People: JM Glendinning; Berwins; 360 Chartered Accountants; and more

Growing Yorkshire-headquartered insurance broker JM Glendinning has expanded its senior team with the appointment of Neil Reid as group insurer Placement Director.

Reid joins the business following a 27-year career in the insurance industry.

Starting at Norwich Union, he moved on to roles with brokers JLT, Alexander Forbes and Marsh before setting up his own broker business in 2008, which he sold in 2017.

He said: “I’ve been out of the industry for a few years following the business sale, and I was itching to get back into it.

“I had a few offers on the table, but none of them excited me as much as the opportunity to join JM Glendinning as the business moves into its next phase of serious growth.”

In his new role, Reid will work alongside group broking director John Tollerfield in an insurer liaison and management role to deliver the group’s placement strategy.

JM Glendinning group CEO Nick Houghton led a management buyout at the firm late last year, backed by growth investor Synova.

This was followed by the acquisition of tailored private and commercial insurance specialist Nowell & Richards in March, and a deal with Merseyside insurance broker Butterworth Spengler that saw JMG support a management buyout at the firm.

Houghton said: “Things are changing rapidly in the business as we continue on our acquisition trail. Since the beginning of the year, we have grown from a £45m premium income business to £75m and it’s important our insurer relationships keep pace with business growth.

“Neil is a fantastic addition to our senior team to help us manage insurer relationships and make sure the terms we secure for our clients reflect the group’s size and scale.”

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Berwins’ commercial law team has received a significant boost with the appointment of a senior corporate lawyer.

Oliver King joins as a senior associate, bringing with him a decade of legal experience and a reputation for delivering targeted results for corporate clients.

The team – which is recognised by Legal 500 for advising not only Yorkshire businesses, but also an increasing set of international names – routinely advises clients from a range of sectors but has a particular specialism in the IT and software space.

King said: “I’m thrilled to have joined such a well-regarded firm at what is an exciting time for the practice and the industry as a whole.

“Not only does Berwins have an enviable reputation for completing high quality corporate and commercial work, but the firm has also used the past 12 months to focus and accelerate growth plans.

“That means real benefits for both clients and the business as a whole.”

Before joining Berwins, King was part of the Corporate team at a regional law firm and has spent his entire career based in York, acting for both regional clients and those further afield.

Senior partner Paul Berwin added: “We’re delighted Oliver has become part of the Berwins team.

“There are many synergies between the way that he and the team operate, and this strategic hire will not only complement and strengthen the skill set already in place but forms a key part in driving the firm forward, contributing to ambitious growth plans.”

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360 Chartered Accountants has confirmed the appointment of a new trainee accountant.

Leah Sanderson, 21, who is originally from Whitby and now lives in Hedon, will initially be working with 360’s Charities and Corporate team before spending time across all accounts departments to ensure she gains experience in all aspects of accountancy, while being mentored and supported through her studies.

Andy Steele, director of 360, based in Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “We are passionate about training the next generation of accountants and are delighted that Leah has joined our team.

“We have recently reopened 360 HQ in the city centre now that Covid restrictions have eased and so her arrival has come at the perfect time.”

Sanderson will ultimately be working with clients at both the firm’s office – 360’s headquarters in Hull City Centre as well as in the business’s Withernsea office, an area she knows well, having spent three years there at another firm.

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Former tenant liaison manager Claire Reynolds has been promoted to centre manager at north Sheffield’s Fox Valley development.

The news comes as businesses have opened for indoor dining this week and the centre prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary next month.

Reynolds and her team are preparing for a special event to celebrate the centre’s anniversary, with a weekend Food Fair planned for 12 and 13 June.

Reynolds joined the Fox Valley team two years ago. She has worked throughout the three national lockdowns, assisting tenants with their return to trading plans as well as liaising with essential retailers throughout the pandemic.

She will continue to be based at Dransfield House at Fox Valley working with all the centre’s retail, office and restaurant tenants, including a number of new businesses which are joining the centre over the summer.

She said: “The last 12 months have been really challenging for retail and it feels incredibly positive to see all our stores, cafes and restaurants reopening now and to see that return to strong footfall and visitor numbers.

“Fox Valley is a lovely place to work and to visit, we really are part of the community here so I am delighted to be taking on the centre manager role.”

Estates director at Dransfield Properties, James Shepherd, said: “Claire’s promotion is well deserved, she has worked hard over the last 15 months in challenging circumstances.

“It’s great to see our businesses now open once again and welcoming customers back inside. We are also looking forward to introducing a number of new businesses to the centre in the coming months.”