People: Hägen Wolf; Wild PR; Cambridge & Counties Bank; and more

Leeds-based property litigation firm, Hägen Wolf, has appointed a new partner and expanded its team following a period of record growth.

Dilapidations and telecoms lawyer, Richard Robinson, joins from Knights Plc as a partner. He brings over 14 years of experience as a specialist property litigator.

The firm also welcomes Olivia Hudson, who joins from Plexus Law as a paralegal and Richard Costello is appointed as marketing director, while Daniel Troman joins as a marketing assistant.

The hires follow a period of 30% growth for the practice. The moves will strengthen the firm’s property litigation offering and support continued growth.

Hägen Wolf says it plans to recruit four more lawyers over the next six months and build its in-house marketing team.

Robinson said: “I join Matt and the team at an exciting time in Hägen Wolf’s growth. I look forward to working with the specialist property litigation team as we look to build on the successes achieved to date.”

Matt Pugh, managing partner, said: “Our success over the last two years has put us in a position where we can invest in great people. I am over the moon that Richard, Richard, Olivia and Daniel have chosen to join our fast-growing firm.

“Richard is one of the best in the business at what he does and has an enviable reputation in particular for dilapidations and telecoms work. He is already having a big impact.”

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Huddersfield-based PR and communications agency, Wild PR, has recruited two new members of staff, taking its headcount to ten.

Alongside the new recruits,  four existing staff have also been promoted within the business.

Ella Kybaluk joins as a PR and social media executive after completing a BA in Fashion Marketing at Leeds Beckett University and having previous experience as a marketing executive for The Hut Group (THG).

Her role involves content creation, pitching engaging press material, social media management and supporting campaign outreach.

Also joining the team is University of Birmingham graduate Lydia Fearnley, bringing with her proficient writing skills having undertaken a degree in English Literature.

Her responsibilities as campaign assistant include supporting her team with digital marketing and social media management and implementing PR campaigns for various clients.

The four existing staff celebrating promotions are; Ellis Noble who has been promoted to Wild’s head of client services, having joined the business in 2020 as account director.

Frankie Lyons has expanded her role from senior digital PR manager to digital PR director. Mollie Earnshaw was promoted from senior PR executive to junior account manager, and junior PR executive Abigail Gosling, who is currently undertaking a Level 4 PR Apprenticeship has advanced to PR executive.

Founder and managing director of the business, Katrina Cliffe, said: “Not only have the recent appointments helped us to grow as a business and welcome Ella and Lydia to Wild, but we can also celebrate the hard work the team have put in over the last few months.

“It has allowed us to modernise the structure of the teams within the agency and optimise our way of working to get the best possible results for our clients.”

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Specialist lender, Cambridge & Counties Bank, has expanded its presence in Yorkshire with the appointment of Simon Steer to the role of senior relationship manager in the real estate finance team.

Based out of the bank’s Sheffield regional office, Steer will report to Carl Ashley, regional director.

He joins with nearly 24 years’ experience in banking. Previous roles include a six-year stint as broker business development manager at NatWest and 14 years at Royal Bank of Scotland, including 10 years as a business development manager in Huddersfield.

He has also worked briefly for Redwood Bank, covering the South Yorkshire region.

Steer has extensive experience of working with commercial brokers, professional services firms such as solicitors, valuers and accountants, and other intermediaries across the real estate market.

Along with real estate finance, he has experience in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, leisure, agricultural, retail and wholesale.

He said: “Cambridge & Counties Bank has a strong vision, built around its customers and serving their needs, and I’m highly confident it will cater for strong demand in Yorkshire among property professionals and intermediaries for its tailored lending solutions.”

Ashley said: “Simon is a great addition to the Cambridge & Counties team, with extensive experience and a deep understanding of the financing needs of local businesses & key stakeholders such as brokers.

“Yorkshire is a key growth market for the bank, and we will continue to invest in the local team to support the long-term growth plans of the bank.”

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Hull-based accountancy, tax and business advisory firm, Smailes Goldie Group, has appointed a new partner.

Billy Cowell was made partner at the firm earlier this month. A specialist in delivering audit and assurance services, he has looked after a portfolio of clients including growing companies, owner-managed businesses and corporate groups since he re-joined Smailes Goldie Group in 2016.

A product of the company’s professional training scheme, Cowell spent two years working in the audit and assurance department of a Big Four firm before his return to Smailes Goldie Group.

His experience spans a wide range of industry sectors, including logistics, manufacturing and property.

He said: “I am looking forward to making an increasing contribution to the success of Smailes Goldie Group and our clients in my new role.

“Smailes Goldie Group stands apart for its laser focus on helping its clients achieve their goals and I can think of no better place to have been made partner.”

Ian Lamb, managing partner, added: “Billy has impressed throughout his time at Smailes Goldie Group. He is the latest in a long line of partners to have embarked on their professional careers here before progressing through the ranks to join the leadership of the firm.

“I am sure he will make a great contribution to our future success.”