People: LCF Residential; HI Commercial; and more
Licensed conveyancer Fraser Bell has joined the Ilkley office of LCF Residential, which is the conveyancing arm of Yorkshire law firm LCF Law.
He joins from another local law firm in Ilkley, where he worked for seven years. He initially started as an assistant and qualified as a licenced conveyancer in early 2019, before being promoted to head the firm’s residential conveyancing division.
LCF Residential works with home buyers and sellers, as well as estate agents and nearly every UK mortgage lender.
Its 30-strong team is based across LCF Law’s offices in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Ilkley.
Bell, who previously lived in Ilkley before moving to Sutton in Craven, will predominantly look after a local client base spanning Wharfedale and the Aire Valley.
He explained: “Joining LCF Residential is an exciting new chapter in my career and an opportunity to become part of a large and well-established team with a strong brand and leading reputation in the industry.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has also made it an interesting time to make this move.
“The property world was obviously badly affected by the lockdown measures but in the last few weeks, since the housing market reopened, it’s been extremely busy with lots of completions and home moves taking place in a short space of time. This looks set to continue into the summer as the market catches back up.”
Julie Davis, head of residential property at LCF Residential, said: “There’s no doubt Fraser will be an asset to our team and clients throughout Ilkley and the surrounding areas.
“He has strong local knowledge and a reputation for working hard for his clients and putting their interests before anything else, which are valuable traits in this profession.”
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The team at Hull-based HI Commercial has welcomed experienced commercial account handler, Mike Ratcliffe, whose appointment affirms expansion plans.
Ratcliffe’s career began with Norwich Union claims investigations in the early 1980s and transferred into brokering in 2003.
Throughout his career he has looked after a variety of businesses from agriculture and fish merchants to large manufacturers, haulage and engineering firms whose premiums are valued between £25,000-£100,000.
He said: “The commercial insurance profession is heading down the call-centre route, taking large firms out of our city to other parts of the UK.
“HI Commercial appealed to me as the directors, Luke Byron and Richard Medforth, understand the value of retaining that personal service – local people supporting local businesses.
“The firm recognises the importance of getting to know clients, visiting premises and asking questions based on what they can see, rather than just ticking boxes over the phone.”
HI Commercial will celebrate its first anniversary in the summer but its roots were established at Hedon Insurance which has a 51 year history.
Byron said: “We are just coming up to our first year in business, having separated from Hedon Insurance to focus on advising commercial organisations.”
“Our business has grown quite rapidly in this first year and we relocated our office premises to ergo at Bridgehead in January, giving us room to take on more staff. We are now pleased that Mike’s appointment brings even more experience to our team.”
Ratcliffe added: “I’m delighted to be working with HI Commercial which really takes a refreshing approach to an industry which can have a reputation for being a bit dull.
“The team is aware of this and proactively helps clients, not just from an insurance point of view but also by partnering with other businesses to deliver interesting events and webinars on topics which inspire and motivate.”
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Virgin Money UK has confirmed that Fiona MacLeod, a non-executive director on the Board of the company, will step down from the Board on 30 September 2020.
She joined the Board in September 2016 and is a member of the Governance and Nomination Committee, of the Risk Committee and of the Remuneration Committee.
She will also step down as a director of Clydesdale Bank PLC and of Virgin Money plc on the same date.
David Bennett, company chairman said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Fiona for her significant contribution.
“This includes her involvement in developing the role of the Governance and Nomination Committee in the company’s early years as a listed company, her insight throughout the company’s acquisition of Virgin Money and as the integration of our heritage businesses has progressed.
“Most recently, on behalf of the Board, Fiona led the search and selection process for the Board chairman successor.
“With that exercise now complete, Fiona has decided the time is right to move ahead with her plans to step down from the Board and we wish her well for the future.”
The company has also announced changes to the membership of its Board committees – in particular to appoint all of the continuing independent non-executive directors as members of each Board committee: Risk Committee – Darren Pope will become a member; Audit Committee – Paul Coby will become a member; Governance and Nomination Committee – Paul Coby, Geeta Gopalan, Darren Pope and Amy Stirling will become members; Remuneration Committee – Paul Coby, Geeta Gopalan and Tim Wade will become members.
All Board committee appointments will be effective from 1 July 2020.
