People: Health and care solicitor hired; Tax team bolstered with new private client specialist; and more

Lynne Bradey, partner at Wrigleys solicitors, has welcomed Hywel Jenkins as he joins the health and care team in Sheffield.

Jenkins, who is from Sheffield, qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and has spent the majority of his career in the Yorkshire region. His legal career has covered many different areas of both private and public practice including representing vulnerable children and adults within the local authority and private sector.

He said: “Wrigleys is a leading law firm for injured, disabled and vulnerable people nationally and has an incredible reputation. I look forward very much to working with colleagues to assist in the high level of work the team have developed and those clients we are supporting.”

Austin Thornton, who manages the health & care team, said: “Hywel has a great reputation in Court of Protection work from his previous work for a local authority which strengthens the abilities of our team in this complex area of legal work.

“His arrival will ensure we can continue to meet the needs of elderly and disabled people and their loved ones for advice and representation on health and care matters at a time when funding pressures on local and health authorities have given rise to a great need for this service.”

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Yorkshire and Derbyshire accountancy firm BHP has expanded its tax department with the appointment of Suzy Harris-Milnes as Tax Partner.

She has specialised in private client work for more than 20 years and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the firm, where she will help business owners, wealthy individuals and trusts with their personal tax affairs. She joins BHP after spending 24 years at Grant Thornton.

Chris Humphreys, head of tax at BHP, said: “Suzy has spent the majority of her career developing long-lasting relationships with private clients to help shape and structure their personal finances.

“As we continue to grow, we are thrilled Suzy has chosen to join us – her experience in private client work will further strengthen the services that we offer.”

Harris-Milnes said: “BHP has a long-standing reputation as a strong, independent business with an exciting future ahead. I was attracted to the growing accountancy firm because of its great clients, numerous award wins and recruitment growth over the last few years.

“I am now looking forward to expanding my speciality, building new relationships, training the team internally and highlighting the importance of private client work.”

Suzy will primarily be based in Sheffield and Leeds but will work across all BHP offices including York, Chesterfield and Cleckheaton.

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Experienced solicitor James Urquhart-Burton is the latest lawyer to join Huddersfield-based Ridley and Hall.

With specialist knowledge of the legal challenges faced by older people and their families, he joins as a partner in the firm’s litigation team.

Previously, he spent over six years with Simpson Millar, latterly as a partner. During this time, he headed a team which advised patients and their families about their eligibility for funding for long-term care, particularly NHS Continuing Healthcare. He brings experience of wills, probate and powers of attorney and, in his new role, he will be developing his expertise in contentious probate, inheritance disputes and financial abuse.

In addition, Ridley and Hall has promoted three lawyers to the position of associate: Samantha Hirst in litigation; Sarah Brown, a care team lawyer specialising in adoption; and Helen Webster in the private client team. Also, Shelley Harper has joined as a solicitor in the family team, working across the firm’s offices in Leeds and South Elmsall.

Emma Pearmaine, managing director at Ridley and Hall, said: “With our strong track record of supporting clients in private client and family matters, we were aware of an increased need for expert advice on issues affecting older people and their families. James is an ideal fit for us, strengthening our offering with his specialism in this growing area of law.

“We are also pleased to be continuing to expand and develop the team with the appointment of three new associates who are progressing their careers with us, as well as an additional solicitor joining the firm.”

James said: “Ridley and Hall has a reputation for offering an excellent service to the elderly, particularly in respect of wills, probate, powers of attorney and court of protection work, as well as contentious matters such as inheritance disputes and financial abuse. My background knowledge of the care industry and funding for care complements these services.”

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Accountancy firm, Brown Butler, has announced the promotion of Nicola Taylor as its newest director.

The firm, based in Leeds, has elevated the audit and accounts manager to the new role in recognition of her hard work and success with clients.

Taylor has more than 10 years’ experience managing audit and assurance teams and works with a variety of clients from small to medium-sized enterprises up to international groups and organisations.

In particular, she has close links to the printing, property and manufacturing sectors as well as strong experience with not for profits.

She said: “It is a real honour to be taking on this new role within the practice. Everyone at Brown Butler has been very supportive and I am looking forward to working with my fellow directors to keep innovating our firm and delivering a high-quality service to our growing number of clients.”

James White, director and principal at Brown Butler, said: “Nicola has worked immensely hard since joining us seven years ago and has helped to further develop our audit and accounts team.

“She is the ideal candidate to be taking up this new position and on behalf of everyone at the firm I would like to congratulate her on this promotion.”