People: Rollits; Addleshaw Goddard; Armstrong Watson; and more

Three members of the team at law firm Rollits LLP have qualified as solicitors.

Enisha Ali, Lily Dobson and Harry Spice all come from the Hull area and joined Rollits as trainees in 2019 after graduating from the University of Hull and the University of Law in Leeds.

Dobson and Spice have both qualified into the corporate team, dealing with a range of matters including acquisitions, disposals and reorganisations.

Dobson attended Beverley High School and Wyke Sixth Form College and Spice studied at Archbishop Sentamu Academy in Hull. They both gained their LLB (Hons) at Hull in 2018 and followed that by securing a distinction in their Legal Practice Course at Leeds.

Ali attended Beverley High School and Beverley Joint Sixth Form before progressing to complete her Law LLB (Hons) at Hull.

She then completed her Legal Practice Course as part of her Masters in Professional Legal Practice, which she passed with distinction at the University of Law in Leeds.

Ali has qualified into the firm’s commercial property team and undertakes work on matters including sales, purchases and leases.

Partner Caroline Neadley, who is the training principal at Rollits, said: “This is a significant milestone for Enisha, Lily and Harry – and for Rollits.

“The firm is in its 180th year and whilst we operate regionally and nationally we remain committed to finding and nurturing talent local to join us in Hull and York.

“We are delighted that we have been able to offer positions to our three newly qualified solicitors and we are pleased that these talented young people see Rollits as a good and supportive route into a legal career.”

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Gerri Elliott has been appointed as a part-time employment tribunal judge, alongside her role as a legal director in Addleshaw Goddard’s Yorkshire Employment team.

Her new position, to which she was appointed following a long process that began in 2020, will see her sit in Employment Tribunals across Yorkshire and the North East, reaching judgments on employment cases.

This news comes on the back of a period that has seen Addleshaw Goddard’s Yorkshire Employment team grow significantly, following the arrival of partners Rebecca Kitson in September 2019 and Shakeel Dad in June 2020.

The team now supports businesses such as British Airways, Kraft Heinz, Primark and SimplyHealth Group on all HR/employment issues.

Elliott said: “I’m excited to be taking on this new professional challenge. Sitting as a part-time judge will allow me to deliver a public service and gain valuable insight into the Tribunal jurisdiction while continuing my practice as a lawyer to Addleshaw Goddard’s clients.

“As a woman under 40, with caring responsibilities for very young children, I’m pleased to play a small part in increasing diversity in the judiciary.”

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Armstrong Watson has further strengthened its financial planning team with the appointment of Martyn Pottage as regional financial planning manager.

Before taking up his new role, Pottage worked with Armstrong Watson as an external consultant, supporting the development of the firm’s retirement planning messaging and presence online.

He joins Armstrong Watson Financial Planning and Wealth Management (AWFP) during an “exceptional” year of growth, with the firm acquiring the financial services arm of Burnetts Solicitors and the appointment of James Marlow as regional financial planning manager in Leeds.

Having worked in financial services for more than two decades, Pottage has significant client-facing advice experience and has also held senior roles leading advice teams and providing expertise on internal regulatory and client servicing projects.

He specialises in retirement planning, investments and personal protection planning and enjoys working with people to help them achieve their goals.

Pottage, a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, said: “I am delighted to be joining the financial planning team at Armstrong Watson, who are well respected for delivering financial advice of the highest quality across the north of England.

“My new role is an exciting opportunity to support the growing need for advice, particularly to clients who are at, or planning for retirement, along with supporting the vision and growth strategy for AWFP.”

Iain Lightfoot, partner and managing director of AWFP, said: “Martyn will be a huge asset to our team. His considerable expertise in providing both personalised financial advice to businesses and individuals, combined with his supervisory knowledge and skills, make him the perfect fit for Armstrong Watson.

“Martyn complements the rest of the team we have been developing in Yorkshire to deliver great financial advice to clients who need our help and support when it comes to planning for retirement.”

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Leeds-headquartered Ahead Partnership has appointed a new chief operating officer.

This is to help drive forward its vision to help businesses make meaningful impact within society through their ESG and social value initiatives.

The organisation, which has been working throughout the last 15 years to deliver projects that help overcome inequality and promote opportunity, with partners such as Avanti West Coast, Northern Powergrid, PwC, Arup and Landsec, has appointed Gareth Osborne to the newly-created role.

He brings a wealth of professional experience, having held senior positions at high-profile organisations including Eversheds; Bradford College; Leeds Trinity University; and London Business School.

He joins the Ahead Partnership team following almost eight years as director of Appletrees Associates, a consultancy specialising in supporting professional services firms, educational institutions, charities and social enterprises.

Working alongside chief executive Stephanie Burras and the team, Osborne will help shape Ahead Partnership’s future direction, developing new services and evolving and growing its design and consultancy-led approach.

Osborne said: “As a first-generation graduate, who grew up on a council estate, received free school meals and managed to escape the multi-generational poverty trap that afflicts so many, I’m genuinely excited to be joining a business that makes such a clear and positive difference to countless lives and communities.

“Our society is at a real tipping point and organisations like Ahead Partnership, work tirelessly to ensure future generations, regardless of background maximise their potential.

“Ahead Partnership, alongside a growing partner-base, is brilliantly placed to make a transformational contribution to society and now is a pivotal time for all businesses to step up and play their part in rebuilding a better society for all.”

Burras added: “We are delighted to welcome Gareth to the Ahead Partnership team. Gareth’s experience and knowledge of the sectors in which we work will be extremely valuable in helping us maximise the value and impact that we can make with our partners.

“The pandemic and climate change emergency have only served to emphasise the central part that business must play in creating a better society and a more sustainable world.

“We’re looking forward to working with our partners and shaping our offer going forward to serve communities and support people in the best way we can.”