People: New Partner at commercial law practice; Non-exec Directors join Board at developer; Asset Manager recruited; and more
Leeds-based law firm Walker Morris is continuing the expansion of its technology practice with the appointment of a new Partner – Sally Mewies.
Mewies brings significant experience to reinforce and lead the firm’s Technology Group and work closely with the firm’s Commercial Group, led by James Crayton.
Sally joins from Gowlings WLG where she was head of the firm’s telecoms practice and a key Partner in its Technology Group. She is a recognised as a leader in her field and is ranked as a leading individual by both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. She has over 30 years’ expertise in helping clients on their strategic technology contracts and has worked with many significant retail telecoms clients over the years.
Mewies’ appointment will reinforce the existing Walker Morris Technology Team’s capabilities. The team is currently ranked in the top tier by Legal 500 and offers both contentious and non-contentious expertise. It offers expertise in areas such as technology contracting, corporate M&A, intellectual property, data privacy and other regulatory issues and dispute resolution.
Malcolm Simpson, Managing Partner at Walker Morris said: “Having personally worked with Sally previously I am very excited to have the opportunity to do so again.
“Sally is an outstanding lawyer and one of the most experienced technology & telecoms lawyers nationally. I’ve seen first-hand how she is able to inspire loyalty from both clients and team members alike.
“Sally’s experience is a great asset to the team and adds significantly to our bench strength in relation to technology and telecoms work, vital areas for all of our clients.
“Her experience, particularly in the food and drink and retail sectors, complements our client base and enhances the expertise and experience we are able to offer to our clients. In addition, Sally brings market leading telecoms expertise to the firm.
“Technology is playing an increasingly important role in our clients’ day-to-day operations and getting this advice right is critical. Sally’s experience adds significantly to our existing technology capability which is currently spread across Commercial, Regulatory and Litigation teams and which will now be re-focused under Sally’s leadership.”
Mewies added: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Walker Morris. They have superb clients and a talented team of lawyers. Technology is high up the agenda of most businesses these days and I am looking forward to working with the team here to continue the growth of the Firm’s technology business.”
Her appointment continues Walker Morris’ significant investment in technology, both in terms of its client offering and operationally.
The firm recently moved office to 33 Wellington Street, Leeds, which was the largest professional services relocation in the city for 15 years. Alongside the move, the firm invested in its IT infrastructure and systems to enable its staff to work more collaboratively and efficiently.
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Fiona Goldsmith
The Board of Sheffield-based MJ Gleeson has announced that Andrew Coppel and Fiona Goldsmith will join the Board as Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1st October 2019.
Coppel, an FCA, is currently Chairman of Dolphin Capital Investors, the AIM-listed real estate investment company focusing on the residential resort sector in emerging markets.
Following on from a diverse executive career, including roles at Queens Moat Houses (CEO: 1993-2003) and De Vere Group (CEO 2010-2015), he has undertaken a number of non-executive positions including at Crest Nicholson (2009-2011). Following seven years as Chairman of Tourism Ireland (2000-2007) he was appointed CBE in 2008 for services to Irish Tourism.
Goldsmith is currently Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Safestyle UK and was formerly (2008-2018) Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Walker Greenbank.
Following qualification at KPMG, she spent a period at the firm (1989-1998) focused on the transport and leisure sectors in various roles. She then moved to First Choice Holidays (1998-2003), where she was latterly European Financial Director, then to Land Securities Group (2004-2008) where she was Finance Director, Land Securities Trillium. She is also an FCA.
Following a transition period, Ross Ancell and Colin Dearlove, will step down from the Board, having served thirteen years and twelve years respectively. It is expected that Coppel will succeed Ancell as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and that Goldsmith will succeed Dearlove as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Dermot Gleeson, Chairman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew and Fiona to the Board. They will bring a wealth of experience with them and we very much look forward to working with them.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our very sincere thanks to Ross and Colin. We have benefited hugely from their tremendous commitment to the business and their consistently wise counsel.”
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CRT Property Investments, a subsidiary of The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, has expanded its property management team with the appointment of James Wilgose as Asset Manager.
In this new role, he will support Investment and Development Director, Shaun O’Brien to manage the mixed commercial, residential and renewable portfolio. This includes a wide variety of responsibilities including; rent reviews, lease renewals, landlord and tenant issues, property management, data management and billing.
Having graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in BSc (Hons) Real Estate, Wilgose gained invaluable experience as a placement student for CRT Property Investments, following which he worked part-time at the organisation during his final year.
In addition to joining the team as Asset Manager, he will also be completing an APC (assessment of professional competence) to become a charted surveyor of the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors).
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “The experience I gained through my placement year was invaluable. As a small team, I had the opportunity to get involved with every part of running and developing a property portfolio, which gave me greater exposure.
“I knew I wanted to continue working at the organisation because we are constantly looking at more innovative ideas and considered risks that will support the properties we purchase, develop, sell and let.
“I look forward to working alongside Shaun and am pleased that I can now be even more hands-on. Not only can I get to know the tenants, but I know the income we generate is redirected towards the programmes delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. There’s nothing more fulfilling than that.”
Investment and Development Director, Shaun O’Brien, said: “During his placement year with us, James was always motivated to learn about the property portfolio process, and he showed a real willingness to understand how the properties we manage positively impact coalfield communities across the UK.
“James is an integral part of our team and importantly he recognises the value in what we do. It’s not just about buildings, its about the positive and lasting impact our work has on 5.7m people living in former mining communities up and down the country.”
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Niche commercial practice MD Law has continued its strategic growth with three appointments to its expanding, Sheffield-based team.
New paralegal Diana Lepadat is joined by trainee solicitor David Scott and experienced administrator and credit controller Julie Cam.
Lepadat, who qualified in Romania, worked as a solicitor in a German law firm before moving to Sheffield. She is focusing on commercial and insolvency work within MD Law.
Scott is the practice’s first trainee solicitor. He joined from Sheffield Hallam University, who MD Law have a work placement scheme with.
Can joins the team after 30 years working for Dronfield-based Credit Collections.
MD Law, which was formed four years ago, specializes in business recovery, insolvency, dispute resolution and commercial litigation. It acts for and advises insolvency professionals, businesses and individuals across the country.
Founder and partner Matthew Dixon said: “We have maintained a commitment to deliver a responsive, flexible and personal service to clients and that has really paid off.
“I’m really delighted that over the last few months we have moved into larger offices and grown our team by a third. This reflects our increased client base – largely from recommendations and referrers from within South Yorkshire and further afield.”
