People: Andrew Jackson Solicitors; Ellis Patents; LCF Law; and more

Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors has announced three new appointments within its private client team.

The firm provides a full range of legal services to individuals and businesses throughout the UK from its offices in Hull, York, Scarborough and Grimsby.

Geraldine Martin joins the firm as partner in the tax and trusts team and brings with her a wealth of over 20 years’ experience advising clients on a wide range of matters including wills, trusts and the administration of high net worth estates.

She said: “I am excited to join a firm that has made such great strides regionally, nationally and overseas, yet remains committed to delivering a service with personal care and attention at its heart.

“I have been aware of the strength of the firm’s private client team for some time, so I’m delighted to have joined such a well-established department.”

In addition to Geraldine’s appointment, Elizabeth Dunn and Jannie Weeks also join the Tax and Trusts team as a solicitor and paralegal, respectively.

Richard Hoare, head of the private client team, said: “This announcement reflects our continued investment in the team, the development of our client offering and, most importantly, our commitment to the delivery of an excellent service.

“I warmly welcome Geraldine, Elizabeth and Jannie to the team and feel confident their knowledge and experience will play a key role as we continue to provide a tailored, personal service with trusted expertise.”

Mark Pearson-Kendall, managing partner of Andrew Jackson, added: “The firm continues to grow each year, in terms of the breadth and scale of the work we are delivering.

“The appointments of Geraldine, Elizabeth and Jannie reflect this growth and the increasing demand for the wide range of experience and expertise offered by our private client team.”

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Cable cleat manufacturer, Ellis Patents has handed Kelly Brown a global sales remit.

Brown, who joined the Rillington-based company in 2014, was appointed export sales manager in 2018, and has now been promoted to the newly created role of head of sales.

Richard Shaw, Ellis Patents’ managing director said: “Kelly has been an enormous asset to Ellis since she first walked through the door, and has played a vital role in the on-going success of our export operation – both in terms of securing new specifications and expanding into new territories.”

“We’re currently in the process of restructuring our sales team, and we had no hesitation in offering her the head of sales role.

“I’m certain she’ll be every bit as successful in this role as she has been when focused solely on export sales.”

Ellis Patents sells into over 40 different countries, including the UK and Ireland, through a network of local distributors.

This network is extended with each new territory, with the sales team carrying out in-depth research of the market, and then appointing a local distributor prior to commencing sales.

So far this year, the company has announced a series of major new specifications; including projects in Brazil, Chile and the USA.

Brown said: “The market is getting ever more competitive, so in order to maintain our position at the head of it we have to stay one step ahead.

“I see my new role as head of sales as ensuring all the benefits of our products – whether new and innovative, or long-established best-sellers – are communicated properly to all our target markets.

“The aim being that when it comes to new specifications, Ellis Patents’ name and its products remain at the forefront of decision makers minds, wherever in the world they are. It’s certainly a challenge, but it’s one I’m relishing.”

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Experienced employment lawyer, Gemma Sherbourne has joined LCF Law’s corporate team as a senior associate working across the company’s Leeds and Bradford offices.

She will work with LCF Law’s employment law team, Liz Henry and James Austin.

Sherbourne has previously worked for a number of Yorkshire law firms, as well as spending time in-house at Bupa.

Her experience covers both contentious and non-contentious work, acting on behalf of owner managed businesses through to large public companies, and advising in-house legal teams, HR managers and business owners on all areas of employment law.

She is also experienced in tribunals, creating employee handbooks and policies, advising on employment issues during corporate transactions and providing legal training to HR managers.

Partner, Liz Henry, said: “Employment law is changing dramatically for both employers and employees.

“The new challenges of Covid-19 and furlough are the next chapter. There is no doubt LCF Law’s employment team has the knowledge and experience to guide clients through this complex and fast-paced area of law.”

Sherbourne said: “It’s a great opportunity to join a well-respected Yorkshire law firm and to ensure clients continue to enjoy the high standards of service that both Liz and James are renowned for.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

LCF Law employs more than 145 people across offices in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Ilkley.

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A company which helps SMEs scale up rapidly by giving them access to experienced part-time directors is continuing to expand nationally with the appointment of a Yorkshire regional director.

Bristol-based BoardroomAdvisors.co.uk has appointed Leigh Everington to build a team of up to eight advisors across the region.

Hull-based Everington has held senior roles for Canon UK in the north of England before working as Group managing director for a large Yorkshire based SME as well as running his own businesses, including in the energy technology industry.

BoardroomAdvisors.co.uk offers dedicated professionals for each region, but draws in specialist skills as required by each client and project.

Everington said: “I believe the concept, and calibre of professionals we give access to, can offer the region’s SMEs the high-level  advice which can help them succeed in these challenging times.”

BoardroomAdvisors.co.uk was founded by John Courtney, who has founded seven businesses and been listed as one of the country’s top 100 entrepreneurs.

He said: “Leigh is a born entrepreneur who brings an impressive track record of growing revenues for SMEs and larger businesses.

“I’m sure his practical knowledge of sales, marketing, operations and creating business cultures, including teams, will prove invaluable to businesses across Yorkshire.

“Our advisors have all founded, built and sold businesses. They bring experience managing in difficult times and different economic conditions and can draw on this knowledge to reduce costly errors and get firms to the place where owners and the board want them to be.”