People: Fresh hire for law firm’s regulatory team; Senior appointment at life sciences firm; and more

Hull and York-based law firm Andrew Jackson has kicked off the New Year with several new appointments within its regulatory, litigation and corporate teams.

The announcements follow a year of growth and expansion for the firm, with new regional offices, a string of senior appointments and numerous high-profile deal completions.

Vanessa Crossley joins the regulatory team, forming part of the firm’s shipping and litigation department as an associate and as a practising barrister.

The department she joins has recently been involved in a number of regulatory cases including the prosecution of the Master of a ferry that collided with a pleasure yacht; the prosecution of a fishing company for Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported fishing, resulting in a record penalty, which the defendant is appealing; and, the defence of a vessel owner in a collision between two vessels with the loss of three lives.

Andrew Oliver, partner and head of the regulatory team, said: “Vanessa’s extensive experience as a barrister will add a new dimension to our client offer, as we frequently provide advice to businesses and individuals on regulatory matters, covering both the marine sector, as well as on land, which is a unique combination.

“We are particularly busy with fisheries and marine prosecutions, but we also have a number of cases involving the food industry, waste, the care sector and agriculture.

“Vanessa will be a great fit with the team, providing additional higher rights advocacy cover in the Crown Court. We’re really pleased to have her on board and warmly welcome her to the firm.”

In addition, Robert Best joins the litigation and dispute resolution team as a paralegal and Liam Hessay joins the corporate team, also as a paralegal.

Mark Pearson-Kendall, managing partner of Andrew Jackson, added: “Andrew Jackson’s commitment to offering legal advice and services covering all aspects of the law is consistently recognised in our client feedback.

“It’s important to us that we further strengthen our team with highly skilled individuals like Vanessa, Robert and Liam, so we can continue to provide the highest standards in service and value for our clients.”

:::

Life sciences firm, Avacta Group has appointed Paul Fry as Non Executive Director with effect from 3 February 2020.

Paul has extensive financial experience across a number of industries including biotech, pharmaceutical and telecommunications. He is currently Chief Financial Officer of Vectura Group plc, an industry leading inhaled drug delivery specialist listed on the FTSE Main Market.

Dr Eliot Forster, Chairman of Avacta Group, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to the Board of Avacta. Paul has significant financial and commercial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sector and his appointment reflects our commitment to attracting the best talent to the Company. We look forward to working with him as Avacta develops into a clinical stage biotechnology company.”

Paul Fry, Non Executive Director of Avacta Group, commented: “I am excited by the opportunity to work with Avacta in their mission to develop novel cancer immunotherapies and to commercialise the Affimer technology in other markets. I look forward to helping support the evolution of the Company and realising value for both patients and shareholders.”

:::

Leeds Dock-headquartered tech firm, DealTrak, has appointed a new head of delivery, and is also looking to fill several senior roles within the team.

New recruit Gary Burton will oversee the design, development and implementation of a range of new products and services for the automotive finance and insurance (F&I) specialist – part of the Auto Protect Group.

To further bolster expertise at the company, which is set to unveil the latest iteration of its interface later this year, DealTrak is looking to appoint a lead developer, scrum master, and additional developers, within the coming weeks.

Burton said: “I’ve spent the last 10 years leading projects and IT operations globally across payments, finance and transportation systems – so this role is right up my street.

“From my first project overseeing a small data centre relocation in Moscow, as well as leading on cloud migrations, to more recently heading up IT services provided to the Oyster platform in London, I’ve always enjoyed translating an idea into a tangible product.

“I’ve heard lots about DealTrak recently, and when I found out the organisation was looking for a head of delivery, I was interested from the start. Not only is it a great cultural fit, but I’m completely bought into the direction of the business and the unique opportunity available to really transform the automotive industry.”

Ben Moore, IT director, added: “Gary’s role will guide the continued delivery of innovative new products and services – something which is fundamental to the ongoing development of DealTrak in an ever-changing space.

“He has an impressive CV and has hit the ground running, which is crucial as we prepare to migrate to the new DealTrak platform and to look to him to turn ideas – which may drive revenue or enhanced client functionality – into reality.”

:::

West Yorkshire-based chartered surveyors Walker Singleton have confirmed several promotions, underlining the growth and development of the business.

Daniel Hey has joined the partnership, while Adam Powell, Michelle Dobson and Oliver Benson have each become Associates.

Hey, a director in the Machinery & Business Assets division based in Leeds, joined the firm in 1999 and specialises in providing valuation and disposal advice across all non-property assets with a specific focus on advice to Corporate Recovery and Asset Based Lenders.

Benson, who has been with the business 13 years, specialises in all technical aspects of Commercial Property Management across industrial, retail, office and leisure sectors and leads the business’s professional mentoring program for trainee chartered surveyors.

Dobson concentrates on the industrial and commercial property market and undertakes a broad spectrum of multi discipline professional and agency work in a sector of the business that has grown significantly over recent years as the firm has expanded its client base around the region.

Powell, who has been with the business for 16 years, leads a skilled residential letting department which manages close to 1,000 properties for private and corporate clients and is a sector that has seen significant compliance changes recently.

Allan Chapman, partner in the Machinery & Business Assets department, said: “I am delighted with the promotions, each of which is well deserved. The business had a successful 2019 following a sustained period of investment, with all departments showing growth.

“These promotions underline the development achieved in all market sectors and the ambition we have for our business.”

:::

Law firm Bevan Brittan has appointed James Teagle as a partner in its property disputes team. He joins Bevan Brittan’s Toronto Square-based Leeds office from Blacks, where he was a partner and the head of the property disputes team.

Teagle has extensive hands-on experience of resolving land and property-based disputes, including those centring on business tenancy renewals; service charge, rent review and dilapidations disagreements; and disputes around restrictive covenants, easements, trespass and claims for possession.

He is regularly involved in complex, high value claims. As well as owners and tenants, he also frequently works for receivers and secured lenders.

Teagle said: “I am delighted to be joining Bevan Brittan. They have a thriving Leeds office and a strong national presence advising clients on property and estates disputes and litigation as well as a host of related issues. It feels like a great fit for me and I am really looking forward to this new chapter in my career.”

His arrival marks a further strengthening of Bevan Brittan’s Leeds office, following on from the appointment of Christian Hunt who joined as a corporate partner in September. The Leeds office has now grown to encompass 12 partners and an overall team of 47.

Michael Boyd, head of the Leeds Office at Bevan Brittan, said: “We are very pleased to welcome James to Bevan Brittan.

“With his impressive experience in property disputes and litigation, he will be a real asset to the team. Welcoming a new partner to the Leeds office is a great way to start the New Year, and I hope is a sign of a strong year to come as we continue to grow and expand.”