People: Insolvency specialist promoted; Non exec chair appointed at house builder; Experienced new MD announced; and more
Insolvency specialist Carl Jones has been promoted to partner at Sheffield legal practice MD Law.
Jones graduated in Law from the University of Cambridge in 2010 and trained at the Sheffield office of international law firm, DLA Piper. He qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and joined MD Law founder Matthew Dixon when he launched the niche practice in May 2015.
He specialises in acting for insolvency practitioners and other corporate and individual clients in litigation matters and is qualified to represent clients in civil matters in all courts as a Solicitor-Advocate.
He also handles a wide range of litigation and insolvency work in the property sector including sales of residential and commercial properties by insolvency practitioners and forced sales by court order.
Jones, 30, has gained significant experience in other transactional work including pre-pack sales and advice on security documentation.
In his spare time, he is one of the country’s Select Group Referees for futsal – the FIFA approved version of five-a-side – and has represented The FA at the European University Games Futsal Championships as well as officiating at several international matches.
MD Law, which was formed four years ago, specialises in business recovery, insolvency, dispute resolution and commercial litigation. It acts for and advises insolvency professionals, businesses and individuals across the country.
MD Law founder and partner Matthew Dixon said: “We are delighted to promote Carl to a partner in the practice.
“He has helped us expand the range of expertise we provide and his proactive case management of contentious claims for a number of insolvency practitioner clients has led to an increase in the number of clients and instructions we have received and built on over the last four and-a-half years.”
MD Law has continued its strategic growth over the last 12 months, with a move to larger offices in Sheffield and three new appointments to the expanding practice team.
Jones added: “I’m delighted to become a partner within MD Law and I’m really looking forward to being part of the continued growth of the firm.”
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Doncaster-based Keepmoat Homes has appointed Stephen Stone to the position of non-executive chairman.
Stone is the former chief executive of the FTSE 250 British housebuilding company Crest Nicholson Holdings. Having joined Crest Nicholson in 1995 he spent 20 years on the group board, being appointed chairman in March 2018 after almost 13 years as chief executive, during which time he oversaw its successful IPO in 2013.
A qualified chartered architect, he has over 30 years’ experience across the construction and housebuilding industry. He is a non-executive director of the National Housebuilding Council, the Home Builders Federation and Orbit Group.
Keepmoat Homes chief executive Tim Beale said: “Stephen has a long and exemplary track record within the housebuilding sector, not least at Crest Nicholson where he played a key role in the transformation of the business, returning it to the public markets and generating substantial value for its shareholders during his tenure.
“His experience and knowledge will be a terrific asset for Keepmoat Homes as we continue to grow the business in line with our strategy and meet the UK’s ongoing need for affordable, high quality housing.”
Stone said: “I’m pleased to be joining Keepmoat Homes on the back of an extremely strong performance in the last financial year.
“Keepmoat Homes has a differentiated and resilient model, with a strong network of partnerships and a pipeline of opportunities that provide it with a compelling growth outlook.
“Having worked with Tim for more than 15 years while he was part of my executive team at Crest Nicholson prior to joining Keepmoat, I’m pleased to be working alongside him again on a new project with an exciting future.”
Keepmoat Homes is a top 10 UK home builder, ranked seventh in terms of the number of homes delivered, with a presence in all the top 10 markets outside of London.
In the year end to 31 October 2019 the business delivered a strong operational performance with over 4,000 new home completions.
Acquired by TDR and Sun Capital in 2014, the business has been the largest partner of the Government’s housing accelerator, Homes England, over successive funding rounds.
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The Bayford Group has appointed a managing director with over two decades of experience in senior positions with organisations including Marks & Spencer and Topshop.
Lindsay Austin’s expertise in UK and global roles span global head of retail at Topman, Topshop, head of retail at Mamas & Papas – and leading Marks & Spencer’s North East region.
As MD of The Bayford Group, which marks its centenary this year, Austin is responsible for overseeing its diverse businesses comprising energy, property investment and development – and hospitality.
The 42-year-old MD has taken over from Liz Slater who will stay on with the group – which posted record profits of over £17m last year – and continue to work closely with entrepreneur and founder Jonathan Turner to grow the business into new territory.
The group’s recent ventures have included the launch of Gulf Gas and Power to provide electricity and gas supply in the UK and spearheading a new enterprise in Holland.
Slater’s career with the group dates back to 1988 when she joined the business as a graduate trainee, progressing to board member in 1999 and to group MD in 2007.
Her achievements include overseeing successful acquisitions and new business start ups which include launching The Right Fuelcard Company (TRFC). This is the UK’s fourth largest fuel card supplier, in which French pre-paid meal vouchers and card provider business, Edenred, purchased an 80% stake for £95m in 2018.
Turner said: “Lindsay’s wealth of commercial and operational experience highly complement the group’s diverse companies. Her appointment comes at a formative period in our evolution in the energy sector and focus on renewable energy with our new businesses.
“There is a huge amount of change going on globally with electric vehicles, EV supply, battery storage and solar power and I’m delighted we are in the thick of it’.
“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Liz for her invaluable role as MD in growing and driving the Bayford day-to-day operation forward over three decades. I look forward to continuing to work with Liz as we accelerate the further global expansion of our Gulf Gas and Power business.”
The Bayford Group, which has its headquarters at Bowcliffe Hall, near Wetherby, was launched 100 years ago at the end of the First World War by four soldiers from Leeds who were demobbed in the Hertfordshire village of Bayford and started a coal merchants business in Leeds. It is wholly owned by Turner.
Austin said: “The company boasts a rich history and powerful track record which speaks volumes. I’m looking forward to sustaining its successful operations in challenging and vibrant markets as we continue to diversify, evolve and expand.”
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Sheffield-based Future Life Wealth Management has appointed a new financial paraplanner as part of the company’s growth plans.
Christine Miller joins Future Life having gained several years’ experience working within the financial services industry at AFH Wealth Management. She achieved a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2018 and has a Certificate in Mortgage Planning.
Future Life managing director Jillian Thomas said: “Christine is a fantastic addition to the team and will help us continue to give a great service to our clients.
“Her appointment is all part of our growth plan, which has seen us promote a member of the team to become a financial adviser, and this role is to fill her previous position.”
In her new role, Miller will start a training programme in order to achieve Chartered status over the coming years.
Miller, who lives in Nottinghamshire, said: “I am delighted to be joining Future Life because it’s such a well-regarded company in the financial services industry. The future here looks really exciting and I’m looking forward to working with the team and developing my skills in this new role.”
Future Life Wealth Management is based in Renishaw and offers a financial planning service to generators and receivers of wealth. It has been listed in the New Model Advisor Top 100, a national list of the top financial planners, every year since 2013.
