People: Traditum Private Equity; JLL; Nexus; and more

Leeds-headquartered Traditum Private Equity has hired two private client advisers to expand its services and help drive its growth across the region.

Trevor Sherlock and George Lyall have worked alongside each other for almost 30 years, with Sherlock leading the tax team at EY in Newcastle, while Lyall was a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson in the city.

The two have advised some of the region’s leading business people and high-net worth individuals on tax strategies and succession planning.

And they have played a key role in building their respective firms, with EY’s Newcastle tax team becoming the largest outside London and Womble Bond Dickinson the city’s largest law firm and one of the UK’s top private client practices.

At Traditum, they will continue to advise private clients and family offices while helping to build its network in the North.

Sherlock, who joins as head of client services, has been listed in Spears Magazine as one of the UK’s leading tax advisors.

At EY he was also head of private clients for its UK financial services practice and managing partner of the national personal tax centre.

Lyall, who will be director of client services, has over 40 years’ experience in advising high-net worth individuals alongside their private and charitable trusts, with a particular expertise in capital tax planning.

Traditum launched in Leeds in 2019 and focuses on long-term investment in UK-based businesses in the technology, sustainability, property, healthtech and agricultural sectors.

David Mitchell, Traditum CEO, said “Expanding into the North East has been a key strategic goal for Traditum.

“It’s great to have two such highly regarded professionals with a long-standing track record in the region come on board.”

Sherlock said: “We’re really excited to be a part of Traditum’s strategy to increase its presence, client base and deal-making capabilities in the North East.”

Lyall added: “I’m happy to be back working alongside Trevor, continuing our 35-year partnership advising high-net worth individuals.

“Traditum’s cutting edge approach to creating tax efficient investment structures and bespoke strategies is a huge pull for me, and I am confident it will be for my network.”

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JLL has added further expertise to its growing Leeds office with a new senior appointment to its Residential Valuation Advisory team.

Victoria Welton joins as a senior surveyor and brings with her over 12 years of sector experience, having previously worked for firms including Grainger and Countrywide Surveying.

Her specialisms include sourcing and valuing sites specifically for PRS development, portfolio valuations and mortgage valuations of single assets for secured lending purposes, with past clients including major lending institutions.

In her role at JLL, she will work with Simon Cullimore, Hannah Partington and the wider team led by James Lockwood.

Her appointment will bolster the team’s delivery of valuation advice for a range of major private and public sector clients across Yorkshire and the North East.

Her appointment follows a recent period of growth for JLL in Leeds, which has seen it take on a series of new starters this year.

James Lockwood, head of residential valuation (North and Midlands) at JLL, said: “Leeds has received the highest level of residential investment of any regional city this year, so all signs are pointing towards the city cementing its status as one the UK’s property hotspots.

“With this in mind, I am especially pleased to welcome a surveyor of Victoria’s expertise to the team.

“She brings with her a wealth of sector experience that will be key in widening our support to residential investors and developers across Yorkshire and the North East, providing best in class advice.”

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Gareth Scargill has been appointed deputy director at the University of Leeds innovation hub, Nexus.

Scargill will spearhead the operational aspects of the innovation community’s scale-up. He will work with its team of  business engagement and collaboration experts to help more businesses connect to the university and wider support networks.

With more than 20 years’ experience in commercial, operations and business development roles in the leisure and innovation sectors, latterly as business development director with Oxford Innovation Space, Scargill is a University of Leeds graduate with an MBA from Henley Business School.

He said: “The Nexus success story is something that is well recognised across the UK, particularly in the healthcare innovation sector, and is now increasingly being heard on an international scale as companies look for the right UK base to accelerate their growth.

“I’m so happy to be joining the team behind that success story and look forward to adding my own experience to the community’s skillset as it supports a growing number of incredibly inspiring businesses and innovators.”

Dr Martin Stow, Nexus director, added: “This is a significant appointment for Nexus. Gareth brings with him, not only extensive business development expertise from the highly respected Oxford Innovation Space, but also commercial management experience for business centres across the UK”

“As we continue to grow our membership base and attract high-growth innovation companies on an international scale, his knowledge and experience will be invaluable.”

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Sheffield law firm Bell & Buxton has promoted Dax Keeling, head of litigation, into the firm’s partnership, bringing the number of current partners to six.

Keeling graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 1996, qualified as solicitor in 2002, and since 2004 has been practising law in Sheffield and the surrounding area.

Specialising in commercial and civil litigation, he acts for clients on a range of matters, from high value commercial disputes to small claims cases.

He also provides support to the employment department, having extensive experience in relation to a variety of employment-related issues.

Keeling said: “Having been with the firm for three really enjoyable years, I am pleased to have been invited to become a partner in Bell & Buxton.

“I look forward to taking on this significant role in the development of the firm.”

Alex Ross, head of company & commercial, said: “Congratulations to Dax on his promotion to partner, which is testament to his commitment to the practice and excellent client service.

“Always with an eye for detail, his wealth of experience will continue to support the firm’s growth and success.”