People: Duo taken on at law firm’s health team; Sustainability manager appointed at veterinary group; and more

Health law firm Hill Dickinson has started 2020 with two new hires to its fast-growing health team based in Leeds.

Legal director Juliette Fisher and associate Helen Matthews join the firm’s Leeds office as part of the firm’s 200-strong national health sector practice as it continues to strengthen its presence in this area to meet client demand.

Fisher joins from law firm Mills & Reeve property team. With expertise in site assembly and development schemes, acquisitions and disposals of healthcare and aligned service assets and property support on large-scale commercial alliances and joint venture arrangements, she will use her experience to develop and bolster the healthcare property offering from the Leeds office.

Matthews joins from law firm Schofield Sweeney with a background in corporate work. She will use her experience to transfer into assisting legal director Ruth Griffiths as part of the Hill Dickinson healthcare team, developing work in primary care and out of hospital models.

Partner Rob McGough, Hill Dickinson’s head of commercial health and head of the firm’s Leeds office, said: “We’re delighted Juliette and Helen have chosen to join our health team in Leeds.

“Their skills will enhance our existing health offering and make them both real assets to the wider team and our clients. We are proud to be an employer of choice for talented lawyers looking to develop their career in health.”

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UK veterinary group VetPartners has appointed Hannah James as sustainability manager, based at its headquarters in York.

She will oversee the management of environmental and social issues on behalf of VetPartners and its 130 veterinary practices across the UK to ensure the group is sustainable.

James, who joins VetPartners from Yorkshire Water’s sustainability team, has a BSc in environmental sciences from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in low carbon technologies from the University of Leeds, and has worked in sustainability roles in engineering and retail.

She will be responsible for developing and implementing VetPartners’ sustainability strategy with the aim of reducing the company’s environmental impacts, ensuring the continuation of responsible business practices and support for charitable activities.

She said: “There is an increasing interest and need for environmental and social sustainability. It is about ensuring everyone has their needs met without compromising the needs of future generations.

“There has been a huge turn globally towards sustainability so this is a really positive move by VetPartners. We are in a strong position because we have so many practices so we can all pull together as a large group. Part of my role will be supporting practices with practical advice and resources wherever they are placed on their sustainability journey.”

VetPartners CEO, Jo Malone, said: “Hannah joining the VetPartners family is an exciting development and will help all our teams prepare for, and meet, the challenges of the future.

“She brings a wealth of practical experience from prior commercial settings alongside the academic background that further enhances the knowledge base within our group.”

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Independent advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts has expanded its transaction services team in Yorkshire with the appointment of Cameron Hunter as executive.

He joins from accountants Mazars, where he spent three years working in the audit department and where he qualified as a chartered accountant. His experience includes leading audits on a wide variety of clients, including, manufacturing, renewable energy, and private equity-backed businesses.

At Dow Schofield Watts he will help provide financial due diligence for companies and private equity investors planning acquisitions, as well as business owners preparing for an exit or refinancing.

Meanwhile Alex Hill, who joined the transaction services team in 2018, has been promoted to manager following an extremely busy and successful run of deals.

Sophie Colloby, head of the transaction services team in Yorkshire & the North East, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Cameron on board and announce the promotion of Alex in recognition of his work.

“The Dow Schofield Watts model is really appealing to our clients and a larger team allows us to meet increasing demand. We plan to continue to add to the team this year.”

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Sheet metal manufacturers Salamander Fabrications has further bolstered its growing workforce with the additions of two highly qualified recruits.

Mohammed Zub has joined the Slaithwaite-based firm as a quality engineer and Nick Horn has come in as a manufacturing engineer.

The duo of appointments sees Salamander’s workforce rise to 50-plus, as the team gears up for a transformative year. They are awaiting the arrival of new equipment – which will include a 6Kw laser and fully automated warehouse system.

The business is now building on ambitious plans to reach a £10m turnover.

Having worked for the Ministry of Defence on nuclear manufacturing projects across Europe, Zub said he was eager to get to grips with Salamander’s technical systems and help to expand its sector-specific portfolio – especially in the rail industry.

The former NNB GenCo consultant added: “This firm is always investing so it can remain at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and be able to compete with the very best out there – and that is something which excites me a great deal.

“I want to be deeply involved in supporting the organisation to grow even further and maintain its high-quality standards.”

Meanwhile, Horn arrives with nearly 40 years’ experience in manufacturing having worked for a range of small and large companies. His ambitions include helping Salamander to continue designing first-class, economically competitive products for its customers and pass on skills to junior members of the team.

He added: “It’s great to be with a business full of friendly, proactive and approachable people. I’m excited to welcome the automated machinery too because it will make a huge difference towards our production.”

Michael Haskell, managing director at Salamander Fabrications, said: “Zub and Nick are quality additions to our already-thriving workforce. Their range of experience will be imperative when it comes to utilising our new automated equipment and producing high calibre stock at speed.”