD Ambassador, representing the M&A sector and promoting the IoD’s 99 Club for young entrepreneurs and business startups.

She said: “I’m delighted to be taking on a wider role within the IoD in West Yorkshire. I’m keen to highlight the benefits of IoD membership through events such as our monthly Meet up Mondays which provide an excellent networking opportunity and exposure to first class industry leaders.”

Richard Smith, chairman of the IoD in West Yorkshire and an IoD Chartered Director, added: “Poonam is an excellent asset to our team and will prove invaluable in ensuring we deliver professional, quality events and learning opportunities which enable our members and their businesses to thrive.”

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