People: Rollits; Vet-AI; and more

Law firm Rollits LLP has promoted five members of its team from its Hull and York offices from associate to partner.

Sarah Adams, Alison Benson and Libby Clarkson are based in the Hull office.

Suzgo Kaluluma and Lynne Webster, who are both based in the firm’s York office, joined Rollits in 2019 having previously worked with other prominent law practices across Yorkshire.

Adams specialises in private capital matters including wills and probate, powers of attorney and trusts. She joined Rollits in 2011 after studying at the University of Hull and York College of Law and she qualified as a solicitor in 2013.

She is also a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) having achieved a distinction in the STEP Diploma for Trusts and Estates.

A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Benson heads the family team at Rollits having specialised in the field for 20 years.

She deals with all issues arising from divorce and separation, with a focus on complex financial cases including business and farming assets. She also advises on private children disputes and pre nuptial agreements.

She is an accredited mediator whose practice includes direct consultation with children and publicly funded mediation work.

Clarkson graduated from the University of Hull in 2011 and joined Rollits as a trainee the following year, moving into the firm’s planning and development team when she qualified in 2014.

Her work includes advising on planning law, planning agreements and infrastructure agreements, buying and selling land for development and highway, access and title issues.

Suzgo graduated from the University of Durham in 2006, qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and was appointed a Solicitor Advocate (High Courts Civil Proceedings) in 2011. He is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners (STEP).

Kaluluma moved to Rollits from the Wetherby firm Hartlaw LLP in 2019 and joined the private capital department in the York office.

He works across all aspects of estate and succession planning and on all stages of the estate administration process and trust administration. His work includes the preparation of powers of attorney and Court of Protection applications.

Webster has more than 20 years’ experience as a commercial property solicitor and is based in the York office.

A graduate of Manchester University, she qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and worked for various law firms in Leeds including Freeths, Walker Morris and Cobbetts. She joined Rollits from LCF Barber Titleys in Harrogate in 2019.

She acts for numerous property investment and development companies and deals with a wide range of commercial property matters. She also acts for high net worth private investors in retail and office space and residential portfolios.

Ralph Gilbert, managing partner, said: “These promotions are testament to the calibre of people we are attracting to Rollits.

“It is very pleasing that two of them – Libby and Sarah – who joined us as trainees have now progressed to become partners along with Alison, Lynne and Suzgo who have developed their skills and experience since opting to join us from other firms in Yorkshire.”

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Veterinary technology company, Vet-AI, has appointed its first people director as the business builds its senior team to forge ahead with scale-up plans.

Laura Stocker has joined as the Leeds-headquartered vet-tech firm confirmed a major investment from Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Correlation One Holdings to move forward with its mission to provide preventative veterinary care and ease pressure on veterinary professionals.

Stocker has extensive HR experience, having spent five years at Push Doctor, where she most recently held the position of people director. Before this, she was senior HR adviser at The Hut Group and HR adviser at AdviserPlus.

Vet-AI, which offers digital vet consultations via its vet care app Joii, now employs more than 110 people worldwide.

Stocker said: “Vet-AI is in a really exciting phase. Its people-centric approach is thriving and we are in a position to grow and build a truly award-winning culture as we scale-up.

“I’m excited to be part of this and for the opportunity to be working with such an inspirational leadership team.

“My focus is to add value to the business by amplifying engagement, retention, and performance whilst assisting with the mission to improve the lives and wellbeing of everyone working within the veterinary industry.”

It is the second senior hire for Vet-AI in recent months, with Matt Elcock recently joining as Vet-AI’s first COO. The business is also continuing a recruitment drive to hire people in several key roles as it develops innovative technology.

Paul Hallett, co-founder, said: “Our culture is incredibly important for the future direction of the business and we are committed to keeping this in place as we scale-up.

“We’re proud to offer people the chance to make a huge positive impact on the lives of vets, pets and pet parents while working flexibly in a business making huge strides in shaping the vet industry of tomorrow.

“Vet-AI has come a long way since 2017 and this wouldn’t have been possible without the incredibly knowledgeable and committed team we have had with us on that journey.”

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The Oakland Group has appointed Charlotte Goulding to the new role of HR director to support its growth plans.

She joins the business from Infinity Works and will lead the company’s new people strategy. The Oakland Group has revealed plans to double the size of its team to 80 in the next 12 months.

Goulding said: “I’m joining Oakland at such an exciting and important time for the business. I have been struck by Oakland’s strong and authentic people-first culture, and I feel very lucky to be stepping into this role, supporting our people during the next stage of our growth.

“I look forward to working with the team and helping Oakland continue to be a place where people can thrive in their careers, feel that they belong and be proud of the amazing work they do for our clients.”

The Leeds-based data consultancy has experienced record growth, with its order book growing by 60% in the last 12 months.

The Oakland Group is awaiting B Corp accreditation, an international standard for managing social and environmental impact.

Richard Corderoy, managing director, said: “We want The Oakland Group to be one of the best places to work in the UK.

“Charlotte brings a wealth of experience to her new role, and I’m sure she will be a big asset to the company as we move to the next stage of our development.”

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