People: Firm strengthens its commercial property team; New recruit at lighting and vehicle electrical specialist; Sales engineer appointed; and more

Schofield Sweeney’s 21-strong Commercial Property team has welcomed Amraj Boparai as an Associate Solicitor.

Manjit Virdee, Partner at Schofield Sweeney, said: “Despite some uncertainty in the market, we continue to have another strong year and our pipeline of quality high-value work remains encouraging and diverse.

“We are delighted Amraj has joined us from Gordons and he, with the recent addition of Pam Matharu from Clarion in our Leeds Team, both complement our strong team of lawyers, which makes us one of the largest and proactive in the region.”

Boparai’s time at Gordons saw him acting for a wide range of clients, including one of the UK’s largest parcel delivery companies and one of West Yorkshire’s leading owners/suppliers of industrial floorspace.

He has been involved with a number of major transactions, such as negotiating and agreeing high rent leases for large distribution hubs as well as developing a specialism in acting for landlords and tenants of industrial units.

Boparai said: “I am really looking forward to working at Schofield Sweeney and bringing my experience to the team.

“They have always taken a very pragmatic and friendly approach, focusing on the points which matter. I am really pleased to be given the opportunity to work at such an established and forward-thinking practice and I hope to positively contribute to the firm’s vision for the future.”

Schofield Sweeney has offices in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield and currently have 35 Partners and over 160 staff.

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Ring, the European lighting and automotive electrical specialist based in Leeds, has appointed Pippa Rowe-Bewick as Product Management Director to support the business as it continues to develop a future-focused product pipeline.

As previous Head of Product Strategy for Hallmark and Head of Trading for M&S, Rowe-Bewick brings her extensive experience in retail to the brand as it builds its range and extends its sales channels in the UK and throughout Europe.

She has joined a team of experts that uses leading market and category insight to develop products that meet with the needs of the end user, both today and for years to come.

She said: “When I was approached about the job it was the exciting challenges and speed of change that really appealed to me.

“I’m looking forward to working with the wider business to embed a product and category approach that benefits both Ring and our customers.

“I already love the entrepreneurial ethos and passion that the business has to succeed. I’m looking forward to working with my team to build on the good work they’ve already started, which will also support the company as it continues to grow.”

George Skalski, Managing Director of Ring, said: “Pippa has joined us at a very exciting time in our journey. We have shown considerable growth over recent years and particularly as we continue to secure business in new territories throughout Europe and across the globe.

“We are mindful of our need to position Ring as a brand for today but also for the future. With a team that is dedicated to innovation and future technologies, we feel that we have a strong and robust approach to making this happen.”

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Leeds-based lubricant manufacturer ROCOL is extending its support for UK customers with the appointment of a new sales engineer.

Spencer Tasker joins the firm in the role of Field Sales Engineer covering the South West and Wales.

His career in engineering started when he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16, where he undertook an engineering apprenticeship and served as a weapons engineer on submarines for 12 years.

He subsequently gained experience as a mechanical technician for Tata Steel and has spent the last five years working for an electric motor manufacturer before taking up the role with ROCOL.

Tasker said: “The opportunity to join such a professional global organisation with a strong brand and reputation is fantastic and one that I knew I had to take. I’m enjoying learning all about the product ranges and looking forward to meeting and working with new and existing clients.”

Alan Rankin, UK Sales Manager for ROCOL, said: “We’re really pleased to have Spencer joining us. He has considerable engineering experience which I know will benefit both our existing clients and those who move over to ROCOL products in the coming months and years.”

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Addleshaw Goddard has announced the promotion of a number of lawyers in its Leeds office, as part of a bumper crop nationwide reflecting exceptional growth over the last year.

Two new Legal Directors and 12 Managing Associates have been promoted in Leeds, as part of a round of 46 promotions across its offices in England, Scotland, the GCC and Asia.

The firm has also made 17 lateral Partner hires in the past 12 months, adding strength across all of its divisions.

The promotions are: Legal Director – Gareth Jones  (Litigation), Liz Cape (Real Estate); Managing Associate, Corporate & Commercial – Alex Fricke, Laura Woffinden, Priscilla Hetherton; Finance & Projects – Sophie Hiley, Tom Ward; Litigation – Andrew Robson; Real Estate – Katie Milner, Sioned Davies, Paul Laverty, Richard Wilkinson, Sally Cowley, Daniel Marston.

Simon Kamstra, Head of Leeds and Co-Head of International Arbitration, said: “As a firm, we strive to provide an environment where everyone is encouraged to be the best they can be and to reach their full potential, while delivering impact for our clients.

“I am therefore delighted to congratulate these talented individuals who have achieved the next step in their careers and look forward to seeing the contributions that they will make in their new roles.”

The firm has also made 32 promotions across its Transaction Services, Business Services and Secretarial teams.

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Yorkshire law firm Rollits has appointed a new associate to its York-based private client team.

Suzgo Kaluluma has 10 years’ experience specialising in private client work and joins the practice from Hartlaw in Wetherby.

He is an Associate member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), and a member of the Private Client Section of the Law Society and the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates.

A law graduate from Trevelyan College, University of Durham, Kaluluma advises clients in relation to the full spectrum of private client work including Wills and Probate, Capital Taxation and Estate Planning, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection Applications.

John Lane, Rollits’ partner and head of the firm’s Private Client team, said: “Suzgo brings a whole wealth of experience to the firm having worked in the Yorkshire area for a number of years and I am confident he will use his expertise and knowledge to great effect as part of the Private Capital department.”

Kaluluma added: “Joining Rollits is a fantastic opportunity for me. The firm has an outstanding reputation and a genuine commitment to providing the highest quality of service to clients. I am looking forward to developing that further.”