People: Medical Solicitors; Helmsley Group; Technikraft; and more

Yorkshire-based Medical Solicitors has put together a new leadership team, with three long-serving members of staff promoted to directors.

Operations manager, Jo Linton, and senior clinical negligence lawyers Christine Brown and Matthew Brown were appointed to the board of directors on 1 April 2023.

The trio join sisters Caroline and Annette Moore. The three new directors bring a range of complementary skills to the board, enabling a clearer division of responsibility across all facets of the business to achieve their future ambitions.

Clinical negligence solicitor Caroline launched her own firm in 2009 and worked for many years as a sole practitioner.

In 2012, the firm moved to an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) which enables Medical Solicitors to reward non-legally qualified staff with promotion to the board.

Linton has been Caroline’s right-hand woman for over ten years, first as a personal assistant before becoming Medical Solicitors’ operations manager responsible for the company’s accounts, facilities, and health and safety.

Linton said: “It has been a pleasure to learn and grow under Caroline’s leadership. I am proud to have been offered the opportunity and excited to embark on this new chapter with Medical Solicitors.”

Christine Brown and Matthew Brown are both grade A clinical negligence specialists with over 20 years’ experience. They have been with Medical Solicitors for eight and seven years respectively.

Christine said: “It has been a privilege since joining in 2015 to be part of the ongoing expansion of the firm as a leading clinical negligence practice.

“I am looking forward to contributing to the firm’s future growth and sustainable business practices whilst continuing to provide the highest professional standards of service to our clients.”

Matthew said: “I have seen Medical Solicitors succeed and grow since joining in 2016. I look forward to further success in provision of support, getting answers and securing justice for patients harmed by clinical negligence.” 

Medical Solicitors has grown in recent years, expanding across the Yorkshire region with the launch of two new branches in York and Hull. It now has a team of almost 30 staff who work across three sites. 

Caroline said: “Jo, Christine and Matthew have all made incredible individual contributions and have a great rapport with both colleagues and clients.

“Involving them more in the management processes here was the next logical step and a very positive move for the future of Medical Solicitors.”

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Property investment and development specialist, Helmsley Group, has appointed Alexia Swift-Cookson to its board of directors.

She joined the York-based company last year as its head of asset management and since then, has been instrumental in driving the growth of its £200m syndicated investment portfolio.

Helmsley Group currently offers property investment opportunities to more than 800 high-net-worth investors.

Swift-Cookson’s appointment follows the announcement last year that director Ed Harrowsmith had become a shareholder in the business, alongside Tom Boyle becoming both a director and the group’s head of finance.

Richard Peak, managing director, said: “As demonstrated by our recently submitted plans to regenerate Coney Street Riverside, it’s a very exciting time for us as a business, and our recent changes to the board also reflect that.

“We have always been committed to delivering the best possible investment opportunities to our client network, and Alexia has not only instinctively understood this approach since she was first appointed but has also been vital in driving this strategy forward.

“We want to congratulate her on her recent promotion to the board.”

Swift-Cookson, director and head of asset management, said: “What first stood out to me when I joined Helmsley was the business’s commitment to investing in areas that it knows best, helping to deliver transformational change on both a local and a regional level.

“I’m incredibly pleased to have been promoted to the board and to be taking on an even greater role in contributing to the positive development and diversification of the business as a whole.”

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Technikraft, a Goole-based chemicals business which supplies private label products to industry, has appointed James Clews to the newly-created role of commercial director.

Clews, who joins from personal care products manufacturer Stephenson, has 16 years’ experience in senior commercial roles.

At Technikraft, he will be working with his fellow directors to drive the future growth of the business.

Technikraft develops and manufactures cleaning fluids, fuel additives, anti-corrosion and lubrication products to industries such as oil, automotive and engineering.

Established in 1987, the firm began a new phase in its growth in 2018 when it received investment from PHD Industrial Holdings, which backs established businesses in traditional industries and helps them expand.

Since then it has more than doubled the number of formulations to over 2,000, expanded its sales in Europe and strengthened the management team with a number of senior appointments.

Dave Stewart, managing director, said: “We are pleased to welcome James to the team. After more than 35 years in the chemicals industry, Technikraft is firmly established as one of the leaders in its field.

“James’ knowledge of the market and his track record for delivering growth will help us to build on our heritage and identify new opportunities to take the company forward.”

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AWB Charlesworth Solicitors, which has offices in Skipton, Keighley and Bradford, has appointed Christopher Cooper as director.

He specialises in Dispute Resolution and works in the Litigation department at the firm offering tailored legal advice to individuals and businesses.

Cooper has extensive experience advising on a range of commercial and property disputes and specialises in advising clients in the agricultural sector.

He joined the firm as an apprentice in 2010 and completed his studies whilst working. He said: “I am pleased to have been appointed as a director at AWB Charlesworth, a progressive and forward-thinking firm.

“I am looking forward to my future at the firm as it continues to grow.”