People: Law firm reinforces commercial finance team; Manager joins town’s Business Improvement District; Surveyor recruited for Valuations department; and more

Experienced solicitor, Leanne Macdonald has joined Lupton Fawcett’s commercial property team in Sheffield to assist with the growing number of instructions being received by the department.

Having specialised in commercial property law since qualifying in 2006, she will be advising clients on areas such as landlord and tenant, acquisitions and disposals, developments, statutory agreements and secured lending and funding.

Mcdonald said: “I was keen to join a law firm with a strong and well-respected commercial property department and Lupton Fawcett certainly ticked all the right boxes.

“I am looking forward to working not just on instructions in South Yorkshire but also collaborating with my colleagues in the Leeds and York offices, when required.”

Head of the Sheffield office commercial property team at Lupton Fawcett, Julian Rowden, said: “It is great to strengthen our team with such an experienced solicitor. Leanne has advised on some extremely high-profile projects across industrial, retail, leisure and residential schemes and she will be a valuable addition to the extensive knowledge we already have within the firm.”

Managing partner of Lupton Fawcett, Jonathan Oxley, added: “With 21 people within the team, Lupton Fawcett has one of the leading commercial property teams in Yorkshire and the appointment of Leanne will further enhance our reputation for providing first class advice.”

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An events expert has been appointed as the new manager of Wakefield Business Improvement District (BID)

Tom Zane-Black has started the role with immediate effect and brings with him a wealth of experience.

He joins Wakefield BID after a successful period as Head of Marketing and Events at Your Bromley BID. His role there was to promote Bromley town centre as an attractive destination and included the delivery of several events to attract visitors and increase dwell time, including an outdoor cinema, screening of Wimbledon, trails for parents and children and the annual switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Before that, Zane-Black ran his own events business working primarily with shopping centres in south east England.

He said: “I’m really excited and privileged to join the team at Wakefield BID and help promote this wonderful city centre. I would like Wakefield BID to introduce exciting and stimulating events to attract visitors and entertain those who work in the city – encouraging them to not only enjoy our events, but also the fantastic restaurants and cafes and wealth of venues in the night time economy sector.”

Wakefield BID was voted into existence by businesses in the city centre for a five-year term to create and deliver its business plan to make the city better than before it was founded.

Graham Howarth, Chairman of Wakefield BID, said: “Tom not only brings with him a wealth of talent and experience, but a new viewpoint and passion to deliver our business plan in the most impactful, creative way possible.

“Wakefield BID goes back to the vote by businesses in 2022, so now is the time to build on the good foundations and really ramp things up so businesses and visitors can directly see the impact we’ve had. Our funding to make Wakefield the country’s first SmartWater city centre has already made a difference and reduced shop thefts and our backing for events has seen them grow, but now we’re ready to go up a gear.”

Zane-Black replaces former BID manager, Elizabeth Murphy, who left Wakefield for Harrogate.

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Commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE in Leeds has added to its growing Valuation team with the appointment of Tom West as Surveyor.

He will report to Senior Director Michael Porter to strengthen the Valuation offer in the region. West joins from Sanderson Weatherall, where he worked as a Chartered Surveyor across a range of secured lending, accounts purposes and pension fund valuations.

At CBRE his main responsibilities will include valuing a wide range of commercial assets for a mixture of banking, property company, Real Estate Investment Trust and private investor clients.

Alongside his previous role, he achieved a post-graduate degree from the University College of Estate Management, graduating in 2018 with a MSc in Real Estate. He is also accredited by RICS.

Michael Porter, Senior Director for the Valuation team at CBRE Leeds, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tom on board. He brings a breadth of valuation experience across a range of sectors from retail, office and industrial, as well as expertise in residential and commercial development schemes and specialist market properties.  He will be a great asset to the team.”

West added: “I’m excited to be part of CBRE. My role will bring a number of new challenges and I’m looking forward to getting involved in a range of instructions.”

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Goole-based business Contrac Lighting has confirmed the appointment of new Managing Director Richard Hunt.

He has taken over the helm of a firm specialising in the manufacture of lighting for the industrial, retail, public and commercial sectors.

Hunt brings plenty of commercial and sector experience to the post, having previously held senior roles with Clugston Construction, Hobson & Porter, Willmott Dixon and Wates Group, where he operated in many of Contrac Lighting’s core markets.

Along with his fellow three Directors, he will continue to nurture the growth of Contrac Lighting through the promotion and development of the company’s range of UK-manufactured LED lighting products.

 

 

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