People: Irwin Mitchell; Currie & Brown; Hawkswell Kilvington; and more

Irwin Mitchell is expanding its property division in Sheffield with the recruitment of a new senior associate, Thomas Freeman.

He has joined from Knights and has considerable experience in all forms of property litigation but has particular expertise in commercial landlord and tenant matters (including lease renewals and the exercise of break options) and disputes concerning covenants, rights of way, boundaries, rights of light and the Electronic Communications Code.

He has worked with a wide range of clients, ranging from individuals to investors, property development companies, charities and businesses operating in the healthcare sector.

Danny Revitt, joint head of real estate disputes, said: “Thomas’s experience and expertise will be a great asset to our growing national team.

“We will continue to recruit quality senior and junior lawyers in the coming months to help us achieve our ambitious growth plans.”

Freeman’s appointment coincides with the arrival of planning & environment specialist, Jill Crawford, and real estate transactions lawyer, Sarah Swann, into the firm’s Manchester office.

Adrian Barlow, partner and director of Legal Services, Real Estate, said: “All three new joiners are a great addition to our property team and will enhance the firm’s real estate offering in the North and around the country.

“All our new senior associates come with great hands-on experience and good reputations and will be great assets to our national property practice – playing an important part in helping us to fulfil our ambition to provide first-class advice to clients.”

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Currie & Brown has appointed Ben Crossland to lead its Leeds office, responsible for all day-to-day operations and the main point of contact for the firm in the area.

He joins from Turner & Townsend, with a proven track record of team leadership and core multi-sector quantity surveying delivery experience gained through more than 18 years’ experience in the construction industry, working in the Middle East, UK and Ireland.

Particular areas of expertise include project and commercial controls, embodied carbon assessment, quality and process development and compliance assurance and commercial auditing.

His experience spans sectors including rail, aviation, water, government departments, retail, hospitality and leisure.

Neil Brierley, regional managing director for England and Wales, said: “It’s an exciting time for our North business and Ben significantly enhances our offer to the infrastructure and transport sector in addition to our existing delivery in residential, education, healthcare, mixed-use, retail and funding institutions.”

Crossland added: “I look forward to building on my international, multi-sector experience to further enhance and develop our current service offering and capability.”

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Hawkswell Kilvington, a Wakefield-based niche firm of specialist construction and engineering solicitors, has continued the expansion of its practice with the appointment of a new legal director – Ross Galbraith.

He specialises in drafting and advising on all types of bespoke and standard form construction contracts and related documents.

Rachel Heald, partner and head of the firm’s non-contentious department, said: “This is a really exciting appointment for us. Ross is a vastly experienced solicitor who I am confident will be a great addition to the team, and will significantly strengthen our non-contentious offering.”

Galbraith added: “Hawkswell Kilvington have grown considerably over the last few years, and their capabilities, reputation and standing are superb.

“I really am looking forward to working with Rachel and the rest of the team, and being part of the continued development of the firm.”

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A property consultancy has welcomed a new consultant who helped develop a historic Yorkshire country estate into a commercial business and major television film set.

Christopher Ussher has joined Fisher German as a consultant.

He has a wide range of experience developing and growing businesses and assisting and advising on a number of country estates, with a particular focus on diversification, planning and fundraising.

He was previously chief executive at Harewood House Trust and resident land agent at Harewood Estate for 25 years.

During this time, he played an integral part in the development of the Emmerdale television film set on the estate, and went on to secure filming opportunities with Heartbeat, A Touch of Frost and At Home with the Braithwaites.

Ussher was also involved in organising world-class events, including starting the Tour de France cycle race from the front of Harewood House in 2014 which welcomed royalty, media and fans.

He also supported in the conversion of redundant listed farm buildings into offices, bringing an additional income stream to the estate.

He continues to be a Trustee and advisor to several other country estates across the UK.

Ussher said: “I hope to use my expertise to reassure those who are contemplating change and diversification, and also provide ideas and advice.

“My 25 years at Harewood House means I have experience in running a large visitor attraction, so I have an in-depth knowledge of the logistics and licensing required for everything from opening a country house and exhibiting collections to running a bird garden and holding large and small-scale events.

“I’ve also developed some fantastic contacts in the television industry. When we built Emmerdale Village we were at the cutting-edge – nobody else was creating large television sets on estates at the time.”

David Merton, divisional managing partner of rural property management and consultancy, said: “We have strong expertise in estate management, and Christopher has a wealth of industry knowledge which will complement this perfectly.

“We have no doubt his experience will be hugely valuable to our clients.”

Ussher will work across Fisher German’s office network, including the firm’s office in Doncaster.