People: Eaton Smith Solicitors; McCormicks Solicitors; and more

Huddersfield law firm, Eaton Smith, has expanded its Commercial Property Team, adding further expertise and support for its clients, both local and national.

The team, headed by partner James Burgess, works with clients from across the region and the UK from both the public and private sectors on a variety of commercial projects and portfolios. 

Burgess completed his training at a well-known national law firm based in the North East of England, before moving on to work for a niche commercial practice in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he undertook all aspects of commercial property work. 

More recently, he was a partner at a South Yorkshire law firm, where he practiced commercial property and corporate work. He joined Eaton Smith in April 2020 and took over the reins of the Commercial Property Team in May 2021.  

Senior solicitor, Jamie Humpheson, joined Eaton Smith in October 2021 from a regional law firm. 

He is a skilled commercial property lawyer, who advises a wide range of clients in a variety of fields. He provides an additional layer of expertise in the charity sector and frequently provides advice upon the property aspects of company sales and acquisitions.

Humpheson has worked on a number of notable, high-value projects, most recently a £4m value lease for an industry-leading client.

Associate solicitor, Ian Holdsworth, joined Eaton Smith in January 2022.

He has been qualified for over 40 years and his extensive and varied career has included running his own law firm and estate agency, being a partner for a number of years in a firm of solicitors in Wakefield and, more recently, working with a firm of solicitors in Barnsley.

He has extensive experience in commercial property work for individuals, businesses and pension funds including options and promotion agreements, adverse possession claims and prescriptive rights of way.

Holdsworth particularly enjoys dealing with agricultural land, including woodland, which he has purchased and sold for clients throughout England and Wales.

Legal assistants, Anne Wilson and Justine Boyes both bring valuable experience and expertise.

Boyes has been part of the Commercial Property Team for over 10 years and provides dedicated support to the team and the firm’s clients, having developed a wealth of experience during her time with the firm. 

Wilson joined Eaton Smith in January 2021, having worked in the legal sector for almost three decades, a substantial proportion of which was spent working in real estate. 

Before joining Eaton Smith she spent several years living in Australia, where she worked for an international law firm in its office in Perth.

Burgess said: “As a firm and as a team we pride ourselves on providing excellent support to all of our clients.

“We are incredibly proud of our Commercial Property Team and the work we undertake for our clients both locally and nationally and have ambitious plans for further growth in the coming years.”

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Shah Ahmed

A North Yorkshire-based criminal law practice has further strengthened its Crime and Fraud team.

McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate has appointed associate solicitor Shah Ahmed and junior criminal law executive Eve Million to reflect its growing practice.

The appointments come just months after two members of staff were promoted to new roles in the team.

Ahmed joins from a Leeds practice where he worked as solicitor specialising in Crown Court cases, gaining a wealth of experience preparing serious cases and working alongside many barristers, some of whom are now Judges and King’s Counsel.

He qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and is a fully accredited police station representative.

He has been regularly attending police stations across Yorkshire and beyond dealing with every type of offence; from minor road traffic offences to more serious allegations of murder.

Million assists the team in all aspects of Criminal work and client care.

She was awarded a first class honours in Law with Criminology degree at Leeds Law School in June.

Eve Million

She also took the Leeds Law School prize for the best graduating student on her course and the prize for best student on any “Law with” course.

Million is soon to begin working towards her police station representative accreditation.

Head of the Crime and Fraud team, partner Peter Minnikin, said: “I believe there are few practices in the North Yorkshire region which can offer the breadth and depth of experience in crime, fraud and regulatory matters that our team can bring.

“I am pleased to welcome both Shah and Eve who will be invaluable in what is a very busy area for us.”

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Leeds-based brand transformation and creative change agency, Born Ugly, has appointed a new senior creative, Ryan Spence, who will be working in the design team.

He joins the agency to support with its growing client base. He will specifically help bring ideas to life, working with the wider team on conceptual ideation. The appointment comes following two other senior hires across the agency last month.

Spence joins from his previous role at Creative Spark as design director, having worked at Brilliant Agency and ilk Agency prior to this.

He has worked with big names such as Sport England, United Nations, BrewDog and Sainsburys.

Rob Skelly, associate creative director at Born Ugly, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan to our design team. His experience and creative vision align perfectly with the Born Ugly way of pushing creative boundaries and delivering extraordinary and impactful results.

“No doubt Ryan’s visionary thinking will inspire our team and elevate our creative offerings to new heights.”

Spence added: “Born Ugly present a new challenge and journey that brings together strategic thinking with creativity to make a real difference in the world.

“I’m looking forward to working with the bold hive mind here to drive category defining and influential work, not to mention working across a diverse range of clients and sectors.”