People: Freeths; BlackDice; and more

National law firm Freeths has appointed Rob Smedley as employment director in Leeds.

He joins from Eversheds Sutherland and is well regarded for his skill in helping clients to navigate an increasingly complex area of law.

Smedley has more than 17 years’ experience on a full range of contentious and non-contentious employment law.

Working for clients both nationally and internationally, he advises high profile clients on tribunal litigation, business reorganisations and transactions, cross border work, as well as full advisory support.

With a particular focus on discrimination and whistleblowing, change projects, TUPE transfers, and employee data privacy issues, his appointment will help continue to grow the Freeths employment team nationally.

Rena Magdani, partner and national head of employment, pensions & immigration, said: “Our employment team continues to go from strength-to-strength with strategic appointments across all our offices.

“Rob is a high calibre lawyer with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He will be key to the development and growth of our employment offering in the region and nationally.”

Smedley said: “A firm with a remarkable reputation both regionally and nationally, Freeths is the perfect choice to continue my career.

“I’m proud to be working amongst some of the most highly regarded lawyers in the field.”

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BlackDice, a growing Leeds and Malaga-based cybersecurity start-up, has appointed Mark O’Neill as its new chief technology officer.

With an extensive career in cybersecurity, most recently as senior security advisor at DXC Technology and eight years at Hewlett Packard, where O’Neill served as the client security officer for a multinational oil and gas client, he has played a pivotal role in both companies’ security strategy.

Now joining BlackDice, he will lead the company’s technological vision, spearheading innovation and driving transformative growth across all aspects of the company.

He will be responsible for overseeing the development and execution of the firm’s technology roadmap.

His extensive knowledge in security, software development, and IT infrastructure will play a crucial role in enhancing the company’s existing offerings, as well as developing new customer-centric solutions.

CEO Paul Hague said: “Welcoming Mark to the BlackDice team is an important milestone for us.

“His proven track record in technology leadership and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and grow as a start-up.”

O’Neill will be based in Leeds at the company’s new UK headquarters, and will help drive the company’s innovation agenda.

He said: “I’m honoured to join a company with such a strong commitment to both technological excellence and serving the end user, ensuring safety and privacy is a top priority.

“I believe BlackDice has the unique ability to help Tier 1 and Tier 2 telecommunications providers evolve their security strategy and address their customers’ specific pain points – from keeping families safe online to mitigating operational disruption – like no other in the sector.

“I look forward to working alongside the talented team to further elevate the company’s capabilities and drive continued growth.

“By investing in advanced cyber security measures and fostering a culture of security awareness, I’m looking forward to working with our telco customers to help them fortify their defences against cyberattacks and ensure a safer digital future for their own customers – whether that be SMEs or residential users.”

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Sheffield-headquartered Best Solicitors has grown its family team with the addition of a newly qualified child care solicitor.

Kavita Hussain joins the now 11-strong team from UnionLine Solicitors offering nine years legal experience.

Her role will support the firm’s child care service representing parents when child proceedings are involved.

Martyn Wood, director of child care, international child abduction and family law at Best Solicitors, said: “We are pleased to welcome Kavita to the firm to further strengthen our expertise in representing families in challenging child proceedings.

“Kavita brings a wealth of varied experience and will be a real asset to the team. Child proceedings, when social services are concerned about the welfare of a child, are delicate, and often complicated situations.

“We pride ourselves on empathetically supporting families in these emotional circumstances while ensuring that the children’s best interests are front of mind. Kavita’s appointment will help us to continue to improve our service.”