People: New CEO for bakery chain; Partner appointed at construction and engineering solicitors; and more

Scarborough-headquartered bakery business, Cooplands, has appointed Belinda Youngs as CEO, as it continues to drive growth with new sites across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North East.  

Belinda brings more than two decades’ experience in the grocery retail sector, both UK and International, to the role.

She has previously held positions at Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Sobeys Inc., the second largest food retailer in Canada. An effective leader of large teams, she has achieved success in commercial and customer roles across a wide range of functions, as well as experience in non-executive director roles in both Canada and the UK.

Alongside Youngs, the business has also appointed David Salkeld as non-executive chair. He brings invaluable experience from high-profile roles across the food industry, at businesses including Upfield (formerly Unilever spreads), the Ainsley Harriott Food Company and Wensleydale Dairy Products.

Founded in 1885, the fourth-generation business has been led by managing director Paul Coopland since 1985. Over 30 years, he and his team has grown the business from five shops to 160 across the north with a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. It is now the UK’s third largest bakery chain.

In December 2017, BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, invested £8.5m in Cooplands to support the business’s growth strategy and roll-out of its shops across the north of England.

Since then, the business has opened 29 new trading sites – including new shops in Harrogate and Wawne in Yorkshire as well as Shiremoor in Tyneside in the last month – taking the total number of sites to 160 shops, 12 cafes and 35 sandwich vans.

Paul Coopland said: “These are exciting times for the business as we continue to scale up and expand across the north of England.

“Belinda’s combination of big brand retail experience and entrepreneurial mindset, having founded and run her own businesses, made her the ideal candidate to help take the Cooplands into the next chapter of its growth story.”

Belinda Young said: “I look forward to helping to build the brand, which focuses on producing quality products at great value, in formats and locations that continue to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s customers.”

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Hawkswell Kilvington, a Wakefield-based firm of specialist construction and engineering solicitors, is continuing the expansion of its practice with the appointment of a new Partner, David Spires.

With 20 years’ experience specialising in all aspects of construction law, David has long been recognised as a leader in his field and is ranked as a leading individual by both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.

Previously head of construction at Watson Burton LLP, his focus will remain on resolving complex construction disputes through adjudication, litigation, arbitration and mediation.

He is a major lateral hire for the firm, and his appointment will reinforce Hawkswell Kilvington’s existing capabilities.

Daniel Silberstein, Partner at Hawkswell Kilvington, said: “David is an outstanding lawyer. His experience will be a huge asset to the Hawkswell Kilvington team. It is a real coup for us to bring someone of his calibre on board and we are delighted that he chose to join us.”

David  added: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Hawkswell Kilvington. They have an outstanding reputation, superb clients and a really talented group of lawyers. I am looking forward to working with the team and to helping the firm continue to grow.”

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Newly qualified solicitor Lilly Grant has joined Lupton Fawcett’s family law team.

Lilly completed her law degree at the University of Sheffield before going on to complete the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Leeds.

She joined Lupton Fawcett in October 2016 as a paralegal in the dispute management department and assisted on a range of matters including boundary, partnership and contested probate disputes.

She became a trainee solicitor in December 2017 and worked in Lupton Fawcett’s charities, corporate and family departments as part of her training contract. She is based in the firm’s York office and is working alongside Family Law Partner Andrew Smith.

Chris Burns, head of Lupton Fawcett’s Family Law team, said: “Lilly has gained considerable experience during her training contract with us and is a shining example of Lupton Fawcett’s commitment to supporting the next generation of legal talent.”