People: Agencia appoints rule of law expert to international security role; Law firm promotes; and more

A company which is paving the way for British businesses investing overseas by driving security and justice improvements internationally and in the UK has strengthened its team with a key appointment.

Richard Wood joins East Yorkshire-based Agencia as deputy director of justice, policing and security, supporting the company’s work as it expands in the Western Balkans and South East Europe, East and North Africa and China.

From its headquarters in Hessle, Agencia has become a leader in criminal justice reform and the rule of law, offering specialist consultancy, combining technical and managerial expertise and developing a thorough understanding of the issues facing countries in conflict and transition.

The company’s international achievements in the justice and health sectors led to it being appointed as a Northern Powerhouse Export Champion earlier this year. It recently established a Serious Crime Directorate to enhance its work on economic crime, anti-corruption and counter terrorism.

Wood brings some 35 years of experience of the criminal justice sector and has been working as head of rule of law and senior adviser to the EU Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He moved into strategy and policy after a career with the Durham Constabulary which included 16 years as a detective and senior investigating officer, becoming head of regional detective training.

He worked with the Home Office counter-terrorism unit and later led a series of global programmes to build organisational capacity in transitional and post-conflict countries.

Helen Gibson, managing director of Agencia, said: “We have delivered more than 400 contracts, developing and exporting British public service expertise to build communities and confidence among developing nations working to improve their justice, policing and security systems.

“Terrorism, corruption, modern slavery, cyber-crime, smuggling people, weapons and commodities are all international and transnational, and improving the rule of law is an essential element to any effective and strategic response.

“The rule of law is equally crucial to wider important objectives such as trade, development, transparency, good governance and improved human rights. In each and every situation, the ability to work with effective and lawful partners, in challenging environments, relies on the rule of law and a functioning justice system.

“Richard has first-hand experience in many of the territories in which we operate and in countries which are on our radar as we expand. He has also operated at the highest level, providing briefings to government ministers and ambassadors as well as to the most influential organisations.

“He brings a number of skills which will enhance Agencia’s capability in international project management and his contacts and knowledge stretch around the world, which will help to increase our global outreach.”

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A property lawyer has been promoted to branch manager at the Chapel Allerton office of Ison Harrison.

Geraldine Levison will head up the team of four at Chapel Allerton with the Leeds-headquartered law firm. She has 16 years’ experience of commercial and residential property matters and moved to the Chapel Allerton branch in 2017, after spending three years at the firm’s city centre head office.

Levison specialises in acquisitions, disposals and leasebacks for both retail outlets and industrial offices. She is also highly experienced in dealing with landlord and tenant issues, commercial re-financing and transfer of leasehold interests.

She brings a wealth of commercial property experience to the team and will work closely with her colleagues at the Chapel Allerton branch as well as property experts across the firm’s 13 Yorkshire offices.

She said: “Chapel Allerton remains one of the most desirable and sought after residential and commercial areas in Leeds and Ison Harrison’s ideally placed Harrogate Road branch has been one of the firm’s busiest branches outside of the city centre, specialising in residential conveyancing, family law and wills and probate.

“The team at Chapel Allerton collectively has over 50 years of legal expertise and is proud to be an integral part of the local community, providing the same first class service for which we are renowned across West Yorkshire and beyond.”

The Chapel Allerton office of Ison Harrison provides a full range of legal services for both business and private clients ranging from residential conveyancing, family and probate matters to personal injury and debt recovery.

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Leeds-based Carter Towler has appointed senior property management surveyor James Skirrow.

Skirrow previously held senior positions with WSB Property Consultants, CBRE and Savills.

Carter Towler director Tim Rhodes said: “James’ appointment coincides with a significant period of growth in our business. We have just been awarded a contract to manage an additional 400 properties nationwide for a long-standing client. This deal brings the total number of properties being looked after by Carter Towler to in excess of 3,500 and will increase our turnover by 15%.

“We have the biggest property management team in the region and currently collect over £40m worth of rent for our clients.”