People: The Harris Partnership and Gallagher

National architect firm The Harris Partnership (THP) has taken on several recruits – including two new arrivals in West Yorkshire.

The company’s Wakefield office has welcomed Owen Atkinson-Jones to the Vector Landscape team.

He is studying Landscape Architecture at Sheffield University and joins the business as an assistant landscape architect for a summer placement to gain practice experience.

Chester Robinson

A second addition to the team in Wakefield is Chester Robinson, who is a Part 1 Architecture student.

Paul Mitchell, THP chairman, said: “The Harris Partnership have several pending schemes across the UK as well as a robust portfolio of current major projects, making it a crucial time to expand at all levels across the firm.

“I am thrilled to welcome all our new recruits to THP family, it is a very exciting time to be joining the company.”

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Insurance firm Gallagher has appointed Dan O’Connell to further strengthen its mergers & acquisition team in the North of England.

A qualified lawyer, O’Connell joins from Walker Morris, where he was a corporate associate.

He has over ten years’ experience in the legal sector and has worked at a number of leading law firms including Walker Morris, Irwin Mitchell and DWF.

He has experience advising on a range of corporate transactions including corporate M&A, PLC activity, such as floats, regulatory work and fundraises, and advising private equity clients on acquisitions, investments and disposals.

Working with Gallagher’s M&A practice in London, he is responsible for developing relationships and delivering solutions to law firms, private equity houses and businesses involved in M&A in the North of England.

O’Connell will operate from Gallagher’s northern centre of excellence for corporate clients based on East Parade, Leeds.

Gallagher is a major insurance employer in Yorkshire, employing over 300 risk, insurance, claims and employee benefits specialists across offices in Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield.

O’Connell will report to James Murray, branch director of the Leeds office and will partner with Gallagher’s London M&A practice working closely with George Minoprio, M&A practice co-head, and Mark Ettershank, head of W&I and transactional insurance.

Murray said: “M&A activity is thriving in the North and particularly in Leeds. Our experience tells us that clients really value local expertise and local relationships and Dan’s appointment will maximise our local impact and bring the best of our London and Leeds experience to clients in the North.”

Minoprio said: “Dan is an impressive individual with an extensive network and with him on board there is a huge opportunity for us to further expand existing relationships and develop new partnerships in the North of England.

“We are seeing significant activity outside of London so the timing couldn’t be better.”

O’Connell added: “The opportunities for Gallagher to expand its established M&A practice are considerable.

“W&I insurance has become an integral part of many deals but solutions we offer businesses undertaking M&A go far beyond W&I.

“It’s a great time to be joining a team which offers clients such a high level of experience and technical expertise.”